Sora's Pixel Stream - Real-time Pixel Art Filter
A tool by Ameniwa that adds retro effects such as pixel art, VHS, glitch and CRT to your stream in real time: your game screen, your VTuber model's window or your camera. The web version is free; the Steam version (Windows) adds voice-reactive effects, hotkeys and Stream Deck, chroma key, overlays and more.
Features
- Real-time pixel art on your game screen, VTuber model window or camera
- 18 color palettes (Sora, Game Boy, NES, CGA, C64, PICO-8, Sweetie 16, Pastel, Mono, Sepia, Sunset, Ocean, Earth, Sakura, Cyber, Horror, RISO, CMYK) and original-color mode
- VHS, CRT scanlines with curvature, static noise and vignette
- Glitch, screen shake, color cycle and palette shift
- Render styles: halftone, toon and ASCII art
- Adjustable pixel size, dither, brightness, contrast and saturation
- Sample videos to try it without a camera
- Screenshots and recording
- Works on phones (camera and sample video)
- OBS integration via Window Capture
- Steam version (Windows): voice-reactive effects, hotkeys and Stream Deck, chroma key, overlays, up to 8 outputs
- 9 languages supported
How to Use with OBS
- Open the Sora's Pixel Stream page in Google Chrome.
- A sample video plays first. Choose Screen for a game or VTuber model window, or Camera. Adjust the palette, pixel size and effects in the control panel.
- In OBS, add a Window Capture source, select the Chrome window and crop out the control panel. Note: OBS Browser Source cannot capture a camera or screen.
- Adjust the effects (VHS, CRT, Glitch, Color Cycle and more) and start streaming.
FAQ
- What is Sora's Pixel Stream?
- A tool that adds retro effects such as pixel art, VHS, glitch and CRT to your stream in real time. Use it on your game screen, your VTuber model's window or your camera. The Steam version also has effects that react to your voice, and one-button effects from hotkeys or a Stream Deck.
- Can I use it on my VTuber model?
- Yes. Pick the VTube Studio window (or any other) with Screen, and the effects go onto your model. In the Steam version, CHROMA KEY can make a solid-color background, such as green, transparent. You can then layer your model with effects applied over a game screen in OBS.
- What's the difference between the free web version and the Steam version?
- The free web version lets you try retro effects in your browser without signing up: pixel art (18 palettes), VHS, CRT, glitch and render styles on your game screen or camera, plus screenshots and recording with a frame; streams and videos made with it need a credit to Sora's Pixel Stream. The Steam version (Windows, $5.99) needs no credit and offers voice-reactive effects, hotkeys and Stream Deck support, one-button effects, chroma key for solid-color backgrounds, transparent output, penlight, hamster and subscriber/viewer count overlays, up to 8 output windows, presets, screenshots and recording without a frame, and capture without the mouse cursor. The date and PLAY display (OSD) is currently available only in the web version.
- How much does it cost?
- The web version is free. The Steam version is a one-time purchase of $5.99, with no subscription. Prices in other currencies are as shown on the Steam store page.
- How do I use it with OBS?
- Web version: open the web app in Chrome and choose a video source. In OBS, choose Add Source → Window Capture and select the Chrome window. Crop out the control panel on the right in OBS. Steam version: the video with effects applied appears in a separate output window. Select that window using Window Capture in OBS. OBS's Browser Source can't capture a camera or screen. See the Steam version guide for detailed instructions.
- Is my video sent anywhere?
- No. Camera and screen video is processed on your device and is not sent anywhere. It is not saved automatically. You can save screenshots and recordings to your device using the capture buttons. STREAM STATS in the Steam version connects to YouTube or Twitch to display subscriber and viewer counts. No video or audio is sent.
- Does it use AI to process video?
- No. AI is not used to process your video.
- Does it work on phones?
- The web version works in phone browsers too: put effects on your camera or the sample video, and take screenshots and recordings. Screen capture isn't available on phones. The Steam version is for Windows PCs.
- What do I need to run it?
- Web version: a recent browser with WebGL (Chrome, Edge, Safari, etc.). Capturing a game screen works in desktop browsers. Steam version: Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit). There's no Mac version.
- Can I use it in monetized streams and videos?
- Yes. You can use video with effects applied in streams and videos on YouTube, Twitch and other platforms, including monetized content, with no extra fees. When you use the web version in streams or videos, credit "Sora's Pixel Stream" in the description or on screen (not needed for posts on X or other social media). The Steam version needs no credit.
The FAQ in 9 languages: pixel-stream.ameniwa.com/faq/
Created by Ameniwa | @ameniwa_