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Best settings for your streaming software
Best settings for your streaming software

Optimize your encoder's settings and improve your stream's quality.

Becca Mintz avatar
Written by Becca Mintz
Updated over 4 months ago

Align your settings with the guidelines of the platforms you stream to for a great streaming experience and high-quality output.


Restream Common Guidelines

While we have no set limitations, the following settings are a great starting point. 

Video Guidelines

  • Resolution: Up to 3840 × 2160

  • FPS: 30 or 60

  • Codec: H.264 (x264)

  • Mode: Strict CBR

  • Keyframe Interval: 2 Seconds

  • Max Bitrate: 15,000 Kbps

  • Min Bitrate: 500 Kbps

Audio Guidelines

  • Codec: AAC-LC, Stereo or Mono

  • Max Bitrate: 160 Kbps (AAC)

  • Sampling Frequency: 44.1 (AAC)


YouTube

YouTube has fewer limitations and offers superior quality options compared to alternative platforms. It is important to select a quality setting that aligns with your internet connection to ensure a consistent streaming experience.

For additional guidance, refer to YouTube's official guide.

Video Guidelines

Resolution / Frame Rate

Minimum Bitrate

Maximum Bitrate

2160p @60fps

10 Mbps

40 Mbps

2160p @30fps

8 Mbps

35 Mbps

1440p @60fps

6 Mbps

30 Mbps

1440p @30fps

5 Mbps

25 Mbps

1080p @60fps

4 Mbps

10 Mbps

1080p @30fps

3 Mbps

8 Mbps

720p @60fps

3 Mbps

8 Mbps

720p @30fps

3 Mbps

8 Mbps

  • Codec: H.264

  • Resolution: 240p-2160p

  • Bitrate: 3,000-40,000 Kbps, depending on your resolution and FPS

  • FPS: up to 60

  • Rate Control: CBR

  • Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds (recommended), max 4 seconds

Audio Guidelines

  • Codec: AAC or MP3

  • Bitrate: 128-Kbps for stereo or 384 Kbps for 5.1 surround sound

  • Sample rate: 44.1 KHz for stereo audio, 48 KHz for 5.1 surround sound


Facebook

Follow the parameters below for the best possible experience streaming to Facebook.

Video Guidelines

  • Resolution: Up to 1920 × 1080

  • FPS: max 60

  • Codec: H.264 (x264)

  • Mode: Strict CBR

  • Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds (recommended), max 4

  • Max Bitrate: 15,000 Kbps

Audio Guidelines

  • Codec: AAC, Stereo

  • Max Bitrate: 128 Kbps (recommended), max 256 Kbps

  • Sampling Rate: 44.1 Khz or 48 Khz


X

Follow the stream specifications below to create high-quality streams on X.

Video Guidelines

  • Resolution: 1280x720 (recommended), max 1920x1080

  • FPS: 30 (recommended), max 60 for 720p

  • Codec: H.264/AVC

  • Keyframe Interval: 3 seconds

  • Bitrate: 9,000 Kbps (recommended), max 12,000 Kbps

Audio Guidelines

  • Codec: AAC-LC

  • Bitrate: max 128 Kbps


Twitch

If you stream to Twitch, the main limiting factor is a maximal bitrate of 6000 Kbps. If you exceed that limitation, your viewers may not be able to watch your stream.

Video Guidelines

  • Resolution: 1920×1080

    • Streaming in 4K (3840x2160) resolution is currently in beta mode. For more details, contact Twitch directly.

  • Bitrate: 6,000 Kbps

  • Rate control: CBR

  • FPS: max 60

  • Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds

  • Preset: veryfast <-> medium

  • Profile: Main/High

  • Codec: H.264 (x264)

Audio Guidelines

  • Codec: AAC-LC, Stereo or Mono

  • Bitrate: 96 Kbps (recommended), max 160 Kbps

  • Sampling Frequency: any (AAC)


LinkedIn

LinkedIn has stricter requirements than other platforms - if your stream exceeds any of their requirements, especially the FPS, LinkedIn may not allow your stream to connect.

  • Duration: max 4 hours

  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9

  • Resolution: 720p (recommended), max 1080p

  • Frame Rate: max 30 fps

  • Key Frame: every 2 seconds

  • Bitrate: max 6,000 Kbps video; max 128 Kbps audio, 48 kHz sample rate

  • Encoding: H264 video, AAC audio

  • Protocol: RTMP


Instagram

Here are Instagram's recommended settings when using Live Producer.

Video Guidelines

  • Aspect ratio: 9x16 (recommended but not required)

  • Resolution: 720x1280 (recommended)

  • FPS: 30 (recommended), max 60. When using 60, the preview will display 30.

  • Video bitrate range: 2,250-6,000 Kbps

Audio Guidelines

  • Sample rate: 44.1KHz

  • Channel layout: Stereo

  • Bitrate: max 256 Kbps


TikTok

Below, you can see some of the recommended settings for your TikTok live.

Video Guidelines

  • Resolution: 1080p (recommended) or at least 720p

  • FPS: 60 (recommended) or at least 30 for gaming and 24 for lifestyle

  • Video bitrate: around 2,500 Kbps

  • Encoder: x264

Audio Guidelines

  • Bitrate: 160 Kbps or 256 Kbps

💡 Restream Studio automatically optimizes your stream settings for you.

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