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To stream a pre-recorded 1080×1920 portrait video on YouTube Live, preserve its 9:16 frame, send it through Live Control Room or a compatible RTMP(S) encoder, and check the vertical preview before starting the event. Use constant bitrate (CBR) and a two-second keyframe interval. YouTube does not publish a separate bitrate recommendation specifically for portrait 1080×1920, so use its 1080p guidance for your codec and frame rate as a starting point, then test the actual stream.
Choose how YouTube will receive the vertical video
YouTube supports a vertical Live viewing experience on mobile, and viewers can discover vertical streams in the Shorts feed. But a 1080×1920 file alone does not guarantee that YouTube will present it as a vertical stream. The result depends on how you deliver the composition and what appears in the vertical preview. Some live and fan-funding features depend on channel eligibility. YouTube Help: vertical live streaming
Use the vertical layout made from a horizontal stream
Live Control Room can create a vertical presentation from a horizontal feed. Its layout choices include center crop, fit to phone width, and stacked. This works when the important action remains visible in the crop or when you want horizontal and vertical viewers served from the same horizontal feed. A portrait video composed for a full 9:16 frame may lose important content if YouTube crops it, so inspect the vertical canvas and preview rather than assuming a crop will fit.
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Send a purpose-built vertical feed
If your recording is already composed as 1080×1920, preserve that complete frame in the vertical output. You can send it through a compatible encoder. YouTube’s documented dual-stream workflow supports separate horizontal and vertical feeds over RTMP(S); it uses a second stream key for the vertical feed. Match each feed to its corresponding key. This is the better fit when the portrait version needs its own framing rather than a crop of a landscape composition. YouTube Help: vertical live streaming
#1 Best Overall
- Compact but Powerful Design: ZowieBox is smaller than a phone, featuring a tally light and LCD screen for streaming status. Capture console gameplay in up to 4K with zero-lag HDMI passthrough, while the built-in video encoder converts video for IP streaming. The IP stream can also be decoded back to a 4K HDMI signal.
- Standalone Game Streaming: Just plug and play—ZowieBox enables PC-free live gaming without affecting gameplay. As an RTMP hardware encoder and HDMI streamer, it delivers stable streaming directly from your source, making it ideal for gaming, live events, and professional broadcasting.
- NDI|HX3 Converter Technology: ZowieBox converts HDMI signals to NDI|HX3/HX2/HX, functioning as an NDI video encoder, or NDI Video Decoder for flexible IP workflows. Certified NDI technology enables low-latency gameplay streaming through OBS/vMix. Note: Encoder and decoder modes cannot run simultaneously; full NDI signals are not supported.
- UVC to HDMI Conversion: Supporting up to 4K@30fps and 1080p@60fps decoding, ZowieBox enables flexible conversion for webcam and video workflows. As a video decoder and HDMI to IP converter, it expands connectivity options for professional video devices. Note: USB capture card functionality is not currently supported.
- All-around Configuration Options: Control ZowieBox through its web UI on a PC, phone, or tablet. Manage connected PTZ cameras, tally light, video/audio, OSD, work mode, streams, network, and system settings. Support for VISCA over IP encoder workflows enables flexible PTZ control, while the dashboard provides video preview and system status.
Recommended encoder settings for 1080×1920
Use the following settings as a practical starting point. YouTube’s published bitrate table is organized by resolution, frame rate, and codec, not by portrait orientation. Its 1080p figures below are therefore guidance for a 1080×1920 stream, not a special portrait requirement. YouTube Help: encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions
| Setting | Recommended starting point |
|---|---|
| Frame shape and resolution | Portrait 9:16; preserve the prepared 1080×1920 frame in the vertical feed. |
| Bitrate mode | CBR (constant bitrate). |
| Keyframe interval | 2 seconds; do not exceed 4 seconds. |
| Frame rate | Match the recording where practical. YouTube supports up to 60 fps. |
| Video codec | H.264, H.265/HEVC, or AV1, as supported by your encoder and workflow. |
| Audio | AAC or MP3. YouTube’s guidance lists stereo at 128 kbps and a 44.1 kHz sample rate. |
| Transport | RTMP(S); YouTube recommends RTMPS, which encrypts the connection. |
Bitrate guidance by codec and frame rate
YouTube lists these recommended 1080p bitrates. Choose a rate your upload connection can sustain steadily; the recommendations do not guarantee a particular visual result.
Rank #2
- 【Hardware H.265/H.264 Encoding at 1080P60】Dedicated hardware encoder delivers broadcast-quality 1080P60 streams with H.265/H.264 compression. Reduces bandwidth usage by up to 50% compared to legacy H.264-only solutions, while maintaining crisp, crystal-clear video output.
- 【Broad Protocol Support for IP Distribution】 Supports SRT, RTMP(S), RTSP, UDP, HTTP, HLS, WebRTC, TRTC, Icecast and SHOUTcast — integrate seamlessly with CDNs, surveillance NVRs, IPTV systems and browser-based monitoring dashboards. One device replaces multiple single-purpose streaming boxes.
