Question / Help Use Stream Encoder

[DivCaste]

I posted this question to the Discord, but am not sure anybody caught it.

I'm running OBS 22.0.2 on Linux (Mint 19 XFCE) and have an issue with recording using the "Use stream encoder" setting. In my Settings, under "Output", on the "Recording" tab, I've got the Encoder set to "(Use stream encoder)". I'm assuming that this setting tells OBS to use the same settings for recordings as are specified in the "Streaming" tab. The problem is, when I make changes in the Streaming tab to the encoding parameters, it has absolutely no impact on the resulting recording. The file is always the same size and quality, regardless of CBR, VBR, CRF, bitrate specified, CPU usage preset, etc. (I'm using the same content for every test.) On the Recording tab, if I change the Encoder to x264 and start making changes to the settings, I see them reflected in the output as expected. Am I just misunderstanding what "Use stream encoder" really means, or is something wrong here?

 

[DivCaste]

I think I may have solved my own problem after digging through the logs in ~/.config/obs-studio/. The logs show that my test recording (using the stream encoder) was taking on a setting of CBR at 2000, and a CPU usage of "veryfast". I unchecked the "Enforce streaming service encoder settings" checkbox, and everything started working as expected. Researching the setting more, I have little doubt that the checkbox was working as designed, and overriding my tuning to ensure a working stream. I'll have to do more research / testing on Twitch to see if I can get away with using CRF rather than CBR, but for now, at least I know what is happening!