Guide · OBS

How to add a countdown timer to OBS

There are two ways to bring Hakol Timer into OBS Studio. A Browser Source needs no plugin and takes a minute. NDI is the better choice when OBS runs on another computer and you want a proper video feed. Both give you a transparent background.

Download Hakol Timer — free macOS (Apple Silicon) & Windows 10/11 · free account · up to 5 computers

Option A: Browser Source (no plugin)

In the Hakol Timer window, look at the bottom bar: it shows the Viewer address, for example http://192.168.1.20:1111.
In OBS, add a Browser source to your scene.
Set the URL to that address with ?alpha=1 on the end, for example http://192.168.1.20:1111/?alpha=1. The alpha=1 makes the background transparent.
Set the width and height to 1920 × 1080 and click OK. Resize or crop the source like any other.

If OBS runs on the same computer as Hakol Timer, http://localhost:1111/?alpha=1 works too.

Option B: NDI

Install the free DistroAV plugin for OBS (formerly obs-ndi) and the NDI Runtime it asks for.
In Hakol Timer, open Settings → NDI, tick NDI output and keep Transparent background (alpha) on.
In OBS, add an NDI Source and pick YOUR-COMPUTER (Hakol Timer).

Which one should I use?

Browser Source: quickest, nothing to install, and perfect when OBS and the timer are on the same computer or network.
NDI: a real video source, the same feed you would send to vMix or Resolume. Handy when one timer feeds several systems at once.

Control it while you stream

Run the timer from its own window, with keyboard shortcuts, from a Stream Deck through Companion or over OSC. Every change shows in OBS instantly, along with any message you send to the stage.

Frequently asked

Do I need a plugin to show a countdown timer in OBS?

No. Add a Browser source with the Hakol Timer viewer address and ?alpha=1 on the end. A plugin (DistroAV) is only needed for the NDI option.

Why is the background black instead of transparent?

Add ?alpha=1 to the end of the Browser source URL. For NDI, turn on Transparent background (alpha) in Settings → NDI.

Does it work with OBS on a Mac?

Yes. Both the Browser source and NDI work with OBS on macOS and Windows.

Try it on your next show

Hakol Timer is free for Mac and Windows. Create an account and download it in under a minute.