The aim is a stream that is stable first and sharp second.
Open the optimization check while you are live and it compares your detected settings against what Piczel recommends.
All of these are in the OBS Studio Stats window. To open it, click "View" in the menu at the top of OBS, then "Stats".
If all three are clean, your stream is stable. Check them again after any change you make, and over a period of time.
| Counter | Means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Dropped frames (network) | Your connection cannot keep up | Lower your bitrate |
| Skipped frames (encoding lag) | The encoder is overloaded | Faster preset, lower scaled resolution or frame rate |
| Missed frames (rendering lag) | Your computer cannot render the canvas quickly enough, often GPU related | Close programs, change downscale filter, adjust scaled resolution to match base resolution |
Think of your bitrate setting as a theoretical cap on stream quality. With a Variable Bit Rate (VBR), your stream will use UP TO the bitrate setting, but often uses less. This is more efficient for you and your viewers. If you are constantly using near the bitrate cap you've set, consider switching to CBR, which is more consistent under these conditions.
More bitrate does not mean a better stream! Most art streams need less than 1500kbps, even at high resolutions. If you notice artifacting, try increasing your bitrate, if your internet upload speed allows it.
OBS has three main resolution settings. The two we care about are in the video settings tab in OBS.
Base, or canvas resolution - the resolution of the canvas you place sources on, think of it as your stream's art canvas. Because of this, to avoid scaling before the rescaling step, you should usually keep your base resolution the same resolution as your art program, which is typically your monitor's screen resolution.
Output, or scaled resolution - the resolution that is actually encoded and sent off to Piczel and your viewers. Often, but not necessarily, lower than the base resolution.
Rescale output, an option in the Output settings in OBS. Do not enable this unless you really know what you're doing.
When you downscale from base->output resolution, you can choose what method OBS uses. The default, bicubic, is a good balance of speed and quality. Feel free to experiment with it. Bilinear is the fastest option, but blurrier, and lanczos is the most crisp, but more stressful for your computer.
The OBS default output resolution is 1280x720 - serviceable, but you can increase it to match your base resolution, but not over 2560x1440. Piczel technically supports higher resolutions than that, but there's functionally no advantage - and it's better to have the stream downscaled once in OBS where you control it and can make sure it looks good, rather than leaving it to every viewer's browser. We recommend 1920x1080 as a maximum output resolution.
The higher your output resolution, the more work for your encoder, which is your CPU if you're using x264.
Continuing from the resolution settings, FPS is right below them in the video settings tab in OBS.
FPS is how smooth your stream is. Higher is generally better, with diminishing returns. The OBS default of 30 is fine.
If you want a smoother stream, increase your fps to 60. If you're getting skipped or missed frames, try lowering it to 20 or even 10, for very old computers.
FPS directly affects your CPU usage - it's roughly linear, and multiplicative with your output resolution.
Base resolution to match your art monitor's resolution
Max scaled resolution of 1920x1080
Downscale filter: Bicubic
FPS: 30
Base resolution should match your art screen's resolution
Scaled resolution: 1280x720
Downscale filter: Bilinear
FPS: 20
FPS and scaled resolution can be adjusted up or down, the important part is to watch the OBS Stats window - increasing your fps or scaled resolution increases your CPU usage roughly in proportion
Output mode: Advanced
Encoder: x264
Bitrate: 1500 or less - more bandwidth does not mean you get a better quality stream!
Rate Control: VBR (CBR if you're constantly near your bitrate cap)
Keyframe Interval: 4
Tune: zerolatency
Run the optimization check again while live. If that does not explain it, email support@piczel.tv with an internet speed test, your current OBS log (from when you streamed), and a screenshot of the OBS stats window while you are live.