Streaming Questions

[InfamousGeezer]

I have only just started streaming so I need to learn more about it.  Here is my PC/Specs - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/InfamousGeezer/saved/TyTLkL

 

1)  I'd like to know how to reduce the delay of my stream.  I'm using Twitch.

2)  I have a spare GPU (EVGA 1060 6GB) I could put into my PC.  Could that help my stream in any way?

3)  I can use both Geforce Experience or OBS to stream.  Which is better?

4)  OBS if I understand correctly allows you to stream with x264 (a CPU powered encoding) or NVENC H.264 (a GPU powered encoding)  Which is better for my system?

5)  I hear that Twitch limits you to 3500 bitrate?  Is this true and does Youtube allow higher bitrates when streaming?

 

The streams I have done so far have been running quite good at 720p @ 60fps.  I'd like to get the best and most stable stream possible.  Here's a link to my up and download speeds.  http://beta.speedtest.net/result/6494192197

 

**Request to the Admin of Linus Tech Tips Forum**  Can you please add a streaming forum since I have placed this into the PC Gaming forum as I thought it was the closest most relevant forum to post this in.

 

Thanks!

[Jade]

1. Get partner or associate status; the delay is primarily a result of Twitch giving your channel lower prioritization compared to their partnered streamers.
2. Nope. NVENC causes very little (or no) performance loss on any GPU that supports it.
3. GeForce Experience would be easier to set up but is far less flexible than OBS. I'd go with OBS.
4. Depends on what you're after; NVENC performs poorly at lower bitrates when compared to x264 but both should produce tolerable results. I'd try x264 and if you experience performance issues, either upgrade your CPU or switch to NVENC.
5. Twitch recently upped their global bitrate to 6000kbps. YouTube/YouTube Gaming officially supports bitrates up to 51,000kbps, however you'd need faster upload to get anywhere near that.

[InfamousGeezer]

38 minutes ago, Jade said:

1. Get partner or associate status; the delay is primarily a result of Twitch giving your channel lower prioritization compared to their partnered streamers.
2. Nope. NVENC causes very little (or no) performance loss on any GPU that supports it.
3. GeForce Experience would be easier to set up but is far less flexible than OBS. I'd go with OBS.
4. Depends on what you're after; NVENC performs poorly at lower bitrates when compared to x264 but both should produce tolerable results. I'd try x264 and if you experience performance issues, either upgrade your CPU or switch to NVENC.
5. Twitch recently upped their global bitrate to 6000kbps. YouTube/YouTube Gaming officially supports bitrates up to 51,000kbps, however you'd need faster upload to get anywhere near that.

Thanks Jade for your answers.  This now raises some more questions.

 

1)  Not sure how to get partner or associate status on Twitch since I'm a n00b.  I can always google search it.

2)  If Twitch now allows 6000kbps bitrate am I right in thinking that requires a 6mbps upload speed?  I have 9.60mbps upload speed so what would be an ideal bitrate for me?

[Jade]

9 hours ago, InfamousGeezer said:

Thanks Jade for your answers.  This now raises some more questions.

 

1)  Not sure how to get partner or associate status on Twitch since I'm a n00b.  I can always google search it.

2)  If Twitch now allows 6000kbps bitrate am I right in thinking that requires a 6mbps upload speed?  I have 9.60mbps upload speed so what would be an ideal bitrate for me?

1. Partner: Become a "big" streamer (my understanding is that it's a consistent 500+ viewership), Associate: I've seen people with as few as 10 consistent viewers getting offered associate status.
2. I'd give 6000kbps a try; if it makes you lag in online games, turn it down by 200-500kbps and repeat the last two steps until you no longer lag. Logically, you should be fine with 6000kbps off the bat, but ymmv.

[InfamousGeezer]

22 minutes ago, Jade said:

1. Partner: Become a "big" streamer (my understanding is that it's a consistent 500+ viewership), Associate: I've seen people with as few as 10 consistent viewers getting offered associate status.
2. I'd give 6000kbps a try; if it makes you lag in online games, turn it down by 200-500kbps and repeat the last two steps until you no longer lag. Logically, you should be fine with 6000kbps off the bat, but ymmv.

Thanks again Jade.  I'll try 6000kbps. 

[LogicalDrm]

About bitrate. I don't know if it has changed at some point, its been few years since I've last streamed. But on Twitch you don't get quality switcher unless you are partner. Which means your viewers need to have 5-10mbs download speed to watch 720p60 or higher resolution stream with 3500+ bitrate. Sure, most people are having that already or can do that on mobile even. But as beginner you could get good enough quality with 720p30 and 2500-3000 bitrate. It will be content over quality for many viewers who do channel surfing.

 

22 hours ago, InfamousGeezer said:

**Request to the Admin of Linus Tech Tips Forum**  Can you please add a streaming forum since I have placed this into the PC Gaming forum as I thought it was the closest most relevant forum to post this in.

There's suggestion forum for this. But tbh this and Software, Apps and Websites are good ones. Latter is better when questions are more about setting up stream, configuration and quality.

[KuJoe]

In regards to the bitrate on Twitch, there is no hard limit that I've found. I was streaming at 10Mbps and 20Mbps for a while without any issues. There are downsides to streaming at higher bitrates for new streamers (less viewers will be able to watch a 10Mbps stream than a 6000Kbps stream) and I read that Twitch will throttle streams under various circumstances. I think I stick around 6Mbps now.