Question / Help Need Help Improving Quality of My Stream

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TheDude79

New Member
*Update* Log: https://gist.github.com/879850758862d2a02eb90de8de7dd6b1

Laptop Specs:
i7-4710HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz)
16GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (2x8GB)
NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GTX 970M with 3GB GDDR5*

*I use a Alienware Graphics Amp that houses at NVIDIA 1070 instead of the built in 970m

Capture Device: Elgato HD60S
What I Stream: PS4, Xbox One, NES Classic, Switch (hopefully). I don't stream PC games via OBS (I use GeForce Experience for that)

I'm aware that 1080p60 is out of the question, but I'm trying to find a way to stream at 720p60 with as little pixelation as possible without running my CPU into the ground. I have a few questions and I'm hoping to pick everyone's brains here. I'm pretty sure my processor is the issue here though.

I currently have my OBS set up the following way:

3000 bitrate
Input Res (Monitor): 1080p
Output Res: 720p
Downscale Output: 720p
FPS: 60
CBR: x264
Encoder: Very Fast (would love to go Faster or Fast, but if it's not possible, I figured as much)

What are some changes I should make? Are there any other settings I should toy with? If there's any other settings you guys need in order to analyze the data, I'll be happy to grab the rest when I get home. I'm just ultimately trying to get a nice clean image for my stream but at the same time, not red-lining my CPU.

Additional Questions:
1. What has more impact on pixelation? The bitrate at which you stream at or the encoder preset?
2. Are there any settings I can alter on the Elgato side that would reduce CPU usage when streaming via OBS, or does OBS override those settings?

Example: I streamed Let it Die (PS4) this morning with the settings above and for the most part it was in the 65-85% range but there were a few areas or moments when it would spike to 99% and the stream struggled. I'm probably being overly nit-picky about this, but I want to make sure I'm getting the most out of my Laptop before considering buying a Desktop with improved specs. Thanks in advance for your help guys and girls, it's greatly appreciated. I've also included a link to my stream from this morning. I apologize for the audio balance, I tweaked a few things and clearly misfired. Thanks!

Example: https://youtu.be/KRgGBYvvMtw
 
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Beardedbob

Member
Hi,

Taking a look you are getting the following when streaming with 3500 bitrate 720p @60fps

10:25:49.501: Output 'adv_stream': Number of skipped frames due to encoding lag: 1265 (0.3%)
10:25:49.501: Output 'adv_stream': Number of lagged frames due to rendering lag/stalls: 45 (0.0%)
10:25:49.501: Output 'adv_stream': Number of dropped frames due to insufficient bandwidth/connection stalls: 3252 (0.9%)

The encoding lag 0.3% is generally related to CPU were its being maxed. therefore the cpu preset is as good as you will get atm, you might even have to lower it from veryfast depending on the game.

The bandwidth/connection stalls of 0.9% is highlighting that you have some fruther issues trying to maintain the 3500 bitrate. Can you confirm your internet speeds? I see you are running over 100mb cable connection so this should be fine.

720p @60fps is possible with 3500 but to remove pixels / artifacts you need more around 4000 if your playing high motion otherwise you will still experience this. What isn't helping though is the above highlighted %, this will add further pixelisation / artifact.

Note twitch if you are not partnered wont allow more than 3500 bitrate, though other services like youtube do.
 
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