How it works
Add a Timer layer to a Vision overlay, choose countdown mode and configure the start or end time. Display the overlay in your OBS starting-soon scene as a Browser Source. Use the timer controls to pause or resume, and check its state before each broadcast.
What you need
- A starting-soon scene in OBS Studio
- A Vision account and an overlay with a Timer layer
- Your intended start time and a short label for viewers
Step by step
Create the timer
Open or create an overlay in Vision. Click + and add a Timer layer. Choose a countdown rather than a stopwatch, and configure the start or end time for your broadcast.
Make the time easy to read
Choose which units to show: hours, minutes or seconds. Add a label such as Starting soon. Select a readable number font and leave enough space for the longest displayed time. Save the overlay.
Add it to the starting-soon scene
Copy the overlay output URL from the install controls. In the correct OBS scene, choose Sources → + → Browser. Paste the URL, match the overlay dimensions and place the Browser Source above the background in the source list.
Test the controls before the broadcast
Run a short countdown and watch it in OBS. Select the Timer layer in Vision and test pause and resume using its controls. Check what viewers see when it reaches zero. Set the real start time after the test.
Prepare your next stream
Reuse the same Browser Source, but set and check the timer for the new broadcast. Do not assume switching OBS scenes starts a fresh countdown. If a mod operates it, invite them with the necessary overlay permissions and rehearse the handoff.
A countdown is not an automatic scene switch
Decide what happens when the countdown finishes: normally you switch from Starting soon to your gameplay or camera scene. This guide sets up the visible timer only. It does not configure OBS to change scenes at zero.
If you are delayed, adjust the timer and keep the label clear. A countdown that no longer matches the planned start gives viewers less useful information than an honest updated time.
Avoid reset surprises when changing scenes
OBS Browser Sources have lifecycle settings, including refreshing when a scene becomes active. Test your own source settings by switching away from the starting-soon scene and back while the timer runs. Confirm the result before relying on it live.
You can reuse a timer for a break, but set its new time deliberately. Keep the background and label in the scene consistent with whether viewers are waiting for the stream to start or for you to return.
If something is not working
- The countdown is hidden? Put its Browser Source above the background and verify both sources are visible.
- The time is cropped? Match source and overlay dimensions, then check the layer’s position and font size.
- It counts upward or looks paused? Check that the layer is in countdown mode, confirm the configured time and inspect the timer controls.
Common questions
Do I need to download a timer video or script?
No. This method uses a live Timer layer rendered through an OBS Browser Source. It requires an internet connection.
Can a mod pause the countdown?
Yes, with the appropriate Vision overlay permissions. The moderator signs in from their browser, selects your channel and uses the timer controls.
Will OBS switch scenes when the timer ends?
Not from these steps. Switch scenes yourself or configure a separate scene-switching workflow. Test the ending state before your broadcast.
Can I use it for a BRB screen?
Yes. Put the overlay in the relevant scene, update the label and set the time for your break. Check the timer state each time you reuse it.
Test it before going live
The Free plan includes one overlay with up to 10 layers and one simultaneous OBS connection. Additional overlays and custom roles depend on your plan. Check the current limits before planning your team setup.
All settings for this feature