Latest Update : Color Format + Space meaning

[Kayesque]

So I've been using OBS for quite some time but can never seem to get it right. I'm sure my 2PC is a bit over the top for streaming but everytime I try to fix this issue, it becomes an itch that can't stop me from scratching.

My streams keep getting greyscaled and a bit pixelated. I downscale and tried different things but no luck. So if someone can help me understand what would be the best color format+space (yes my pc can handle it) .

If the problem is the 2PC setup then that's a different story.

Any feedback would help!
Thank you

 

[Suslik V]

Can you provide better description of what happens and what you see? OBS log files maybe?

If your issue related to:

HDR Metadata Missing · Issue #10363 · obsproject/obs-studio

Operating System Info Windows 11 Other OS No response OBS Studio Version 30.1.0 OBS Studio Version (Other) No response OBS Studio Log URL https://obsproject.com/logs/ODa2WnwU5iRmtFBX OBS Studio Cra...

github.com

then you likely need to use OBS v30.0.2 (not OBS v30.1.0) until recently fixed version will be released.

All OBS official builds (under the "Assets" spoiler):

Releases · obsproject/obs-studio

OBS Studio - Free and open source software for live streaming and screen recording - obsproject/obs-studio

github.com

 

[Kayesque]

Hi Suslik,
Thanks for commenting! I have attached the logs. I have always been a perfectionist when it comes to the quality of the stream. I've seen people play the game I play with clear and crystal videos, however I keep getting weird grey like scaling and I've been reading in the forums that it might have something to do with the color format and space.

Any help is greatly appreciated.!

 

[qhobbes]

If you're not streaming in HDR, then you should use NV12 for the format and 709/Partial for the space in your settings and sources.

 

[Suslik V]

...I keep getting weird grey like scaling

For me it is not clear what exactly you see. Screenshot maybe? In OBS there is right-click menu, and there you can find option to make screenshot - it will be saved to output folder next to your videos.

Also, some OBS plugins can alternate rendering. You can try to run OBS without external plugins (cmdline key: --safe-mode) for test purposes. Or you can try older version of OBS that was running OK for you. Portable mode of OBS (for any older version you need) + import/export of Scene Collection and Profile can ease troubleshooting of the problem. As for portable mode itself, read after the "If it was not clear" words: https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/crash-with-«could-not-find-locale-ini-path»-when-opening-app-settings.82157/post-346499.

 

[Kayesque]

When I will stream , I be able to talk a screenshot and show you. It is sort of a washed out color look. But just checking if there is any difference between a 1PC setup and 2 PC setup regarding the coloring

 

[oritxupolite]

I haven't read the whole log, but I think that

You broadcast in h264
You have an Elgato 4K Pro
You have selected in the Elgato 4K Pro properties P010 +Rec 709.

If you select on the Rec 709 card select NV12 ( or YUY2) in the properties of the capture card.

In the capture card properties if you use P010 you have to check Rec 2100, not REC 709 . If you capture an HDR signal with P010 + Rec 709 it looks very faded.

If you summarize how you transmit ( if the signal is HDR or not, video format and color space in capture card properties and OBS output characteristics ) and post a screenshot it would be easier for me than reading the log xd

The P010 + Rec 2100 capture looks somewhat less saturated than NV12 or YUY2 + 709 when outputting in H264. but I don't think that describes it

 

[Kayesque]

I haven't read the whole log, but I think that

You broadcast in h264
You have an Elgato 4K Pro
You have selected in the Elgato 4K Pro properties P010 +Rec 709.

If you select on the Rec 709 card select NV12 ( or YUY2) in the properties of the capture card.

In the capture card properties if you use P010 you have to check Rec 2100, not REC 709 . If you capture an HDR signal with P010 + Rec 709 it looks very faded.

If you summarize how you transmit ( if the signal is HDR or not, video format and color space in capture card properties and OBS output characteristics ) and post a screenshot it would be easier for me than reading the log xd

The P010 + Rec 2100 capture looks somewhat less saturated than NV12 or YUY2 + 709 when outputting in H264. but I don't think that describes it

You are correct. However, for the 4K Pro properties i was just messing around to see what gets the best quality. Given that it is a 2PC setup, I'm guessing HDR won't be involved for the duplicating of monitors? Im not sure.

 

[koala]

If you're aiming for the best quality, you should try to create a setup with the least amount of conversions between the original source and the final product your viewers will consume. The final product is not what leaves OBS, the final product is what the media player on the viewer's machine receives and displays to the viewer with his display hardware.

Somewhere located in that workflow between capture and consumption there is a component that dictates the lowest quality. Identify this component, and you have the quality you don't need to exceed in any earlier steps. Usually, this component is the client media player. For streaming, this is part of the streaming service. Usually, this is not better than 1920x1080p with 60 fps and SDR.

In case you're playing in SDR, it's no use to do any processing step with a HDR color format. This will only distort brightness levels. The standard format for SDR streaming is NV12 and color range partial. While it seems inferior, because it will remove a big deal of image information even before encoding, it uses much less bandwidth, which is then available for better encoding, and this will increase quality more than quality lost with the color format and range, so the overall quality is better. At least this is true for current low bandwidth streaming of 6000-8000 kbps.

If you're playing in HDR and want to stream in SDR (since the amount of HDR able viewers is negligible), you should convert to SDR as early as possible, for example at capturing, so all the workflow within OBS and later is SDR (NV12).