For a 4K 60fps YouTube Live stream, both AV1 and HEVC (H.265) are supported encoder-feed choices, and YouTube recommends the same ingest bitrate for each: 35 Mbps. Choose HEVC if the stream is HDR, because YouTube’s published guidance says AV1 is not supported for HDR. For SDR, use the codec that is available and stable in your OBS setup, then test the complete prerecorded-video-to-YouTube path before the event.
AV1 or HEVC: which should you choose?
| Decision factor | AV1 | HEVC (H.265) |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube 4K / 2160p at 60fps recommended ingest bitrate | 35 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
| HDR to YouTube | Not supported for HDR, according to YouTube’s guidance | YouTube identifies HEVC as its HDR video codec |
| OBS encoder availability | Depends on the OBS build, operating system and available hardware or software encoder | Depends on the OBS build, operating system and available hardware encoder |
| General format guidance | OBS describes AV1 as offering improved quality per file size over HEVC; this is not a controlled comparison of your particular source video | OBS describes HEVC as having broader editing-software support than AV1 |
The equal bitrate recommendation means YouTube’s table does not give AV1 a lower-bandwidth advantage over HEVC at 4K60. Its bitrate figures are recommendations, not guarantees of visual quality or a stable upload. For SDR, compare the encoders actually available to you and prioritize a reliable real-time encode and upload over a presumed codec winner.
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Use YouTube’s 4K60 ingest settings
YouTube’s English encoder guidance, retrieved October 3, 2026, lists these settings for 4K / 2160p at 60fps. The page does not show a publication year.
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|---|---|---|
| Recommended bitrate | 35 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| Minimum bitrate listed | 10 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
For either AV1 or HEVC, YouTube recommends CBR, a two-second keyframe interval, and a maximum frame rate of 60fps. It says not to exceed a four-second keyframe interval. Use the 35 Mbps recommended target rather than treating the listed minimum as the desired setting. The H.264 figures are included only as context; the question here is AV1 versus HEVC.
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YouTube also says 4K streams are optimized for quality at normal latency; the option to improve for low latency is unavailable at 4K. YouTube transcodes an incoming live stream into different output formats for viewers, so the encoder’s ingest codec is not a promise that every viewer receives that same codec.
When HDR makes the decision
If the prerecorded program is HDR and you intend to send it as HDR, select HEVC. YouTube names H.265/HEVC as its HDR video codec and says AV1 is not supported for HDR. OBS 30.1 release notes likewise stated that YouTube did not support AV1 HDR at that time; that release note describes the feature status at the time, not a guarantee about every later OBS build.
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For SDR, HDR compatibility does not break the tie: YouTube lists the same recommended 4K60 bitrate for both codecs. Check the signal path so that the source’s color format and OBS output are appropriate for the intended SDR or HDR stream; do not assume choosing a codec alone converts the source correctly.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsConfirm that OBS and your system expose the encoder
OBS added AV1 and HEVC streaming over Enhanced RTMP in version 29.1, initially describing the YouTube support as a beta feature. OBS’s March 2024 announcement discussed its work with YouTube on AV1 and HEVC e-RTMP support, and OBS 30.1 added HEVC HDR over RTMP. These release notes document feature additions at those versions; actual encoder choices still depend on your installed OBS configuration, operating system, drivers and hardware.
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OBS’s formats guide says hardware AV1 encoders are available on recent AMD RX 7000, NVIDIA RTX 40-series and Intel Arc GPUs; it also notes that software AV1 encoding is possible but requires a high-end CPU for real-time compression. Those are guide-level compatibility statements, not a guarantee for every card, driver or setup. Open the streaming output configuration in your installed OBS and verify that the desired AV1 or HEVC encoder is actually selectable before planning a stream around it.
Test the prerecorded video as a live feed
YouTube’s published encoder advice is for the incoming live encoder feed; it does not set a special codec rule for prerecorded content or document a dedicated OBS looping workflow. The codec decision therefore applies to the feed OBS sends, while the source playback and its behavior need their own end-to-end check.
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- Check the source file. Confirm its resolution, frame rate, SDR or HDR status, audio track and intended start, ending or loop behavior. Make sure OBS can play it as intended without stutter or audio drift.
- Set the YouTube ingest parameters. In OBS’s streaming output, select the available AV1 or HEVC encoder, configure CBR, target 35 Mbps for 4K60, set a two-second keyframe interval and keep the output at no more than 60fps. Menu labels can vary by OBS version and encoder.
- Check the upload connection under load. The upload must sustain the configured bitrate alongside normal network overhead. A bitrate recommendation does not guarantee your connection can maintain it; watch for dropped frames or instability during a test.
- Run a private or unlisted rehearsal. Set up the scheduled stream in YouTube Studio, connect OBS, then inspect the preview in Live Control Room. Check playback timing, frame rate, audio sync, color, and what happens at the end or on a loop.
- Start early on event day. YouTube recommends setting up the encoder ahead of time and starting at least 15 minutes before the event so you can preview and test the feed. Monitor the actual stream rather than relying only on OBS’s local preview.
What codec-efficiency claims do—and do not—tell you
OBS’s formats guide characterizes AV1 as improving quality per file size over HEVC in general. That is a broad format-level description, not a measured result for your particular prerecorded program, encoder, preset or OBS scene. YouTube’s equal 35 Mbps recommendation for AV1 and HEVC at 4K60 also does not establish that their pictures will look identical at that bitrate.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For a local recording or an editing archive, encoder choice can affect compatibility after the live event. OBS says HEVC has good editing-software support and AV1 is less well supported by editing software. That consideration matters if you need to reuse or edit a local file; it does not change YouTube’s ingest settings.
Troubleshooting common problems
- AV1 or HEVC does not appear in OBS: Check the installed OBS version, operating system, GPU or CPU encoder support, and drivers. If the option remains unavailable, use the codec that is exposed reliably rather than assuming a setting can be enabled in YouTube Studio.
- YouTube does not accept the stream or the preview stays blank: Confirm the selected output codec is supported for the configured YouTube ingest path and that OBS is using the correct stream key for the scheduled broadcast. Reconnect and use Live Control Room to inspect the incoming feed.
- Dropped frames or unstable ingest: Check whether the uplink can sustain the configured 35 Mbps plus overhead, and inspect OBS’s dropped-frame and encoder-load indicators. A codec does not compensate for insufficient upload capacity or an overloaded encoder.
- HDR looks wrong or fails to appear as HDR: Use HEVC for YouTube HDR, then verify that the source and OBS color settings are configured for the intended HDR signal. AV1 is not supported for HDR in YouTube’s cited guidance.
- Playback stutters, ends unexpectedly or drifts out of sync: Test the original file and OBS playback independently, then rehearse the entire live feed. Verify frame rate, audio track, start/stop behavior and loop configuration rather than changing codecs first.
Keep the stream running without leaving OBS on
If this is a one-off broadcast or you want direct control of the encoder, OBS lets you send the prerecorded playback from your own computer. For a stream that needs to stay live around the clock, StreamNeo is the cloud alternative to consider first: it loops uploaded video on YouTube while your computer is off, supports any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and gives the first day free.
Or let it run in the cloud
With StreamNeo, upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. Your video streams as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; there are no quality tiers or re-encoding. If YouTube drops the stream, StreamNeo automatically recovers. The first day is free with no card, and the Monthly price is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo streams to YouTube only. Start your free day on StreamNeo.
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