OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It is widely used by gamers, content creators, and professionals for its versatility and flexibility. However, by default, OBS records videos in FLV format, which is not compatible with many media players and platforms. In this article, we will show you how to make OBS record in MP4 format, which is widely supported and easy to use.
Why Record in MP4 Format?
Before we dive into the technical details, let’s first understand why recording in MP4 format is important. MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is a digital multimedia container format that can store video, audio, subtitles, and other data in a single file. It is widely supported by media players, web browsers, and mobile devices, making it easy to share and distribute your recordings. MP4 also supports various codecs (compression-decompression algorithms) such as H.264, which can reduce the file size without compromising the quality. This means you can record longer videos without running out of storage space or sacrificing the visual fidelity.
How to Make OBS Record in MP4 Format
Now that we know the benefits of recording in MP4 format, let’s see how to configure OBS to do so. There are two ways to make OBS record in MP4 format:
Method 1: Use OBS Studio
OBS Studio is the most popular version of OBS, and it has a built-in feature to record in MP4 format. Here’s how to use it:
- Step 1: Open OBS Studio and go to “Settings” from the bottom-right corner.
- Step 2: Click on “Output” from the left sidebar.
- Step 3: Under “Recording”, change the “Recording Format” to “mp4”.
- Step 4: Choose the “Encoder” that you want to use. We recommend using “H.264” for its high compatibility and compression efficiency.
- Step 5: Set the “Bitrate” according to your preference. Higher bitrate means better quality but larger file size. We suggest using 5000-10000 kbps for 1080p videos and 2500-5000 kbps for 720p videos.
- Step 6: Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
- Step 7: Start recording by clicking on the “Start Recording” button from the main window.
- Step 8: Stop recording by clicking on the “Stop Recording” button or pressing the hotkey (default is “Ctrl + Shift + F12”).
- Step 9: Find the recorded MP4 file in the folder that you specified in the “Recording Path” under “Output” settings.
Method 2: Use OBS MP4 Plugin
If you are using an older version of OBS or prefer a more customizable approach, you can use the OBS MP4 plugin. This plugin adds MP4 recording support to OBS and allows you to configure various settings such as audio tracks, subtitles, and metadata. Here’s how to install and use it:
- Step 1: Download the OBS MP4 plugin from GitHub.
- Step 2: Extract the downloaded ZIP file and copy the “obs-mp4” folder to the “plugins” folder of your OBS installation directory (e.g., C:Program Filesobs-studioplugins).
- Step 3: Open OBS and go to “Settings” from the bottom-right corner.
- Step 4: Click on “Output” from the left sidebar.
- Step 5: Under “Recording”, change the “Recording Format” to “Custom Output (FFmpeg)”.
- Step 6: Click on “FFmpeg Output” and then “Output Settings”.
- Step 7: Enter the following command in the “Output Path” field:
-f mp4 -vcodec libx264 -preset ultrafast -pix_fmt yuv420p -profile:v main -level 3.1 -acodec aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 -ac 2 - Step 8: Customize the command according to your needs. You can change the video codec, preset, pixel format, profile, audio codec, bitrate, sample rate, and channels. Refer to the FFmpeg documentation for more information.
- Step 9: Click on “OK” to save the changes.
- Step 10: Start recording by clicking on the “Start Recording” button from the main window.
- Step 11: Stop recording by clicking on the “Stop Recording” button or pressing the hotkey (default is “Ctrl + Shift + F12”).
- Step 12: Find the recorded MP4 file in the folder that you specified in the “Output Path” under “FFmpeg Output” settings.
Conclusion
Recording in MP4 format is essential for anyone who wants to share their videos with others easily. OBS, being a powerful and flexible software, can be configured to record in MP4 format using either OBS Studio or the OBS MP4 plugin. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can make OBS record in MP4 format and enjoy the benefits of compatibility, compression, and convenience.
