Consider getting rid of local storage for archive in OBS. This method allows for the minimum amount of space being taken up on your physical storage devices. Remote storage is the most beneficial because it frees up disk space and because it can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. There are a few different ways to change where files go in OBS. And so you can choose the method that best suits your needs. For example, you can change the default download location in OBS Studio. You can also change the location of the ffmpeg log file. And finally, you can change the location of the OBS temp folder. Once you’ve changed the location of the OBS temp folder, you’ll need to restart OBS for the changes to take effect. Additionally, if you’re using a cloud storage provider, you’ll need to enter your login credentials into OBS.
Selecting the Output Directory
When recording or streaming in OBS, it’s crucial to choose where your captured files will be stored. The Output Directory preference allows you to specify the destination for your recordings and highlights. Here’s a detailed guide on how to select the Output Directory in OBS:
Step 1: Open OBS Settings
Launch OBS and click the “Settings” icon in the bottom-right corner of the main window.
Step 2: Navigate to “Output”
In the Settings window, click on the “Output” tab.
Step 3: Locate “Recording Path”
Under the “Recording” section, you will find the “Recording Path” field. This is where you will specify the Output Directory for your recordings.
Step 4: Choose a Location
Click the “Browse” button next to the Recording Path field. Navigate to the desired location on your computer where you want to save your recordings. Select the folder and click “OK” to confirm.
Step 5: Repeat for “Highlight Path” (Optional)
If you want to specify a separate location for your highlights, follow the same steps under the “Highlight Recording” section and choose a “Highlight Path.”
Step 6: Accept Changes
Once you have selected your Output Directory, click “OK” to save your settings. OBS will now save your recordings and highlights to the specified locations.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Recording Path | Specifies the destination for recorded videos. |
| Highlight Path | Specifies the destination for highlight videos (optional). |
Customizing the Output Folder
By default, OBS saves your recordings and screenshots to the “Output” folder in your computer’s user directory. However, you can customize this location to any folder you prefer.
To change the output folder, follow these steps:
- Open OBS and navigate to the “Settings” menu.
- In the “Output” tab, click on the “Browse” button next to the “Recording Path” field.
- Navigate to the desired folder and select it.
- Click on the “OK” button to save your changes.
You can also specify different output folders for recordings and screenshots. To do this, enable the “Separate Recording and Replay Buffers” option in the “Recording” tab of the Settings menu. Then, click on the “Browse” button next to the “Replay Buffer Path” field to specify a different folder for screenshots.
Advanced Output Folder Options
In addition to the basic output folder settings, OBS also provides some advanced options that you can configure. These options include:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Recording Format | The format in which your recordings will be saved. The available options are MP4, MKV, MOV, FLV, and TS. |
| Encoder | The encoder that will be used to compress your recordings. The available options are x264, H264, and NVENC. |
| Bitrate | The bitrate of your recordings. The higher the bitrate, the better the quality of your recordings, but also the larger the file size. |
| FPS | The frame rate of your recordings. The higher the FPS, the smoother your recordings will be, but also the larger the file size. |
| Keyframe Interval | The interval at which keyframes are inserted into your recordings. Keyframes are important for editing and playback, and a smaller keyframe interval will result in better quality, but also a larger file size. |
Storing Recordings in a Specific Location
OBS provides a default storage location for recordings, but you can change this location to a custom folder of your choice. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open OBS and click on the “Settings” icon in the bottom right corner of the main window.
- Navigate to the “Output” tab.
- Under the “Recording” section, click on the “Browse” button next to the “Recording Path” field. This will open a file explorer window.
Locate the folder where you want to store your recordings and select it. Then, click on the “Select Folder” button to save the changes.
OBS will now store all recordings in the specified folder. You can check the location of your recordings at any time by opening the “File” menu and selecting “Show Recordings Folder”.
Customizing the Recording File Name
In addition to changing the storage location, you can also customize the file name of your recordings. To do this, click on the “Recording Format” drop-down menu and select “Custom”. Then, enter the desired file name format in the “Custom Format String” field.
You can use the following placeholders in your custom format string:
| Placeholder | Description |
|---|---|
| %y | Year |
| %m | Month |
| %d | Day |
| %h | Hour |
| %M | Minute |
| %S | Second |
| %n | Recording name |
For example, the following custom format string would create a file name in the following format:
%y-%m-%d_%h-%M-%S_%n
This would create a file name like the following:
2023-03-08_14-32-15_My Recording
You can use any combination of placeholders to create a custom file name that meets your needs.
Setting Default Output Paths
OBS allows you to specify the default locations where your recordings and other files are saved. This can be useful if you want to keep your files organized or if you want to save them to a specific location on your hard drive.
To set the default output paths, follow these steps:
- Open OBS and go to the Settings menu.
- Click on the Output tab.
- In the Recording section, select the default output folder for your recordings.
- In the Advanced section, you can set the default output folder for your logs, screenshots, and other files.
