In OBS, set Base (Canvas) Resolution to the dimensions you want to compose your scene in, then set Output (Scaled) Resolution to the dimensions you want to stream or record. For mixed-aspect-ratio playlists, fit each clip proportionally, crop it, or design around the unused space—do not stretch it to fill the frame, because that distorts the picture.
Canvas resolution vs. output resolution
Open Settings → Video in OBS to find both controls. The Base (Canvas) Resolution is the scene’s composition space: sources are arranged within these dimensions. The Output (Scaled) Resolution is the size OBS produces for streaming or recording. If the output is smaller than the canvas, OBS scales the composed scene using the selected downscale filter.
Choose the canvas for the layout you are building, and choose the output for the stream or recording destination. Common 16:9 examples include 1920×1080 and 1280×720, but 16:9 is not mandatory if your destination or content calls for another ratio. OBS explains the controls in its Overview Guide.
Changing the canvas can require repositioning or resizing sources. Changing the Output (Scaled) Resolution does not have that effect. Set the canvas before fine-tuning scene layouts when possible.
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Set the canvas and output in OBS
- Choose your delivered dimensions. Decide the resolution and aspect ratio required by the platform and by any recording you want to keep.
- Set the composition canvas. Go to Settings → Video → Base (Canvas) Resolution. Set it to the dimensions that suit your scene composition. OBS says this commonly matches the monitor display resolution, or the game resolution for a captured game.
- Set the delivered size. In the same panel, set Output (Scaled) Resolution to your target stream or recording dimensions. When this is smaller than the canvas, OBS scales the composed scene; you do not need to resize every source manually just to change output dimensions.
- Apply and inspect the scene. Check the preview at the intended output size, especially for important text, edges, and elements near the frame boundaries.
Add a video playlist
OBS’s built-in Media Source is intended for an individual media file. For playlist playback, add a VLC Video source instead; VLC must be installed for this source to be available. The source offers playlist ordering, looping, and shuffle options. See OBS Media Sources for the distinction and documented formats.
- Install VLC if OBS does not offer the VLC Video source.
- In the Sources panel, add a VLC Video source and add the files in the desired order.
- Set looping or shuffle according to how you want the list to play, and check that the source is visible in the scene.
- Test playback. Actual file support depends on the installed media and decoding support; a listed container or format is not a guarantee that every file will play in every setup.
Make mixed aspect ratios look right
A playlist can include wide, square, and vertical clips. Decide separately for each clip whether showing every part of the image or filling the scene matters more. Select the source and use the preview handles or Edit Transform to position, size, or crop it. OBS’s Aspect Ratio Guide describes the trade-offs.
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| Approach | Whole image visible? | Fills canvas? | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit / contain | Yes | Not always | May leave bars or unused space around the clip. |
| Crop / pan and scan | No | Yes | Some side or top/bottom content is lost; check that no important detail is cut off. |
| Stretch to fill | All source area remains visible | Yes | Distorts proportions and is generally not recommended. |
| Keep the ratio and design around it | Yes | The overall scene can be filled | Use background art, overlays, a camera, or other scene elements in the unused area. |
Fit the whole clip
Use a proportional fit when preserving every edge is important. A vertical clip on a wide canvas will leave unused space at the sides; a wide clip in a taller composition may leave space above and below.
Fill the frame by cropping
Scale the source up until it fills the canvas, then reposition it so the subject remains visible. This sacrifices some of the original image area. Review different moments in the clip, since a crop that works for one shot may obscure a subject or caption later.
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Build a designed layout
Keep the clip at its original proportions and use the surrounding canvas for a background, artwork, overlay, or another scene element. This avoids both bars that look accidental and image distortion, though it takes more layout work.
Use scaling filters selectively
A source scaling filter can change how a clip looks when resized. OBS suggests trying bicubic if footage appears soft and Point or Area for sharp pixel-art or retro material; the best choice depends on the source. The Scaling/Aspect Ratio Filter documentation describes the filter and its scale-filtering behavior.
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Check the playlist before streaming
- Inspect at least the widest and tallest clips in the actual scene, not just the first playlist item.
- Check the frame edges for cropped faces, captions, logos, or other important content.
- Make a short local test recording or preview and confirm its dimensions and composition match your intended output.
- Verify that playback advances through the playlist and that loop or shuffle behavior is what you expect.
OBS recommends testing settings and scenes before a first live stream. Its Overview Guide also lists preview transforms. On the documented Windows/Linux-style shortcuts, Ctrl+F fits to screen, Ctrl+S stretches to screen, Ctrl+D centers, and Ctrl+R resets size and position; the Sources Guide lists Cmd+F, Cmd+S, and Cmd+D for corresponding macOS actions, and Ctrl-E (Windows) or Cmd-E (macOS) for Edit Transform. Shortcuts can vary by platform or version, so use the preview menus and transform controls if a shortcut differs.
Troubleshoot stutter or overloaded encoding
- Output stutters or encoding is overloaded: Try lowering Output (Scaled) Resolution first, then reduce frame rate if needed. Fewer frames reduce rendering and encoding work.
- Only one clip looks distorted: Check that the source has not been stretched. Restore its proportions and choose fit, crop, or a designed layout.
- Important content disappears at the edge: Reduce the crop or reposition the source, then check other points in the clip too.
- The VLC playlist option is missing: Install VLC and reopen or refresh OBS as needed; the built-in Media Source is not the playlist source.
- Playback still fails: Confirm the file can be decoded in the installed environment. OBS documents common formats, but actual support depends on available decoding support.
- Considering a smaller canvas as a performance fix: Treat this as a later option. OBS cautions that reducing canvas resolution complicates capture and asset management and requires sources to be adjusted. High-resolution media can also consume resources even when scaled down, so use lower-resolution source media where appropriate.
See OBS Encoding Performance Troubleshooting for its guidance on output resolution, frame rate, and canvas trade-offs.
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