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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFor most SDR documentary uploads, export a progressive MP4 using H.264, keep the footage’s original frame rate and natural aspect ratio, set color to BT.709, and use AAC-LC audio at 48 kHz. Choose a video bitrate from YouTube’s resolution-and-frame-rate recommendations below; those values are guidance, not required limits or a guarantee of picture quality.
Recommended export settings at a glance
- Container: MP4, with the moov atom at the front (“Fast Start”) and no edit lists.
- Video: H.264, progressive scan, High Profile, variable bitrate, CABAC, 4:2:0 chroma subsampling, two consecutive B frames, and a closed GOP whose length is half the frame rate.
- Frame rate: Match the recording. Common options include 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, and 60 fps.
- Shape: Preserve the source’s natural aspect ratio. Use 16:9 for footage mastered in that shape; do not add black bars or padding to force a different shape.
- Color: BT.709 for SDR. Make sure the color metadata matches how the video was mastered.
- Audio: AAC-LC at 48 kHz is a straightforward compatibility choice. For stereo, YouTube recommends 384 kbps.
These are YouTube’s recommended upload encoding settings, not a requirement to use a particular editing program or equipment. YouTube says there is no recommended minimum bitrate because bitrate depends heavily on codec. YouTube’s upload encoding recommendations and formatting specifications provide the full guidance.
Choose the video bitrate for resolution and frame rate
YouTube separates standard frame rates (24, 25, or 30 fps) from high frame rates (48, 50, or 60 fps), and SDR from HDR. Use the matching reference below. The figures are recommendations for uploaded video encoding—not minimums, guarantees, or live-stream settings.
| Output resolution | SDR, standard fps | SDR, high fps | HDR, standard fps | HDR, high fps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8K | 80–160 Mbps | 120–240 Mbps | 100–200 Mbps | 150–300 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K) | 35–45 Mbps | 53–68 Mbps | 44–56 Mbps | 66–85 Mbps |
| 1440p (2K) | 16 Mbps | 24 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 30 Mbps |
| 1080p | 8 Mbps | 12 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
| 720p | 5 Mbps | 7.5 Mbps | 6.5 Mbps | 9.5 Mbps |
| 480p | 2.5 Mbps | 4 Mbps | Not supported | Not supported |
| 360p | 1 Mbps | 1.5 Mbps | Not supported | Not supported |
For example, a documentary edited in SDR at 1080p and 30 fps maps to YouTube’s 8 Mbps reference; a 1080p60 SDR export maps to 12 Mbps. Other bitrates can still work. Motion, codec, and the source itself affect the result, so treat the table as a useful target rather than a pass/fail test.
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Match the export to the documentary footage
Keep the recorded frame rate
Export at the rate the camera recorded rather than changing it simply to match a preset. YouTube lists 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, and 60 fps as common rates and allows others. If the source is interlaced, deinterlace before upload; YouTube gives converting 1080i60 to 1080p30 as an example. See YouTube’s recommended upload encoding settings.
Preserve the source’s shape and resolution
For standard widescreen documentary footage, 1920×1080 is 1080p and 3840×2160 is 4K, both in 16:9. But 16:9 is not mandatory: YouTube’s player adjusts to vertical, square, and other aspect ratios. Keep the source’s intended shape instead of baking in bars; the player adapts to the video. YouTube’s resolution and aspect-ratio guidance explains how the player handles different formats.
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Use the right color workflow
For SDR, YouTube recommends BT.709. Set export metadata to reflect the color space used to master the documentary. YouTube warns that unsupported color spaces can be converted, and says it converts full-range video to limited range; an incorrect color tag can therefore affect the appearance of the uploaded result.
Set audio independently from video
YouTube lists AAC-LC, Opus, or Eclipsa Audio, with a 48 kHz sample rate. It recommends mono at 128 kbps, stereo at 384 kbps, and 5.1 at 512 kbps; supported channel configurations include stereo, stereo plus 5.1, and stereo plus Eclipsa Audio. Audio bitrate is not tied to video resolution. AAC-LC at 48 kHz is a practical default for broad compatibility, while the channel layout should suit the actual soundtrack.
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Prepare the MP4 so it processes cleanly
In the export controls, choose MP4 with H.264 video and progressive output. If the editor exposes advanced encoding controls, YouTube’s listed recommendations are High Profile, two consecutive B frames, closed GOP length equal to half the frame rate, CABAC, variable bitrate, and 4:2:0 chroma subsampling. Set the MP4 for Fast Start so its moov atom is at the front, and avoid edit lists because they may interfere with processing. These are recommendations; controls differ between editors and export presets.
What to expect after uploading
A newly uploaded video may initially be available only in low quality while higher-quality versions are processed. 1080p and 4K processing can take longer, potentially several hours. If you want every quality ready when viewers first see the video, upload it as unlisted and make it public after processing finishes. YouTube also notes that a browser or device supporting VP9 is needed to view new uploads in 4K. See YouTube’s upload troubleshooting guidance.
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Common export and playback problems
The video is only available in low quality
Higher-resolution processing may still be underway. Allow time for 1080p or 4K renditions to finish; for a planned release, upload unlisted first and publish once the desired qualities are available.
The picture looks stretched or has unwanted bars
Check that the export preserves the source aspect ratio and dimensions. Do not add padding or black bars to force 16:9; YouTube’s player adapts to non-16:9 video.
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Color looks different after processing
Confirm that the export’s color metadata matches the master. For SDR, use BT.709. Unsupported color spaces may be converted, and YouTube converts full-range video to limited range.
The upload looks soft or motion is less smooth than the source
Confirm that the export resolution and frame rate match the intended master, then compare the bitrate with YouTube’s recommendation for that resolution and frame-rate class. A bitrate recommendation is not a guarantee of a particular result; changing the frame rate without a source-specific reason can also alter motion presentation.
Do not use live-stream settings for recorded uploads
This guide covers exporting a finished recording for upload. YouTube Live has a separate encoder workflow, so live-stream recommendations such as CBR or RTMP settings do not replace the upload settings above. If your goal is to keep pre-recorded video playing as a YouTube live stream, that is a different setup from uploading a documentary file.
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