Question / Help Stream graphically strange

[Kashi]

Hey guys.. This is my first post here and I'm having some troubles with my stream.

I'm playing League of Legends and the thing is, when I'm not playing (at the game store or at the main screen) the stream goes perfectly and smooth, not a single choke.

Now, the moment I start a game (when the loading screen fades and the game starts), my stream becomes the opposite of watchable. It looks like a slideshow. I've tried every kind of settings and I just can't resolve this! In-game everything goes like always, no lagging, no fps hitting the ground... nothing! The problem is with the streaming itself... i guess...

Can anybody help me?

Also, I read the https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/dropped-frames-disconnecting-lag-read-this-first.8870/ and nothing seems to work.

Settings

CBR: No (If I let this marked, everything chokes, not only in-game)
Quality Balance: 8
Enable CBR Padding: No
Max Bitrate: 1200
Buffer: 1200
Codec: AAC
Bitrate: 96
Format: 48
Channel: Stereo
Downscale: 3.00 (640x360)
Filter: Bilinear
FPS: 30
Disable Aero: Yes
Use Multithreaded Optimizations: Yes
Priority Class: High (I've tried normal and I've seen no changes)
Scene Buffer Time: 400
Disable Encoding while previewing: No
CPU Preset: veryfast
Use CFR: No (Also tried with Yes and nothing changed)

My specs are:
CPU - AMD Phenom II X4 830 Processor 2.80 GHz

GPU - AMD Radeon HD 7800

RAM - 8GB

 

[Jollyriffic]

my guess here is that you're using up too much cpu.
hold down ctrl + shift + esc and go to the performance tab
if you're gaming and streaming while going above 85% you're using too much cpu.

what is your upload speed? speedtest.net

 

[Kashi]

1.00 MB/s

If I'm using too much cpu, how can I fix that?

 

[Jollyriffic]

to reduce cpu usage, you can change the preset. faster preset = less cpu usage but less clarity/quality slower = more cpu usage but better looking video
right off the bat your major issue is that you're running 1200kbps for video + 96kbps for audio on 1024kbps upload.

you'll want to drop video down to 800kbps resolution at 960x540, fps 25, and then set your preset as slow as you can go before using anything above 85%. you dont have to live stream to see that, just hit preview and watch the cpu.
once dialed in, run a test stream and see how it goes.

-edit, also this is why when you had cbr checked your stream was worse.
cbr locks in your kbps, still flexes a bit but not as much as vbr

 

[Kashi]

K, I tried with those settings and seems to keep choking.

My settings now are as follow:

CBR: No (Tried qith this marked, no changes)
Quality Balance: 8
Enable CBR Padding: No
Max Bitrate: 800
Buffer: 800
Codec: AAC
Bitrate: 96
Format: 48
Channel: Stereo
Downscale: 2.00 (960x540)
Filter: Bilinear
FPS: 25
Disable Aero: Yes
Use Multithreaded Optimizations: Yes
Priority Class: High (I've tried normal and I've seen no changes)
Scene Buffer Time: 400
Disable Encoding while previewing: No
CPU Preset: veryfast (tried with ultrafast and choked just like veryfast and like fast)
Use CFR: No (Also tried with Yes and nothing changed)


Also, my CPU usage is always around 50~70.


EDIT:
I don't know if this changes anything, but the scene that chokes is:
One Text Source
One Image Source
One Game Capture Source

 

[Jack0r]

If you have only 1mb upload speed you will probably want to lower your bitrate even further. You always have to remember that the audio gets added to the video bitrate, so you use up to 900kb (without fluctuations).
Games that are not really optimized and use quite some upload speed themselves will then naturally have lags or cause lags on stream. Seeing that your CPU usage is already touching the 70% you should probably keep the preset on veryfast. (I personally would never have suggested lowering the preset on that cpu)
Instead, lower your bitrate, try it with 700 or even 600 and you can activate the Minimize Network Impact option. I noticed your Scene Buffering Time uses our old standard of 400, we now set it to 700. And if you want to stream to twitch you will also want to reactivate CBR. Set keyframe interval to 2 and switch the profile to main.
Last, but not least, for future questions, just post us a log file:
Problem? Make sure to post a log and/or crash dump -- HOWTO

 

[Kashi]

Alright, I've tried with some different bitrates, but it seems that it only goes smoothly around 200. More than that and everything chokes. But I can't believe that this is the best quality I can get, it is awfully odd.

The preset I used was superfast, just changed back to veryfast. CBR is re-enabled

This is my latest log: http://pastebin.com/2r6ENiPy

 

[dodgepong]

It certainly does not help that you're streaming with a wireless card. Have you tried streaming over ethernet?

 

[Kashi]

I haven't. My computer is at the 2nd floor and the modem is exactly downstairs. It's impossible for me to use a cable. Does the wireless screws my streaming that much?

Like, I have seen not long ago a professional LoL player (Hai) streaming from the hospital. I don't think he was using any ethernet.

 

[FerretBomb]

It does. Wifi is designed for lightweight use by mobile devices, NOT as a replacement for running cables. It's very susceptible to interference, and EVERYONE on the same channel (even on different access points!) has to share the same amount of bandwidth. Meaning if someone on their own wifi AP next door is on channel 1, and you're on channel 1, and they start transferring a big file via wifi across their network, your bandwidth can choke. Likewise, if you do this, you're rather rudely hogging the wifi throughput. Even if your neighbors don't realize it.

Personally, if I see someone doing this, I set up a constant enormous file-transfer on the channel on my own AP, to drag their speeds down and get them to switch channels or go to a wired connection. Just move my entire AV library from one system to another for backup purposes. Then verify it a few times to make sure it transferred correctly.

Run a cable. It's not hard to do. If you absolutely, physically, literally CAN NOT run a cable (and not just 'it's inconvenient'), look into Powerline adapters. They're a crappy option too (dirties your house's three-phase) but it's better than wifi. Usually you only want to use one of those and straight into a distribution switch on either end of the power-line jump.