To stream a finished video as a 4K 60fps HDR YouTube Live broadcast, add it to OBS as a Media Source, configure OBS and YouTube for an HDR-compatible HEVC feed, and test the complete path before your event. The video must genuinely contain HDR information: a 4K60 file or an HDR setting alone cannot turn SDR footage into HDR.
YouTube’s documented OBS HDR workflow calls for OBS 30.1 or later, an HDR source, a compatible hardware HEVC encoder using Main 10, P010 (4:2:0), and Rec. 2100 PQ or HLG (YouTube recommends HLG). Your computer, OBS build, network connection, and YouTube ingest settings must all support the intended output.
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Check whether your source and computer can deliver 4K60 HDR
Inspect the video file
Check the source file’s resolution, frame rate, codec, and HDR transfer and color metadata. For a genuine 4K60 output, set the OBS output canvas and frame rate to 3840×2160 and 60 fps. If the source is SDR, scaling it to 4K or selecting an HDR output mode will not restore HDR highlights or color information.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchOBS Media Source supports common formats including MP4, TS, MOV, MKV, AVI, FLV, WebM, and GIF. A file’s extension does not establish that it is HDR; check its metadata and actual characteristics.
#1 Best Overall
- 4K60 Capture: Record in cinematic quality with crisp detail and vivid colors
- HFR Support: Play and capture in 1440p120 or 1080p240
- HDR10 Support: Capture brilliant HDR content with tone mapping on Windows
- Cross-Platform Compatible: Works with PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and more
- Analog Audio In: Capture in-game chat or commentary with 3.5mm input
Check the encoder and playback workload
YouTube’s documented OBS HDR setup requires OBS 30.1 or later and a hardware HEVC encoder that exposes Main 10 output and the required 10-bit HDR controls. Confirm that your installed OBS build and computer provide those options, and that the system can decode the source and encode HEVC Main 10 at 4K60 without falling behind. Requirements vary with hardware, operating system, and OBS build; no particular graphics card is guaranteed by these settings.
Add and configure the video in OBS
- Create or select a scene. In the Sources panel, add a Media Source and select the local video file.
- Choose playback behavior. Enable Loop if the video should restart at the end; leave it off for a one-pass event. Set whether playback restarts when the source becomes active and whether the source should disappear when playback ends to suit your scene.
- Set the output format. Set the output resolution to 3840×2160 and frame rate to 60 fps for the intended 2160p60 broadcast. Make sure the video fits the canvas as intended and that OBS is not inadvertently outputting a different resolution or frame rate.
- Check audio routing. Confirm that the file’s audio is present, synchronized, and routed into the program mix. Listen for unwanted desktop or notification audio before the event.
Configure the HDR encoder, protocol, and bitrate
Match OBS color settings to the real source
For YouTube’s documented OBS HDR path, select a hardware HEVC encoder, set its profile to Main 10, use P010 (4:2:0), and choose Rec. 2100 PQ or HLG. YouTube recommends HLG. Match the transfer function and color standard to the actual source rather than choosing PQ or HLG by guesswork.
Rank #2
- Multi-resolution & Ultra-wide Support— Capture with 3 Model Up to 4K60, 1440P 144, 1080P 240Hz with Passthrough Recording, perfectly matching PS5, high-refresh gaming PC and ultrawide 21:9 monitors. Whether you stream 4K gameplay from PlayStation 5, record smooth 1440P competitive matches or capture ultra-fluid 1080P 240FPS esports footage, the video capture card keeps original frame rate and complete screen ratio via lossless passthrough, no cropping or image compression during live streaming and video recording.
Select YouTube RTMPS or YouTube HLS if that option is available in your installed OBS version and suits the HDR route. YouTube’s HDR guidance allows RTMP(S) or HLS and says to leave manual resolution unchecked for HDR. If you use HLS, configure the stream key for HLS as well. Confirm the service and protocol options shown by your installation; available choices can vary by build.
Set bitrate and keyframes for 2160p60
YouTube’s live encoder guidance lists an ingestion range of 10–40 Mbps for 2160p60 AV1/H.265 and recommends 35 Mbps for 2160p60 H.264. For the HDR HEVC route, choose a bitrate within YouTube’s published AV1/H.265 range that your connection can sustain steadily. YouTube recommends CBR and a two-second keyframe interval, with keyframes no more than four seconds apart. These are YouTube’s published operating settings, not a guarantee of performance on a particular computer or network.
Rank #3
- 【1080P HD High Quality】Capture resolution up to 1080p for video source and it is ideal for all HDMI devices such as PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, DVDs, DSLR, Camera, Security Camera and set top box. Note: Video input supports 4K30/60Hz and 1080p120/144Hz. Does not support 4K120Hz/144Hz. Output supports up to 2K30Hz.
