Videos one uploads are handled differently that live streamed videos. Depending on the data rate you upload, the download may be the same 1280x720 but the data rate may be much lower. They're re-encoding the file (just as YouTube does for example).
Encoding video is a very CPU-intensive operation, and OBS is no exception. OBS uses the best video encoding library available, url=to encode video. However, some people might experience high CPU utilization, and other programs running on your computer might experience degraded performance while OBS is active if your settings are too high for your computer's hardware. Typically, OBS will say 'taking too long to encode!'
On its status bar, meaning that your computer can't encode your video fast enough to maintain the settings you have it set to, which will cause video stutter. Downscale resolution is your output/encoding resolution.
The resolution that you are encoding at has the biggest impact on CPU usage. For example, 1080p has more than twice the number of pixels in each frame versus 720p, and your CPU usage increases accordingly. The most common way to reduce CPU usage is to downscale your resolution in Settings Video Resolution Downscale. You can keep your base resolution the same, so that your layout doesn't change, and then downscale the resolution to whatever gives you good performance.
Certain games can use a blot/b of CPU, especially emulators. If a game uses a lot of CPU, it can interfere with OBS just as OBS can interfere with the game, so you will need to consider turning down these settings to compensate for the game you're playing. You can also use the 'Process priority' setting in advanced to increase or reduce processor priority of the program. It's common to give OBS 'Above normal' process priority to ensure that OBS is prioritized by the system and running smoothly, though use it with caution. Encoding video is a very CPU-intensive operation, and OBS is no exception.
OBS uses the best video encoding library available, url=to encode video. However, some people might experience high CPU utilization, and other programs running on your computer might experience degraded performance while OBS is active if your settings are too high for your computer's hardware.
![Why Does The Video Quality Go Down For Obs Recording On Mac Why Does The Video Quality Go Down For Obs Recording On Mac](http://images-thumbs.thefullwiki.org/S/a/w/Saw_IV.png)
Typically, OBS will say 'taking too long to encode!' On its status bar, meaning that your computer can't encode your video fast enough to maintain the settings you have it set to, which will cause video stutter. Here are some ways you can reduce resource utilization and, hopefully, make both OBS and your programs run faster while encoding: size=120bDownscale resolution/b/size Downscale resolution is your output/encoding resolution. The resolution that you are encoding at has the biggest impact on CPU usage. For example, 1080p has more than twice the number of pixels in each frame versus 720p, and your CPU usage increases accordingly.
The most common way to reduce CPU usage is to downscale your resolution in Settings Video Resolution Downscale. You can keep your base resolution the same, so that your layout doesn't change, and then downscale the resolution to whatever gives you good performance. size=120bLower Frame Rate/b/size If you're streaming above 30 FPS, another option is to consider is lowering your frame rate to 30 FPS. It will reduce the number of frames your CPU has to process in a give time span, which will reduce CPU usage.
size=120bChange x264 Preset/b/size The video encoder, x264, has a number of 'presets' that will change your video quality and CPU usage accordingly. The OBS default is veryfast, which for the majority of cases is the best balance between CPU usage and video quality.
This setting can be changed in Settings Advanced x264 CPU Preset. The name of the preset is intended to indicate how 'fast' the encoder should run. Faster presets will use less CPU at the cost of quality computations. Slower presets will use use more computations for quality, but will use much more CPU. So for example if you would like to try to reduce CPU usage iwithout/i modifying your resolution or FPS, you can reduce your CPU usage by changing your x264 preset to superfast or ultrafast, and x264 will spend less time trying to make the image look good, and will spare you some CPU cycles. The image may look a bit blockier, but you will be able to retain your resolution/fps. Be very careful with this setting, as for example the preset named 'faster' can use twice the amount of CPU as 'veryfast', the one right above it.
Always set it back to veryfast if you're not sure what to set this to. size=120bUpgrade hardware/b/size Some CPUs are so weak that they are near-hopeless for getting anything decent working. Dual-core CPUs and AMD APUs are particularly notorious for this. They night be able to get away with a 360p stream at 25 FPS using the ultrafast preset, but it certainly won't look good. That's up to you to decide. If you have a Sandy Bridge i5 or i7 or later, or an AMD 6-core or 8-core or later, then you should be able to come up with a decent-looking stream.
