How to Stream in Lower Quality OBS: A Comprehensive Guide
Streaming in lower quality using OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) can be a great way to save bandwidth, reduce CPU usage, and ensure a smoother streaming experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced streamer, optimizing your OBS settings for lower quality can help you reach a wider audience without compromising on the quality of your content. In this article, we’ll discuss the steps and settings you can use to stream in lower quality OBS.
1. Choose the Right Resolution
The first step in streaming in lower quality OBS is to choose the right resolution. Higher resolutions consume more bandwidth and CPU power, so it’s essential to select a resolution that balances quality and performance. For most streamers, a resolution of 720p or 1080p is sufficient. To change the resolution in OBS, follow these steps:
1. Open OBS and go to the “Settings” menu.
2. Click on “Video.”
3. Under “Base (Canvas) Resolution,” select a resolution that is lower than your monitor’s native resolution. For example, if your monitor is 1080p, choose 720p or 480p.
4. Under “Output (Scaled) Resolution,” set the resolution to the same value as the “Base (Canvas) Resolution.”
2. Adjust the Encoding Settings
The encoding settings in OBS play a crucial role in determining the quality and performance of your stream. To stream in lower quality, you can adjust the following encoding settings:
1. Under the “Settings” menu, click on “Stream.”
2. Set the “Streaming Service” to your preferred platform (e.g., Twitch, YouTube).
3. Under “Server,” choose the closest server to your audience to reduce latency.
4. Set the “Bitrate” to a lower value. A bitrate of 1500-2500 kbps is usually sufficient for 720p streaming. Remember that a lower bitrate will result in lower quality, but it will consume less bandwidth and CPU power.
5. Choose the “X264” codec under “Video Codec.” X264 is a widely used codec that offers a good balance between quality and performance.
6. Under “Audio,” set the “Sample Rate” to 44100 Hz and the “Channels” to 2. These settings are standard for most streaming platforms.
3. Optimize Your Sources
To ensure that your stream remains in lower quality, you should optimize your sources in OBS. Here are some tips:
1. Use lower-quality images and videos as sources. For example, if you’re streaming gameplay, use a lower resolution capture source.
2. Adjust the “Downscale Filter” for video sources. This filter can help reduce the resolution of your sources, which can lead to a lower-quality stream.
3. Use the “Deinterlace” filter for video sources if necessary. This filter can help improve the quality of interlaced video sources.
4. Optimize your audio sources by choosing the appropriate sample rate and bitrate.
4. Monitor Your Stream
After setting up your lower-quality stream, it’s essential to monitor your stream to ensure everything is working correctly. Here are some tips:
1. Use the “Monitor” feature in OBS to watch your stream in real-time. This will help you identify any issues, such as pixelated video or distorted audio.
2. Keep an eye on your CPU and GPU usage. If your system is struggling to maintain the stream, you may need to adjust your settings further.
3. Test your stream on different devices and platforms to ensure compatibility and quality.
By following these steps and settings, you can successfully stream in lower quality using OBS. Remember that streaming in lower quality is all about finding the right balance between quality and performance. With the right settings and optimization, you can provide an enjoyable streaming experience for your audience while saving valuable resources.