Here is a table summarizing the different default output paths that you can set in OBS:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Recording Path | The default folder where your recordings will be saved. |
| Replay Buffer Folder | The default folder where your replay buffer files will be saved. |
| Logs Folder | The default folder where your OBS logs will be saved. |
| Screenshots Folder | The default folder where your OBS screenshots will be saved. |
Changing File Format Options
OBS offers a wide range of file formats for recording and streaming, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. By default, OBS records in FLV format, a proprietary format that offers small file sizes but limited editing compatibility. To change the file format, follow these steps:
- Open the OBS Settings menu.
- Navigate to the “Output” tab.
- Under “Recording Format,” select the desired format from the drop-down menu.
- Choose an encoder from the “Encoder” drop-down menu.
- Configure the following additional options for the selected encoder:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Bitrate | The amount of data transferred per second, affecting file size and quality. |
| Keyframe Interval | The frequency at which keyframes are inserted into the recording, affecting editing flexibility. |
| Preset | A predefined set of encoder settings that optimize performance and quality for specific scenarios. |
| Profile | The specific level of performance and quality desired, affecting file size and compatibility. |
| Tune | A set of optimizations applied to the encoder based on the intended use, such as live streaming or file recording. |
After making the desired changes, click “Apply” to save the settings and “OK” to close the Settings menu.
Adjusting Video and Audio Quality
Configure the quality of your video and audio streams to optimize them for your specific streaming needs. Here’s how:
Video Settings
Under the “Video” tab:
- Encoder: Choose the encoder you want to use for video compression (e.g., H.264, HEVC).
- Bitrate: Adjust the bitrate (in kbps) to control the video quality and bandwidth usage.
- FPS: Set the frame rate for your video stream (e.g., 30 FPS, 60 FPS).
- Resolution: Select the desired resolution for your video stream (e.g., 1280x720, 1920x1080).
Audio Settings
Under the “Audio” tab:
- Encoder: Choose the audio codec for compression (e.g., AAC, MP3).
- Bitrate: Adjust the bitrate (in kbps) for the audio stream to balance quality and bandwidth.
- Sample Rate: Set the sample rate for the audio stream (e.g., 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz).
Advanced Video Encoding
Access the “Advanced” tab under “Video” for finer control over video encoding:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Keyframe Interval | Intervals between keyframes (in seconds) for smoother transitions. |
| GOP Size | Size of the Group of Pictures (GOP) for more efficient encoding. |
| B-Frames | Enable or disable B-frames for improved compression at the cost of processing power. |
| Psycho Visual Tuning | Adjusts the encoding process to enhance perceived video quality. |
Optimizing File Size and Bitrates
Video Settings
Encoding settings determine file size and quality. Lower bitrates reduce file size but can decrease image quality. Find a balance to optimize file size and visual quality.
Recommended settings for optimal quality and file size:
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Bitrate | 10,000 kbps |
| Resolution | 1080p or higher |
| Framerate | 60 FPS or higher |
Audio Settings
Audio settings also affect file size. Lower sample rates and bit depths reduce file size while maintaining clarity.
Recommended settings:
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Sample Rate | 48 kHz |
| Bit Depth | 24 bits |
Encoder Settings
Encoders determine how video and audio data is compressed. Choose an encoder optimized for the desired file size and quality.
Recommended encoders:
| Encoder | Suitable for |
|---|---|
| x264 | Video streaming and archiving |
| VP9 | Video streaming and web playback |
| AAC | Audio streaming and podcasts |
Downscaling File
Downscaling large files to smaller resolutions reduces file size without compromising quality significantly. Use video editing software to downscale to the desired resolution, maintaining the original aspect ratio.
Trimming Unnecessary Footage
Remove unnecessary clips to reduce file size. Use video editing software to trim footage that is not essential for the final product.
Optimizing for Specific Platforms
Different platforms have specific file size and bitrate limitations. Research the limitations for your target platforms and optimize your files accordingly.
Managing Multiple Output Destinations
Introduction
OBS Studio provides the flexibility to manage multiple output destinations, allowing you to simultaneously record and stream your content to different locations. This capability is particularly useful for setups where you want to archive your recordings while also broadcasting them live.
Setting Up Output Destinations
To set up multiple output destinations, navigate to the “Output” tab in the OBS Studio settings menu. Under the “Output Mode” section, select “Multiview” from the dropdown menu. This will create separate output instances for each destination you create.
Creating Output Instances
To create an output instance, click the “+” button in the “Outputs” section. This will open a dialog box where you can configure the destination settings. You can choose to record a file locally, stream to a streaming platform, or both.
Customizing Output Settings
For each output instance, you can customize various settings such as the recording format, bitrate, and encoder. By adjusting these settings, you can optimize the output quality and performance according to your specific requirements.
Managing Output Priority
OBS Studio allows you to prioritize different output destinations. This is useful if you want to ensure that certain destinations receive a higher bitrate or encoder priority. To set a priority, click on the output instance and use the up and down arrow buttons to adjust its position in the list.
Monitoring Output Status
The “Output Status” tab provides a real-time view of the status of all active output destinations. You can observe the bitrate, encoder load, and any potential errors that might occur during the recording or streaming process.