OBS is different from many other streaming/recording programs in that it makes use of your GPU for better performance. Unfortunately, on some older or budget model GPUs this can be a bottleneck in your stream's performance. This is generally due to low memory bandwith and/or low processor core count.
size=120bGames use CPU too/b/size Certain games can use a blot/b of CPU, especially emulators. If a game uses a lot of CPU, it can interfere with OBS just as OBS can interfere with the game, so you will need to consider turning down these settings to compensate for the game you're playing. You can also use the 'Process priority' setting in advanced to increase or reduce processor priority of the program. It's common to give OBS 'Above normal' process priority to ensure that OBS is prioritized by the system and running smoothly, though use it with caution.
size=120bRun your log through the log analyzer for more advice/b/size If there are any other things that could be causing OBS to run slow, you can often find them by running your OBS log through R1CH's url=analyzer/url. It will let you know of any other performance problems that could be slowing things down, or any other problems you might be having with your settings.
Hello everyone. I came here in need for help. I'm having issues with quality of my stream though all my settings seem to be ok. I read lots of tutorials and guides, including those on this forum, also tried OBS Estimator settings. Nothing helped me yet. The thing is - quality in motion simply sucks and things aren't sharp.
Ofcourse I tried lowering and maxing quality, tried higher bitrate, tried faster/fast/medium presets, tried 720p. I'd really love to stream my gameplay in 1080p/720p in good and nice for eye quality (it doesn't have to be perfect/extreme).
I asked few few streamers about their settings and they pretty much matched those testes below by me, they play LoL/BF3/BFBC2/CoD4. Quality 8, Max Bit rate/Buffer size 2000, Very Fast Preset, 30FPS, 1920x1080 (Neverwinter) Quality 8, Max Bit rate/Buffer size 3000, Very Fast Preset, 30FPS, 1920x1080 (Neverwinter) Constant Bit rate/Buffer size 2500 Very Fast Preset, 30FPS, 1920x1080 (Neverwinter) Quality 7, Max Bit rate/Buffer size 3400, Fast Preset, 30FPS, 1280x720 (Neverwinter) Quality 7, Max Bit rate/Buffer size 2000, Fast Preset, 30FPS, 1920x1080 (LoL). Thanks everyone for replies. I really don't understand one thing: 2 gameplays Lordscaremonger: (and his other videos) (he plays CoD4/Witcher) P4pus (mine): (fixed link) His gameplay is much better than mine (especially around mid where character is). In these two videos there're same bitrates (3000) and same resolutions.
I asked this streamer about his settings but he just told me about them only in general, nothing more. He's kind of 'not advanced' (or who care) streamers so he doesn't have awesome rig and computer science skills but has better stream quality than me. I'm not jealous but it bothers me I can't get the same result. I honestly wonder if a capture card would be better for you instead / in addition to upgrading your card, been wondering this myself as well.
I mean if you can effectively cut the lag AND get better quality, why not? I've only seen a couple claims / reviews though. EDIT: About that other one you posted. Looks like he is playing on console, his movements are really stuttery and not fluid like mouse / keyboard.
![Why does the video quality go down for obs recording on mac computer Why does the video quality go down for obs recording on mac computer](https://storage.googleapis.com/api-web/static-content/images/obs_downloaded.png)
Which means he is likely using a go between to stream like a capture hardware of some sort. Papus, I have been having the same issues. I run an i7 3770 @ 4.1ghz and I have a gtx 660ti with 16gb or ram. When standing still in any game it looks amazing. However, as soon as I fly, run, walk or do anything besides sit still, I have pixels everywhere! It makes me want to pull my eyes out and eat them.
Especially after seeing people with worse systems than mine and they get amazing looking streams. I have been searching all over trying to figure out what it is that's causing it and it has lead me here. The only thing I can think of is it must be something to do with the graphics card. I am at my wits end with this. I cant seem to get a clear stream when in action. This doesnt look too bad however.