Everyone is switching to twitch to livestream game content; therefore, the stability of the stream is a top consideration if you want your viewers to enjoy your content. Therefore, how to lower your twitch stream quality in a bid to deliver is a matter of concern that requires your attention.
So, how do you lower twitch stream quality? To lower twitch stream quality, start by visiting Twitch.tv, then select the streamer that you want to watch. Next, click the video, and on the bottom right, you will see a gear icon. Click on this icon to open the video settings, and you will see the menu item Quality. On the Quality section, you will see a list of different video quality options, and, if you are looking for lower data settings, click on it to lower your twitch stream quality.
On Twitch, the audience comprises viewers who follow their favorite streamers and do not know how to monitor the twitch data, especially when streaming for longer hours. I will help you know how you can lower the twitch stream quality for better data plans and streams.
If Twitch is using your internet bandwidth at an extremely fast rate, you may want to limit this by lowering the stream quality. If you are using Windows 10, ChromeOS, androidOS, macOS IOS, you can do this by opening the Twitch.tv website on your chosen browser and adjust the settings to fit your needs.
On your chosen browser, log into your account and open the stream that you want to watch. Next, click the gear icon and select the Quality option. This action will take you to the video quality menu on Twitch, and you will see streaming quality options, including 1080p60, 720p60, 480p, 360p, Auto, and 160p, that you can select from. The default quality is Auto, and you can select a lower quality setting to reduce the bandwidth use.
It is also possible to reduce Twitch stream quality from your phone using the mobile app. Start by opening your Twitch mobile app on your iOS or Android, then click the settings tab. From here, select the Video Quality and change the stream quality to low since, by default, it will be in Auto.
Since data usage can make you lower your video quality, it is worth knowing how much each quality setting uses. Finding this out is more technical than changing the video quality, but you can also do it yourself. The higher the video quality, the more the data you will use. Thus, if you want to lower your data use and still enjoy good video quality, the 720p quality is suitable.
To find out how much data each video setting uses, visit Twitch.tv on your chosen browser, open the streamer you want to watch, and click the video. On the bottom right of the video, click the gear icon to open the video quality settings.
Next, click the Advanced menu item to open the advanced menu, then click Show Video Stats. This action will open a small window on the top left, showing information about your video. In this window, you will also see how much data you are using to stream.
While the 720p is recommended, it is good to try several other settings and settle for the one that works for you. This is given that different devices can accommodate certain bit rates than others. Therefore, finding the right bitrate is a balancing act.
The end goal is to have a smooth stream to give your viewers the best experience. Also, when the bitrate is too high, it will take too much of your bandwidth and affect your capacity to play the games that you are streaming.
While a high bitrate results in a high-quality video, it reduces the number of your potential viewers since some internet connections and devices cannot handle very high bitrate videos. The goal is to get as many individuals as possible to view your content. Thus, while you can stream your Twitch channel at the highest 1080p resolution with 60fps, it is better to stick to 720p.
A lower bitrate is also suitable if you want a stable connection, translating to fewer issues for your viewers. Since a video stream sends continuous data, stability and consistency are more important than speed.
Finally, your optimal bitrate is dependent on your internet strength. You will have more options in higher stream resolutions with more frames per second with a stronger connection. Thus, before settling for the video settings, test your internet speed to know what you can stream seamlessly.
How To Improve Twitch Stream Quality?
The ability to deliver high-quality videos to your viewers on Twitch can build your brand and increase your figures. I will help you know how to do this with a few tips and give an extra edge to your broadcast.
Improving your stream quality goes beyond adjusting the quality settings to include equipment upgrades and a stable internet connection. You should also learn to set up your equipment and toggle with the different video settings for the best configuration.
While the above system upgrades have a cost implication, you should be willing to invest in them, especially if you have adapted streaming on Twitch as your full-time job.
Your internet connection is the first thing on the list that you should improve. As a twitch streamer, ensure your connection is reliable and stable. Generally, a Wi-Fi connection is unreliable for consistent streaming.
You will likely lose speed and strength, resulting in freezing and buffering, which are potential turn-offs for any audience. Thus, consider investing in an Ethernet connection from your router to your PC for the best stream quality if you are using Wi-Fi. If your router and PC location are such that this is impossible, consider buying a separate router or use a powerline adapter.
Internet speed is another priority if you want to improve your stream quality. Generally, you will need an upload speed of up to 10Mbps to stream high-quality 1080p at 60fps. To attain this speed with consistency, you may need to review your current plan with your ISP and consider a premium upgrade. This may mean a higher cost depending on your location.
With a good internet connection, you can now set up your devices to ensure a good stream. However, if you have low-standard equipment, this will not be possible. Thus, upgrading your streaming tools is vital. The first tool that you will upgrade is your computer.
