Stream looks blocky and pixelated

jacobgarrza · Sep 18, 2018

Hello, I need help because my stream looks blocky for some reason.It looks noticeably worse than any other streams at the same settings I suppose.

Currently streaming @ 720 p 30 @2500 bitrate

Using nvec encoder and gou downscale.

I’m also using the “minimize network impact” mode.

I don’t know if thats what’s causing the issue (the minimize network issues option)

Any further questions reply or please help me out!

Most recent twitch VOD @ twitch.tv/iparafox

PC SPECS

Ryzen 3 1300x

GTX 1050 ti

24 gbs of ram

Internet speeds. (I’m very familiar I’ve done a lot of testing)

My download normally on Speedtest is 30-40 mbs down (3.5-4.6 real world MB’s)
And my upload sits at 15-20 MB’s and can hold a stable 2500 bitrate and most of the time a 3000 bitrate.

I use 2 internets to stream currently 1 for gaming and one for streaming.The one that matters is above. There is nothing else on that connection.

Frag Maniac · Sep 18, 2018

jacobgarrza :

That doesn't exactly sound like you actually compared your settings and hardware spec to others. The only reason you should be using a bitrate as low as 2500 is if you have no more than 5Mb upload speed

First off, what is your actual tested upload speed? Test it at best case scenario with an online tool like Speakeasy (Ookla based). Always test with a server closets to your city. Some ISPs also have their own testing sites.

Test it at least 3 times at the same time of day or night you do your streams, then take an average of the three. That is going to be your reference upload speed. As a rule of thumb, you can't set your bitrate to more than half that of your upload speed times 1000.

For instance if you have 12Mb upload speed, you can use the max stream bitrate YouTube and Twitch allow, which is 6000. Anything below 5000 is going to start looking blurry and pixlelated, especially anything below 3000.

Stream quality is as much about ISP upload speed as it is about hardware spec, if not more so. You have your stream settings right at 720p and 30 FPS, but if your ISP upload speed is higher (in actual tests) than 5Mb, you could set the bitrate higher.

For example my ISP advertises 5Mb upload speed, but mine consistently tests at 6Mb, as long as my VPN is disabled. So I would set mine to 3000. The ones whom are going to have best stream quality have at least 10-12Mb upload speed, AND adequate hardware of course.

ElectrO_90 · Sep 18, 2018

List your PC specs, as it could also be that what is struggling.

Frag Maniac · Sep 18, 2018

ElectrO_90 :

^This, both CPU and GPU can affect image quality, especially while streaming as the hardware has to compress on the fly while playing. It also helps to have balanced spec, but if one is more dominant than the other, choose a codec that uses THAT processor.

For example X264 is usually default, which uses the CPU, and works best in most cases, but if your GPU is quite a bit more powerful than your CPU, it's wise to try NVENC if running an Nvidia GPU. If running an AMD GPU that is noticeably more powerful than your CPU, try the H.264/AVC Encoder (AMD Advanced Media Framework) codec.

Basically you want to use the codec that uses the processor that has the most spare horsepower. Reason x264 CPU based encoding is best for balanced spec, is the GPU is working harder on rendering the game than the CPU is. The CPU just calculates the rendering data and sends it to the GPU, the GPU does the actual rendering.

jacobgarrza · Sep 18, 2018

Frag Maniac :

jacobgarrza :

That doesn't exactly sound like you actually compared your settings and hardware spec to others. The only reason you should be using a bitrate as low as 2500 is if you have no more than 5Mb upload speed

First off, what is your actual tested upload speed? Test it at best case scenario with an online tool like Speakeasy (Ookla based). Always test with a server closets to your city. Some ISPs also have their own testing sites.

Test it at least 3 times at the same time of day or night you do your streams, then take an average of the three. That is going to be your reference upload speed. As a rule of thumb, you can't set your bitrate to more than half that of your upload speed times 1000.

For instance if you have 12Mb upload speed, you can use the max stream bitrate YouTube and Twitch allow, which is 6000. Anything below 5000 is going to start looking blurry and pixlelated, especially anything below 3000.

