YouTube Video Codec and OBS Screen Recorder

[MasalaKing]

Some YouTube videos that are 1 hour long are only about 90 MB in size at 1080p. From what I understand YouTube uses a VP09 codec.
I'm using OBS screen recorder to record my own videos but I'm getting files that are ten times bigger (usually 1 GB for a 1 hour video), and it's not even as good quality as YouTube's 90 MB video. I use the H264 codec with a bitrate of 1500 Kbps.

How do I get video sizes and quality like YouTube?

 

[genetic]

Some YouTube videos that are 1 hour long are only about 90 MB in size at 1080p. From what I understand
How do I get video sizes and quality like YouTube?

Lol, that's impossible.

 

[MasalaKing]

Lol, that's impossible.

 

[genetic]

View attachment 883750

At 250kbps the quality can't be great at all, unless it's basically a static image without any movement throughout the video.

Encode at 250kbps then instead of 1500kbps if you want the same file size.

 

[MasalaKing]

At 250kbps the quality can't be great at all, unless it's basically a static image without any movement throughout the video.

Encode at 250kbps then instead of 1500kbps if you want the same file size.

It's basically a long lecture using PowerPoint slides. A slide changes every 30 seconds maybe.
I use 250 kbps but the quality is nowhere near YouTube's.

 

[genetic]

It's basically a long lecture using PowerPoint slides. A slide changes every 30 seconds maybe.

Ahh, makes sense.

Capture via OBS as a higher quality, then convert the video to 250kbps using Handbrake where you have more control over encoder settings, such as HVEC, variable frame rate, variable bit-rate, 2-pass encoding etc.

Quality will be much better for the given file size.

Are you planning to upload to YouTube? If so, rather upload the larger file size as YouTube will do its own compression to different formats and file sizes. You always want to upload the best quality to YouTube when possible.

If you just want to distribute the file as stand alone, Handbrake is your best bet for reducing the file size with the maximum control over quality.

 

[Ockie]

Also remember Youtube and Netflix have started rolling out the AV1 codec I believe. This is a even more efficient codec than VP9 or H.265. So great quality and small file size.

Perhaps a similar issue as with the Samsung phones where it stores files in HEIC format which is a new'ish format and very efficient, but if you crop the file or edit it in anyway, then it stores it in jpeg and then the file size doubles. Same story if you share the picture via a messaging app. It converts the file back to jpeg and the file size doubles almost because it keeps the same quality, but then uses a old and unefficient compression format to make sure the receiver can open the pic.

Perhaps similar is happening with you, but with video?

 

[MasalaKing]

Capture via OBS as a higher quality, then convert the video to 250kbps using Handbrake where you have more control over encoder settings, such as HVEC, variable frame rate, variable bit-rate, 2-pass encoding etc.

I want to try this. Currently my files are 1 GB, I would like them to be 100 MB. Because that's the size YT has.
What settings do you think I should try?

It's not going to YT but I will be sharing them with family. Hence why I would like a smaller file-size but still retaining good quality.

 

[MasalaKing]

Perhaps similar is happening with you, but with video?

I have no idea.

 

[MasalaKing]

Handbrake worked like a charm.