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In datarhei Restreamer, the documented video bitrate control is used when Restreamer encodes the video. The documented default is copy, which passes the source video through unchanged. To set a different outgoing bitrate, select the H264 video codec to expose the encoding options, then choose a target that matches your YouTube codec, resolution, frame rate and sustainable upload capacity.
First check whether Restreamer is encoding your video
Restreamer’s encoding guide, which describes behavior as of version 0.4.0 and carries a 2022 footer, says the default video codec is copy. In that mode, the source video is used unmodified, so the encoding bitrate setting does not re-encode it. To change the outgoing video bitrate, choose H264; the guide says this exposes settings including preset, bitrate, FPS, profile and tune. Restreamer can also re-encode a source that is already H.264.
Use the guide to understand the setting, not as proof that every current Restreamer release has identical labels or screen layout. The YouTube publication instructions describe a separate process: use Publication Service, enter a valid YouTube streaming ID and save. The bitrate visible in the main Restreamer window is for monitoring the connected stream; that guide does not identify it as an editable control. See Restreamer’s encoding guide and YouTube publishing guide.
Choose a bitrate for the YouTube input
There is no single best bitrate for every live stream. YouTube’s recommendations vary by codec, resolution and frame rate. The figures below are YouTube recommendations for H.264, not measurements or a guarantee that your connection can sustain them.
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| YouTube input mode | Recommended H.264 video bitrate |
|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 17 Mbps |
| 1440p at 30 fps | 21 Mbps |
| 1440p at 60 fps | 34 Mbps |
These are H.264 targets. YouTube’s table gives different recommendations for AV1 and H.265; for example, its 1080p30 recommendation is 10 Mbps for AV1/H.265 versus 14 Mbps for H.264. Confirm the intended ingestion codec rather than applying an H.264 figure to another codec. YouTube’s current encoder guidance is at YouTube Help: encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions.
Set and test the bitrate
- Check the video codec. In Restreamer’s encoding settings, determine whether video is set to
copyor H264. If the setting remainscopy, the documented behavior is to pass the source through rather than apply an encoding bitrate. - Enable H.264 encoding if needed. Select H264 to expose the encoding options. Be aware that re-encoding consumes CPU; a target bitrate is not the only factor affecting the encoder’s ability to keep up.
- Set the video bitrate. Use the YouTube recommendation for your chosen H.264 resolution and frame rate as a starting point. If using AV1 or H.265, consult the corresponding YouTube recommendation instead.
- Check the real upload path. The available upload capacity must support the outgoing stream. Restream’s 2024 troubleshooting guidance recommends keeping video bitrate no higher than half of the upload speed it measures. Treat that as Restream’s practical rule of thumb, not a YouTube requirement or a stability guarantee. See Restream’s poor-connection troubleshooting.
- Test before the event. YouTube recommends testing with audio and movement similar to the actual stream. Watch YouTube’s stream-health indicator and messages while the test runs; a static test may not reveal problems that appear during motion or audio.
Check the other settings that affect stability
Bitrate is one part of the video path. YouTube lists RTMP or RTMPS ingest, recommends RTMPS for encrypted delivery, supports H.264, H.265 and AV1, and recommends constant bitrate (CBR). It recommends a two-second keyframe interval and says not to exceed four seconds. Audio should use AAC or MP3. Check the encoder or source settings that actually govern these values; changing Restreamer’s video bitrate alone does not correct an unsuitable keyframe interval or unstable connection.
Rank #2
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Troubleshoot a stream that still buffers
- The bitrate setting appears to do nothing: Check whether the video codec is still
copy. In the documented behavior, copy mode passes the source video unmodified; select H264 when Restreamer needs to re-encode it. - YouTube reports bitrate too high or too low: Compare the incoming signal with YouTube’s recommendation for its codec, resolution and frame rate, then use the stream-health messages to diagnose the reported condition. YouTube’s health diagnostics can report high or low bitrate and long keyframe intervals.
- YouTube reports insufficient incoming video or viewers see buffering: Check upload capacity and the connection used by the streaming path. YouTube’s health API describes
videoIngestionStarvedas insufficient incoming video, which can cause viewer buffering. See YouTube Live Streaming API health-status documentation. - The encoder device is overloaded: Review CPU load and reduce bitrate, resolution or FPS if necessary. Restream recommends lowering encoder settings when the device is overloaded; reducing bitrate may help, but CPU capacity can remain the limiting factor.
- Upload speed is low or unstable: Test the upload connection and investigate the router, modem or ISP path. Restream suggests trying wired Ethernet when speeds remain low. A cable is optional troubleshooting hardware, not a requirement for changing bitrate.
Or let it run in the cloud
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Quick Recap
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