Stream quality is as much about ISP upload speed as it is about hardware spec, if not more so. You have your stream settings right at 720p and 30 FPS, but if your ISP upload speed is higher (in actual tests) than 5Mb, you could set the bitrate higher.

For example my ISP advertises 5Mb upload speed, but mine consistently tests at 6Mb, as long as my VPN is disabled. So I would set mine to 3000. The ones whom are going to have best stream quality have at least 10-12Mb upload speed, AND adequate hardware of course.

I've updated the thread and added some thing

jacobgarrza · Sep 18, 2018

ElectrO_90 :

I've updated the thread and added some thing

Frag Maniac · Sep 19, 2018

That's plenty upload speed, but what game are you currently streaming? You need to adjust in game settings so your CPU and GPU usage isn't close to maxed so you have enough power left over to encode on the fly. I would advise running MSI Afterburner while playing without streaming to first see what percentage CPU and GPU usage you're averaging. Report back here when you get the results.

This is definitely hardware and/or game settings related, nothing to do with upload speed. Have you ever tried using more than 3000 bitrate? From what you're saying, that's too taxing, so you may have game settings a bit too high for streaming on that hardware. Really depends on the game you're playing though.

I also suggest setting your W10 power plan to High Performance when you're streaming because you're simultaneously playing and encoding, which is very hard on hardware of your spec.

jacobgarrza · Sep 19, 2018

Frag Maniac :

I have my game settings turned down to the point I have 140 FPS simultaneously while streaming fortnite 1080p I doubt its my pc more on the settings.

But when I get home this afternoon I’ll do some bench marks and post them here.

Would nvec or x264 be better for Image quality ? Or does it matter at all?

Frag Maniac · Sep 19, 2018

jacobgarrza :

Like I said, x264 is usually best because most people have balanced spec. Your spec is fairly balanced, so I would think you'd get best perforamnce using x264. I've seen people even on Ryzen 1600 and 1060 6GB say they get way less FPS switching to NVENC. You need a pretty powerful GPU for that codec.

Also, try experimenting with changing encode speeds. I don't recall you mentioning what software you're using to stream, but if it's OBS like many use, here's a good settings guide.

[video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alw_Op4hyw0"][/video]

My guess is, if nothing makes it better, you're probably limited by what your hardware can do, as you have pretty low spec for streaming.

jacobgarrza · Sep 19, 2018

Frag Maniac :

jacobgarrza :

Like I said, x264 is usually best because most people have balanced spec. Your spec is fairly balanced, so I would think you'd get best perforamnce using x264. I've seen people even on Ryzen 1600 and 1060 6GB say they get way less FPS switching to NVENC. You need a pretty powerful processor for that codec.

Also, try experimenting with changing encode speeds. I don't recall you mentioning what software you're using to stream, but if it's OBS like many use, here's a good settings guide.

[video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alw_Op4hyw0"][/video]

My guess is, if nothing makes it better, you're probably limited by what your hardware can do, as you have pretty low spec for streaming.

Okay for sure thanks for the help

Frag Maniac · Sep 19, 2018

Meant to say "pretty powerful GPU", not processor btw. Fixed it, I'm functioning on like 4 hrs or less of sleep.

jacobgarrza · Sep 19, 2018

Frag Maniac :

I fixed it I’m using nvec and set the bitrate at 3500 and it looks fine now thanks for the help

Frag Maniac · Sep 19, 2018

jacobgarrza :

Yeah that means your Ryzen is not powerful enough to encode in X264 while playing. I'm not surprised, I'm not a big fan of Ryzen. To it's defense though, it's only a quad core.

What speed RAM are you using though? Ryzens don't perform up to their full capabilities unless you use at least 3200 speed because their Infinity Fabric is tied to RAM speed.

Search

Stream looks blocky and pixelated

jacobgarrza

Prominent

Frag Maniac

Frag Maniac

Illustrious

ElectrO_90

Splendid

Frag Maniac

Illustrious

jacobgarrza

Prominent

jacobgarrza

Prominent

Frag Maniac

Illustrious

jacobgarrza

Prominent

Frag Maniac

Illustrious

jacobgarrza

Prominent

Frag Maniac

Illustrious

jacobgarrza

Prominent

Frag Maniac

Illustrious

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page