- 【Plug and Play】No driver or external power supply required, true PnP. Once plugged in, the device is identified automatically as a webcam. Detect input and adjust output automatically. Won't occupy CPU, optional audio capture. No freeze with correct setting.
- 【Compatible with Multiple Systems】suitable for Windows and Mac OS. High speed USB 3.0 technology and superior low latency technology makes it easier for you to transmit live streaming to Twitch, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, OBS, Potplayer and VLC.
- 【HDMI LOOP-OUT】Based on the high-speed USB 3.0 technology, it can capture one single channel HD HDMI video signal. There is no delay when you are playing game live.
- 【Support Mic-in for Commentary】Rybozen capture card has microphone input and you can use it to add external commentary when playing a game. Please note: it only accepts 3.5mm TRS standard microphone headset.
Test your upload capacity and leave headroom rather than treating an advertised peak speed as usable stream capacity. A bitrate that fluctuates beyond what your connection can reliably upload can cause an unstable ingest or dropped frames.
Connect to YouTube and verify the HDR stream
- Create or schedule the broadcast. In YouTube Live Control Room, create or schedule the live stream, then connect OBS using the stream key or account connection.
- Test before the event. YouTube advises testing before going live. Use motion and audio similar to the planned program, check that OBS starts playback as expected, and review YouTube’s incoming preview and stream-health indicators. First-time live-stream enablement can take up to 24 hours.
- Check HDR on a capable display. The Live Control Room preview does not display HDR colors, so its appearance alone cannot confirm whether the stream is HDR. Once the stream is available, play it on a supported HDR device and look for the HDR badge in the quality settings. Viewers on devices that do not support HDR receive SDR playback.
Troubleshoot common 4K HDR streaming problems
OBS does not show a hardware HEVC or Main 10 option
Check that OBS is version 30.1 or later and that the computer’s hardware encoder and installed OBS build expose compatible HEVC Main 10 HDR controls. YouTube’s documented live HDR path uses HEVC; do not assume a software H.264 encoder can provide it.
Rank #4
- 4K Capture Card for Gaming: Seamlessly capture and stream with PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch gameplay to Discord in 1080p or stunning 4K resolution. Perfect for Twitch, YouTube, and video streaming with OBS Studio and Streamlabs.
- 4K60 HDR and VRR Passthrough: Play at up to 4K60, 1440p144 or 1080p240 with HDR and VRR passthrough while recording for smooth gameplay on supported displays.
- VRR Recording and Ultrawide Support: Record VRR up to 1440p60 or 1080p240 with Streaming Center, plus 3440x1440 and 2560x1080 input support for 21:9 gaming.
- 5.1 Audio and OBS Workflow: Capture 5.1-channel audio on Windows with Streaming Center or Streaming Center Plug for OBS through the USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C connection.
- Console, PC, Mac and iPad Support: Capture unencrypted HDMI from PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2 or PC using Windows 10/11, macOS 13/14+ or iPadOS 17+.
Colors look washed out or wrong
Check that the source is truly HDR, that its PQ or HLG transfer function matches the setting in OBS, and that OBS is using P010 and the intended color space. Also check that HDR is enabled on the viewing display. Do not diagnose HDR color from the Live Control Room preview, which does not show HDR colors.
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YouTube does not offer 2160p60 playback
Verify the OBS output resolution and frame rate, then check ingest health. Allow YouTube to process the stream and produce viewer renditions. The available playback quality depends on processing and the viewer’s device and network; 4K HDR playback is not guaranteed on every device or connection.
Best Value
- 【4K 60Hz Ultra Capture & Passthrough】 Capture stunning gameplay in 4K@60Hz, 2K@144Hz, and 1080p@240Hz. Supports YUY2, NV12, and RGB24 formats for enhanced visual quality.
- 【Advanced VRR HDR Technology】 Enjoy superior image quality with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR) for smoother gameplay.
- 【Smart Display & Control】 Real-time operation parameters and a smart switch for easy display and ring light control—press and hold for 2-3 seconds.
- 【Broad Compatibility】 Seamless plug-and-play with Windows, macOS, and Linux—no driver installation required for easy integration with popular streaming software.
- 【Utility Software for Enhanced Control】 Download the PORTTA CapHub Utility (Windows/macOS) to customize video settings, adjust audio mixing, update firmware, and manage EDID/VRR modes for an optimized capture experience.
The stream drops frames or ingest is unstable
Reduce the bitrate or output demands to a level the upload can sustain consistently, then test again. Check network capacity rather than relying on the connection’s advertised peak upload speed.
The video stops when it reaches the end
Enable Loop in the Media Source properties if you want the video to repeat.
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If your goal is an always-on YouTube channel playing uploaded videos, StreamNeo is an alternative to running OBS on your own computer. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. The cloud service loops uploaded videos; it does not broadcast from a camera.
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- StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
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Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for uploaded-video streams to YouTube, not live camera input. See StreamNeo or compare billing periods. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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