OBS, or Open Broadcaster Software, is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It is popular among gamers and other content creators due to its wide range of features and customization options. However, OBS can also produce large video files, which can be difficult to store and share. There are a few things you can do to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings without sacrificing too much quality.
One way to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings is to lower the resolution of your video. The resolution is the number of pixels in your video, and the higher the resolution, the larger the file size. You can lower the resolution of your video in the OBS settings under the “Video” tab.
Another way to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings is to lower the bitrate. The bitrate is the amount of data that is used to encode your video, and the higher the bitrate, the larger the file size. You can lower the bitrate of your video in the OBS settings under the “Output” tab.
Finally, you can also reduce the file size of your OBS recordings by using a different video encoder. The video encoder is the software that is used to compress your video, and different encoders have different levels of efficiency. You can change the video encoder in the OBS settings under the “Output” tab.
By following these tips, you can reduce the file size of your OBS recordings without sacrificing too much quality. This can make it easier to store and share your recordings, and it can also save you money on bandwidth if you are streaming your recordings online.
How to Make OBS Record Less Large Files
OBS, or Open Broadcaster Software, is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It is popular among gamers and other content creators due to its wide range of features and customization options. However, OBS can also produce large video files, which can be difficult to store and share. There are a few things you can do to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings without sacrificing too much quality.
- Lower the resolution.
- Lower the bitrate.
- Use a different video encoder.
- Record in a smaller file format.
- Use OBS Studio instead of OBS Classic.
- Close unnecessary programs while recording.
- Update your graphics card drivers.
- Overclock your CPU.
By following these tips, you can reduce the file size of your OBS recordings without sacrificing too much quality. This can make it easier to store and share your recordings, and it can also save you money on bandwidth if you are streaming your recordings online.
Lower the resolution.
Lowering the resolution is one of the most effective ways to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings. The resolution is the number of pixels in your video, and the higher the resolution, the larger the file size. You can lower the resolution of your video in the OBS settings under the “Video” tab.
- Reduced file size: Lowering the resolution will reduce the number of pixels in your video, which will in turn reduce the file size. This can make it easier to store and share your recordings, and it can also save you money on bandwidth if you are streaming your recordings online.
- Loss of quality: Lowering the resolution will also reduce the quality of your video. This is because there will be fewer pixels to represent the image, which can result in a loss of detail and sharpness. However, the loss of quality may not be noticeable, especially if you are viewing your recordings on a small screen.
- Recommended resolution: The recommended resolution for OBS recordings is 1280×720. This resolution provides a good balance between file size and quality. However, you may want to experiment with different resolutions to find the one that best suits your needs.
Overall, lowering the resolution is a good way to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings without sacrificing too much quality. This can make it easier to store and share your recordings, and it can also save you money on bandwidth if you are streaming your recordings online.
Lower the bitrate.
The bitrate is the amount of data that is used to encode your video, and the higher the bitrate, the larger the file size. You can lower the bitrate of your video in the OBS settings under the “Output” tab.
Lowering the bitrate will reduce the file size of your OBS recordings, but it can also reduce the quality of your video. This is because there will be less data available to represent the image, which can result in a loss of detail and sharpness. However, the loss of quality may not be noticeable, especially if you are viewing your recordings on a small screen.
The recommended bitrate for OBS recordings is 2500 kbps. This bitrate provides a good balance between file size and quality. However, you may want to experiment with different bitrates to find the one that best suits your needs.
Overall, lowering the bitrate is a good way to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings without sacrificing too much quality. This can make it easier to store and share your recordings, and it can also save you money on bandwidth if you are streaming your recordings online.
Use a different video encoder.
The video encoder is the software that is used to compress your video, and different encoders have different levels of efficiency. By using a more efficient video encoder, you can reduce the file size of your OBS recordings without sacrificing too much quality.
There are a number of different video encoders available, but some of the most popular include x264, NVENC, and QuickSync. X264 is a free and open-source encoder that is known for its high quality and efficiency. NVENC is a proprietary encoder that is available on NVIDIA graphics cards. QuickSync is a proprietary encoder that is available on Intel integrated graphics cards.
To change the video encoder in OBS, go to the “Output” tab in the settings and select the “Video encoder” drop-down menu. You can then choose the encoder that you want to use.
Using a different video encoder can significantly reduce the file size of your OBS recordings. For example, using x264 instead of the default encoder can reduce the file size of your recordings by up to 50%. This can make it easier to store and share your recordings, and it can also save you money on bandwidth if you are streaming your recordings online.
