Stream Layout Guideline

Horizontal or Vertical? Depending on where you want to broadcast your stream you may want to stream in one or both configurations! Find out what the differences are by reading below. There are also some resource videos embeded by professional streamer LAS Curry to let you see everything in practice.

Horizontal Stream

A standard horizontal stream (16:9 aspect ratio) is the traditional format for broadcasting on platforms like Twitch, Kick, and YouTube. Setting up your streaming software properly ensures your stream looks sharp, runs smoothly, and doesn't overload your computer.

Step 1: Configure Your Video Canvas

Before adding your graphics or games, set up your video dimensions:

  1. Open Settings and navigate to the Video tab.

  2. Set Base (Canvas) Resolution to 1920x1080 (this represents your main working screen).

  3. Set Output (Scaled) Resolution to 1920x1080 (for full HD output) or 1280x720 (if you have a lower-tier PC or slower upload internet speed).

  4. Set Common FPS Values to 60 (or 30 if your hardware struggles to maintain 60 FPS).

  5. Click Apply.

Step 2: Configure Your Audio Settings

Clear audio is critical for keeping viewers engaged.

  1. Navigate to Settings $\rightarrow$ Audio.

  2. Under Global Audio Devices:

    • Desktop Audio: Select your main headphones or speakers.

    • Mic/Auxiliary Audio: Select your main microphone (USB or Audio Interface).

  3. Click Apply and verify your audio levels in the Audio Mixer on your main screen:

    • Game/Desktop Audio: Should peak around the green/yellow border (-18dB to -12dB) so it doesn't overpower your voice.

    • Microphone: Should peak cleanly in the yellow zone (-12dB to -6dB) when speaking normally.

Step 3: Build Your Essential Stream Scene

Scenes act as layouts (e.g., Starting Soon, Main Gameplay, Be Right Back). Under your Sources dock, click the + icon to add your core elements:

  1. Game Capture (Primary Gameplay Feed):

    • Add a new source $\rightarrow$ Game Capture.

    • Set Mode to "Capture specific window" or "Capture any fullscreen application".

    • Tip: Using Game Capture uses less system resources than Display Capture.

  2. Video Capture Device (Webcam):

    • Add a new source $\rightarrow$ Video Capture Device.

    • Select your webcam/camera from the device dropdown.

    • Drag and resize the corners on your canvas to position your camera over your game.

  3. Overlays & Alerts (Browser Sources):

    • Add a new source $\rightarrow$ Browser.

    • Paste the URL provided by your alert platform (such as StreamElements or Streamlabs) for follow/sub alerts, chat boxes, or overlays.

Step 4: Stream Output & Bitrate Settings

Your bitrate determines the video clarity and stability of your stream.

  1. Navigate to Settings $\rightarrow$ Output.

  2. Change Output Mode from Simple to Advanced.

  3. Under the Streaming tab:

    • Encoder: Select hardware encoding (e.g., NVIDIA NVENC, AMD HW, or Intel QuickSync) to prevent CPU overload.

    • Rate Control: Set to CBR (Constant Bitrate).

    • Keyframe Interval: Set to 2 seconds.

    • Preset: Set to Quality or Medium.

Platform Bitrate Guidelines

  • Twitch: 6,000 Kbps (Limit for non-partners/affiliates at 1080p 60 FPS).

  • Kick: 6,000 Kbps – 8,000 Kbps (Supports up to 8,000 Kbps at 1080p 60 FPS).

  • YouTube: 8,000 Kbps – 10,000 Kbps (For 1080p 60 FPS; supports higher for 1440p/4K).

  • TikTok LIVE (via OBS / TikTok LIVE Studio):

    • 1080p (60 FPS): 6,000 Kbps (Requires a solid upload speed of 15+ Mbps).

    • 720p / Vertical Feed (60 FPS): 3,000 Kbps – 4,500 Kbps (Recommended starting point for mobile viewers to avoid stream buffering/lag).

Pro Tip: Make sure your total stream bitrate doesn't exceed 70-80% of your total internet upload speed. For example, if your upload speed is 10 Mbps (10,000 Kbps), keep your combined streaming bitrate under 7,000–8,000 Kbps for smooth broadcasting without dropped frames.

Horizontal Overlay Video Guide

To see what you just read in action watch the following videos by professional streamer LAS Curry who walks through the basics and more!

