QuickSync 4:4:4 Chroma encoding not working

[DayGeckoArt]

Hey folks, this seems like a recent issue. I think 1 or 2 years ago, OBS was able to record using the Intel Quicksync encoder in 4K and 1080p with 4:4:4 color. But right now, with multiple processors of different generations (12th gen, Meteor Lake, 10th gen Xeon), it looks like it's no longer possible. If I set 4:4:4 in the OBS options, the video still comes out as 4:2:0 according to MediaInfo. I've also tried BRGA with the same result, it always just outputs 4:2:0. Nvenc encoders work fine and produce 4:4:4 output.

Is this a known issue and is there a workaround?

I've looked at FFMPEG instead of default, but it no longer lists Quicksync as a usable encoder.

 

[rockbottom]

H265 supports it.

Features and Formats

Learn about media capabilities of various generations of Intel hardware.

www.intel.com

 

[rockbottom]

Tested v30.0.2, QSV is a no go with this version either, NVENC is A-OK. It does appear to be an OBS thing.

 

[rockbottom]

If your sure it worked previously, I suspect it was v27.x.x & older.

 

[DayGeckoArt]

If your sure it worked previously, I suspect it was v27.x.x & older.

I'm sure it worked but I may have been using FFMPEG custom at the time. But I can't find Quicksync listed in the FFMPEG custom options!

 

[rockbottom]

No traction with Vegas or Voukoder either. 4:4:4 isn't even listed as an option in the settings. Just 4:2:0, 8 & 10-bit.

 

[DayGeckoArt]

No traction with Vegas or Voukoder either. 4:4:4 isn't even listed as an option in the settings. Just 4:2:0, 8 & 10-bit.

Do these programs usually let you use 4:4:4? I use Premiere and it's not supported at all

 

[rockbottom]

Yep, Voukoder does. Might want to give it a try with Premiere.

Welcome to Voukoder Pro! - Voukoder Pro

www.voukoder.org

General​
Complete name :	E:\Untitled.mp4
Format :	MPEG-4
Format profile :	Base Media
Codec ID :	isom (isom/iso2/mp41)
File size :	2.06 MiB
Duration :	6 s 872 ms
Overall bit rate mode :	Variable
Overall bit rate :	2 515 kb/s
Frame rate :	60.000 FPS
Writing application :	Voukoder (VEGAS)

Video​
ID :	1
Format :	HEVC
Format/Info :	High Efficiency Video Coding
Format profile :	Format Range@L4.1@Main
Codec ID :	hev1
Codec ID/Info :	High Efficiency Video Coding
Duration :	6 s 834 ms
Bit rate :	2 515 kb/s
Width :	1 920 pixels
Height :	1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio :	16:9
Frame rate mode :	Constant
Frame rate :	60.000 FPS
Chroma subsampling :	4:4:4
Bit depth :	8 bits
Scan type :	Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) :	0.020
Stream size :	2.05 MiB (99%)
Codec configuration box :	hvcC

Audio​
ID :	2
Format :	AAC LC
Format/Info :	Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID :	mp4a-40-2
Duration :	6 s 872 ms
Source duration :	6 s 848 ms
Bit rate mode :	Variable
Nominal bit rate :	2 289 b/s
Maximum bit rate :	320 kb/s
Channel(s) :	2 channels
Channel layout :	L R
Sampling rate :	48.0 kHz
Frame rate :	46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode :	Lossy
Source stream size :	1.91 KiB (0%)
Default :	Yes
Alternate group :	1

 

[DayGeckoArt]

Thanks! I have an Insta360 Ace Pro that records in 8k and I export at 4k for Youtube. Being able to export 4:4:4 should give a quality boost, even if it's because the video isn't going through an extra conversion (from 4:2:0 to RGB then compressed at lower bitrate back to 4:2:0)

 

[Suslik V]

As far as I understand, last 8 years native encoders in OBS forced NV12 for Quick Sync:

obs-studio/plugins/obs-qsv11/obs-qsv11.c at da997d9648d747d16f5e1ae0813e01361a5cd94d · obsproject/obs-studio

OBS Studio - Free and open source software for live streaming and screen recording - obsproject/obs-studio

github.com

obs-studio/plugins/obs-qsv11/obs-qsv11.c at da997d9648d747d16f5e1ae0813e01361a5cd94d · obsproject/obs-studio

OBS Studio - Free and open source software for live streaming and screen recording - obsproject/obs-studio

github.com

Resolution restrictions are set by CPU architecture (up to Ivy Bridge):

obs-studio/plugins/obs-qsv11/obs-qsv11.c at da997d9648d747d16f5e1ae0813e01361a5cd94d · obsproject/obs-studio

OBS Studio - Free and open source software for live streaming and screen recording - obsproject/obs-studio

github.com

Fall back to different versions of old software implementations of the Intel's encoder depends on OBS version, GPU where OBS running its own render and creation of new settings (profile), i.e. not only on user's settings.

Anyway,

Please post a log with your issue! Here's how...

OBS Studio creates a log file each time you run it which contains very useful diagnostic information. Without a log file, it's much harder for any support volunteers to figure out problems and your post may be ignored. To upload a log file, go to the Help menu > Log Files > Upload Last Log...

obsproject.com

 

[DayGeckoArt]

As far as I understand, last 8 years native encoders in OBS forced NV12 for Quick Sync:

obs-studio/plugins/obs-qsv11/obs-qsv11.c at da997d9648d747d16f5e1ae0813e01361a5cd94d · obsproject/obs-studio

OBS Studio - Free and open source software for live streaming and screen recording - obsproject/obs-studio

github.com

obs-studio/plugins/obs-qsv11/obs-qsv11.c at da997d9648d747d16f5e1ae0813e01361a5cd94d · obsproject/obs-studio

OBS Studio - Free and open source software for live streaming and screen recording - obsproject/obs-studio

github.com

Resolution restrictions are set by CPU architecture (up to Ivy Bridge):

obs-studio/plugins/obs-qsv11/obs-qsv11.c at da997d9648d747d16f5e1ae0813e01361a5cd94d · obsproject/obs-studio

OBS Studio - Free and open source software for live streaming and screen recording - obsproject/obs-studio

github.com

Fall back to different versions of old software implementations of the Intel's encoder depends on OBS version, GPU where OBS running its own render and creation of new settings (profile), i.e. not only on user's settings.

Anyway,

Please post a log with your issue! Here's how...

OBS Studio creates a log file each time you run it which contains very useful diagnostic information. Without a log file, it's much harder for any support volunteers to figure out problems and your post may be ignored. To upload a log file, go to the Help menu > Log Files > Upload Last Log...

obsproject.com

Thanks, so it should be an easy fix!