Encoding overload issues and consistent problems with OBS

As-Is

New Member
I have been having issues with OBS for months. I have tried all the settings that reduce CPU usage. Scaling the video size. Resolution. Encoding Speed ect. I Close all unused programs and am not asking the computer to do more than it used to. I never had issues like this before. I have tried everything. It doesn't happen every time I stream but more often than not now. I don't know if it just means the computer is too old or it's the OS but I can't stream without problems. No matter how low I make the settings I get encoding overload issues.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm on a late 2015 imac Retina.
3.2 Ghz Quad-Core Intel Core I5
16GB Memory

Mac Catalina 10.15.7
 

qhobbes

Active Member
Try using the Apple VT H264 Hardware Encoder instead of x264. That worked for me at 1280x720 at 29.97 FPS (that's the FPS of my camera on my 2012 iMac with macOS 10.15.7).

If still having issues, try using Window Capture or Browser for your sources instead of Display Capture. You may need to reduce your sources and filters.
 

As-Is

New Member
Try using the Apple VT H264 Hardware Encoder instead of x264. That worked for me at 1280x720 at 29.97 FPS (that's the FPS of my camera on my 2012 iMac with macOS 10.15.7).

If still having issues, try using Window Capture or Browser for your sources instead of Display Capture. You may need to reduce your sources and filters.
It won't give me the option to change the Encoder preset. It only shows me the x264 option. Which I remember it used to on older versions. Any ideas? Also does window capture use less CPU than Display Capture? I never had these issues before. Thanks again.
 

qhobbes

Active Member
Try using version 28.1.2 or 27.2.4.

I know with the Windows version of OBS that it's strongly recommended that you don't use Display Capture (unless you need to capture Windows stuff such as Start Menu, Desktop, etc.). I think the same would apply to macOS (I have 2012 iMac but haven't tried it Display Capture, I mainly stay in Windows since it's still getting updates).
 

As-Is

New Member
Try using version 28.1.2 or 27.2.4.

I know with the Windows version of OBS that it's strongly recommended that you don't use Display Capture (unless you need to capture Windows stuff such as Start Menu, Desktop, etc.). I think the same would apply to macOS (I have 2012 iMac but haven't tried it Display Capture, I mainly stay in Windows since it's still getting updates).
28.1.1 I couldn't use. 27.2.4 still no option to change the encoder and no change overall when streaming. I never had these issues before and I am pretty much lost on this. I can't stream without major issues anymore. Thinking I might need to use a web based platform.
 
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