Troubleshooting Output Issues
If you encounter any issues with your output destinations, first check the status tab for any error messages. Common issues include insufficient bandwidth, incorrect encoder settings, or firewall restrictions. Consult the OBS Studio documentation or online forums for specific troubleshooting guidance.
Creating Custom Output Templates
Obs Studio provides the flexibility to customize where your exported files go. You can create custom output templates with specific naming conventions and locations to streamline your workflow and organize your recordings seamlessly.
Setting Up Custom Output Templates
To create a custom output template, follow these steps:
- Open Obs Studio and navigate to “Settings” > “Output” > “Recording” > “Output Mode”.
- Select “Custom Output (FFmpeg)”.
- Click on the “Output File Type” dropdown and choose the desired format (e.g., MP4, FLV, MKV).
- Click on the “Browse” button and select the default folder where you want your recordings to be saved.
- Customize the “File Name Pattern” using placeholders like {filename}, {date}, {time}, {resolution}, etc., to create dynamic naming conventions.
- Add any additional encoding settings or filters as needed.
- Click “OK” to save your custom output template.
You can create multiple custom output templates for different purposes, such as saving high-quality recordings for archiving or generating smaller files for quick sharing.
Using Custom Output Templates
Once you have created custom output templates, you can use them when starting a new recording or streaming session:
- In the main Obs Studio interface, click on the “Settings” button in the bottom-left corner.
- Navigate to “Output” > “Recording” > “Output Mode”.
- Select your desired custom output template from the dropdown list.
- Start your recording or streaming session.
Your recordings will now be saved according to the specifications defined in your custom output template, providing you with a convenient and organized workflow.
| Template | File Name Pattern | File Location |
|---|---|---|
| High-Quality Archive | {filename}_{date}_{time}.mp4 | /Recordings/Archives |
| Quick Share | {filename}_small.{flv} | /Recordings/Shares |
Troubleshooting Output Issues
If you’re having trouble getting OBS to output your recordings where you want them to go, here are a few things to check:
1. Make sure you have the correct output directory set in OBS settings.
To do this, go to Settings > Output > Recording and select the directory you want to use for your recordings.
2. Make sure OBS has permission to write to the output directory.
If you’re trying to save your recordings to a location that requires administrator privileges, you may need to run OBS as an administrator.
3. Make sure your antivirus software isn’t blocking OBS from writing to the output directory.
Some antivirus programs can block certain applications from writing to specific directories. If you think this might be the case, try disabling your antivirus software and see if that fixes the problem.
4. Make sure you have enough free space on the drive where you’re trying to save your recordings.
If your drive is full, OBS won’t be able to write any more recordings to it.
5. Try restarting OBS.
Sometimes, simply restarting OBS can fix output issues.
6. Update your graphics drivers.
Outdated graphics drivers can sometimes cause problems with OBS output.
7. Reinstall OBS.
If all else fails, you can try reinstalling OBS. This will reset all of your settings to their defaults, so be sure to back up your settings before you do this.
Output File Formats:
OBS supports a variety of output file formats, including MP4, FLV, MKV, and MOV. The best format to use will depend on your specific needs.
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
| MP4 | A widely-supported format that is compatible with most video players. |
| FLV | A format that is commonly used for online video streaming. |
| MKV | A format that supports a wide range of video and audio codecs. |
| MOV | A format that is commonly used for video editing. |
How to Change Where Files Go in OBS
OBS is a powerful streaming and recording software that allows you to capture and share your screen, webcam, and microphone. By default, OBS saves your recordings to your computer’s hard drive. However, you can change the save location to any folder or drive that you want.
Here’s how to change the save location for your OBS recordings:
Open OBS and click on the “Settings” button in the bottom-right corner.
In the “Settings” window, click on the “Output” tab.
Under the “Recording” section, click on the “Browse” button next to the “Recording Path” field.
In the “Browse for Folder” window, navigate to the folder where you want to save your OBS recordings. Select the folder and click on the “OK” button.
Click on the “OK” button in the “Settings” window to save your changes.
Your OBS recordings will now be saved to the new location that you specified.
People Also Ask
How do I change where OBS saves screenshots?
By default, OBS screenshots are saved to the “Pictures” folder on your computer. However, you can change the save location by following these steps:
Open OBS and click on the “Settings” button in the bottom-right corner.
In the “Settings” window, click on the “Output” tab.
Under the “Screenshot” section, click on the “Browse” button next to the “Screenshot Path” field.
In the “Browse for Folder” window, navigate to the folder where you want to save your OBS screenshots. Select the folder and click on the “OK” button.
Click on the “OK” button in the “Settings” window to save your changes.
How do I change where OBS saves replays?
By default, OBS replays are saved to the “Videos” folder on your computer. However, you can change the save location by following these steps:
Open OBS and click on the “Settings” button in the bottom-right corner.
In the “Settings” window, click on the “Output” tab.
Under the “Replay” section, click on the “Browse” button next to the “Replay Path” field.
In the “Browse for Folder” window, navigate to the folder where you want to save your OBS replays. Select the folder and click on the “OK” button.
Click on the “OK” button in the “Settings” window to save your changes.