Our verdict: NVIDIA Broadcast is the best free noise removal and virtual background tool if you already own an RTX graphics card. It works as a virtual microphone, speaker and camera, so it plugs into OBS, Discord, Zoom and Teams. Without an RTX 2060 or newer it does not run at all.
About NVIDIA Broadcast
NVIDIA Broadcast uses the Tensor Cores on GeForce RTX and NVIDIA RTX GPUs to run AI effects in real time. It removes background noise and room echo from your microphone and from incoming audio, and can blur, replace or remove the background of a standard webcam, keep you centred with auto-frame and clean up video noise.
The app creates virtual devices named NVIDIA Broadcast that you select as microphone, speaker or camera in other apps. It needs an RTX 2060, Quadro RTX 3000, TITAN RTX or newer, a recent NVIDIA driver, and downloads about 3 GB of AI models during installation.
What it does well
- Noise and echo removal. Filters keyboard clicks, fans and room echo from your microphone.
- Speaker noise removal. Cleans up noisy audio coming from other call participants.
- Virtual background. Blurs, replaces or removes your background without a green screen.
- Auto frame. Zooms and pans the webcam to keep you in the centre.
- Works in any app. Appears as a virtual mic, speaker and camera in OBS, Discord, Zoom and Teams.
Who it is for
Good fit
Streamers and remote workers with an NVIDIA RTX graphics card and a noisy room.
Look elsewhere
Owners of AMD, Intel or older GTX graphics, which are not supported.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very effective noise and echo removal
- Virtual background without a green screen
- Works in any app through virtual devices
- Hotkeys and Stream Deck control for effects
Cons
- Requires an NVIDIA RTX 2060 or newer
- Uses GPU power that games and encoders also need
- Large download of about 3 GB of AI models
How to install NVIDIA Broadcast
Update your NVIDIA driver to version 572.61 or newer first, then run the installer from nvidia.com. Setup downloads about 3 GB of AI models, so use a fast connection. In your call or streaming app, choose the NVIDIA Broadcast microphone, speaker or camera device.
Questions about NVIDIA Broadcast
Is NVIDIA Broadcast free?
Yes. NVIDIA Broadcast is free for owners of supported NVIDIA RTX graphics cards.
Does NVIDIA Broadcast work on GTX cards?
No. It needs a GeForce RTX 2060, Quadro RTX 3000, TITAN RTX or a newer RTX GPU.
How do I use NVIDIA Broadcast in Discord or Zoom?
Select the NVIDIA Broadcast microphone, speaker or camera as the device in the app's audio and video settings.
