How to Make OBS Recordings Smaller: A Comprehensive Guide


How to Make OBS Recordings Smaller: A Comprehensive Guide

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software program) is a free and open-source software program for video recording and dwell streaming. It’s fashionable amongst players and content material creators as a result of it’s highly effective and simple to make use of. Nonetheless, OBS may produce massive video recordsdata, which is usually a drawback for folks with restricted cupboard space or sluggish web connections.

There are some things you are able to do to scale back the scale of your OBS recordings. One is to decrease the video decision. The upper the decision, the bigger the file measurement. For many functions, a decision of 1280×720 is adequate. You can too scale back the bitrate, which is the quantity of knowledge that’s recorded per second. A decrease bitrate will produce a smaller file measurement, however it could possibly additionally scale back the standard of the video.

One other approach to scale back the scale of your OBS recordings is to make use of a unique video codec. The default codec in OBS is H.264, which is an efficient all-around codec that produces high-quality movies. Nonetheless, there are different codecs that may produce smaller file sizes, reminiscent of VP9 and H.265. You can too strive utilizing a unique container format, reminiscent of MP4 or MKV. MP4 is a extra fashionable format that’s supported by most video gamers, whereas MKV is a much less fashionable format that may produce smaller file sizes.

1. Decision

Decision is among the most vital elements that impacts the file measurement of an OBS recording. The upper the decision, the bigger the file measurement. It is because a better decision signifies that there are extra pixels within the video, and every pixel takes up extra space. For instance, a video with a decision of 1920×1080 has twice as many pixels as a video with a decision of 1280×720, and due to this fact the file measurement shall be twice as massive.

When selecting a decision on your OBS recordings, it is advisable take into account the next elements:

  • The scale of your monitor
  • The bitrate of your recording
  • The standard of your web connection

When you have a small monitor, you will get away with utilizing a decrease decision. Nonetheless, if in case you have a big monitor, you will want to make use of a better decision to take care of the identical degree of high quality. The bitrate of your recording additionally impacts the file measurement. A better bitrate will produce a higher-quality video, however it is going to additionally improve the file measurement. Lastly, it is advisable take into account the standard of your web connection. When you have a sluggish web connection, it’s possible you’ll want to make use of a decrease decision to keep away from buffering.

Normally, a decision of 1280×720 is an efficient compromise between high quality and file measurement. This decision is excessive sufficient to look good on most screens, however it’s not so excessive that it’s going to produce excessively massive file sizes.

2. Bitrate

Bitrate is the quantity of knowledge that’s transferred per second in a video recording. It’s measured in kilobits per second (kbps) or megabits per second (mbps). The upper the bitrate, the upper the standard of the video, but additionally the bigger the file measurement.

When selecting a bitrate on your OBS recordings, it is advisable take into account the next elements:

  • The decision of your recording
  • The body price of your recording
  • The standard of your web connection

The upper the decision and body price of your recording, the upper the bitrate you will want to take care of the identical degree of high quality. For instance, a video with a decision of 1920×1080 and a body price of 60 fps would require a better bitrate than a video with a decision of 1280×720 and a body price of 30 fps.

When you have a sluggish web connection, it’s possible you’ll want to make use of a decrease bitrate to keep away from buffering. Nonetheless, if in case you have a quick web connection, you need to use a better bitrate to enhance the standard of your recordings.

Normally, a bitrate of 2500 kbps is an efficient place to begin for OBS recordings. You may then alter the bitrate up or down relying on the elements listed above.

3. Codec

A codec is a tool or software program that encodes or decodes a digital knowledge stream or sign. Within the context of OBS, a codec is used to compress the video knowledge earlier than it’s recorded or streamed. There are numerous completely different codecs out there, every with its personal benefits and downsides. The selection of codec can have a major impression on the file measurement of an OBS recording.

Codecs which are designed for high-quality video will sometimes produce bigger file sizes. Conversely, codecs which are designed for small file sizes will sometimes produce lower-quality video. When selecting a codec for OBS, you will need to take into account the next elements:

  • The standard of the video that you just wish to report
  • The scale of the file that you just wish to create
  • The {hardware} that you’re utilizing to report

In case you are recording a video that you just wish to be of top quality, then you will want to make use of a codec that’s designed for high-quality video. Nonetheless, if you’re recording a video that you just wish to be of small measurement, then you need to use a codec that’s designed for small file sizes. You will need to experiment with completely different codecs to seek out the one which finest meets your wants.

4. Container format

A container format is a file format that may retailer a number of audio and video streams, together with different knowledge reminiscent of metadata and subtitles. OBS helps quite a lot of container codecs, together with MP4, MKV, and FLV. The selection of container format can have a major impression on the file measurement of an OBS recording.

  • MP4 is a well-liked container format that’s supported by most video gamers. It’s a good selection for OBS recordings that shall be shared on-line or performed again on quite a lot of gadgets.
  • MKV is a much less fashionable container format that’s supported by some video gamers. It’s a good selection for OBS recordings that shall be saved on a tough drive or performed again on a high-quality video participant.
  • FLV is a container format that’s particularly designed for streaming video. It’s a good selection for OBS recordings that shall be streamed dwell or performed again on a web site.

