OBS video feed freezing near start of livestream

Do you know what is with the Video Capture device starting at 10fps for a couple of minutes before changing to 30? [latest log]
The latest log doesn't have a streaming or recording session, so none of the performance metrics in the log
So.. how are things going?
 
Lawrence_SoCal said:
Do you know what is with the Video Capture device starting at 10fps for a couple of minutes before changing to 30? [latest log]
The latest log doesn't have a streaming or recording session, so none of the performance metrics in the log
So.. how are things going?
Click to expand...
sorry i dont have easy access to a printer at church and phone pics are small so i posted here but not the full log (stream ended some ten minutes later)...all worked out.

firstly had a service last nite and all went ok except for the video not being smooth - some move stutter...attributed it initially to possibly low light and auto focus constantly trying to focus especially at a large zoom level...I get to church this morning before the service and double check things...and lo and behold - for some strange reason...like you mentioned the capture device is on a custom output match auto at 10 fps...no clue why..this is the lack of smooth yesterday. Changed to device default and all was good.

things are going much better thank you... i still get an image freeze in OBS before going to live stream sometimes (camera still works) but can fix before livestreaming. this morning did not have a freeze but had the laptop running since yesterday so that may have something to do with improvement - less chance for anti virus /updates/other to bog the cpu up..

Next week will be moving the laptop and mixer to its permanent area away from the camera so will be adding sdi for the video feed and poe ethernet to the camera so a new set of challenges lolololol so we see how it goes...appreciate the followup!
 
Did a short service and well its running much smoother now - relocated the laptop and audio mixer/monitor to its permanent home, now using an sdi out on the camera into a blackmagic converter and camera is now on ip for camera control and poe,,for this session i had it on 1080/60 (as was using an old monitor just for the camera hdmi out and it would only do 60fps) had a little slower rendering/encoding ,1% overload/lag due to the weak gpu so will go back to 1080/30 to accommodate. Happy not to be using the IR remote as well.
 
Personally, for certain action type recordings (ex games) 60fps makes sense.
But for a typical House of Worship service, I don't see 60fps making any sense. If you aren't going to re-play in slo-motion, then I wouldn't bother. And yes, dropping to 30fps will reduce workload

Also, seems odd that the camera capture in that log indicates 600p vs 1080p before.
11:52:59.552: [DShow Device: 'Video Capture Device 2'] settings updated:
11:52:59.552: video device: UVCHDCAP, Video Capture
11:52:59.552: resolution: 800x600
11:52:59.552: fps: 30.00 (interval: 333333)
11:52:59.552: format: YUY2

Was that drop in camera input resolution intentional, or ??
 
Lawrence_SoCal said:
Personally, for certain action type recordings (ex games) 60fps makes sense.
But for a typical House of Worship service, I don't see 60fps making any sense. If you aren't going to re-play in slo-motion, then I wouldn't bother. And yes, dropping to 30fps will reduce workload

Also, seems odd that the camera capture in that log indicates 600p vs 1080p before.
11:52:59.552: [DShow Device: 'Video Capture Device 2'] settings updated:
11:52:59.552: video device: UVCHDCAP, Video Capture
11:52:59.552: resolution: 800x600
11:52:59.552: fps: 30.00 (interval: 333333)
11:52:59.552: format: YUY2

Was that drop in camera input resolution intentional, or ??
Click to expand...

not intentional - will have to find where that setting comes from as I dont believe i inputted that anywhere?
 
well this problem just wont go away with a video freeze about 10 minutes into the stream - was monitoring gpu closely this time and the most it hit was around 75% with OBS using around 40-45% and desktop windows manager varying from 15-35% (which not sure why so high)
When the image does freeze, the quickest way to get it back (cant cancel the livestream) seems to be switching the video capture to the integrated webcam and then back - but for some reason OBS changes the capture device details on the log to 800x600 resolution from 1280x720 (yet the video resolution looks to be the same as before) then it runs without further issue. I keep the capture device settings on device default - not sure if i should play with custom settings...will see if i can find another video device.
 
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is it possible that obs is readjusting the resolution lower based on my 3800 bitrate setup? I have no dropped frames etc and have lots of upload speed available ie 24000 there...should I try say 5000 for the 1080p 30 ?
 
OBS can use Dynamic Bitrate, but I'm not aware of an OBS dynamic resolution for recording/streaming as native capability (and would break most streaming setups anyway). As for the resolution of video device capture - there is a handshake going on (first to OS, then OBS). As noted previously/elsewhere, I always recommend starting Audio and Video input troubleshooting OUTSIDE of OBS. Only after making sure you get consistent, expected input, move to OBS. Do not skip this step in troubleshooting.
in your case, you need to check camera settings, then the capture device settings, and then make sure you don't have any cable interference (you aren't running the analog SDI cable in parallel with electrical power cables, right?) Yea, shielding and all, but I'd test making sure clean cable without interference.
In this thread, your video input settings have been all over the place. So, going over that in detail, or deleting source and starting over? no idea if relevant, but something to be cautious of
- And I'd definitely contact Startech (your capture card, right?) for tech support

Then there is making sure you don't have any USB Root hub problems (ie try USB ports on alternate sides of laptop for Audio and Video), or better yet a Thunderbolt dock if your laptop is so capable. A single video stream and audio should NOT overwhelm USB Root Hub system... but... check out this thread https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/camera-limit-3-work-fine-4th-has-problems.78827/post-547106

Your last log show no rendering lag. that is good news
- As for GPU monitoring, Desktop Mgr is rendering for the OBS App itself (the Preview/Studio Window). You are not using Studio Mode (dual rendering) right?

