Question / Help I am at a lost

[Mellidor]

Hi there OBS community, you are my last hope. I usually rely on videos to help setup my OBS and they usually help, but i am at a lost.

Problem: Whenever i stream the quality looks a bit choppy. No frame drops or anything like that, it's just all pixelated and not a good viewing experience if you ask me.

OBS Settings:

• Use CBR= checked
  
• Time interval set= 2 (like twitch recommends)
• Bit Rate= 3500 kb/s
• Resolution= custom 1920x1080 downscaled= 1280x720 60FPS

Hardware:
Cpu- i7 2600k 3.4ghz
GPU- GTX 970 4GB
RAM- 8GB
SSD- 120GB Sandisk
HDD: 2TB WD Green
CPU Cooler: H100i GTX

Games being played:
Dark souls 2
LoL
CSGO
Rise of the Tomb Raider

I am currently at work and can post the log files later in the day. If you want a preview of what the stream usually look like i can also link a video i uploaded. I just don't want to shamelessly plug my youtube if i don't have too

 

[Boildown]

First, we can't help you without a log file. Make sure the log file includes at least 5 minutes of high intensity gameplay in whatever game you're worried about.

Second, the best settings for recording to your hard drive for YouTube upload is very different than the best settings for live streaming to Twitch.

 

[Mellidor]

First, we can't help you without a log file. Make sure the log file includes at least 5 minutes of high intensity gameplay in whatever game you're worried about.

Second, the best settings for recording to your hard drive for YouTube upload is very different than the best settings for live streaming to Twitch.

Yes i do know the difference between the two. Im not recording using OBS. I am just using it as a live stream. Like i said I will upload the log files when i get home. It's just easier putting in a ticket now other then later and just being fed up with it

 

[FireEmblem6]

Have you tried using a custom buffer size? Keep bitrate at your desired level, and then use a custom buffer size a few ticks above that. I have found my playbacks look a bit better after doing that.

 

[dping]

Have you tried using a custom buffer size? Keep bitrate at your desired level, and then use a custom buffer size a few ticks above that. I have found my playbacks look a bit better after doing that.

this is bad advice. there are much better ways in fixing quality as doing what you said can introduce buffering on viewers side. Please dont give out advise like this for live streamers.

 

[FireEmblem6]

I know I stream at a lower setting, but why does this cause buffering on the viewer side when the program should only send the bitrate out at your desired level? And I didn't mean 1,000 point higher, I said a few ticks. I usually stream at 2100 but put custom buffer at 2150 or 2200 :P I thought the custom buffer size had to do with obs storing not sending out.

 

[dping]

I know I stream at a lower setting, but why does this cause buffering on the viewer side when the program should only send the bitrate out at your desired level? And I didn't mean 1,000 point higher, I said a few ticks. I usually stream at 2100 but put custom buffer at 2150 or 2200 :P I thought the custom buffer size had to do with obs storing not sending out.

If you want to talk offline, PM me. but in short, if the source encoding (buffer) is larger than the bandwidth pipe (bitrate), the bitrate will not always be honored during fast movement. This same concept is sometimes noticed when using a really low preset.