Quality problems with DSLR recording

[KyleSinko]

Hi guys, I've spent a few days trying to set up my DSLR for recording through OBS with a video capture card.
I am using a Nikon D5600 with a no brand Video Capture Card capable of 1080p 60fps recording.

In the attached videos, you can see the first recording is through OBS with a 16000 recording bitrate, following all of the "high definition" settings. You can see the log file attached for the recording.

The other video is through the camera, with the exact same camera settings. You can see the camera recorded on an SD card is much sharper with less jitter and pixels.

I'm trying to use OBS as a replacement to recording onto an SD card, so that I can record my screen, audio and cameras in one clip without having to sync them in post production as I've been doing.

Is it possible to record in OBS at the same quality as through an SD card with my DSLR? If so, what am I missing?
I really appreciate any help or suggestions!

The 10 second test clips: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15v2hNdckOPt043Y-xsKt3XLNHSqTs3c1?usp=sharing
Log file: https://obsproject.com/logs/hZLBLkbdGPoc9wV3

 

[koala]

The video created by OBS isn't true 60 fps. If you single step through the frames, you will see movement every other frame only. All frames are duplicated. It's actually only 30 fps. Make sure the no brand video capture device is actually able to create 60 fps. Your device may be cheating. In the log, the device settings are 60 fps, but the video actually isn't.

Also, don't use CBR with bitrate 16000. CBR is for streaming. For recording, use a constant quality mode like CQP. Best is you use simple output mode of OBS and choose "indistinguishable quality" as recording quality.

 

[KyleSinko]

The video created by OBS isn't true 60 fps. If you single step through the frames, you will see movement every other frame only. All frames are duplicated. It's actually only 30 fps. Make sure the no brand video capture device is actually able to create 60 fps. Your device may be cheating. In the log, the device settings are 60 fps, but the video actually isn't.

Also, don't use CBR with bitrate 16000. CBR is for streaming. For recording, use a constant quality mode like CQP. Best is you use simple output mode of OBS and choose "indistinguishable quality" as recording quality.

Thanks a lot for the suggestions.

I see what you mean that it's actually 30 fps. I'll have to look into the video capture device I'm using. It claims to be 1080-60 though...
I have previously experimented with CQP at 15 and saw no difference in quality. I have changed it to simple output and indistinguishable but that looks a little more grainy than before.

At a loss. I'm going to guess it's the capture card being cheap and all... didn't really want to spend $100+ on a Cam Link as I need 2 but I might have to go that route if I can't figure this out.

Thanks again for your help

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

Is it possible to record in OBS at the same quality as through an SD card with my DSLR? If so, what am I missing?

Well, sorta/kinda,
The issue is that the D5600 does NOT have a USB3 cable, to allow full resolution video to transfer direct to PC. Newer, higher DSLR (and mirrorless) cameras have been built to support the webcam usage model.
The work-around is the clean HDMI out, and a HDMI capture card. The quality of you capture is going to depend on the functionality of the HDMI capture card and then the video processing/compression algorithms (video transform) used on the PC. The camera has a dedicated chip designed to get best quality for given constraints. Will the cameras purpose built and limited data path exceed the PC? Probably, but that is only a guess on my part based on a purpose built limited system, vs a PC with LOTS of variables (that you and I aren't expert in). With that said, I'd think you should be to get close to visually indistinguishable 1080p video performance on the PC.