Best OBS Settings For Recording 1080p 60FPS (Full Guide) | Best OBS Recording Settings Tutorial

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Best OBS Settings For Recording 1080p 60FPS (Full Guide)

Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) has established itself as one of the most versatile tools for both live streaming and screen recording. Whether you’re a content creator looking to record gameplay, a teacher producing tutorial videos, or a professional gamer aiming for high-quality video output, understanding the optimal OBS settings for recording at 1080p 60FPS is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best settings to achieve smooth, high-quality recordings, factors affecting performance, as well as tips for troubleshooting common issues.

Understanding OBS Basics

Before we dive into the specifics of settings, it’s essential to understand what OBS is and how it operates. OBS is a free, open-source software that provides users with powerful capabilities to capture video and audio from a variety of sources. It supports a vast number of plugins and offers options for customization, making it a preferred choice for many.

When recording at 1080p with 60 frames per second (FPS), you’ll need to ensure that your system can handle the workload. Recording at this high level will demand significant resources from both your CPU and GPU. Before adjusting settings, it’s important to check your system specifications.

The Right Equipment

To achieve optimal results, make sure your hardware meets the following minimum requirements:

  • Processor (CPU): A multi-core processor (Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 or better) is recommended.
  • Graphics Card (GPU): A dedicated GPU (NVIDIA or AMD) will greatly enhance performance.
  • RAM: At least 8GB of RAM, though 16GB is ideal.
  • Storage: Ensure you have ample disk space with SSDs preferred for quicker file processing.
  • Operating System: OBS is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, but compatibility can vary.

Installation of OBS

If you haven’t already installed OBS, follow these steps:

  1. Download the installer from the official OBS Project website.
  2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
  3. Once installed, launch the application.

Initial Setup for OBS

Upon launching OBS for the first time, you’ll be greeted with auto-configuration settings. While this setup can provide you with an easy way to get started, we suggest manually adjusting settings for better customization.

Step-by-Step Configuration for 1080p 60FPS Recording

1. General Settings

  • Navigate to the Settings menu by clicking on the "Settings" button at the bottom right of the OBS interface.
  • In the General tab, you can choose your preferred language and theme, which can be set to dark or light mode based on your preference.

2. Video Settings

  • Go to the Video tab.
  • Set the Base (Canvas) Resolution to 1920x1080.
  • Set the Output (Scaled) Resolution also to 1920x1080. This ensures that your recording is in full HD.
  • Change the Common FPS Values to 60. This will result in smoother video playback.

3. Output Settings

Maximizing quality while managing file sizes is essential. Follow these steps in the Output settings:

  • Go to the Output tab.
  • Change the Output Mode from “Simple” to “Advanced”.

Recording Tab:

  • Type: Standard.

  • Recording Path: Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the videos.

  • Recording Format: MP4 or MKV. While MP4 is standard, MKV is less prone to corruption.

  • Audio Track: Usually, Track 1 will suffice for most setups.

  • Encoder: Select the encoder based on your system capabilities:

    • For NVIDIA GPUs: NVENC (this offers excellent quality without taxing the CPU too much).
    • For AMD GPUs: AMF.
    • For Intel CPUs: Quick Sync Video.
    • If you have a powerful CPU, you could use x264:
    • This is CPU intensive but can provide the best quality at the cost of performance.

  • Rate Control: Set this to CQP (Constant Quality) or VBR (Variable Bit Rate). For CQP, a value between 15-20 is ideal for 1080p.

    • If using VBR, consider a bitrate range around 20,000 Kbps.

  • Keyframe Interval: Set it to 2 seconds. This is optimal for both recordings and later distribution on platforms like YouTube.

  • CPU Usage Preset: This only applies if using x264. Use presets like "very fast" or "faster," which reduce CPU load.

  • Profile: Set it to "high."

  • Level: Use the default, typically 4.0 or 4.1 for 1080p.

4. Audio Settings

Audio quality is crucial in video recordings. Follow these guidelines to ensure clear sound:

  • Go to the Audio tab.
  • Sample Rate: Choose 48 kHz which is standard for video.
  • Channels: Set to Stereo.
  • You may also configure your Desktop and Mic/Auxiliary audio devices here.
  • For audio bitrate, in the output section, you can set the bitrate between 160-320 Kbps for high-quality audio.

5. Hotkeys

Setting up hotkeys can simplify your recording process:

  • Go to the Hotkeys tab and assign keys for starting/stopping recording, switching scenes, and other essential functions.

6. Advanced Settings

The Advanced tab provides additional options:

  • Process Priority: Set this to “Above Normal” to give OBS priority over other running applications.
  • Renderer: Use Direct3D 11 for better performance.
  • Color Format: NV12 is standard but RGB can be used if your system handles it.
  • Color Space: Set to 709 and Color Range to Full for the best video quality.

Testing Your Settings

With everything set, it’s vital to test your configuration:

  1. Start a short recording of gameplay, tutorial or a test screen.
  2. Monitor the performance metrics on the OBS interface. Look for CPU usage and dropped frames.
  3. Check the recording for quality. Confirm resolution, framerate, and audio levels.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Poor Performance

  • CPU/GPU Overload: Reduce the output resolution or framerate if you experience high CPU usage.
  • Software Conflicts: Ensure that no resource-heavy applications are running in the background.

Video Quality Problems

  • Blurry or Pixelated Video: Check your bitrate settings; increase the value if necessary.
  • Audio Desynchronization: Ensure your system can handle both video and audio processing well.

Recording Stutters

  • If your recordings show stuttering or lag, try:
    • Lowering FPS to 30 for better stability.
    • Considering lower-quality or higher preset settings if using x264.

Additional Tips for Optimal Performance

  • Test Different Settings: Don’t hesitate to tweak settings based on your use case. Recording high-action games might need different settings compared to static screen recordings.
  • Regular Updates: Keep OBS and your system drivers updated to benefit from performance enhancements and bug fixes.
  • Storage Management: Ensure you have adequate storage space available; large recordings can fill up quickly.

Conclusion

Recording high-quality 1080p 60FPS videos with OBS is entirely feasible with the right settings and system configuration. By following this guide, you can optimize your OBS settings for exceptional video and audio quality, while maintaining system performance. With practice and experimentation, you’ll be able to fine-tune your setup to meet your unique recording needs. Happy recording!

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