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Frame size, display ratio, and pixel shape are different
Frame dimensions are the stored width and height, such as 1920×1080. Their ratio is not always the shape viewers see: video metadata can specify a sample aspect ratio (SAR), describing the shape of each pixel. The display aspect ratio (DAR) reflects the displayed image geometry and can differ from the raw width-to-height ratio when pixels are non-square.
FFmpeg’s FAQ explains: “Most processing filters in FFmpeg handle the aspect ratio to avoid stretching the image: cropping adjusts the DAR to keep the SAR constant, scaling adjusts the SAR to keep the DAR constant.” Inspect the source’s dimensions and aspect-ratio signaling before overriding it. Forcing square pixels without accounting for an anamorphic source can change how it displays. FFmpeg FAQ: aspect ratio
Choose how different sources should fit the output
YouTube’s live encoder guidance specifies square pixels (SAR 1:1). If your intended output is landscape 16:9, normalize inputs to one canvas while preserving their display geometry. YouTube Live encoder settings
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| Approach | What it does | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Fit and pad | Scales the whole source proportionally to fit within the target canvas, then fills the remaining space. | Preserves the entire image, but may leave letterbox or pillarbox bars. |
| Crop to fill | Scales proportionally until the target canvas is filled, cropping excess edges. | Fills the canvas, but can cut off important content. |
| Stretch | Changes width and height independently to fill the canvas. | Can visibly distort people and objects; avoid unless distortion is intentional. |
FFmpeg documents fit-and-pad and crop approaches, including force_original_aspect_ratio and the scale filter’s fit_mode options. Support and interactions can depend on the installed FFmpeg version, so check its filter documentation and test the exact build. FFmpeg scale filter · FFmpeg pad filter
Use a fit-and-pad filter for a 1920×1080 landscape stream
The following is a template for fitting the complete input image inside a fixed 1920×1080 frame. It is not a verified end-to-end command; substitute your actual YouTube ingest URL and stream key, and confirm that your FFmpeg build supports every option shown.
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ffmpeg -i input.mp4
-vf "scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease:force_divisible_by=2:reset_sar=1,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1"
-c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:a aac
-f flv rtmp://YOUR_YOUTUBE_INGEST/STREAM_KEY- Inspect the source. Check its stored dimensions and SAR/DAR metadata. If the source signaling is wrong, determine the intended display geometry before correcting it; do not use
setsar=1blindly on anamorphic material. FFmpeg documentssetsarandsetdaras ways to override aspect-ratio metadata. FFmpeg setdar and setsar - Set the target canvas. The example uses 1920×1080, a common landscape shape. Replace both scale and pad dimensions together if your planned output canvas differs.
- Scale proportionally.
force_original_aspect_ratio=decreasefits the input inside the target dimensions without enlarging one axis independently.force_divisible_by=2keeps the resulting dimensions divisible by two, andreset_sar=1accounts for the input display ratio while resetting SAR to square pixels. - Pad to the exact canvas.
pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2centers the fitted picture and fills the unused area, producing consistent output dimensions. - Signal square pixels.
setsar=1makes the final pixel aspect ratio explicit. Keep it only when the preceding scaling has accounted for the source geometry as intended. - Configure the stream separately. Replace the example ingest address and secret key with the values from YouTube Live Control Room. Choose encoder options and bitrate for your host, connection, and current YouTube settings; this aspect-ratio template does not establish those values. Keep the stream key private.
The example uses H.264 video, yuv420p, and AAC audio as explicit encoding choices, but it is not a complete recommendation for every host or stream. Check the installed FFmpeg version for option support and review YouTube’s current encoder guidance before going live.
Choose cropping, vertical output, or another canvas deliberately
When the entire image must remain visible
Use fit-and-pad. Horizontal sources that are narrower than the canvas can leave pillarbox bars; sources that are wider can leave letterbox bars. This is the appropriate compromise when no edge content may be lost.
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When the frame must be completely filled
Use a proportional crop/cover treatment and inspect the result for clipped titles, faces, or other important details. FFmpeg describes fit_mode=cover as scaling with cropping and contain as fitting with padding. Check availability and interaction with other options for your FFmpeg version. FFmpeg scale filter
When you want vertical video
Choose a 9:16 output canvas intentionally, for example 1080×1920, then decide whether to fit and pad or crop. Do not assume a center crop of landscape footage will keep the subject or on-screen text in frame.
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YouTube says its computer player uses 16:9 as the standard while adapting to other aspect ratios. For uploaded videos, YouTube advises against baking bars into the image because they interfere with dynamic player sizing. That upload advice is not a reason to stretch or crop a live composition without checking what viewers will see. YouTube video aspect ratios
YouTube Live Control Room can stream horizontal 16:9 and vertical 9:16 at the same time; the vertical rendition is a center crop by default. If both views matter, compose within a safe area for the crop or configure the vertical layout rather than relying on the default framing. YouTube dual horizontal and vertical live streaming
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Troubleshoot stretched images and inconsistent output
- People or objects look stretched. Inspect both the image and its SAR/DAR metadata. Non-square pixels can be intentional; identify the intended display geometry before changing SAR or DAR. If the source picture itself is distorted, a filter cannot restore the original appearance.
- Inputs produce different canvas sizes. Normalize each source to the same target width and height before combining them or sending them onward. Fit and pad preserves edges; crop fills the frame by discarding some edges.
- The filter rejects dimensions or options. Confirm your FFmpeg build recognizes
reset_sar,force_divisible_by, and any other chosen scale options. If codec constraints require even dimensions, use a compatible target and the documented divisibility option. - Bars appear around the picture. They are the expected result when preserving a source with a different shape from the canvas. If they are unacceptable, crop deliberately and review which content disappears.
- The vertical companion cuts off the subject. Reframe the source or configure the vertical layout; YouTube’s default vertical rendition is a center crop.
- The stream is unhealthy or fails to connect. Aspect-ratio filters do not verify ingest credentials, bandwidth, encoder compatibility, or stream health. Test with representative motion and audio before the event, monitor stream health, and review encoder messages as YouTube recommends. YouTube Live encoder settings
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