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There is no single CRF value that is best for every pre-recorded video. If you are encoding a file with x264, OBS’s official recording guide gives CRF 16–23 as a baseline: lower values generally mean higher quality and larger files. Choose within that range by testing representative footage, then configure the live stream separately for YouTube’s ingest requirements.
First, identify where CRF applies
CRF is a quality-oriented setting used when an encoder such as x264 creates a video file. It does not set the bitrate YouTube should receive for a live RTMP/RTMPS stream. OBS documents CRF in its recording settings guide; YouTube’s live encoder guidance specifies constant bitrate (CBR) for RTMP/RTMPS ingest.
- Playing an already-encoded file as-is: its CRF was used when that file was created. It is not a live-stream setting.
- Encoding or transcoding while sending the video live: configure the outgoing live encoder for YouTube’s ingest requirements. A CRF value by itself does not ensure a suitable live bitrate.
- Re-encoding a file before the event: use the x264 baseline as a starting point, compare short samples, and weigh visible quality against file size. OBS does not identify a YouTube-specific optimum.
Choose a starting CRF and test it
OBS’s Advanced Recording Settings Guide, published November 30, 2023, gives CRF 16–23 as a baseline for x264 recording. It states that “Lower CRF will result in higher quality and larger file sizes.” That is a starting range, not a universal rule for all encoders, sources, or YouTube live broadcasts.
- Pick a representative section. Use footage that includes the most demanding material in the video, such as fast movement, fine detail, gradients, or visible noise.
- Make brief comparison encodes. Try nearby values within 16–23 rather than encoding the entire program repeatedly. Compare the results at the size viewers are likely to watch.
- Inspect detail and artifacts. Look for loss of texture, blockiness, banding in gradients, or other visible degradation. Lower CRF tends to preserve more quality but creates larger files.
- Compare practical costs. Note each sample’s file size and encoding time along with its appearance. The best setting is the one that meets your visual and storage needs without creating an unnecessarily large file.
CRF alone cannot predict a particular file size or bitrate. The result depends on the source and encoder behavior, so do not promise a target size based only on the CRF number. FFmpeg’s libx264 documentation describes constant-quality encoding and notes that VBV can constrain quality in CRF mode. If your workflow applies rate or buffer limits, check those settings too.
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Set the live output separately for YouTube
For RTMP/RTMPS, YouTube’s current guidance lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1; frame rates up to 60 fps; CBR; and a recommended two-second keyframe interval, which must not exceed four seconds. Its recommended bitrate depends on ingest codec, resolution, and frame rate. The following are selected H.264 ingest values from YouTube’s table—not CRF values:
| Resolution and frame rate | Minimum H.264 ingest bitrate | Recommended H.264 ingest bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 720p at 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
For resolutions or codecs not shown, check the current YouTube live settings table rather than extrapolating these figures. YouTube also lists AAC or MP3 audio, progressive scan, square pixels, Rec. 709 for SDR, and 8-bit SDR. For HDR, its guidance recommends H.265/HEVC and points to separate HDR settings.
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Test the complete workflow before the broadcast
- Confirm whether your playback setup sends the file as-is or encodes it again. If it encodes live, configure that output independently of the file’s CRF.
- Match the outgoing codec, resolution, and frame rate to the corresponding YouTube bitrate guidance; set CBR for RTMP/RTMPS.
- Set a two-second keyframe interval and do not exceed four seconds.
- Test with similar movement and audio before the event. YouTube advises testing before going live, then monitoring stream health and any messages during the broadcast.
Also make sure the connection can sustain the chosen live ingest rate. YouTube recommends running an upload-speed test and selecting a stream quality that remains reliable on the available connection.
Keep upload settings separate from live ingest
YouTube’s recommended upload encoding settings concern uploaded video files. For example, that page lists 8 Mbps for 1080p at standard frame rates and 12 Mbps for high frame rates. Those upload recommendations do not specify a CRF for a pre-recorded file rebroadcast as a live stream, and they are not a substitute for live ingest settings.
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Troubleshoot common CRF and live-stream problems
- The file looks soft or shows artifacts: compare a lower CRF encode of the same representative section. A lower number generally increases quality and file size; inspect whether the visual improvement is worth the larger file.
- The encoded file is much larger than expected: CRF does not guarantee a fixed bitrate or size. Recheck the source complexity and compare samples before committing to a full encode.
- The file looks fine, but the live stream is unstable: the file’s CRF does not control live ingest. Check the outgoing encoder’s CBR setting, bitrate for the selected codec and resolution, and whether the connection can sustain that rate.
- YouTube reports a keyframe or encoder issue: verify that the live keyframe interval is two seconds and no longer than four seconds, and review the current YouTube settings for the actual codec and format.
- The live encoder produces a different result from the stored file: determine whether the playback software is transcoding. If it is, its outgoing encoding settings—not just the original file’s CRF—affect the stream.
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Quick Recap
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