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AV1 vs. HEVC: the practical choice
| Decision point | AV1 | HEVC (H.265) |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube 4K/2160p at 60fps recommended ingest bitrate | 35 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
| HDR in YouTube’s published guidance | Not supported for HDR | Supported choice |
| OBS encoder availability | Depends on OBS build, operating system and hardware encoder; check the installed output options | Depends on OBS build, operating system and hardware encoder; check the installed output options |
| General codec guidance from OBS | OBS describes AV1 as offering improved quality/file size over HEVC in general | OBS describes HEVC as having good editing-software support; AV1 has less editing-software support |
The bitrate figures are YouTube recommendations, not a guarantee of a particular picture quality or a stable uplink. YouTube’s English encoder table also lists minimums of 10 Mbps for AV1 and HEVC at 4K60; a minimum is not the recommended target. For comparison, the table recommends 50 Mbps for H.264 at the same resolution and frame rate. These figures are from YouTube’s encoder guidance, retrieved October 3, 2026; the page does not state a publication year. YouTube Live encoder settings
When to choose each codec
Choose HEVC for HDR
If the prerecorded program is HDR, set OBS to HEVC. YouTube’s guidance names H.265/HEVC for HDR and says AV1 is not supported for HDR. OBS 30.1 release notes likewise noted that YouTube did not support AV1 HDR at that time; that release note describes the support status then, while YouTube’s current guidance is the relevant check for your stream. OBS Studio 30.1 release notes
For SDR, choose based on what your system can run reliably
YouTube gives AV1 and HEVC the same recommended 4K60 bitrate, so its ingest table does not establish a bandwidth advantage for either. OBS’s general codec-efficiency guidance favors AV1 over HEVC, but that does not establish how the two will compare on your exact video, encoder, preset or hardware. For SDR, first check that the encoder is available in your OBS installation; if both are available, compare them in a real test rather than assuming a visual-quality or stability winner.
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Check OBS and hardware support before configuring the stream
OBS added AV1 and HEVC streaming over Enhanced RTMP in version 29.1, initially describing YouTube support as a beta feature. OBS later announced its work with YouTube on AV1 and HEVC e-RTMP support. These release notes document when the capability was added; they do not guarantee that every later OBS build, operating system or machine exposes the same encoder options. OBS Studio 29.1 release notes · OBS Project announcement
OBS’s formats guide says hardware AV1 encoders are available on recent AMD RX 7000, NVIDIA RTX 40-series and Intel Arc GPUs. It also says software AV1 encoding is possible but requires a high-end CPU for real-time compression. For NVIDIA NVENC, OBS’s forum guide lists RTX 40-series GPUs as supporting AV1 and HEVC. Treat these as guide-level compatibility information, not a substitute for checking your own system and OBS output menu. OBS Audio/Video Formats Guide · OBS NVIDIA NVENC guide
- Update or open the OBS installation you will use for the event.
- Open Settings > Output and inspect the streaming encoder choices available in the active output mode. Confirm that the option is AV1 or HEVC as intended; do not infer support from the GPU model alone.
- If the desired codec is absent, check the installed OBS version, operating-system support and available hardware encoders before changing your workflow. Do not assume a software encoder will meet real-time 4K60 demands without testing.
Set the YouTube ingest parameters for 4K60
Use YouTube’s encoder guidance for the live feed sent from OBS. The following applies to the encoder feed, including a prerecorded program played through OBS; the guidance does not define a separate codec rule for prerecorded content.
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- High-Quality Video Encoding - Leverages advanced X.265 and X.264 video compression technologies to encode the source video, balancing high visual quality with efficient bandwidth usage for smooth network transmission.
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- Resolution and frame rate: 4K / 2160p at up to 60fps.
- Codec: AV1 or H.265/HEVC for SDR; HEVC for HDR under YouTube’s published HDR guidance.
- Bitrate: 35 Mbps recommended for either AV1 or HEVC at 4K60. YouTube lists 10 Mbps as the minimum for each, not the recommended target.
- Rate control: CBR.
- Keyframe interval: two seconds recommended; do not exceed four seconds.
- Latency: YouTube says 4K streams are optimized for quality at normal latency; the option to improve low latency is unavailable at 4K.
Use YouTube’s current encoder page for the full settings table and any changes: YouTube Live encoder settings.
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Test the prerecorded-to-live chain before the event
A codec setting alone does not validate a prerecorded live stream. Test the actual file, OBS configuration, uplink and YouTube preview together. YouTube recommends setting up the encoder ahead of time, starting at least 15 minutes before the event, previewing the feed in Live Control Room and testing the setup. YouTube live streaming tips · YouTube encoder setup
- Schedule or prepare the YouTube live event and connect OBS using the stream key shown for that event. Treat the key as a password: do not publish or share it.
- Start a private or otherwise appropriate test stream, then check the incoming preview in YouTube Live Control Room before the planned event.
- Play the prerecorded source for long enough to check that video remains smooth at the intended frame rate and resolution, audio stays in sync, and the stream behaves correctly at the file’s end or loop point.
- Check the actual outgoing feed and uplink under the expected conditions. Look for encoder overload, dropped frames, interrupted playback, audio problems and YouTube warnings; fix the cause and repeat the test.
- Check the resulting stream on relevant viewer devices and networks. YouTube transcodes live streams into multiple output formats, so the viewer’s playback is not simply a copy of the encoder feed.
Troubleshooting common problems
The AV1 or HEVC option is missing in OBS
The installed OBS output configuration or the system’s supported encoders may not expose it. Check the OBS version, output mode, operating system and hardware support; verify the encoder in Settings > Output instead of assuming a feature exists because it appears in general documentation.
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- High-Efficiency X.265/X.264 Encoding - Utilizes advanced X.265 and X.264 video compression technologies to deliver high-quality video while efficiently using your network bandwidth. This ensures a stable and reliable video feed.
- Direct Recording & Web Configuration - Includes a built-in SD card slot (supports up to 128GB) for direct, standalone recording of the encoded video in MP4 format. A simple web-based interface allows for easy setup and management of all settings, including Wi-Fi connection, video parameters, and audio configuration.
YouTube does not accept or preview the feed as expected
Confirm that the stream key belongs to the correct live event, that the selected encoder is AV1 or HEVC as intended, and that the output follows YouTube’s recommended CBR, keyframe and bitrate settings. Review Live Control Room’s incoming preview and warnings, then rerun a test stream.
HDR does not work with AV1
Switch the live encoder feed to HEVC and verify the HDR setup against YouTube’s current instructions. YouTube’s guidance says AV1 is not supported for HDR. How to stream with HDR to YouTube
The stream stutters or OBS reports dropped frames
Separate encoder-load problems from network problems. Check OBS’s stream statistics and system load while the source plays; confirm the uplink can sustain the chosen bitrate and that the prerecorded file plays smoothly. Reduce competing network or system load, correct the encoder or connection issue, and test again before the scheduled event.
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Video and audio drift out of sync or the ending behaves incorrectly
Check the source file’s playback, OBS audio routing and the program’s start, stop or loop behavior during a full-chain test. The cited YouTube encoder guidance does not define a special prerecorded-media sync or looping rule, so verify the behavior in your actual setup rather than relying on codec choice to fix it.
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Quick Recap
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