OBS Preview Window - Set to 60fps, Looks like 30fps

[crazypnut]

MacBook Pro M1 2021
32GB RAM
Sonoma 14.4.1

OBS 30.1.2

PS5/Nintendo Switch
Elgato HD60x
Elgato FaceCam Mk2

So I stream on occasion, but I also just play through the Windowed Projector instead of a passthrough. Everything seems to be set properly to 60fps in all the input settings, the console, the game settings, the video and streaming settings in OBS, etc. However, the actual output APPEARS to look like it's 30fps.

If I run a Quicktime "movie recording" preview window, it's buttery smooth. So it seems to be limited to OBS.

FUN SIDE NOTE: I've noticed that if I activate any filtering in Control Center for the Camera or OBS (such as Portrait Mode or Studio Lighting), a filter on ONE effect translates to BOTH inputs. ALSO, weirdly enough, the framerate actually DOES smooth out a bit closer to 60fps (you'd think it'd be the other way around??)

Happy to make videos, post logs, etc, whatever you need to get to the bottom of this.

I have a video sample recording I made for a log, but it's too large to upload? Here's a YouTube Upload: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me6qBwxY42E

Log is here for the attached video: https://obsproject.com/logs/0O5jjySyexFjVIlO

 

[crazypnut]

Here are the OBS settings.

 

[crazypnut]

Further Testing:

I tried making a fresh Scene Collection for testing, and added the HD60X as a Capture Card Device.

By itself, at 1920x1080, it stutters a bit, but not nearly enough to look like 30fps.

Ironically, at 1280x720, it's buttery smooth 60fps again.

The framerate takes a choppier dip (per the video posted above) when I add my webcam as a video source.

The framerate at 720p doesn't stutter when I add my webcam as a video source. Still buttery smooth, just a bit fuzzy.

That said, I'd love to get back up to 1080 at "buttery smooth" if y'all have suggestions?

 

[crazypnut]

Bump

 

[blakedmc1989]

Further Testing:

I tried making a fresh Scene Collection for testing, and added the HD60X as a Capture Card Device.

By itself, at 1920x1080, it stutters a bit, but not nearly enough to look like 30fps.

Ironically, at 1280x720, it's buttery smooth 60fps again.

The framerate takes a choppier dip (per the video posted above) when I add my webcam as a video source.

The framerate at 720p doesn't stutter when I add my webcam as a video source. Still buttery smooth, just a bit fuzzy.

That said, I'd love to get back up to 1080 at "buttery smooth" if y'all have suggestions?

if i were u, i'd stick to 720p 60fps. reasons why is because it's not about u, it's about tha viewer because not everyone who's a viewer is fortunate to view streams no higher than 720p 60fps even if they have laptops with resolutions with 1600x900 or below, so it's why i'd recommend anyone to stick to 720p 60fps because u don't wanna single out a viewer and not everyone can get Transcoding even if tha streamer is partnered or not

also keep in mind most TV stations don't stream any higher than 720p 60fps anyways

 

[thomaslfessler]

Some thoughts

1) In activity monitor, command-4 lets you view GPU utilization. This is a good place to start to understand the load on your hardware. It's most likely you may be maxing out your onboard GPU.

2) in OBS, open the Stats window and keep an eye on average time to render frame. You should be under 14ms to maintain 60fps.

3) A couple tips on your encoder settings. a) switch your encoder to H.264. This should free up additional GPU overhead while the impact to CPU utilization should not cause an issue. b) your bitrate at 35,000 is WAY TOO HIGH. 11k is max if you have the overhead... I stream at this settings at it looks like pre-recorded content.

4) If you are still having an issue, It could be your HD60X. The BlackMagic Ultrastudio 3G is a bulletproof Thunderbolt solution. I've had great results from their gear.

 

[crazypnut]

I wanted to report an update:

I rebuilt the scenes from the ground up. I found that the drop in fps seemed to be triggered any time I added TWO 1080p sources at 60fps. If I changed my Game Capture from the HD60x to 720p60, or the Elgato FaceCam to 720p60, the game capture would still kick right back into “buttery smooth” 60fps.

Still not sure WHY this happens, but for now, I’ve downscaled the FaceCam to 720p120 (just for kicks on the 120 to see how it goes), and everything looks fine.

And that’s fine for me for now, since any time my face is on screen it’s usually in a framed window.