AV1 Streaming Comes To OBS For Higher-Quality Output On GeForce, Arc And Radeon

AV1 Encoding in OBS: What You Need to Know

The latest update to the Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) finally brings support for live-streaming in the high-efficiency AV1 codec. This means content creators can now deliver higher-quality video at lower bitrates, but there are specific hardware and platform requirements to consider.

Hardware Requirements for AV1 Streaming

To take advantage of AV1 encoding in OBS, you'll need a compatible graphics card. Currently, this includes NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 40 series (e.g., RTX 4060, 4070, 4080), Intel's Arc GPUs, and AMD's Radeon RX 7000 series. These cards feature dedicated hardware encoders that make AV1 encoding efficient without overloading your system.

If you're using an older GPU, you won't be able to select AV1 in OBS. However, software encoding with the CPU is possible for recording, but it's not recommended for live streaming due to performance demands.

Platform Support: Where AV1 Streaming Works

Currently, YouTube offers the best support for AV1 live streaming. Twitch still relies on H.264, so AV1 streaming is primarily for YouTube. Other platforms may adopt AV1 in the future, but for now, ensure your streaming destination is compatible.

To use AV1 on YouTube, configure your stream as RTMPS (enhanced RTMP) in OBS settings. This protocol allows AV1 ingest. If you use HLS, you won't get the AV1 option.

How to Set Up AV1 Streaming in OBS

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Update OBS to version 29.1.1 or later.
2. Go to Settings > Stream and select YouTube as your service, using the RTMPS option.
3. Navigate to Output > Streaming and set the Output Mode to Advanced.
4. Under Video Encoder, select NVIDIA NVENC AV1 (or the equivalent for your GPU).
5. Adjust your bitrate: For 1080p streaming, start at 8,000-10,000 kbps. Many creators recommend upscaling to 1440p for better YouTube quality, using a bitrate around 16,000 kbps.
6. Set your preset to P7 (Slowest) for the best quality, tuning to High Quality, and enable Two-Pass encoding.

Recording with AV1

To record in AV1, go to Output > Recording and choose the AV1 encoder. Use the .mkv container for safety. AV1 offers excellent compression, so a bitrate of 20,000 kbps is ample even for 4K.

Optimizing Bitrate and Quality

AV1's efficiency means you can achieve similar quality at 40-50% lower bitrates compared to H.264. For streaming at 1080p, a bitrate of 6,000-8,000 kbps is often sufficient, but YouTube recommends higher for 1440p (around 16,000 kbps). Always run the Auto-Config Wizard in OBS (Tools > Auto-Configuration Wizard) to get a baseline suggestion for your hardware and internet speed.

If your upload bandwidth is limited (e.g., 12 Mbps), AV1 is a game-changer—it allows you to push quality that would otherwise be impossible with H.264. Remember that Twitch caps bitrate at 6,000 kbps, so for that platform, you'll stick with H.264 for now.

One pro tip: consider streaming at 1440p even if you play in 1080p. YouTube's 1080p encoder is less efficient, so upscaling to 1440p can actually improve final quality. Use the Video tab to set your base resolution and rescale the output.

Troubleshooting and Common Issues

If AV1 options are grayed out, double-check your GPU compatibility and OBS version. Ensure you've set the stream service to YouTube with RTMPS. For recording, use a player that supports AV1 playback, like VLC. Also, monitor GPU usage—though hardware-accelerated, AV1 can still be demanding. Keep an eye on your system's performance while streaming.

For local streaming to an Android TV or other device, you can use OBS with custom RTSP or WebRTC setups, but be aware that many consumer devices lack AV1 decoder support. Using FFmpeg or a dedicated receiver may be necessary.

As more platforms adopt AV1 and GPU prices become more accessible, AV1 streaming will likely become the new standard. For now, it's a powerful tool for those with the right hardware, delivering stunning quality with lower bandwidth requirements.