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For a reliable OBS recording, set a destination under Settings → Output, record to MKV so an interrupted session is less likely to ruin the whole file, and choose a quality preset your computer can handle. Make a short test recording before a long stream. If you need an MP4 for editing or sharing, remux the finished MKV in OBS instead of recording directly to regular MP4.
How to record your stream in OBS
OBS’s basic recording controls are in Settings → Output. The exact encoder choices depend on your computer, installed OBS version, and available hardware; the OBS Project’s published guides provide starting points rather than universal settings.
- Choose where recordings go. Open Settings → Output and set the Recording Path to a folder with enough free space. A separate drive is optional, not a software requirement. If storage is limited, an external drive can be a destination, but it will not fix encoder overload or dropped frames.
- Choose a recording format. Select MKV for a resilient recording. If your editor needs MP4, remux the completed file using File → Remux Recordings, or enable automatic remuxing in Advanced settings.
- Choose a quality preset or configure an encoder. In Simple output mode, start with a preset that balances image quality and file size. Use Advanced mode if you need recording settings separate from your stream, rescaling, or multiple audio tracks.
- Start and stop the recording. Use Start Recording and Stop Recording in OBS. Before relying on a long capture, record a short sample and play it back.
What to check in the test recording
- The intended scene and sources appear in the video.
- Audio is audible, including any sources assigned to separate tracks.
- The file opens in your intended player or editing software.
- The recording is saved to the path you chose and has a plausible file size.
Should you use MKV or MP4 for OBS recordings?
| Format | Advantage | Tradeoff and when to use it |
|---|---|---|
| MKV | OBS recommends it for most cases. If recording ends without proper finalization, the whole file is less likely to be lost. | Some editors support MKV less well; remux to MP4 if your workflow requires it. |
| Regular MP4 or MOV | Broad compatibility with editing and internet-video workflows. | These files need finalization, so an interrupted write can make them unrecoverable. OBS does not recommend recording directly to regular MP4 or MOV. |
| Fragmented or hybrid MP4/MOV | Can combine better resilience with broader compatibility than MKV in supported workflows. | Compatibility depends on the editor and codec combination; some editing suites may require remuxing. |
The OBS Project’s Standard Recording Output Guide explains its recommendation: “MKV is recommended in case of unforeseen issues arising, since MKV will not corrupt the whole file if there is no graceful stoppage of recording.” Remuxing changes the container without requiring you to record the session again.
Which OBS recording quality preset should you choose?
In Simple output mode, “High Quality” targets high quality with a medium file size. “Indistinguishable” prioritizes image quality further, but creates larger files and can affect older or weaker hardware. “Lossless” produces very large files and uses the CPU encoder. “Same as stream” reuses streaming encoder settings, but recording cannot be paused in that mode. These descriptions come from the OBS Project’s recording encoder presets guide.
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There is no universally best setting: consider visual quality, file size, encoding load, and compatibility with your editor. OBS notes that a recording setting other than “Same as stream” can use additional system resources. If your computer struggles, lower the recording demand or use the stream’s settings rather than assuming a higher-quality preset will work smoothly.
Advanced OBS recording settings: encoder starting points
Advanced output gives you separate recording controls. The following are baseline examples from the OBS Project’s Advanced Recording Settings Guide, published 2023-11-30. They are not guaranteed to appear on every system, and they are not independent benchmark results. Lower quality-number values in the listed quality-based controls mean higher quality and larger files.
| Encoder | OBS baseline example |
|---|---|
| NVENC | Constant QP 16–23; keyframe interval 2; preset P5; High Quality tuning; two-pass quarter-resolution; High profile; look-ahead off; adaptive quantization on; 2 B-frames. |
| x264 | CRF 16–23; keyframe interval 2; veryfast CPU preset; High profile; no tune. |
| AMD | CQP 16–23; keyframe interval 2; Quality preset; High profile; maximum 0 B-frames. |
| Quick Sync | ICQ 16–23; TU4; High profile; keyframe interval 2; normal latency; 3 B-frames. |
For high-quality local recording, OBS’s audio and video formats guide recommends using the best-quality available hardware encoder, with AV1 ahead of HEVC and H.264 for its described use case. Codec availability varies, and editing support matters: the guide notes weaker editing support for AV1, while H.264 remains broadly compatible. Choose for your actual editor and playback needs, not codec ranking alone.
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How to record separate audio tracks
Separate tracks are useful when you want to adjust sources independently in post-production. Assign each source to a track in Advanced Audio Properties, then enable the required tracks under Settings → Output. The OBS Project’s multiple audio track recording guide cautions that standard video players usually play only one track at a time. If the file must play with a complete mix without editing, assign all sources to track 1 as well.
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How much storage does OBS recording use?
The result depends on quality settings and encoder. As a specific example—not a general estimate—the OBS Project says its Lossless preset produces around 7 GB per minute, in lossless quality, and uses the CPU encoder. Most other settings can produce very different sizes. Check available space before a long session, especially if you choose a high-quality or lossless preset.
Recording a stream versus keeping a channel live
OBS recording saves a local file on your computer; recording settings do not keep a YouTube channel live after the computer is turned off. If your goal is instead to run uploaded videos as a continuous YouTube stream, StreamNeo is a cloud option: upload a video or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It loops uploaded video from the cloud, so your computer does not have to stay on. It is for uploaded videos, not camera broadcasts, and streams to YouTube only.
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Or let it run in the cloud
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common OBS recording problems and fixes
The recording is missing or saved somewhere unexpected
Check the Recording Path under Settings → Output. Confirm that the destination drive is available and has enough free space, then make a short test and verify where OBS saved it.
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Regular MP4 and MOV require finalization, so an unexpected stop can make them unrecoverable. Record to MKV for resilience, then remux to MP4 if your editor needs it.
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The file is too large
Choose a less storage-intensive preset, or adjust the encoder’s quality setting. OBS’s Lossless preset is especially demanding on storage; its approximately 7 GB-per-minute figure applies to that preset, not all recordings.
The computer struggles while recording
Recording settings can add system load, especially when they differ from the stream. Try a less demanding preset or “Same as stream,” which uses streaming encoder settings but cannot be paused. The appropriate choice depends on your machine and workflow.
Audio is missing in a player
If you recorded multiple tracks, a standard player may be playing only one. Keep the full mix assigned to track 1 for straightforward playback, or open the file in an editor that lets you select and mix tracks.
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The editor does not accept the recording
Try remuxing MKV to MP4 using File → Remux Recordings. If you are choosing a codec, check the editor’s compatibility; broader H.264 support may suit editing workflows better than AV1.
Copyright and YouTube considerations
Recording your own stream does not grant permission to reuse music, footage, or other copyrighted material in a later upload or broadcast. Make sure you have the necessary rights for content you include, and review YouTube’s current rules for live streaming and reused content before publishing. The OBS recording guides do not establish what rights apply to a particular work or whether a specific video qualifies under YouTube’s policies.
Quick Recap
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