When selecting a container format for OBS, you will need to take into account the next elements:

  • The kind of video that you’re recording
  • The scale of the file that you just wish to create
  • The gadgets that you may be enjoying again the video on

By understanding the connection between container format and file measurement, you may select the suitable container format on your OBS recordings and scale back their measurement with out sacrificing high quality.

FAQs on The best way to Make OBS Recordings Much less Massive

This part addresses frequent considerations and misconceptions relating to the file measurement of OBS recordings. It supplies concise solutions to 6 steadily requested questions.

Query 1: Why are my OBS recordings so massive?

OBS recordings may be massive attributable to a number of elements, together with excessive decision, excessive bitrate, and using uncompressed codecs. Excessive-quality settings produce bigger file sizes.

Query 2: How can I scale back the file measurement of my OBS recordings?

You may scale back the file measurement by decreasing the decision, lowering the bitrate, selecting a extra environment friendly codec, and utilizing an appropriate container format.

Query 3: What’s the finest decision for OBS recordings?

The optimum decision relies on the meant use of the recording. For many functions, a decision of 1280×720 (720p) is adequate.

Query 4: What bitrate ought to I exploit for OBS recordings?

The really helpful bitrate varies primarily based on decision and body price. A bitrate of 2500 kbps is an efficient place to begin for 720p recordings at 30 fps.

Query 5: Which codec ought to I exploit for OBS recordings?

H.264 (x264) is a broadly used codec that provides a very good stability of high quality and file measurement. For smaller file sizes, think about using VP9 or H.265 (HEVC).

Query 6: What container format ought to I exploit for OBS recordings?

MP4 is a flexible container format suitable with varied gadgets and gamers. MKV affords extra flexibility however is probably not as broadly supported. FLV is appropriate for streaming.

By understanding these elements and making acceptable changes, you may successfully scale back the file measurement of your OBS recordings whereas sustaining the specified high quality.

Shifting on, the subsequent part will delve into…

Ideas for Lowering the File Measurement of OBS Recordings

That can assist you obtain smaller file sizes whereas sustaining high quality, listed below are some sensible suggestions:

Tip 1: Optimize Decision and Bitrate

Select a decision that fits your wants. For many functions, 1280×720 (720p) is adequate. Alter the bitrate accordingly, sometimes between 2500-6000 kbps for 720p recordings.

Tip 2: Choose an Environment friendly Video Codec

H.264 (x264) is a broadly used codec that strikes a stability between high quality and file measurement. Take into account VP9 or H.265 (HEVC) for even smaller file sizes.

Tip 3: Make the most of Container Codecs Correctly

MP4 is a flexible container format suitable with varied gadgets. MKV affords extra flexibility however is probably not as broadly supported. FLV is appropriate for streaming.

Tip 4: Alter Audio Settings

Cut back the audio bitrate to decrease the file measurement. Think about using a decrease pattern price (e.g., 44.1 kHz as a substitute of 48 kHz) and a mono audio monitor if stereo is just not important.

Tip 5: Make the most of OBS Studio Filters

Apply OBS Studio filters reminiscent of “Lanczos Downscale” or “Resample” to scale back the decision of your recording with out sacrificing high quality.

Tip 6: Optimize for Your {Hardware}

Make the most of {hardware} acceleration if potential. Take into account upgrading your CPU or graphics card for higher efficiency and smaller file sizes.

Tip 7: Experiment and Evaluate

Experiment with completely different settings and examine the outcomes. Use OBS Studio’s recording preview function to judge the standard and file measurement earlier than committing to a recording.

By implementing the following pointers, you may successfully scale back the file measurement of your OBS recordings whereas preserving the standard you want.

In conclusion, understanding the elements that have an effect on file measurement and making use of these sensible suggestions will empower you to create smaller OBS recordings with out compromising the standard of your content material.

Conclusion

On this article, we’ve explored the intricacies of optimizing OBS recordings for smaller file sizes whereas sustaining high quality. By understanding the important thing elements that have an effect on file measurement, reminiscent of decision, bitrate, codec, and container format, you can also make knowledgeable choices to scale back the scale of your recordings with out sacrificing high quality.

We now have additionally supplied sensible suggestions and strategies that can assist you obtain your required file measurement targets. From adjusting audio settings to using OBS Studio filters, every tip affords a priceless strategy to lowering file measurement. Experimenting with completely different settings and evaluating the outcomes will enable you discover the optimum stability between high quality and file measurement on your particular wants.

By making use of the ideas and strategies mentioned on this article, you may successfully create smaller OBS recordings which are appropriate for sharing, storage, and distribution. Bear in mind, the secret’s to seek out the suitable stability between high quality and file measurement, guaranteeing that your recordings meet your necessities with out taking on extreme house or compromising the viewing expertise.