BEST OBS Mac Game Capture Record Settings for Elgato 4K X Using ProRes 422 HQ Video Codec
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- čas přidán 23. 08. 2024
- BEST OBS Settings for recording capturing on Mac Using an Elagto 4K X on a MacBook Pro M1 Max or Any Apple Silicon Mac for 1080P 60FPS using the ProRes video codec.
So the point here is to record the best possible gameplay picture quality capture in OBS Studio on our Apple Silicon Mac using the Elgato 4K X HDMI 2.1 USB-C video capture card. Which we then use in our preferred editing software to edit and create our final export for CZcams or any other online video streaming platform.
Some notes:
This workflow is specifically for creating recordings that will be edited in video editing software and not directly uploaded.
The video file we are creating is an intermediate.
This workflow is only for an 8-bit SDR standard dynamic range target, it is not for a 10-bit or HDR high dynamic range target.
Our final upload video is created from whatever video editing software we choose to use
This workflow is for creating a video master
These settings are not for live gameplay streaming
This workflow is for a simple capture with one video input and one audio input and one audio track, no microphone.
As we are going to be editing our footage in an NLE, video editing software, we want the best possible OBS capture we can get. This is because we will be doing destructive editing and re-compression of the game capture in our editing software. So we need to start off with highest possible quality we can before we degrade the captured footage further with editing, titles, maybe grading (although I would not colour grade game footage as it’s already correctly coloured) and then the final export compression for our upload video master.
The absolute best video picture quality would be uncompressed. However, this would great massive files. So the second best alternative is to use a good production codec such as ProRes and ProRes 422 HQ will be visually indistinguishable compared to uncompressed for our game captures.
While ProRes 422 HQ is a 10 Bit codec with 4:2:2 chroma subsampling and our video input via the Elgato 4K X is at best 8 Bit 4:2:2 but more likely to be 8 Bit 4:2:0 and our target, CZcams or any other video streaming platform, are only 8-Bit 4:2:0 for SDR. There’s an argument to say that ProRes 422 HQ is a waste. However, that is incorrect and wrong.
While we don’t benefit from ProRes’s 10-Bit colour precision and bit depth with our video source. We do benefit from an intra-frame codec (all I frame codec) with a low compression ratio, high bitrate recording. As opposed to using something like H.265 for our intermediate file. Which will almost certainly be in its inter-frame variation, as in, IPB which is a codec with temporal redundancy and will have much higher compression ratios.
Basically. The difference between ProRes 422 HQ and a typical H.265 recording, or something similar like AV1, VP9 or H.264. Is that ProRes 422 HQ doesn’t suffer from certain temporal and motion artefacts that H.265 and the likes suffer from. This is the difference between ProRes 422 HQ being an intra-frame codec and H.265 etc. usually being an inter-frame codec. Plus there’s also the benefit of ProRes having less compression as well, which will especially help with fast action games and gameplay or games with a wide colour palette and lots of fine line detail and resolution.
Yes, the ProRes 422 HQ recordings will create very large file sizes. However, don’t forget these files are only intermediate files and will be deleted as soon as we have made our final edited master upload file from our video editing software.
I will start an OBS playlist, so you may want to keep an eye on that
• OBS Studio
Here's my Elagto 4K X playlist
• Elgato 4K X
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I’m David Harry. Thank you very much for watching this video, take care and goodbye now.
Cheers,
Dave.
I am watching 4K X since introduction, but these infos are new to me. Would buy it for 4k video capture from my Canon R50, but with only 5gbits it seems a bit of a joke. Also running M1 and M2 Pro Minis. Thanks for sharing.
Hi. Yes, I wouldn’t bother until Elgato fix the 4K X so that it does 4K 60FPS recording. However, if it’s for your camera and you only record up to 30FPS, then even at 5Gbps the 4K X will do 4K. So 4K, 24, 25, 29.97 are all possible.
