How to Enable and Use SVT-AV1 in OBS Studio

This guide provides a straightforward tutorial on how to enable and configure the SVT-AV1 encoder for high-quality, efficient video recording in OBS Studio. You will learn how to access the encoder within your OBS settings, select the best configuration options for local recording, and optimize your CPU usage for a smooth recording experience.

Prerequisites

To use the SVT-AV1 encoder, ensure you are running OBS Studio version 29.0 or newer. Unlike hardware-accelerated AV1 encoders (such as NVIDIA NVENC AV1 or AMD AMF AV1), SVT-AV1 is a software-based encoder that runs entirely on your CPU. Because of this, a modern, multi-core processor is highly recommended to handle the encoding process without dropping frames.

Step-by-Step Configuration

1. Access the Output Settings

1. Open OBS Studio.
2. Click on Settings in the bottom-right Controls dock (or navigate to File > Settings).
3. Select the Output tab from the left sidebar.
4. Change the Output Mode dropdown at the top of the window from Simple to Advanced.

2. Select the SVT-AV1 Encoder

1. Click on the Recording tab at the top of the Output settings window.
2. Choose your preferred Recording Path and Container Format (MKV or fragmented MP4 are highly recommended to prevent file corruption in case of a crash).
3. Locate the Video Encoder dropdown menu and select SVT-AV1.

3. Adjust Encoder Settings

Configure the following encoder settings below to balance video quality and system performance:

• Rate Control: Set this to CRF (Constant Rate Factor). This is the ideal rate control method for local recordings as it maintains consistent visual quality by adjusting the bitrate dynamically.
• CRF Value: Set this between 20 and 26. Lower numbers yield higher visual quality but produce larger file sizes. A value of 22 is a great starting point for highly detailed 1080p or 1440p video.
• Keyframe Interval: Set this to 2 s (seconds).
• Preset: This setting controls the balance between compression efficiency and CPU usage. Lower numbers compress the file more but require substantial CPU power. For real-time recording, set the preset between 4 and 7. If you experience “Encoder Overloaded” warnings, increase this number to a faster preset (e.g., 6 or 7).

4. Apply and Test

Click Apply and then OK to save your new settings. Run a quick test recording while playing a game or running resource-heavy software to ensure your CPU can comfortably handle the SVT-AV1 encoding workload without dropping frames.