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To stream a portrait video in a landscape 16:9 YouTube Live frame, scale the full clip to fit a fixed landscape canvas, then pad the unused space on the sides. This preserves the original image; setting FFmpeg’s -aspect 16:9 alone only changes display-aspect information and does not create a landscape composition.
Choose how to use the empty sides
A portrait image is taller and narrower than a 16:9 frame. Once it is fitted inside a landscape canvas, unused space remains at the left and right. Pick a treatment based on whether preserving every pixel or filling the frame matters more:
| Method | Original content | Side regions | Visual result and complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain padding | Preserved in full | Black or another solid color | Simple, consistent framing; the most reliable first setup. |
| Blurred background | Preserved in the foreground | Filled by an enlarged, blurred version of the clip | Fills more of the frame but requires a more complex filtergraph. |
| Crop | Some image content is lost | Can fill the frame | Use only when the removed edges are acceptable. |
| Stretch | All image content remains, but proportions change | Fills the frame | Distorts the portrait image; use only as a deliberate visual effect. |
Fit and center portrait video on a landscape canvas
Choose the output canvas first: for example, 1920×1080 for 1080p or 1280×720 for 720p. The following FFmpeg video filter scales the source down or up as needed while preserving its aspect ratio, centers it, and pads the remaining area. setsar=1 sets square sample aspect ratio.
-vf "scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1"Replace both pairs of dimensions with the same target canvas dimensions if you choose 1280×720 instead. The resulting frame is landscape while the portrait content remains uncropped and centered. FFmpeg documents the scale and pad filters, including padding to a 16:9 ratio. Filter options can vary by installed FFmpeg version, so confirm them against your build before relying on a command in production.
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Why -aspect 16:9 is not enough
FFmpeg’s -aspect option sets the video display aspect. It does not resize and arrange portrait pixels inside a new landscape frame. With stream copy, it affects container-level aspect information rather than changing any aspect information stored in encoded frames. Use scaling and padding to change the actual composition.
Set YouTube Live encoder parameters
YouTube’s current live encoder guidance lists RTMP or RTMPS transport; H.264, H.265 (HEVC), or AV1 video; frame rates up to 60 fps; AAC or MP3 audio; and constant bitrate (CBR) encoding. YouTube recommends RTMPS for encrypted transport, square pixels, a two-second keyframe interval, and says not to exceed four seconds.
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| H.264 output profile | YouTube-listed minimum bitrate | YouTube-recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
These figures are YouTube’s published guidance accessed in 2026, not a measurement of your clip or connection. Choose a bitrate your upload connection can sustain reliably; YouTube advises testing upload bitrate and selecting a quality that supports a stable stream. Don’t assume one bitrate suits every codec, resolution, frame rate, or connection.
Audio and color settings
- For stereo audio, YouTube lists 44.1 kHz sampling and 128 Kbps in its advanced settings.
- For 5.1 audio, it lists 48 kHz and 384 Kbps.
- For SDR, YouTube lists Rec. 709 and 8-bit depth. Its cited HDR guidance specifies H.265 and 10-bit; AV1 is not supported for HDR in that guidance.
Validate the picture and test the live feed
- Inspect the encoded output’s dimensions and sample aspect ratio to confirm the intended landscape canvas and square pixels.
- Preview the video: check that the portrait image is centered, fully visible, and not stretched or cropped.
- Check representative audio and motion, then confirm the chosen bitrate is sustainable on the upload connection.
- Set up a private or scheduled test stream and monitor YouTube’s stream health before relying on the feed.
YouTube Help says, “Make sure to test before you start your live stream.” It also advises testing with audio and motion similar to the planned stream and monitoring stream health during the event.
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