Here’s a section in a video showing the 4K X at 4K/29.97 compared to an Atomos Ninja V at 4K/59.94, both using ProRes 422 HQ. Even when pixel peeping, the Elgato capture looks identical to the Ninja capture after CZcams has turned both to 8 Bit 4:2:0
czcams.com/video/Emj7Hu4KwUo/video.htmlsi=rsgn7Jep_NNuKx4Y&t=902
Cheers,
Dave.
@@DavidHarry Already got tow Elgato Cam Links 4k, so for 30fps that´s ok. I am looking towards 60fps ........... ;-)
@@AcysLounge Cool 👍
Great video(s)! I don't get the same option you do in the 4K X Video properties. I only get color space of CS 601 and my Input Format has to be NV12. Switching to YUY2 gives me a limit of 50fps and the screen looks nothing like yours. Thanks again!
Hi. Since doing this video I have had a number of issues with my 4K X since updating its software. That also includes the rec.709 colour space issue that you are getting. I've also worked out and can prove that the 4K X is using MJPEG when in 4K/60 and not NV12 as it says. I've also got new problems with my iPad Pro and that was working fine before the software update. I've just got a new M4 iPad and will be doing a bunch of video about that as my priority at the moment but I will try and do some videos ASAP about the Elgato problems and will do videos as and when there may be solutions. I also need to do more OBS and Apple Silicon game capture stuff as well as streaming tutorials. I will try and get around to those as soon as possible. But for now, I'm sorry I cant help but you are not alone with your issues with the 4K X and I believe Windows users are also having issues with it as well. Cheers, Dave.
I’m glad you are doing these videos I’ve always enjoyed elgato equipment but after this farsa I am far from happy with their product.
My problem is that when I uncheck the preset button I don’t get any custom resolution/FPS settings that pop up like I’ve seen in so many videos!
Thanks for the video. One thing I am not sure I understand: Prores 422 HQ is natively 10-bit, right? So, if we set up elgato to capture in YUV 422 8 bit (as you did), are we going to get genuine 10-bit out? on the other hand, I have the 4k X and there is no way it can be set to capture 422 10-bit (only 420 10-bit).
Oops, my bad. You addressed this in the details. Sorry, I have not read it before I posted. Thanks again!
thanks bro, you save mi ass. have nice day
I’m glad the video was useful 👍
Hi David! I've followed your exact steps, but the VU Level is not registering any background music, or basically any audio into OBS at all - I've been getting zero audio in my game captures. Please help!
Thanks for the video!
I'll try it out today.
I hope it's not a problem to save to an external Samsung SSD hard drive via USB C, as I don't have any significant storage on the Mac.
It's a real shame that 4k isn't possible but I hope that changes.
Are these settings also possible for stream via Obs with the 4KX?
Hi. You are very welcome 👍 Yes, if you have something like a Samsung T7 or similar USB SSD, this will be easily fast enough for recording ProRes 422 HQ at 1080 60FPS. It should also be fast enough for ProRes 422 HQ 4K 60FPS, if Elgato fix the 4K X.
Yes, technically these settings would be awesome for streaming and could be used for certain streaming platforms. However, you would need a super fast internet connection for your uplink/upload speed.
If you just give these settings a quick test and use whatever you would usually use for your editing. You’ll defo see a difference and this will also help with your final export for uploading and will help to keep your final export bitrate low as well.
There’s a bit more info in the video description that may be useful.
Cheers.
Dave.
The AV1 codec is working at M3 Series?
Can i record 1080p in 60 frame on a mac mini m2? (Not pro) ps5
Can you create one for streaming on twitch ?
That's something that I will have to look into 👍 Cheers, Dave.
and what about streaming to twitch or youtube to avoid pixelated gameplay ?
You’ll have to use the highest bit rate you can get away with with the H.265 encoder. Cheers, Dave.
When i hit 4k x on obs no picture pops up. And Hdcp is off on my Ps5. What to do now?
Same thing with me, did you ever find a fix for it?
@@michaelsemien9814yupppers! What computer u on?
@@Lidstradamus131 m3 MacBook Pro
@@michaelsemien9814is the sound working?
@@Lidstradamus131 yea the sound working just no picture is showing