It is important to note that different video encoders have different strengths and weaknesses. X264 is known for its high quality and efficiency, but it can be more computationally expensive than other encoders. NVENC is a good choice for users who want to achieve high quality with minimal performance impact. QuickSync is a good choice for users who want to achieve good quality with very low performance impact.
Ultimately, the best video encoder for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. However, by experimenting with different encoders, you can find the one that gives you the best results.
Record in a smaller file format.
When recording with OBS, you can choose to record in a variety of file formats, including MP4, FLV, and MKV. The file format you choose will affect the size of your recording. MP4 is a popular file format that is supported by most video players. However, MP4 files can be quite large, especially if you are recording at a high resolution and bitrate.
If you are looking to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings, you can choose to record in a smaller file format, such as FLV or MKV. FLV is a file format that is commonly used for streaming video. MKV is a file format that is known for its high quality and flexibility. Both FLV and MKV files are typically smaller than MP4 files, which can make them easier to store and share.
Here is a table that compares the file sizes of different file formats:
| File format | File size (MB) |
|---|---|
| MP4 | 100 |
| FLV | 50 |
| MKV | 75 |
As you can see, FLV files are significantly smaller than MP4 files. This makes them a good choice for users who are looking to reduce the file size of their OBS recordings.
It is important to note that recording in a smaller file format will also reduce the quality of your recordings. This is because smaller file formats use more compression, which can result in a loss of detail and sharpness. However, the loss of quality may not be noticeable, especially if you are viewing your recordings on a small screen.
Ultimately, the best file format for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you are looking to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings, then you may want to consider recording in a smaller file format, such as FLV or MKV. However, if you are looking for the highest possible quality, then you may want to stick with MP4.
Use OBS Studio instead of OBS Classic.
OBS Studio is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It is a fork of the original OBS Classic software, and it has a number of advantages over the original, including a more modern and user-friendly interface, improved performance, and support for more features. One of the key advantages of OBS Studio is that it can produce smaller file sizes than OBS Classic, which can be helpful if you are looking to save storage space or bandwidth.
There are a few reasons why OBS Studio can produce smaller file sizes than OBS Classic. First, OBS Studio uses a more efficient video encoder by default. The default encoder in OBS Classic is x264, while the default encoder in OBS Studio is x264 with the “ultrafast” preset. The ultrafast preset produces smaller file sizes than the default preset in OBS Classic, while still maintaining good quality.
Second, OBS Studio has a number of features that can help you to reduce the file size of your recordings. For example, you can use the “Recording Quality” setting to lower the bitrate of your recordings. The bitrate is the amount of data that is used to encode your video, and the lower the bitrate, the smaller the file size. You can also use the “Advanced Output Settings” to further customize the encoding process and reduce the file size of your recordings.
If you are looking to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings, then using OBS Studio instead of OBS Classic is a good option. OBS Studio is a more modern and user-friendly software, and it can produce smaller file sizes than OBS Classic without sacrificing too much quality.
Close unnecessary programs while recording.
When recording with OBS, it is important to close any unnecessary programs that are running in the background. This is because these programs can use up valuable system resources, which can lead to OBS dropping frames or producing lower quality recordings.
- Reduced CPU usage: Closing unnecessary programs can free up CPU resources, which can allow OBS to run more smoothly and produce higher quality recordings.
- Reduced memory usage: Closing unnecessary programs can also free up memory, which can help to prevent OBS from crashing or freezing.
- Reduced disk usage: Closing unnecessary programs can also free up disk space, which can help to prevent OBS from running out of space and losing data.
- Improved performance: Overall, closing unnecessary programs while recording can help to improve the performance of OBS and produce higher quality recordings.
Here are some tips for closing unnecessary programs while recording:
- Close any programs that you are not using.
- Disable any unnecessary startup programs.
- Use a system monitoring tool to identify and close any programs that are using up a lot of resources.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure that OBS has the resources it needs to produce high quality recordings.
Update your graphics card drivers.
Keeping your graphics card drivers up to date is important for a number of reasons, including improving the performance of your graphics card and reducing the file size of your OBS recordings.
- Improved performance: Updating your graphics card drivers can improve the performance of your graphics card, which can lead to smoother OBS recordings with fewer dropped frames.
- Reduced file size: Updating your graphics card drivers can also reduce the file size of your OBS recordings. This is because newer drivers often include optimizations that can improve the efficiency of the video encoder.
If you are looking to improve the performance of your OBS recordings or reduce the file size, then updating your graphics card drivers is a good place to start. You can typically download the latest drivers from the website of your graphics card manufacturer.
