How to Use Intel Arc AV1 Encoder in OBS Studio

This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough on how to configure OBS Studio to utilize the hardware-accelerated AV1 encoder on Intel Arc graphics cards. You will learn the system requirements, how to select the Intel QuickSync AV1 encoder within OBS, and the optimal settings for high-quality, low-bandwidth streaming and recording.

Prerequisites

Before configuring OBS Studio, ensure you meet the following requirements: * An Intel Arc Desktop or Mobile GPU (e.g., A380, A580, A750, A770). * OBS Studio version 29.0 or newer installed. * The latest Intel Arc graphics drivers installed on your system.

Step-by-Step Configuration

Step 1: Open Settings in OBS Studio

Launch OBS Studio. In the bottom-right corner of the interface, click on Settings (or navigate to File > Settings in the top menu).

Step 2: Switch to Advanced Output Mode

  1. In the Settings window, click on the Output tab in the left sidebar.
  2. At the top of the Output settings, change the Output Mode dropdown from Simple to Advanced.

Step 3: Configure the AV1 Encoder for Streaming

(Note: Ensure your streaming platform, such as YouTube, supports AV1 ingestion before using this for live streams.)

  1. Click on the Streaming tab.
  2. Locate the Video Encoder dropdown menu.
  3. Select QSV AV1 (QuickSync Video AV1) from the list.
  4. Adjust the encoder settings:
    • Rate Control: Set to CBR (Constant Bitrate).
    • Bitrate: Set between 6,000 Kbps and 8,000 Kbps for high-quality 1080p at 60 FPS (AV1 offers significantly better quality than H.264 at these bitrates).
    • Target Usage: Set to Balanced or Quality depending on your CPU overhead.
    • Profile: Set to main.

Step 4: Configure the AV1 Encoder for Recording

Using AV1 for local recording allows you to save high-quality footage with small file sizes.

  1. Click on the Recording tab.
  2. Set the Container Format (e.g., MP4 or MKV).
  3. Locate the Video Encoder dropdown and select QSV AV1.
  4. Adjust the encoder settings for recording:
    • Rate Control: Set to LA-ICQ (Look-Ahead Intelligent Constant Quality) or CQP (Constant QP) for variable bitrate recording based on visual complexity.
    • ICQ Quality / CQ Level: Set between 20 and 23 (lower numbers yield higher quality and larger file sizes).
    • Target Usage: Set to Quality.

Click Apply and then OK to save your settings. Your OBS Studio is now configured to leverage the dedicated AV1 hardware encoder on your Intel Arc GPU.