How are system thermals (temps), any thermal throttling considerations? Thermals may, or may not be an issue. So first you have to monitor, then if thermal throttling is impacting you, you'll need to consider mitigation measures (reduce workload even further, improve cooling or get alternate device)
- Have you done anything to ensure as good as possible airflow (may require lifting laptop off flat surface, or possibly even a laptop cooling pad/external fan setup? no idea if such things are equivalent of snake oil or not. Your homework is to research your particular model laptop (ThinkPad model ?) and thermal throttling and cooling options.
 
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Thank you for your comments - yes initially was all over the map on settings but have learned much since then. Somewhere the video handshake is breaking down. If there is a way to check video input troubleshooting before obs please let me know. I can check the video out at the camera itself with hdmi out to monitor. SDI cable runs alongside a cat6 and xlr..plus was having similar problems before when i ran hdmi instead to a close computer setup. Capture device settings is supposedly automatic and uses the UVC drivers in windows 10 all updated. Startech capture card support not very helpful as tho in their product specs the card is compatible with OBS they will only help if you use their proprietary streaming software which isnt good. Laptop has 2 usb 3.1 ports and tried both.
As for desktop manager - only have youtube create, task manager and obs (no stereo mode) with OBS camera app windows on laptop. I dont believe am getting any thermal throttling - laptop bottom is not warm but this model is know for weak ventilation so will raise/look at cooling pad anyways. I also ran malwarebytes and did some checks to see if the desktop window manager was affected - nothing found.
I may reinstall OBS to give that a try - or trial run the capture card streaming software to see if the card behaves in that scenario.
 
goodzyk said:
Somewhere the video handshake is breaking down. If there is a way to check video input troubleshooting before obs please let me know. I can check the video out at the camera itself with hdmi out to monitor. SDI cable runs alongside a cat6 and xlr..plus was having similar problems before when i ran hdmi instead to a close computer setup. Capture device settings is supposedly automatic and uses the UVC drivers in windows 10 all updated.
Click to expand...

'supposedly automatic' is exactly the type of thing to focus troubleshooting on
As for testing, Windows OS has native video record capabilities (in Photo app if I recall, go figure). Then there is whatever the mfg might have added, and then there are other apps like Zoom, Teams, etc. All of which will allow you to see/check that video signal specs.

A SDI, Ethernet, and XLR cable I wouldn't think would cause issues with each other. Are you running phantom power over the XLR? if not needed, can you turn it off? The other consideration then, for electrical interference is the computer itself. On desktops, bad power or power supplies have (on rare occasion caused glitches), but this is a laptop, so seems far less likely. Out of trying to get many years of life out of systems, I have a habit of having Auto Voltage Regulating power supplies (battery backup) units for all of my gear, and at the church for the OBS PC. I'd chalk this one up to highly unlikely, but maybe try a quality electrical power filter (not cheap power strip) or maybe pure sine wave output battery UPS as a test? And an alternate power brick, if available. Just to make sure. again, unlikely this will make any difference,
I suspect the capture card, or the signal it is receiving, is the issue. I'd be inclined to connect a SDI to HDMI adapter at the end of the cable, and see what sort of output you get. If clean, quality signal, then the likelihood of it being the capture card seems high. Is there a support forum for that card, where users might be able to get you a better reponse? ie turn off automatic, and set a fixed setting?
 
Thanks Lawrence - after some further tweaks and software updates...it looks like like my main issue relates to dwm desktop windows manager using at select times up to 50% of my GPU - which with obs and chrome can get up to over 90% usage and more...this causes a freeze in the output which then i get out of my capture device source and then go back in. The OBS/capture card setup then tries to compensate by auto-giving me a 800x600 resolution at 30fps which i then fit and stretch to pretend its a 16;9 ...and then no further freezes. Its working that way but really would prefer a minimum 720p resolution@30fps which according to tech and info the laptop should be capable of running.

I've tried to use custom settings on the capture device thru obs trying to force it to do a higher resolution but then it autocompensates by dropping my fps even more to 20 etc. It could also be caused by throttling I guess so will look at monitoring /adding cooling pad but funny I dont hear a laptop fan coming on (mind you its difficult to pick out that sound)
Going thru some potential fixes for the dwm application to have it use less gpu resources and see how it responds.

My chrome shows more tabs open than just youtube live (even though it "looks" like only one tab open) so reducing that may help as well.
 
goodzyk said:
Going thru some potential fixes for the dwm application to have it use less gpu resources and see how it responds.
Click to expand...
That is absolutely where I'd start

goodzyk said:
My chrome shows more tabs open than just youtube live (even though it "looks" like only one tab open) so reducing that may help as well.
Click to expand...
Chrome is a KNOWN resource hog. So yes, you absolutely need to be careful with its settings and number of open tabs [being aware that a single open tab may open many Chrome processes visible in Task Manager]. And then you need to be careful with Chrome's settings vs Win10 .. things like OS hardware acceleration [HAGS] i think.. maybe.

So, if GPU going to 90%, but CPU staying much lower, you may want to change some Chrome settings to NOT try and use GPU? it will be a balancing act and I can't say what the right answer is for you. And you may want to try MS Edge instead, just as a test of resource usage (same Chromium core). If you are using Chrome to monitor your livestream feed, maybe try changing it to a smaller window and lower resolution?

Good luck and keep us apprised of your progress.
 
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