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| Frame rate | AV1 or H.265/HEVC | H.264 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 fps | 10 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 60 fps | 12 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
If the source uses a lower frame rate, match it rather than inventing extra frames. If the encoder cannot send one of the listed codecs, use a compatible option and follow the corresponding YouTube guidance. Do not force a higher bitrate than your connection can reliably upload.
Set up the event and start the stream
- Create or schedule the event. In YouTube Studio, open Live Control Room and create a stream or schedule one. Scheduling lets you promote the event and viewers can set reminders. YouTube Help: create a live stream with an encoder
- Choose the vertical delivery method. For a vertical presentation derived from a horizontal feed, review the vertical layout canvas and choose center crop, fit to phone width, or stacked. For a separate portrait feed from a third-party encoder, select the documented Encoder/RTMP(S) dual-stream workflow and use the second stream key for the vertical feed. Confirm that each output is paired with its matching key. YouTube Help: vertical live streaming
- Set the encoder output. Preserve the portrait 1080×1920 composition in the vertical feed. Set CBR, a two-second keyframe interval (never over four seconds), a supported codec and frame rate, and compatible audio. YouTube detects resolution and frame rate in Live Control Room; its bitrate guidance is not portrait-specific. YouTube Help: encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions
- Connect the encoder. Copy the stream URL and the correct stream key from Live Control Room into the encoder. Treat the key as a credential: anyone who has it may be able to send video to your stream. YouTube recommends RTMPS for a secure encoder connection. YouTube Help: encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions YouTube Help: stream using an encoder
- Send a test and inspect the preview. Start the encoder, wait for Live Control Room to receive the feed, and check the vertical preview for correct framing. Verify that the video is not cropped unexpectedly and that audio is present and in sync. YouTube recommends testing before an event and monitoring stream health. YouTube Help: encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions
- Start and end the event deliberately. Once the preview is right, start the event in Studio. When finished, end the stream in YouTube Studio and stop the encoder output according to your workflow. Streams shorter than 12 hours are automatically archived. YouTube Help: stream using an encoder
Check the recording and channel before going live
- Review rights to every element. Confirm you have permission to use the video, music, images, and other material in the recording. A live-stream setup does not grant rights to copyrighted content; check YouTube’s current copyright guidance before broadcasting material you did not create or license.
- Check channel eligibility and feature availability. YouTube notes that some live and fan-funding features depend on eligibility. Do not assume every channel will have the same feature set.
- Watch the portrait preview, not just the encoder canvas. The actual vertical presentation matters, particularly when it is derived from a horizontal source or when dual-stream keys are involved.
- Allow time for a test. Check stream health, framing, audio, and the event’s scheduled details before sharing the link or relying on the stream for a time-sensitive broadcast.
Troubleshoot common vertical-stream problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or change |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait content appears cropped or important details are missing. | The vertical presentation is a center crop or another layout derived from the horizontal feed. | Inspect the vertical canvas; try fit to phone width or stacked if suitable, or send a separately composed vertical feed with the matching vertical stream key. |
| The vertical preview is missing or the wrong orientation appears. | The feed may be mapped to the wrong stream key, or the selected workflow may not be configured for the separate vertical output. | Confirm the dual-stream selection and match each encoder output to its corresponding key in Live Control Room. |
| The stream is unstable or reports poor health. | The outgoing bitrate may exceed what the connection can sustain consistently. | Use a stable upload connection and lower the bitrate to a sustainable level while retaining CBR and the recommended keyframe interval. |
| Video does not appear in the expected resolution or frame rate. | The encoder output may differ from the source or the selected configuration. | Check the encoder’s actual output settings and Live Control Room’s detected resolution and frame rate; match the source where practical. |
| Viewers cannot hear audio, or it sounds wrong. | Audio may be absent, mapped incorrectly, or using incompatible settings. | Check that the encoder is sending AAC or MP3 audio and verify stereo output and the preview before starting. |
| The stream connects but the event does not start as expected. | The encoder feed may be running while the event has not been started in Studio. | Check Live Control Room’s preview and controls, then start the event there after verifying the feed. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is to keep a YouTube channel live with uploaded videos rather than run a one-off encoder session, StreamNeo is a cloud service for looping uploaded videos on YouTube. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on; StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. Every slot streams the uploaded file as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot rather than quality tiers. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. For Indian creators, UPI is supported. Start the free first day on StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- 【1080P@30HZ Input/Output Resolution & 2 Channel Output】- HDMI encoder supports max 1080P@30 resolution HD input and output. The video encoder for live broadcasting can output 2 channels feeds at the same time. While only 1 channel can reach 1080p output. The H.265/ H.264 encoder supports multiple different protocol feeds output at the same time, but does not support simultaneous output 1080P30.
