For a quality-first Streamlabs Desktop recording, match Base (Canvas) Resolution to your display, choose the highest Output (Scaled) Resolution your computer can sustain, and use 60 FPS for fast action or 30 FPS for mostly static content. In Settings > Output > Recording, Streamlabs recommends MP4 for most recordings, NVENC with CQP and CQ 17 as a starting point when you have an NVIDIA GPU, or x264 with CRF. Make a short test recording: no single combination is best for every computer.
Recommended settings at a glance
| Setting | Starting point | When to adjust |
|---|---|---|
| Base (Canvas) Resolution | Match your monitor resolution for gameplay. | This is the working canvas, not a guarantee that the recorded file uses the same resolution. |
| Output (Scaled) Resolution | Choose the highest output resolution your system can sustain. | Lower this first if recording performance is poor. |
| Downscale Filter | Lanczos when scaling down. | It can cost slightly more CPU, so test it on your system. |
| FPS | 60 FPS for action-heavy gameplay; 30 FPS can suit static scenes. | Higher frame rates are useful only if your computer can sustain them. |
| Recording format | MP4 for most recordings. | Use MP4 or MKV if you need multiple audio tracks; FLV does not support multi-track recording. |
| Encoder | NVENC if you have an NVIDIA GPU; otherwise consider x264 if available. | NVENC uses the GPU for encoding; x264 uses the CPU. Test which performs better with your workload. |
| Rate control | CQP for NVENC recording; CRF for x264. | These are recording recommendations, not the CBR bitrate approach used for live streaming. |
| CQ level | Start at 17 for CQP. | Lower CQ means less quantization and higher quality; higher CQ means more compression and lower quality. |
| Keyframe interval | 0. | Do not substitute live-stream keyframe guidance without checking the workflow. |
| Preset and profile | Max Quality if the system remains responsive; High profile. | Lower the preset if performance suffers; leave other settings at defaults unless you have a reason to change them. |
These are Streamlabs’ recording-only recommendations, not hardware-independent guarantees. Its guide says to test and adjust, and notes that settings may need to differ when recording and streaming at the same time. Streamlabs’ recording guide was last updated October 2, 2025.
Set up video for the recording you want
- Open Settings > Video.
- Set Base (Canvas) Resolution to your display resolution for gameplay capture.
- Choose your intended Output (Scaled) Resolution. Start with the highest quality output your machine can manage; if it struggles, reduce this setting and test again.
- If the output is scaled down, choose Lanczos for image quality. It costs slightly more CPU than less demanding scaling options.
- Choose 60 FPS for fast motion such as action gameplay. For board games, slides, or other mostly static content, 30 FPS may be sufficient.
Canvas and output are different: the canvas is the composition Streamlabs works with, while the output resolution determines the recorded image size. Streamlabs recommends the highest quality output resolution for gameplay, subject to what the computer can sustain.
Configure recording output and encoder
- Open Settings > Output > Recording, then set the recording path to a folder your account can write to and that has adequate free space.
- Choose MP4 for ordinary recordings. If you plan to record separate audio tracks, use MP4 or MKV; Streamlabs says the default FLV format does not support multiple audio tracks.
- Select an encoder appropriate to your hardware. Streamlabs recommends NVENC when an NVIDIA graphics card is available. x264 encodes on the CPU, so the better choice depends on how your particular system handles the game and recording workload.
- For NVENC recording, set rate control to CQP and begin at CQ 17. Lower the CQ number for less quantization and higher quality, or raise it for more compression and lower quality.
- For x264 recording, choose CRF. Streamlabs’ recording guide does not establish one universal CRF value for every computer or recording.
- Leave Keyframe Interval at 0. Set the preset to Max Quality only if the system stays responsive, and use the High profile.
Do not copy live-stream bitrate settings into this recording setup. Streamlabs distinguishes recording CQP/CRF recommendations from live-stream CBR configurations.
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- 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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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Record separate microphone and desktop audio tracks
Separate tracks let you edit microphone and desktop audio independently after recording. Streamlabs describes support for up to six tracks; the number you need depends on your editing workflow.
- In Settings > Output > Recording, select MP4 or MKV and set the output track count to include the tracks you intend to use.
- Open Advanced Audio Settings.
- Assign each source, such as your microphone and desktop audio, to the desired track or tracks.
- Make a test recording and check the resulting file in your editing software to confirm each source is isolated as intended.
For further format and track details, see Streamlabs’ recording functionality guide.
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.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
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Test and tune for your PC
- Record a short clip that includes the kind of motion, scenes, and audio you expect in a real session.
- Check that the file saves, the image is sharp enough, the frame rate looks smooth, and microphone and desktop audio are present on the intended tracks.
- Watch for stuttering, dropped frames in the recording, or a system that becomes unresponsive.
- If performance is poor, reduce the output resolution first. If needed, also lower the quality preset from Max Quality, then record another representative test.
- Keep the settings that give you an acceptable balance of image quality and reliable performance on your own hardware.
Streamlabs does not publish a universal hardware benchmark that guarantees a particular resolution, frame rate, encoder, or preset will work on every PC.
Recording while live streaming
The settings above are for recording only. Running a game, a live encoder, and a separate recording workload at once can change what your system can sustain, so test the combined workload rather than assuming recording-only settings will carry over.
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Rank #3
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
If Streamlabs reports an error during simultaneous streaming and recording, its troubleshooting guidance suggests trying a recording encoder different from the streaming encoder or selecting Same as Stream for recording quality. Those are conditional troubleshooting options, not a universal best-setting rule. Streamlabs’ separate getting-started guide discusses live-stream setup; its streaming bitrate figures should not be substituted for the CQP/CRF recording recommendations.
Troubleshoot missing files and recording errors
- No file appears: Check the configured recording path, confirm that the destination folder exists and is writable by your user account, and check available disk space.
- Streamlabs cannot write to the destination: Choose a writable folder with enough free space. Streamlabs also lists running the application as administrator as a possible step.
- Recording fails or behaves unexpectedly: Streamlabs lists updating GPU drivers as another possible troubleshooting step. For some errors, its guide mentions installing the Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 redistributable. These steps are possibilities, not guaranteed fixes.
- Performance drops during recording: Lower output resolution or reduce the quality preset, then make a new test recording.
- Separate audio is missing: Confirm that the sources are assigned to the intended tracks and that the recording format is MP4 or MKV rather than FLV.
Streamlabs’ recording issues guide lists additional possible remedies. Its save-location guide, last updated September 22, 2026, explains where to find recordings when you are unsure which destination is configured.
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
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Or let it run in the cloud
Streamlabs Desktop is for making local recordings. If your goal is instead to keep uploaded videos playing as a 24/7 YouTube live stream, StreamNeo runs that stream from the cloud: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; uploads stream as made up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly service is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo and start your free first 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.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- 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.
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