THIS is why your livestreams are pixelated... OBS Tutorial

Summary

This video provides valuable tips to improve stream quality and resolve common issues like pixelation, blurriness, and low visual quality. The creator explains how bitrate settings in OBS influence stream clarity, offering guidance on optimizing these settings based on network speeds. It covers platform-specific bitrate limits for Twitch and YouTube, how to select the best downscaling filter for different resolutions, and the importance of encoder choice (NVENC vs x264). The video concludes with advice for adjusting stream overlays and experimenting with settings for optimal performance, catering to both one-PC and two-PC setups.

Takeaways

• 😀 Streaming quality issues like pixelation and blurriness are common for streamers, especially when moving the camera quickly or streaming in fast-paced games.
• 😀 The main cause of pixelation is usually low bitrate settings, which result in poor visual quality, particularly when streaming to platforms like Twitch or YouTube.
• 😀 OBS preview may look fine, but the real issue often appears when the stream is live on Twitch, due to the low bitrate affecting the data sent to the platform.
• 😀 Raising the bitrate in OBS can significantly improve stream quality, reducing pixelation during fast movement and gameplay.
• 😀 However, setting the bitrate too high can lead to network issues like stuttering, dropped frames, and disconnections, especially if your upload speed is insufficient.
• 😀 Twitch has a bitrate cap of 6,000 kbps for non-partners, while YouTube allows up to 51,000 kbps, which can impact streaming choices depending on the platform.
• 😀 It's essential to determine your upload speed and set the bitrate accordingly, as exceeding your network’s capacity can cause technical problems.
• 😀 If your upload speed isn’t high enough, consider lowering the resolution, frame rate, or bitrate to ensure a stable stream with minimal interruptions.
• 😀 Stream overlays should be kept simple and static to reduce the workload on the encoder and improve stream quality, especially when working with a lower bitrate.
• 😀 When downscaling to a lower resolution like 720p, experimenting with different downscaling filters like Bicubic and Lanczos can impact stream sharpness, with Lanczos offering a sharper image at the cost of system demand.
• 😀 Depending on your system specs, using hardware encoders like NVENC (for NVIDIA GPUs) or alternatives for AMD GPUs can improve stream quality without impacting game performance.
• 😀 For those using a two-PC streaming setup or having a high-end system, x264 encoding provides the best quality, though it can increase CPU load and is not recommended for lower-end setups.

Q & A

Why do some streams look pixelated or blurry on platforms like Twitch, even though OBS looks fine?

This happens because of low bitrate. The bitrate determines how much data is transmitted to streaming platforms, and a low bitrate can result in pixelation or blurriness, especially when there’s movement or fast action in the stream.

What is the relationship between bitrate and stream quality?

Bitrate controls how much data your stream sends to platforms like Twitch or YouTube. A higher bitrate results in better stream quality, while a lower bitrate can lead to blurry, pixelated visuals. The bitrate should be adjusted to ensure optimal visual quality without overloading your network.

What is the keyframe setting in OBS and why is it important?

The keyframe setting in OBS helps to prevent visual artifacts like smearing by instructing the encoder to generate a new frame at regular intervals. This ensures smooth playback by refreshing the frame and improving stream quality, especially when there's rapid movement or changes in the game.

How does the bitrate affect stream quality during static versus fast-moving scenes?

In a static scene, the encoder doesn’t need to transmit a lot of data, so the stream looks clearer. However, in fast-moving scenes, like when running around in a game, the encoder needs to send more data to capture the action, which can result in pixelation if the bitrate is too low.

What happens if you set your bitrate too high?

If you set your bitrate too high, and your network can’t handle it, you may experience issues like stuttering, dropped frames, or even disconnections. It’s essential to match your bitrate with your upload speed to avoid these problems.

What are the bitrate limits for Twitch and YouTube streams?

For non-partners on Twitch, the maximum bitrate is 6,000 kbps. For YouTube, the bitrate limit is much higher at 51,000 kbps, allowing more flexibility in stream quality.

How do you determine the right bitrate for your stream?

To determine the right bitrate, first check your network’s upload speed using a tool like speedtest.net. Then, refer to your platform’s recommended bitrate settings based on the resolution and frame rate you're streaming at, like 6,000 kbps for 1080p 60fps on Twitch.

What role does the overlay play in stream quality?

A complex or animated overlay can increase the data your encoder needs to transmit, potentially affecting stream quality. Keeping your overlay simple and static can help reduce strain on your encoder, especially if you're already pushing your bitrate limits.

What is the difference between bicubic and Lanczos downscaling filters?

Bicubic and Lanczos are two commonly used downscaling filters. Bicubic is more performance-friendly but slightly less sharp, while Lanczos provides sharper visuals, particularly in fine details, though it’s more demanding on your system.

Which encoder should I use for the best stream quality?

If you have an NVIDIA GPU, using NVENC is ideal because it utilizes specialized encoding chips on your GPU with minimal impact on performance. For AMD GPUs, a similar hardware encoding solution is available. If you have a powerful two-PC setup, you might want to use x264 for better quality at the cost of higher CPU usage.