To stream AV1 from OBS to YouTube Live, select an AV1 encoder your system supports, set the stream to RTMPS with constant bitrate (CBR), use a two-second keyframe interval, and choose YouTube’s recommended bitrate for your resolution and frame rate. AV1 availability depends on your hardware, drivers, operating system, and OBS build; test the full setup before relying on it for a live event.
Recommended OBS settings for YouTube Live AV1
Use YouTube’s live-ingest requirements as the target, then map them to equivalent controls available in your OBS encoder. Encoder names and extra options differ by hardware and implementation; do not assume NVENC-specific labels apply to QSV or AMD.
| Setting | Recommended target |
|---|---|
| Video codec | AV1, if an AV1 encoder is available in your OBS setup |
| Protocol | RTMPS; YouTube recommends encrypted transmission |
| Rate control | CBR |
| Keyframe interval | 2 seconds recommended; no more than 4 seconds |
| Frame rate | Up to 60 fps |
| Video bitrate | Choose the AV1/H.265 recommendation for the ingest resolution and frame rate in the table below |
These are YouTube’s live-streaming recommendations, not a guarantee that a particular computer or internet connection can sustain them. YouTube advises choosing a quality that works reliably with the available upload connection.
Choose the AV1 bitrate for your resolution
The values below are YouTube Help’s published AV1/H.265 ingestion bitrates, accessed 2026-10-03. Minimum and recommended values are in Mbps. They are YouTube’s settings guidance, not independent performance measurements.
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| Ingest resolution and frame rate | Minimum bitrate | Recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 2160p60 | 10 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
| 2160p30 | 8 Mbps | 30 Mbps |
| 1440p60 | 6 Mbps | 24 Mbps |
| 1440p30 | 5 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
| 1080p60 | 4 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
| 1080p30 | 4 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| 720p60 | 2 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
| 720p30 | 2 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
| 480p30 | 0.3 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| 360p30 | 0.3 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
For example, the YouTube-published recommended video bitrate for 1080p60 AV1/H.265 ingest is 12 Mbps; the listed minimum is 4 Mbps. Use the AV1/H.265 values rather than the distinct H.264 column in YouTube’s table. A speed-test result alone does not show whether your connection will remain stable while streaming, so verify with a real test.
How to enable AV1 in OBS
- Check the encoder list. In OBS, open Settings and go to Output. Set Output Mode to Advanced if needed, then inspect the streaming encoder options. Select an AV1 entry only if one appears in your installed OBS setup and your system supports it.
- Choose the YouTube streaming destination. In Settings > Stream, configure YouTube as the service and connect the account or enter the stream key provided by YouTube Studio. Keep the key private. Use RTMPS where the service or server selection exposes the secure ingest option.
- Set the encoder controls. In Settings > Output > Streaming, set rate control to CBR, set the keyframe interval to 2 s, and enter the video bitrate from YouTube’s AV1/H.265 table for your target resolution and frame rate. If a control is named differently or is unavailable, follow YouTube’s target where OBS exposes an equivalent; do not infer that controls documented for NVENC also exist for QSV or AMD.
- Set the video format. In Settings > Video, select the base and output resolutions and frame rate you intend to send. Make sure the bitrate row you chose matches the output resolution and frame rate, not just the canvas or source footage.
- Configure audio and SDR color. YouTube lists AAC or MP3 for RTMP/RTMPS audio. Its guidance recommends 44.1 kHz for stereo and 48 kHz for 5.1, with 128 Kbps for stereo or 384 Kbps for 5.1. For SDR, YouTube lists Rec. 709 and 8-bit color.
- Test before the event. Start an unlisted or otherwise suitable test broadcast with motion and audio representative of the planned stream. Check the YouTube Live Control Room’s stream health and messages, as well as OBS for dropped frames or encoder overload, before going public.
OBS lists hardware AV1 options for QSV, AMD, and NVENC encoder families, but this does not mean every computer exposes each option. Availability depends on the hardware and driver support, operating system, and OBS build. OBS’s advanced NVENC documentation describes controls specific to NVENC, including options introduced with OBS 31.0; treat those labels and recommendations as NVENC-specific.
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Audio, SDR, and HDR considerations
Audio
For RTMP/RTMPS, YouTube lists AAC or MP3. Its encoder guidance specifies 44.1 kHz and 128 Kbps for stereo, and 48 kHz and 384 Kbps for 5.1. YouTube notes that 5.1 surround sound over RTMP/RTMPS is supported only with AAC.
SDR color
YouTube lists Rec. 709 and 8-bit for SDR. Check that OBS’s color settings match the intended SDR workflow rather than accidentally configuring an HDR signal.
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HDR
YouTube’s cited encoder guidance does not support AV1 for HDR and lists H.265/HEVC as the HDR video codec. If HDR is required, use YouTube’s separate HDR setup instructions instead of applying the SDR AV1 settings here.
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AV1 does not appear in OBS
OBS only exposes encoder choices supported by the installed setup. Confirm that the hardware, drivers, operating system, and OBS build support an AV1 encoder; update compatible drivers or use an available encoder. A compatible AV1-capable graphics card may be an optional purchase if your existing system lacks an encoder, but check both OBS and the manufacturer’s compatibility information before choosing hardware.
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YouTube reports unstable stream health
The connection may not sustain the chosen bitrate consistently, even if a speed test looked adequate. Test at the actual target settings, reduce resolution or frame rate and select the matching lower bitrate row if necessary, and check whether other network activity is competing for upload capacity.
Keyframes or bitrate do not match guidance
Verify that rate control is CBR, the keyframe interval is two seconds, and the bitrate corresponds to the output resolution and frame rate. YouTube recommends a two-second keyframe frequency and sets four seconds as the maximum.
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Encoder controls differ from instructions
Options vary by encoder implementation. Use YouTube’s requirements as the destination target, but do not copy NVENC-only settings into QSV or AMD controls. Consult the documentation for the selected encoder and test the result in the YouTube Live Control Room.
Audio or color is wrong
Confirm the selected audio codec is AAC or MP3 for RTMP/RTMPS, the sample rate and audio bitrate match the stereo or 5.1 target, and SDR is configured for Rec. 709 at 8-bit. Do not use the AV1 HDR recipe: YouTube’s cited guidance says AV1 is not supported for HDR.
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