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Yes. OBS can play 10-bit video files as media sources in a playlist. That does not mean the YouTube stream will also be 10-bit or HDR: OBS’s output encoder and color settings determine what gets sent. For YouTube HDR, configure a compatible HEVC Main 10 output with matching color format and metadata rather than relying on the source file’s bit depth alone.
What “10-bit” means in an OBS playlist
Bit depth describes how much color information a video format can represent. OBS’s high-precision color guidance says 10-bit formats can be used for video playback as well as streaming and recording. In practical terms, a 10-bit file can be added as an OBS media source and included in a playlist.
Playback support is not a guarantee that every codec, container, file encoding, or computer will play every 10-bit file correctly. The official guidance establishes general 10-bit playback support, not compatibility for every possible file combination.
Will OBS preserve HDR from the file?
Not automatically. OBS treats media playback and stream encoding as separate stages. A 10-bit source can play while OBS produces an 8-bit or SDR stream, depending on the output encoder and configuration. OBS’s source guidance states that H.264 output supports only 8-bit color and Rec. 709. A filename or container marked “10-bit” does not prove that the outgoing stream is HDR.
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For YouTube HDR, YouTube Help specifies HEVC (H.265) and 10-bit, with BT.2020 color primaries and PQ or HLG transfer characteristics compatible with the source. YouTube states: “At this time, HDR streaming to YouTube is only supported with the H.265 (HEVC) video codec.” See YouTube Help: Stream HDR video on YouTube.
Configure OBS for a YouTube HDR stream
Follow YouTube’s current HDR instructions for the ingest route you select; its RTMPS and HLS paths have different configuration details. For OBS, YouTube documents version 30.1 or later and a hardware HEVC encoder. Confirm that the encoder supports the selected formats before going live.
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- Check the source. Confirm that the media file is actually 10-bit HDR and note its color characteristics. The output’s PQ or HLG setting must match the source; do not infer HDR from bit depth alone.
- Select a compatible encoder. Choose hardware HEVC encoding and the Main 10 profile. YouTube recommends HLG and also documents Rec. 2100 PQ. The available choices depend on the encoder and hardware.
- Set the color format and color space. Use P010 for the 10-bit color format and Rec. 2100 PQ or HLG as appropriate. YouTube’s HDR guidance also specifies BT.2020 primaries. Match the transfer characteristic to the source.
- Choose the ingest path and follow its requirements. YouTube documents both RTMPS and HLS configuration paths. HLS has additional requirements, including transport-stream segments and a rolling playlist. Use the official instructions for the route and stream-key setup you choose rather than assuming the two paths use identical settings.
- Verify the outgoing stream. Check OBS’s active output settings and YouTube’s stream configuration. Confirm that the encoder, profile, bit depth, color format, and HDR metadata agree before relying on the stream to carry HDR.
For the full, route-specific settings, use YouTube’s HDR live-stream instructions and OBS’s high-precision color guidance.
Hardware and capture-device limits
The encoder must support the selected HEVC Main 10 and color-format settings; a setting shown in a guide may not be available on every computer. YouTube cautions that encoder format support matters. If the playlist source comes from external HDR capture rather than a local file, OBS says the capture device must support a 10-bit format such as P010. OBS’s cited guidance describes external HDR capture as supported on Windows at this time. See OBS high-precision color guidance.
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Common problems and what to check
- The file plays, but the stream looks SDR. Playback does not determine output. Check that OBS is not sending H.264, which OBS identifies as 8-bit Rec. 709 output, and verify the HDR encoder and color settings.
- OBS does not offer Main 10 or P010. The selected encoder or hardware may not support that combination. Check the encoder’s documented capabilities and YouTube’s requirements; changing the source file alone will not add encoder support.
- Colors look wrong or washed out. Check that the output color space and transfer characteristic match the source—BT.2020 with the appropriate PQ or HLG configuration—and follow the settings for the chosen YouTube ingest path.
- A particular file will not play correctly. General 10-bit support does not establish support for every codec and container. Check the file’s actual encoding and whether the OBS playback path on your machine supports it.
- An external HDR source does not appear as 10-bit. Verify that the capture device supports a 10-bit format such as P010 and that the operating system and OBS configuration support the intended capture workflow.
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