Overclock your CPU.
Overclocking your CPU can be a great way to improve the performance of your OBS recordings. This is because a faster CPU can process video data more quickly, which can lead to smoother recordings with fewer dropped frames. In addition, overclocking your CPU can also reduce the file size of your OBS recordings. This is because a faster CPU can compress video data more efficiently, which can result in smaller file sizes.
However, it is important to note that overclocking your CPU can also increase the temperature of your CPU. This can lead to instability and crashes if your CPU is not properly cooled. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your CPU is properly cooled before overclocking it.
If you are looking to improve the performance of your OBS recordings or reduce the file size, then overclocking your CPU is a good option to consider. However, it is important to do your research and make sure that your CPU is properly cooled before overclocking it.
FAQs about Reducing OBS Recording File Size
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a popular tool for recording and streaming videos. However, the recordings can sometimes be quite large, which can be a problem if you’re short on storage space or bandwidth. Here are some frequently asked questions about how to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings:
Question 1: What is the best way to reduce the file size of my OBS recordings?
Answer: There are several ways to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings, including lowering the resolution, bitrate, and frame rate. You can also use a more efficient video encoder and record in a smaller file format. Question 2: What is the difference between resolution and bitrate?
Answer: Resolution refers to the number of pixels in your video, while bitrate refers to the amount of data that is used to encode your video. A higher resolution will result in a larger file size, while a higher bitrate will result in a smaller file size. Question 3: What is the best video encoder for OBS?
Answer: The best video encoder for OBS depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some of the most popular encoders include x264, NVENC, and QuickSync. Question 4: What is the best file format for OBS recordings?
Answer: The best file format for OBS recordings depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some of the most popular file formats include MP4, FLV, and MKV. Question 5: Can I reduce the file size of my OBS recordings without sacrificing quality?
Answer: Yes, it is possible to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings without sacrificing quality. However, the amount of quality loss will vary depending on the specific settings you use. Question 6: What are some other ways to reduce the file size of my OBS recordings?
Answer: In addition to the methods mentioned above, you can also reduce the file size of your OBS recordings by closing unnecessary programs while recording, updating your graphics card drivers, and overclocking your CPU.
By following these tips, you can reduce the file size of your OBS recordings without sacrificing too much quality. This can make it easier to store and share your recordings, and it can also save you money on bandwidth if you are streaming your recordings online.
For more information, please refer to the following resources:
- [OBS Help Center](https://obsproject.com/help)
- [OBS Studio User Guide](https://obsproject.com/wiki/OBS-Studio-User-Guide)
- [OBS Forums](https://obsproject.com/forum)
Tips to Reduce OBS Recording File Size
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a popular tool for recording and live streaming videos. However, the recordings can sometimes be quite large, which can be a problem if you’re short on storage space or bandwidth. Here are some tips to help you reduce the file size of your OBS recordings:
Lower the resolution: The resolution of your video refers to the number of pixels in the frame. The higher the resolution, the larger the file size. You can reduce the resolution in the OBS settings under the “Video” tab.
Lower the bitrate: The bitrate of your video refers to the amount of data that is used to encode each second of video. The higher the bitrate, the larger the file size. You can reduce the bitrate in the OBS settings under the “Output” tab.
Use a more efficient video encoder: The video encoder is the software that is used to compress your video. Different encoders have different levels of efficiency. You can change the video encoder in the OBS settings under the “Output” tab.
Record in a smaller file format: OBS supports a variety of file formats, including MP4, FLV, and MKV. Some file formats are more efficient than others, so you can reduce the file size by recording in a smaller format.
Close unnecessary programs while recording: Other programs running in the background can use up system resources, which can lead to a decrease in OBS performance and larger file sizes. Close any unnecessary programs before recording to free up resources.
By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the file size of your OBS recordings without sacrificing too much quality. This can make it easier to store and share your recordings, and it can also save you money on bandwidth if you are streaming your recordings online.
Conclusion
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a powerful tool for recording and streaming videos. However, the recordings can sometimes be quite large, which can be a problem if you’re short on storage space or bandwidth. In this article, we’ve explored several methods to reduce the file size of your OBS recordings without sacrificing too much quality.
By following the tips outlined above, you can significantly reduce the file size of your OBS recordings. This can make it easier to store and share your recordings, and it can also save you money on bandwidth if you are streaming your recordings online. We encourage you to experiment with different settings to find the best balance between file size and quality for your specific needs.
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