Vertical Stream

A vertical stream (9:16 aspect ratio) is optimized for mobile-first platforms like TikTok, Instagram Live, YouTube Shorts, and Twitch’s mobile feed. Because mobile screens display content vertically, structuring your layout correctly ensures your gameplay and camera are clear and easy to see on smartphone displays.

Choosing Your Setup Method

There are two primary ways to stream vertically in streaming software:

  1. Dedicated Vertical Canvas (Native OBS): Replaces your main canvas with vertical dimensions (best if you only plan to stream to mobile platforms).

  2. Dual Canvas (Aitum Vertical Plugin): Adds a vertical dock alongside your normal horizontal setup, allowing you to broadcast in 16:9 and 9:16 simultaneously without needing two separate PCs.

Step 1: Configure Your Vertical Video Canvas

Set up your video dimensions for mobile viewports:

Method A: Native OBS Settings (Standalone Vertical Stream)

  1. Open Settings and navigate to the Video tab.

  2. Set Base (Canvas) Resolution to 1080x1920 (swap the standard width and height).

  3. Set Output (Scaled) Resolution to 1080x1920 (or 720x1280 for low-bandwidth connections).

  4. Set Common FPS Values to 60 (or 30 for lower-end hardware).

  5. Click Apply.

Method B: Aitum Vertical Plugin Settings (Dual Horizontal + Vertical)

  1. Install the free Aitum Vertical plugin for OBS.

  2. Locate the Vertical Settings gear icon inside the Vertical preview dock.

  3. Set Resolution to 1080x1920 and Framerate to 60 FPS.

Step 2: Build a Staggered Vertical Scene Layout

Because mobile screens are narrow, stack your content vertically rather than placing elements side-by-side:

+-------------------+
|                   |
|    Webcam / Face  |  <- Top Third: Camera / Reaction Space
|                   |
+-------------------+
|                   |
|   Gameplay Feed   |  <- Middle / Lower Half: Scaled Game Capture
|                   |
+-------------------+
|  Alerts / Overlay |  <- Bottom: Recent Subs, Chat, or Goal Bar
+-------------------+

  1. Gameplay Feed:

    • Add a Game Capture source.

    • Scale and position the game feed in the center or lower portion of the screen.

    • Tip: Crop unnecessary side UI elements in your game so the central action fills the screen width.

  2. Webcam (Face Cam):

    • Add a Video Capture Device source.

    • Place your camera on the upper portion of the canvas so your head and shoulders are clearly visible above the gameplay.

  3. Mobile-Friendly Overlays & Alerts:

    • Keep text fonts larger than normal; small overlay text is hard to read on phone screens.

    • Position chat widgets or goal bars along the very top or bottom borders to avoid blocking key gameplay action.

Step 3: Configure Mobile Stream Output & Bitrate

Mobile feeds require specific bitrate targets to run smoothly without buffering on cellular networks:

  1. Navigate to Settings $\rightarrow$ Output (or the Vertical Streaming settings in Aitum).

  2. Set Output Mode to Advanced.

  3. Set Encoder to hardware encoding (e.g., NVIDIA NVENC, AMD HW, or Intel QuickSync).

  4. Set Rate Control to CBR.

  5. Set Keyframe Interval to 2 seconds.

Vertical Bitrate Guidelines

  • TikTok LIVE (1080p 60 FPS): 6,000 Kbps

  • TikTok LIVE (720p 60 FPS - Recommended Baseline): 3,500 Kbps – 4,500 Kbps

  • YouTube Shorts Live: 4,500 Kbps – 6,000 Kbps

  • Instagram Live: 3,000 Kbps – 4,000 Kbps

Pro Tip: Mobile viewers frequently switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Keeping your bitrate around 4,000 to 4,500 Kbps at 720x1280 (60 FPS) gives mobile viewers a smooth, buffer-free stream even on weaker cellular signals.

Step 4: Test Your Vertical Layout

  • Send a test feed or record a vertical clip to review on a mobile device.

  • Verify that your camera isn't covering essential in-game UI (like mini-maps or health bars) and that your text overlay remains crisp on a mobile display.

Vertical Overlay Video Guide

To see what you just read in action watch the following videos by professional streamer LAS Curry who walks through the basics and more!