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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesTo show a portrait video in a standard horizontal YouTube stream without stretching it, fit the full video proportionally inside a 16:9 landscape scene, then use the empty space at the sides for a background or other restrained design. If you want a portrait viewing experience instead, use YouTube’s vertical layout or configure a separate vertical encoder feed. Don’t distort the source just to fill the screen.
Choose the viewing format first
A portrait source and a 16:9 landscape canvas have different shapes. Keeping the whole portrait frame visible in the landscape canvas therefore leaves space at the sides. You can design that space, crop some of the image to fill more of the canvas, or deliver a vertical stream instead; these choices have different results.
| Approach | Best when | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Fit the full portrait frame inside 16:9 | You need all of the original image visible in a regular horizontal stream. | The side areas need a considered design. |
| Crop or zoom the portrait footage | Filling more of the landscape composition matters more than showing every edge. | Part of the source is lost; important content near an edge may disappear. |
| Use YouTube’s vertical layout or a separate vertical feed | Viewers should receive a portrait-oriented stream. | You need to check the vertical layout or configure an additional encoder feed and matching stream key. |
Fit the full portrait video into a horizontal stream
- Build a landscape scene. Set up the horizontal composition at the output format you intend to stream.
- Add the portrait video as a source and preserve its proportions. Scale it down or up uniformly until the entire portrait frame fits within the scene. Do not set its width and height independently to force it across the landscape canvas.
- Design the side space. Use a still or blurred background, branding, context text, a second visual, or a plain color. Keep the portrait video as the main focus; avoid clutter or text that competes with it. OBS’s aspect-ratio guidance recommends using unmatched canvas space for other content rather than treating it as a scaling error: OBS Aspect Ratio Guide.
- Preview the full composition at the intended output size. Check that faces, subtitles and important action stay visible inside the portrait frame and that overlays do not cover them.
This approach preserves all of the source image in a regular horizontal YouTube video while making the unused space part of the composition.
Use a vertical YouTube layout when portrait is the intended viewing experience
YouTube’s Live Control Room documentation describes vertical layouts with options including center crop, fit to phone width and stacked layouts. Creators can adjust zoom and position. Review the vertical preview: a horizontal preview alone does not show how the vertical result will look. See YouTube’s live streaming setup guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
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For third-party encoder dual streaming, YouTube describes selecting Encoder for the vertical preview, using RTMP(S), and sending the matching content to the corresponding vertical or horizontal stream key. Confirm the preview and keys in Live Control Room before starting. If you only want to send one portrait image inside a horizontal stream, the proportional-fit workflow above avoids the extra vertical feed.
Understand the difference between fit, crop and stretch
- Proportional fit: keeps the complete portrait image in view and leaves side space in a landscape scene.
- Crop or zoom: enlarges the source to fill more of the canvas, but sacrifices part of the image. Depending on the framing, edges or top and bottom content can be cut off.
- Unequal scaling: changes the source’s shape. Faces and objects appear unnaturally wide or narrow, so this is not a substitute for fitting or cropping.
Choose based on what the footage must retain, how much side space you can use, whether viewers need a horizontal or portrait format, and whether a second encoder feed is appropriate.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
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Check encoder settings and stream health before going live
The layout determines how the portrait footage appears; encoder settings determine how the stream is delivered. YouTube’s encoder guidance provides current recommendations for codecs, resolution, frame rate and bitrate. Use its current table to choose settings your encoder supports and your stable upload connection can sustain rather than relying on a guessed bitrate. YouTube recommends constant bitrate encoding and a two-second keyframe frequency, with a maximum interval of four seconds.
- Test before the stream. YouTube says, “Make sure to test before you start your live stream.” Use audio and movement representative of the planned stream so you can check both picture and sound.
- Inspect the correct preview. For a vertical stream or dual stream, check the vertical layout as well as any horizontal output you plan to send.
- Monitor stream health and messages. Watch Live Control Room during the event and respond to warnings rather than assuming a good-looking scene guarantees a healthy feed.
For a continuous stream, a correct portrait layout is not an uptime guarantee. YouTube’s encoder guidance calls for testing and monitoring; it does not establish a universal reliability requirement or promise uninterrupted operation. Validate your chosen computer and encoder or hosted service under the conditions in which you intend to run it. See YouTube’s encoder settings, bitrate and resolution guidance.
Rank #3
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- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
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Or let it run in the cloud
For a prerecorded portrait video intended to loop as a YouTube 24/7 stream, StreamNeo is a cloud option: upload the video, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. The stream runs without a computer or home connection staying on. It plays uploaded videos, not a live camera feed, and streams to YouTube.
- Keep your source at the quality you made it, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot.
- Automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free, with no card required.
- Monthly: $9.99 per month.
See StreamNeo for service details, or start the free day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
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