- 【Multi-Protocols & Software & Platform & Flip Supporting】- Hardware encoder supports protocols including HTTP/HTTPS/RTSP/RTMP/RTMPS/SRT/UDP/RTP/FLS/FLV,is compatible with Onvif protocol. Multicast UDP/RTP. HDMI video encoder supports software like Flashplayer, OBS, VLC player, Vmix..etc. Fit for Youtube, Facebook, Ustream, Livestream, Twitch, Vimeo, Streamspot, Dacast, Tikilive, Netrmedi, etc. This video encoder also supports new function of image rotation and mirror flip. More convenient for live broadcasting.
- 【Powerful OSD Setting】- OSD setting function of the live broadcasting encoder makes it easy for you to add any self-defined text, time and image overlay on your video when output displayed. You may add any text/logo at any position to announce your copyrights with this hevc video encoder.
Rank #4
- ⭐【Innovative Product with Leading Technology】- Equipped with an advanced H.265/H.264 dual encoding chip, supports 1920x1080 resolution input and output, achieving 60fps high-definition presentation with realistic and delicate color reproduction and lossless detail. It also supports HDCP 1.4 decryption, easily decoding various HDMI high-definition video sources, delivering a cinematic visual experience for both professional live streaming and high-definition content transmission.
- ⭐【Multi-protocol and Multi-platform Compatibility】- Fully compatible with streaming protocols such as HTTP, RTSP, RTMP(S), SRT, HLS(M3U8), MP4, Multicast(UDP, RTP, PTL), ONVIF, FLV, it can simultaneously output 4 video streams with different protocols and push them to live streaming platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Vimeo with one click. Simultaneous live streaming across multiple platforms can be achieved without additional equipment.
- ⭐【Highly Customizable Settings to Meet Individual Needs】- It supports adding static text, scrolling captions, brand logos, and timestamps. Users can freely adjust core parameters such as video resolution, frame rate, and bitrate, and also perform personalized editing functions such as video cropping, rotation, flipping, and mirroring. It supports dual input of HDMI embedded audio and line-in audio, with adjustable sound quality, making your live stream content more distinctive and allowing you to create a unique brand live stream style.
- ⭐【Stable and Efficient Transmission, Easy Operation】- Employing HDMI to Ethernet core connection technology, it ensures stable and reliable network transmission with low latency and no lag, adapting to various network environments. Equipped with an intuitive user interface and detailed instruction manual, no professional technical background is required; setup can be completed quickly after connecting the device. It is also compatible with multiple terminals such as computers and mobile phones for management, and the video stream status can be viewed in real time via a URL.
- ⭐【Lifetime Free Warranty and Technical Supports】- All URayCoder video codecs come with a lifetime free warranty and technical supports, supporting secondary development and feature customization to meet enterprise-level personalized needs. Meanwhile, we providing many kinds of customization services such as shell pattern printing, logo addition, hardware and function development, ensuring reliable quality and worry-free after-sales service.
Rank #3
- 【Innovative Product with Leading Technology】- Equipped with an advanced H.265 /H.264 dual encoding chip, supports 4K UHD (3840x2160) video input and output, with a maximum frame rate of 30fps at 4K resolution and up to 120fps at 2K and lower resolutions, delivering a smooth and detailed visual experience. It also supports HDCP 1.4 decryption, easily decoding various HDMI ultra HD video sources, delivering a cinematic visual experience for both professional live streaming and 4K ultra HD content transmission.
- 【Multi-protocol and Multi-platform Compatibility】- Fully compatible with streaming protocols such as HTTP, RTSP, RTMP(S), SRT, HLS(M3U8), MP4, Multicast(UDP, RTP, PTL), FLV, WebRTC, TRTC, ICECAST, it can simultaneously output 4 video streams with different protocols and push them to live streaming platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Vimeo with one click. Simultaneous live streaming across multiple platforms can be achieved without additional equipment.
- 【Highly Customizable Settings to Meet Individual Needs】- It supports adding static text, scrolling captions, brand logos, and timestamps. Users can freely adjust core parameters such as video resolution, frame rate, and bitrate, and also perform personalized editing functions such as video cropping, rotation, flipping, and mirroring. It supports dual input of HDMI embedded audio and line-in audio, with adjustable sound quality, making your live stream content more distinctive and allowing you to create a unique brand live stream style.
- 【Stable and Efficient Transmission, Easy Operation】- Employing HDMI to Ethernet core connection technology, it ensures stable and reliable network transmission with low latency and no lag, adapting to various network environments. Equipped with an intuitive user interface and detailed instruction manual, no professional technical background is required; setup can be completed quickly after connecting the device. It is also compatible with multiple terminals such as computers and mobile phones for management, and the video stream status can be viewed in real time via a URL.
- 【Lifetime Free Warranty and Technical Supports】- All URayCoder video codecs come with a lifetime free warranty and technical supports, supporting secondary development and feature customization to meet enterprise-level personalized needs. Meanwhile, we providing many kinds of customization services such as shell pattern printing, logo addition, hardware and function development, ensuring reliable quality and worry-free after-sales service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

