Newbie just getting by? a handfull of basic questions!

[Warmbeers]

Been using OBS for over 6 months to simply record the contents of a browser window and I'm able to get done what i want but just barely, and it is becoming intolerable. I'd be glad to review a tutorial but the ones I've tried don't get to my issues or are unclear on the details. So if you can suggest one that addresses the items below that would be great. Never sure on these forums whether to include multiple questions or one at a time so I'm going to put forward my main issues and depending on responses split them into their own post later, if that is ok.

• Was trying just now to determine the type for the sources I've created, but when I select Properties for a given source I don't see that indicated. I think they were all created by choosing Browser but it's been a while. And I just learned that it is possible to use a browser embedded in OBS, but not sure how that works. If I create a new source and choose browser is it using the embedded OBS browser?
• Once i have the source set I presume the next step is to set the Scene. Is that correct? Are Scene's independent of sources or does choosing a scene then change the source to whatever was set up for that scene?
• Is the scene where the parameters of the recording get set, such as the frame to capture, the resolution of the recording, etc., or does that happen in the source or elsewhere?
• I do not get how the Red and Blue frames in the preview window work at all. If I adjust the red frame the underlying image of the browser changes as well. And if i click on the blue frame it changes to red. One problem i have is that lately my recordings come out with wide sections of black on either side of the recorded image. It's beyond me how to set it up so it just records what's in the browser window without any excess.
• Finally, what do i adjust to get a recording that does not skip frames? Right now i get a recording that is apparently very high def, since when i open it in VLC the window is larger than the screen on the desktop I am using to view it. And the video does not keep up with the audio, which is smooth, but the video is choppy. I don't need it so high def but not sure which setting effects the recording so that it is not so CPU intensive so that it can't keep up.

My current settings are

• Output: Mode = simple
• Output: Video Encoder = Software (x264)
• Output: Encoder Preset = Veryfast (default)
• Output: Rec Quality = Same as stream - (is this referring to the source stream, i.e. the browser, or something else?
• Output: Recording Format = MPEG-4 (.mp4) - (it still records in MKV and then creates a new copy in mp4 - is that necessary?)
• Video: Base Res = 1920x1080 - (guessing reducing this or the next could make a smoother recording)
• Video: Output (Scaled) Res = 1920x1080
• Video: Common FPS Values = 60
• Advanced: Automatically remux to mp4 - (is this necessary since the Output: Recording Format = MPEG-4? Kinda confusing)
• Advanced: All other settings left as default except a filename for Filename Formatting

I think if I can get the above straightened out I should be good to go.
TIA for any and all assistance.
ed

 

[koala]

• The "Browser" source uses the embedded OBS browser. If you want to capture a standalone browser, you use the window capture source and point it to that browser.
• A scene is a container that can have multiple sources, and all sources are composited (overlaid) to create a final video image. It's similar to the layers in Photoshop for images, but for live video.
• Recording parameters are set in settings > output, settings > video and settings > Advanced. This is global, not a scene thing.
• blue borders on the preview show sources you're hovering the mouse over, but which are not selected. If you click, you select a source, and its border becomes red to indicate you can interact with the source and move, resize and crop it.

It seems you're trying to record some video stream from a browser. OBS is no stream recorder. Recording a stream this way is like filming a movie from the screen with a camera. There are downloader apps that directly download video streams - they directly write the video stream data without recoding, so the quality, fps and size is exactly what has being sent. Keep in mind to respect copyright and don't record stuff you're not permitted to. A popular tool to download from many sites is yt-dlp (successor of youtube-dl).

 

[Warmbeers]

Thanks Koala, very helpful start. Yes, trying to capture a stream that is not otherwise downloadable. Re copyright: My understanding is that fair use allows recording for my own personal use, as much as the copyright holders object. Has that changed?

 

[PaiSand]

Fair use have nothing to do with what you want to do.
Fair use is for, in example, use an snipet of a stream to discuss what's in it, like in the news or most podcast.

