LiveAvatar Setup Guide

How to use the LiveAvatar tool to stream a visual AI avatar to Zoom.

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1. Audio Setup (Crucial for Zoom)

If you are just testing the app locally, you do not need BlackHole. The Avatar will play audio normally through your computer speakers. However, if you are connecting to Zoom, you must route the audio:

2. Best Practices for Webinar Costs (CRITICAL)

• Do NOT click "Start Session" at the beginning of the Zoom call.
• Wait until the host announces that Mike (or the Avatar) is about to speak.
• Once they call your name, then click "Start Session". It only takes a few seconds to connect.
• When your 5-minute segment is over, immediately click the red Close Session button to stop billing.
• Note: If you leave the session on but don't type anything for a long time, the server will automatically disconnect it to protect your credits.

3. Starting the LiveAvatar

1. Navigate to the LiveAvatar tool.
2. Select your desired Avatar from the dropdown menu.
3. (Optional) Enter a custom ElevenLabs Voice ID. If left blank, it will default to the avatar's native built-in voice (e.g., Santa will sound like Santa).
4. Click Start Session.
5. Wait for the connection to establish. You will see the AI Avatar appear on screen and the status change to "Session Active".

4. Video Setup & Zoom Timing (OBS Studio)

Because you are waiting until the last minute to "Start Session" to save credits, you must manage your Zoom camera carefully so you don't broadcast a blank screen.

Before the Webinar (The "Holding Pattern"):

1. In Zoom, set your Camera to OBS Virtual Camera.
2. In OBS Studio, create a "Holding Screen" scene. This could be a static image of your Avatar, a logo, or just a black screen. This is what Zoom will see for the first 1 hour and 55 minutes.

1 Minute Before You Speak:

1. Go to the StallingsMachine LiveAvatar page and click Start Session.
2. Wait for the Avatar to appear on the web page.
3. Click the Pop Out Video (For OBS) button to create a floating Picture-in-Picture window.
4. In OBS Studio, add a new Window Capture source and select the floating Picture-in-Picture window. (Make sure this capture layer is on top of your holding screen).
5. The live, moving avatar is now instantly broadcast into Zoom.
6. When your segment ends, click Close Session on the web page. The Picture-in-Picture window will close, and OBS will automatically fall back to showing your static Holding Screen.

5. Making the Avatar Speak

1. During your Zoom call, listen to the conversation.
2. When you want the AI to reply, type your response into the "Type text to speak" box on the LiveAvatar page.
3. Click the green Speak button.
4. The AI will instantly speak the text with lip-sync. The audio goes through BlackHole into Zoom, and the video goes through OBS into Zoom.