difference between canvas, output scaled resolution and capture device resolution?

[benawhile]

Hi
I'm transferring PAL VHS tapes to digital mp4 using OBS.
My laptop screen resolution is 1366x768 refresh rate 60
Should I set this value for the canvas?
The input source capture (Dazzle DVC 100) resolution automatically sets to 720x576

I don't understand how the output scaled resolution fits into all this. What is the difference between these 3, canvas, output scaled resolution and capture device resolution and what will give best quality recordings?

 

[benawhile]

Forgot to mention I intend watching the results on a smart tv 16:9, so the results will be grainy but that's the only suitable TV we have.

 

[AaronD]

My laptop screen resolution is 1366x768 refresh rate 60
Should I set this value for the canvas?

Only if you're capturing your laptop screen.

The input source capture (Dazzle DVC 100) resolution automatically sets to 720x576

That's the capture device resolution. Set your canvas and output to that too.

I don't understand how the output scaled resolution fits into all this. What is the difference between these 3, canvas, output scaled resolution and capture device resolution and what will give best quality recordings?

Best quality is no scaling at all. Record directly what came in, as it came in.

Canvas is the working area. All of the image processing, overlays, effects, etc. happen here, and it produces a single grid of pixels of that size that *is* your final video.
If you're only recording a single source, and not adding to it or modifying it, you should set this equal to that source.

Output is what goes to the encoder to stream and/or record. It allows you to produce at 1920x1080 and upscale to 3840x2160 (4k) to fool YouTube's quality algorithm, or whatever. But people tend to complain about watching things that were produced like that, and you're really not adding anything anyway. (which is why they complain)
The vast majority of the time, you should set this equal to the canvas. (no scaling)