NDI Screen Capture - 60FPS Doesn't look 60FPS

[FrogSpawns]

Using a dual PC setup with NDI Scan Convertor and the plugin for OBS on the stream computer. On the gaming output end, I'm outputting 60FPS, but there's no other way to describe it other than the stream just does NOT look 60FPS smooth. Maybe I'm just being too anal bout this, but it just looks off to me.

Here's a clip recently (using NDI): https://www.twitch.tv/fathersongami...h35VEt0qs5YTm?filter=clips&range=7d&sort=time
And here's one before when I had one PC (not using NDI): https://www.twitch.tv/fathersongami...lOqHnqlns9iz?filter=clips&range=all&sort=time

Second clip just looks smooth and 60 FPS to me. Am I losin' it?

Log: https://obsproject.com/logs/qL_5zkT9_Hsc9Ikd

 

[FrogSpawns]

Any ideas?

 

[FrogSpawns]

Last bump try, would love some thoughts here as it's really stumping me.

Already posted on NDI forums, no one seems to know.

 

[FrogSpawns]

Both computers are hardwired, getting almost gig speeds (700-800).

Main monitor on the gaming computer's refresh rate is 165hz. I can definitely try 120. The resolution is 1440.

 

[Haterade101]

I looked through the log and there doesn't appear to be anything standing out as the "real" culprit. I have used NDI quite a bit, however not specifically "scan converter", which appears to be the precursor to their screen capture/screen capture HX...!? I digress, I would definitely try either of the newer capture tools from NDI on the gaming pc, in leu of scan converter. If those don't show any improvement, the next thing I would look at is "frame pacing". Which is a tricky culprit to track down due to it potentially being on either the sending or receiving end of the setup. Wish you the best! =)

 

[FrogSpawns]

I looked through the log and there doesn't appear to be anything standing out as the "real" culprit. I have used NDI quite a bit, however not specifically "scan converter", which appears to be the precursor to their screen capture/screen capture HX...!? I digress, I would definitely try either of the newer capture tools from NDI on the gaming pc, in leu of scan converter. If those don't show any improvement, the next thing I would look at is "frame pacing". Which is a tricky culprit to track down due to it potentially being on either the sending or receiving end of the setup. Wish you the best! =)

I actually am using the newest tool from NDI, "screen capture". Is it still coming through the log as scan converter? I remember a couple years ago when I used NDI, that's what I used then. But yeah, I'm using the newest NDI 5.0 tools on the gaming PC, and the streaming PC has the most up to date plugin for NDI on OBS.

Any more details on where I can begin troubleshooting the frame pacing?

 

[Haterade101]

I actually am using the newest tool from NDI, "screen capture". Is it still coming through the log as scan converter? I remember a couple years ago when I used NDI, that's what I used then. But yeah, I'm using the newest NDI 5.0 tools on the gaming PC, and the streaming PC has the most up to date plugin for NDI on OBS.

Any more details on where I can begin troubleshooting the frame pacing?

In your original post you mentioned scan converter, my bad for not catching that in the log. Lol.

As for troubleshooting, I think the easiest way to go about it would be to create a few test recordings on your stream pc. Make sure that you have set obs’s recording encoder to “use stream encoder”. Then make sure that the ndi screen capture is set specifically to 1080p60 on your gaming pc. Then record some test video (I.e a quick cod match or something) on the stream pc. Once you’ve done that, stop the recording. Set ndi on the gaming pc to something lower like 720p60, and record some more test footage. Then compare the two, if you have less fluid video on the 1080p video your pc is likely struggling to decode/re-encode your ndi signal.
If you want to take it a step further, I would also try lowering the output scaled resolution to 720p and rerun both tests and see what happens.

sorry if this a long and convoluted answer, can’t seem to sleep and I figured I’d respond lol.

 

[FrogSpawns]

little tip you use the NDI Screen Capture tool

View attachment 76916
set it on ultra

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set it to 1080p

View attachment 76918

set it to 60hz



my pro tip is use obs on the main PC and the NDI plugin so you can create a scene by game only with an BG amd the game source so your desktop will never show and you didnt have a blackscreen when you exit the game or a game crash.
when you use the advanced scene switcher obs will change the scene when you start a game .

View attachment 76920
View attachment 76921

I don't have that option in my NDI on the gaming PC when it comes to resolution or hz. I just have options for frame rate. I'm using NDI 5.0.

 

[FrogSpawns]

Any other ideas?

 

[MajorDrumKill]

Any other ideas?

Hey dude! I know this reply is HELLA late, but as a fellow NDI user, I know EXACTLY what you mean by the receiving PC not looking like 60 fps. However, I did find a way to smooth it out. Hope this helps you, and anyone else who comes across this post.

FIRSTLY, MAKE SURE YOU ARE RUNNING OBS AS ADMINISTRATOR ON BOTH MACHINES!

GAMING PC
1) If your gaming PC monitor is high refresh rate such as 144hz or 165hz, make sure you are capping your game FPS to 120 fps. This keeps the game capture in sync with 60 fps. You can set this in your Nvidia control panel, or your AMD Radeon settings.

2) I found best results using OBS to OBS method, so make sure you have the NDI plugin on both your systems. In OBS on the gaming PC, go to settings and then video tab. Make sure both your canvas and output resolution are the same (either 1080 or 1440), AND SET YOUR FRAMERATE TO 120 FPS.

3) In the settings, go to advanced tab and set your priority to either above normal or high.

4) NDI settings, click tools tab on the top and go to NDI Output. Make sure you only check the box for main output, NOT the preview.


STREAMING PC
1) Make sure your stream PC monitor is set to either 60hz or 120hz.

2) In OBS, add your NDI source and keep the sync on Source, not network. And latency should be on low, not normal.

3) In the OBS settings of your stream PC, go to video tab and make sure your canvas resolution is whatever your monitor resolution is, and output to your desired resolution. AND SET YOUR FRAMERATE TO 60 FPS.


I personally do this and have found that my NDI captures WAYYYY smoother on the stream rig. I capture and send 1440p from my gaming rig, and receive on a 1080p canvas on my stream rig and output to 936p. I found this runs way smoother than keeping both OBS settings set to 60. Hope this helps!