If you have an old, slow device, then purchasing a new piece with advanced technology will take your streaming a notch higher. Secondly, you will need to upgrade your video source. With the 4K televisions already in use, using a substandard video quality will make your content archaic.
Thus, you should invest in a webcam or camera with a high resolution. Your camera should also have useful features like autofocus which considerably improve the video quality when streaming.
Audio is another mandatory upgrade if you want a quality stream. One of the options to improve audio is to wear a separate headset with a microphone when streaming. The other alternative is to get a USB microphone that you can plug into your PC. This way, you will deliver high-quality sound, almost similar to the one in studios, and your viewers will hear you clearly and enjoy the streaming.
Even with the best equipment, if you fail to set up your background and surroundings, your efforts may not reward you accordingly. This calls for efficient background preparation, such as eliminating background noise, setting your microphone at the ideal distance, and adjusting your lighting. To ensure your viewer gets the best audio, you should stream in a quiet place. This means insulating your streaming area to make it soundproof if a quiet place is not a possibility.
When setting your microphone, you should place it at least 6 to 12 inches from your face at a 45-degree angle. Where possible, change your background lighting. For the best shots, use bright LED lights behind the camera and additional light sources on your side and behind if necessary.
You should also set the camera at the correct angle. Depending on the final look you want to achieve, you can either zoom in or use a wider view shot. Lastly, clean up the background and remove clutter to ensure everything is presentable.
While sites like YouTube support 4K streaming, Twitch does not. This implies more attention to the frame rate on Twitch when improving your stream quality. The highest streaming rate you can achieve on Twitch is 1080p with a 60fps frame rate. At this frame rate, your viewers will get smooth and sharp broadcasts.
However, your internet upload speed may fail to cope with this streaming rate, so it is advisable to lower the resolution to 720p at 60fps. Alternatively, you can lower the frame rate to 30fps, below which you will experience pixilation, among other issues. This process is similar to lowering your video quality, only that you will pick the best resolution this time, depending on your connection.
Bitrate is another aspect to consider when improving your stream quality. If you are streaming at the highest resolution, it is advisable to set your bitrate between 3500 and 4000kbps. On the other hand, if you have a higher internet upload speed, you could push this to between 5000kbps and 6000kbps to attain a pixel-perfect stream. By all means, you should avoid going below 2000kbps for the best shot.
Finally, Investing in a good graphics card like NVENC or x264 codec will optimize your stream. Depending on your PC configuration, you have two streaming options. This includes NVENC and X264 encoders. The difference between these graphic cards is in the encoding quality setup. If you are using the NVENC codec, ensure you switch the ENCODER Preset to Max Quality.
On the other hand, if you are using x264 codec, your CPU Usage Preset will range from ultrafast to slow and whatever you will use here is dependent on your PC’S CPU. X264 utilizes most of your CPU, resulting in a lower FPS. Thus, if you want to use this encoder, start with ultrafast and try each preset until you settle for a suitable spot.
Given the wide presets available for x264, it is worth noting that for presets above Fast, your CPU should have 6+ cores. There is an ongoing debate on how the quality of NVIDIA NVENC and x264 compare though NVIDIA is consistently improving its encoder. Thus, the NVIDIA NVENC quality will be consistent depending on the encoder generation.
Finally, improving your twitch quality also means complying with Twitch terms of service. This implies avoiding sexual content, racial slurs, and violence. Featuring such content will result in account suspension, taking all your efforts to the drain.
Also, ensure you comply with copyright rules. Recently, Twitch has enforced stricter rules on copyrighted music. The good news is that there are many copyright free music available and not worth risking.
When streaming, you should always remember that the end goal is to provide a consistent high quality video to your viewers. Thus, if you are experiencing technical difficulties, it is wise to sort the issues first before streaming. You should also focus on building a brand that is attractive to your viewers and will prompt them. Lastly, make your streams interactive and create a rapport with them such that they will subscribe, and you can get paid.
Wrap Up
Twitch is becoming popular as a gaming streaming platform by the day, and individuals are quitting jobs to join and stream videos at a pay. A common concern with video streaming on Twitch is whether your viewers can stream quality videos consistently without lags and other connection issues that could frustrate their experience.
Bandwidth use is also a concern, especially if you have several household members streaming. The good news is that with a few mouse clicks, you can lower the twitch stream quality to accommodate your needs.
Finally, if you want to improve your stream quality, you will need to improve your internet connection and speed. You should focus on improving your setup skills and invest in good audio and video equipment. With the above in place, you can comfortably share quality and exciting content to ensure you get as many subscribers as possible for more income.
