Question / Help Pixelated Stream with high bandwith

[BigCoffeeGaming]

Hello everyone. I've been using OBS for a while now but have just finally registered on the forums.

I have been streaming Skyrim lately and have noticed some really bad pixelization and blurring during the stream. I downloaded the free XSplit version (I used to use Xsplit but have since gone to OBS) and used the same "exact" settings (IE. Bitrate and such) and do not have this problem. And I don't remember having this problem in earlier versions of OBS.

Here is some information about my machine.

Bandwith - (Tested with Testmy.net with 6mb upload test)
15.6 Mbps Upload (It is common to be more at 12 Mbps)
59 Mbps Download

Machine Specs -
CPU - i5 2500K @ 4.5GHz
RAM - 8gb Mushkin 1600
GPU - OC'ed MSI GTX 780Ti Gaming
Soundcard - Sound Blaster Z (not using Surround settings)

Common stream settings -
3500 bitrate
720p (Downsampled from 1080p - Lanczos) @ 60FPS (I have tried lowering the FPS to as low as 25FPS)
I have tried different servers.

I am not dropping frames at all. My in-game FPS is at least 60 (I use v-sync so it doesn't go higher). I have viewed streams (posted here as examples in other threads) with the same exact settings with no pixelization. I have used Quick-Sync and the NVENC and there is minimal quality difference from NVENC when not using it. Quick-Sync looks like utter trash so that is not an option. To be honest it's as if OBS is stuck using NVENC no matter what settings I choose. Well maybe not as bad but hopefully you know what I mean.

The log file will show that I am using default CPU clocks (3.3Ghz) but it for sure is OC'ed. I have also tried Uninstalling OBS (including going so far as making sure there aren't any registry files exsisting).

I did two fresh tests for this post. Hopefully you can see them. If not let me know.

720p @ 60fps
http://www.twitch.tv/bigcoffeegaming/b/505839232

720p @ 30fps
http://www.twitch.tv/bigcoffeegaming/b/505842226

Very short Xsplit test (mute sound lol. Also was done last night so not a direct comparison of the other two test.)
http://www.twitch.tv/bigcoffeegaming/b/505695385

Thank you in advance for any time you give me. I am only asking for help because I have seen streams without these issues that are close in machine specs and identical in stream settings.

 

[alpinlol]

no idea why but the xsplit vod looks like its having massive fps stuttering maybe i got a bad server to download the vod from ... but the 60 fps obs version looks pretty fine imho ... the only pixelation is just the simpel way how the frames are braking down with 60 fps not much you can do with fullscreen movement. i'd actually say you run into problems with your viewers since you use such a high bitrate as a non partnered streamer on twitch

 

[Krazy]

Here's the thing about Skyrim, especially the areas you chose to test in. It has lots of fancy lighting/particle/shadow effects that really make encoding difficult. Fine details like water drops/smoke/dust/snow really stress the encoder out a lot. Plus it's a game where the full scene is pretty much constantly in motion. Add on top of that the 2 second keyframe interval requirement from Twitch and...that's exactly how your stream should look at 720p60fps at 3500 bitrate.

Your Xsplit recording, btw, was in a completely different area that didn't have nearly as many fine particle effects, and was only at 25fps

 

[BigCoffeeGaming]

Okay, I see. I was comparing my stream to a user streaming Titanfall (fast paced FPS shooter). Their stream was very smooth looking with no pixelization.

And yes you are right about the XSplit video it is at 25fps, thus not looking as smooth as 60 or even 30fps.

To be honest I haven't tried it out with another game so far. So I guess I had false expectations after seeing the Titanfall footage at the exact same settings. It is possible Skyrim just has more fancy motion and effects going on than Titanfall.

 

[Krazy]

Skyrim has way more things like smoke/water drops/snow that make everything so much harder to encode. Titanfall has some smoke effects, but other than that it's a pretty straightforward game, graphically. It's just high motion. Skyrim is high motion + fancy effects.
edit: Especially if you are using ENBseries stuff lol