Question / Help What format do I save my output files as?

[JohnM5225]

So when I try recording/streaming in OBS, I want to be able to save an output of the recording/livestream, but I don't know what format to use. The only options I have are as mp4 or flv, and neither work. Please help! :(

 

[dodgepong]

Those are the only saving options you can use. My question is "Why aren't they working?" In what way aren't they working for you?

 

[mikeva]

I'm like dodge..it should work. I'm sure you have checked the box to enable it...did you give it a file name, and look in the location where the file is supposed to be? I get a file every time..which I have stopped for the time being...mp4's can eat HD space fast...haven't tried an flv yet.

 

[Krazy]

FLV and MP4 are for all intents and purposes, the same. They are just different containers.

 

[neckardt]

I am having the problem where I save to file as MP4, but when I open the file all I get is audio. It plays like it were a song or soundtrack, although MP4 is supposed to be video, right?

 

[dodgepong]

Have you tried enabling CFR?

 

[neckardt]

Not yet. What is CFR?

 

[dodgepong]

Constant frame rate. Certain video editors need it to be able to read video files correctly. It is not on by default in OBS.

 

[neckardt]

Figured it out. For me I was missing Codecs or something. Seemed to have been a problem on my end rather than Obs. Thanks though!

 

[StealthBlade98]

I know I asked this on a previous thread but you listed .MP4 .FLV as the same thing just different containers but Will it be smaller file size compared to my Total Media Extreme / Vegas Rendering in MP4s?
Right now for a 20 minute file it's like 880MB. I only asked cause when I testing recording minecraft with the current OBS it was like 670MB for a 24 minute file. Considering it's supposed to be the same thing i can't imagine why they were different sizes unless one is a PC game and the other a console game or the file is just larger because of Total Media Extreme Settings

 

[koala]

There is no size difference between *.flv and *.mp4. The same recording, saved as *.flv instead of *.mp4 with the same compression settings, would have the same size. It would only differ in a few bytes or kilobytes. If videos are different in size, it's not the container but the video content that matters, or the compression settings.

You can shrink your videos by reducing the bitrate or using lower quality settings with your editing software, but this is not dependent on the container.

 

[StealthBlade98]

I'm assuming lowering the bitrate will also downgrade the quality rather than having a specific video file having a reduced file size. As i mentioned 24 minute minecraft video was 210MB smaller using OBS than a console game with 20 minutes using Total Media Extreme and then rendering it with my mic audio in Vegas