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 reside streaming. It’s widespread amongst players and content material creators as a result of it’s highly effective and straightforward to make use of. Nevertheless, OBS may also produce massive video information, which is usually a drawback for folks with restricted space for storing or sluggish web connections.

There are some things you are able to do to cut back the dimensions 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 ample. It’s also possible to cut 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 will possibly additionally cut back the standard of the video.

One other technique to cut back the dimensions 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. Nevertheless, there are different codecs that may produce smaller file sizes, similar to VP9 and H.265. It’s also possible to strive utilizing a unique container format, similar to MP4 or MKV. MP4 is a extra widespread format that’s supported by most video gamers, whereas MKV is a much less widespread format that may produce smaller file sizes.

1. Decision

Decision is likely one of the most necessary components that impacts the file measurement of an OBS recording. The upper the decision, the bigger the file measurement. It is because the next 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 subsequently the file measurement will probably be twice as massive.

When selecting a decision to your OBS recordings, you might want to contemplate the next components:

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

When you’ve got a small monitor, you may get away with utilizing a decrease decision. Nevertheless, you probably have a big monitor, you will want to make use of the next decision to take care of the identical degree of high quality. The bitrate of your recording additionally impacts the file measurement. The next bitrate will produce a higher-quality video, however it can additionally improve the file measurement. Lastly, you might want to contemplate the standard of your web connection. When you’ve got a sluggish web connection, you might want to make use of a decrease decision to keep away from buffering.

On the whole, 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 isn’t 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 in addition the bigger the file measurement.

When selecting a bitrate to your OBS recordings, you might want to contemplate the next components:

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

The upper the decision and body charge 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 charge of 60 fps would require the next bitrate than a video with a decision of 1280×720 and a body charge of 30 fps.

When you’ve got a sluggish web connection, you might want to make use of a decrease bitrate to keep away from buffering. Nevertheless, you probably have a quick web connection, you should utilize the next bitrate to enhance the standard of your recordings.

On the whole, a bitrate of 2500 kbps is an efficient place to begin for OBS recordings. You possibly can then modify the bitrate up or down relying on the components 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 a lot of completely different codecs accessible, every with its personal benefits and drawbacks. The selection of codec can have a major affect 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, it is very important contemplate the next components:

  • The standard of the video that you simply need to file
  • The dimensions of the file that you simply need to create
  • The {hardware} that you’re utilizing to file

If you’re recording a video that you simply need to be of top of the range, then you will want to make use of a codec that’s designed for high-quality video. Nevertheless, in case you are recording a video that you simply need to be of small measurement, then you should utilize 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 similar to 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 affect 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 sensible choice for OBS recordings that will probably be shared on-line or performed again on quite a lot of gadgets.
  • MKV is a much less widespread container format that’s supported by some video gamers. It’s a sensible choice for OBS recordings that will probably 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 sensible choice for OBS recordings that will probably be streamed reside or performed again on an internet site.

When selecting a container format for OBS, it is very important contemplate the next components:

  • The kind of video that you’re recording
  • The dimensions of the file that you simply need 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 correct container format to your OBS recordings and cut back their measurement with out sacrificing high quality.

FAQs on Tips on how to Make OBS Recordings Much less Massive

This part addresses widespread issues and misconceptions relating to the file measurement of OBS recordings. It supplies concise solutions to 6 ceaselessly requested questions.

Query 1: Why are my OBS recordings so massive?

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

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

You possibly can cut back the file measurement by reducing 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 depends upon the supposed use of the recording. For many functions, a decision of 1280×720 (720p) is ample.

Query 4: What bitrate ought to I take advantage of for OBS recordings?

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

Query 5: Which codec ought to I take advantage of for OBS recordings?

H.264 (x264) is a broadly used codec that provides a very good steadiness 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 take advantage of for OBS recordings?

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

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

Shifting on, the following 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 ideas:

Tip 1: Optimize Decision and Bitrate

Select a decision that fits your wants. For many functions, 1280×720 (720p) is ample. Modify 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 steadiness 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 appropriate with numerous gadgets. MKV affords extra flexibility however might not be as broadly supported. FLV is appropriate for streaming.

Tip 4: Modify Audio Settings

Cut back the audio bitrate to decrease the file measurement. Think about using a decrease pattern charge (e.g., 44.1 kHz as a substitute of 48 kHz) and a mono audio observe if stereo just isn’t important.

Tip 5: Make the most of OBS Studio Filters

Apply OBS Studio filters similar to “Lanczos Downscale” or “Resample” to cut 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 Examine

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

We now have additionally supplied sensible ideas 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 precious method to lowering file measurement. Experimenting with completely different settings and evaluating the outcomes will enable you to discover the optimum steadiness between high quality and file measurement to your particular wants.

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