 

[Warmbeers]

PaiSand: Don't display your own ignorance by calling someone else stupid. Even if true, which it is not, I would think being a bit more generous with someone who has admitted their newbie status would be more appropriate, but that's just me. I will refrain from expressing what I think your statement and it's context likely reveals about your other personality characteristics.
Re fair use. If you have an opinion about a legal matter please lable it as such, otherwise provide a reference for what you present, such as a link to a reliable source, which your opinion is not. Here is a link, and no I do not consider Wikipedia a reliable source, but it is all the effort I deem worth my time to address your clearly uninformed statement.

Fair use - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

"The fair use right is a general exception, that applies to all different kinds of uses with all types of works."

 

[PaiSand]

oh! you're one of those...
It's my signature, not calling anyone anything. I know.


Fair use is considered a copyright exception.
[copy/paste section]
While international rules about copyright exceptions are often similar, they can differ. Different countries and regions may have different rules about when it's OK to use copyright-protected material without the copyright holder’s permission.
In the United States, works of commentary, criticism, research, teaching, or news reporting may be considered fair use. In the EU, more limited exceptions are recognized and the use must fit into specific categories, such as quotation, criticism, review, caricature, parody, and pastiche. Other countries/regions have a concept called fair dealing that may work differently.
Ultimately, courts decide fair use cases according to the facts of each unique case.
Courts typically focus on whether the use of copyright-protected material is “transformative.” This means whether the use adds new expression or meaning to the original material, or whether it merely copies from the original.
Commercial uses are less likely to be considered fair use.
Using material from primarily factual works is more likely to be fair use than using purely fictional works.
Borrowing small bits of material from an original work is more likely to be considered fair use than borrowing large portions. But, if what’s borrowed is considered the "heart" of the work, sometimes even a small sampling may weigh against fair use.
Uses that harm the copyright holder's ability to profit from their original work are less likely to be fair uses. Courts have sometimes made an exception under this factor in cases involving parodies.
[end of copy/paste section]

I just frased it in a small readable way to just not write a wall.
Below is my signature.

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

Warmbeers - I recommend treading lightly. PaiSand is a frequent, valuable volunteer contributor around here. And beware this is an international audience, so assuming a native speaker can get you into trouble. just a caution

OBS Studio is first and foremost a compositing tool (combine multiple 'sources' ). Sometimes there are specific features someone may desire, but as a simple Recording tool OBS Studio is, in my opinion, complete overkill. Being aware of that is worthwhile when posting posting in this forum, and relevant to this as many OBS Studio use those 'recording' in commentary or other 'published' uses.
For lots of good reasons you usually won't get/find help here for doing things that would get OBS Studio authors or this community in trouble.

And your mistaking a signature is your issue to apologize for, not his

> My understanding is that fair use allows recording for my own personal use, as much as the copyright holders object
Uh, IANAL, but basically .. no, not really

Basically, even if not legal, if you Record away a massive amount of copyrighted content, and never share with others, the chance of being prosecuted for recording/watching later is really slim. That doesn't mean folks here will help enable that, to avoid other repercussions (doing something yourself is one thing, it is a whole other legal situation to assist others in doing that same thing if there are criminal violations involved).

Fair Use (USA legal concept) basically has NOTHING to do with Recording. And at least here in the USA, my understanding is that typically you are correct, that your Recording is usually none of the copyright holders business. HOWEVER.. Recording in and of themselves are worthless (in IT the saying is: Backups are worthless, being able to Restore - Priceless)
Notice the FIRST sentence in the wiki article you linked.. they key word is 'use'. It is in the watching/using those Recordings later (even if only for yourself, privately) that gets Fair Use involved. And no, Fair Use does NOT entitle you to unlimited watching of copyrighted content whenever you want.
https://copyright.laws.com/time-shifting [based on VHS/BETA recordings of broadcast TV]
BUT, the above US Supreme Court ruling does NOT apply to time-limited 'renting' scenarios [think streaming subscriptions or movie rental]