Last updated: 2026-01-20

If you care about high-resolution video, start with a browser studio like StreamYard for easy 1080p live streaming and local high-quality recordings, then move to an encoder like OBS or Streamlabs only when you truly need full 4K workflows. For advanced post-production, pair local 4K recording (StreamYard or Riverside) with 1080p live output and edit the 4K files later.

Summary

• For most creators, 1080p live plus high-quality local recordings is the sweet spot.
• We support 1080p live streaming and 4K local recordings on eligible paid plans, while live streams remain capped at 1080p. (StreamYard)
• Encoder tools like OBS and Streamlabs can push 4K if your hardware, bandwidth, and destination platform allow it. (Red5)
• Other browser studios like Riverside and Restream Studio also cap live output at 1080p, even when they provide 4K local or external-encoder options. (Riverside, Restream)

What does “high resolution” really mean for live streaming?

When people search for streaming software for high resolution, they usually mean one of three goals:

1. Crisp live video that looks great on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, or similar platforms.
2. Edit-ready recordings in as high a resolution as possible (often 4K) for repurposed clips.
3. Future-proof quality, even if most viewers watch on phones.

Here’s the practical reality:

• Most social platforms display live streams at 1080p or lower for viewers.
• Pushing 4K live requires serious upload bandwidth and powerful hardware.
• In many workflows, local 4K recording + 1080p live gives you the best balance of quality, reliability, and simplicity.

We design StreamYard around that balance: studio-quality 1080p live output, plus the option for high-resolution local recordings that you can download for editing. (StreamYard)

Can I stream in 4K with StreamYard?

Short answer: live, no; recordings, yes.

• Our current maximum live-stream resolution is 1080p. (StreamYard)
• We offer 4K local recordings that you can download. (StreamYard)
• Our live bitrate for 1080p is 4500 kbps, which is optimized for stable broadcast to major destinations. (StreamYard)

In practice, here’s how creators in the U.S. typically use this:

• Go live in 1080p to reach audiences on multiple platforms at once.
• Download high-quality local recordings after the show to cut short-form clips, courses, or polished replays.

You also get a simple, browser-based experience: guests join without downloads, which many users describe as passing the “grandparent test” and being easier than tools like OBS or Streamlabs.

Which software records 4K locally but streams 1080p?

If you want 4K files for editing and 1080p for live viewers, you have a few options.

StreamYard

• Live: Up to 1080p.
• Recording: 4K local files. (StreamYard)

This is ideal if you:

• Want a low-friction guest experience (no downloads, simple links).
• Care about reliability more than ultra-complex scenes.
• Need multistreaming and a studio feel without a steep learning curve.

Riverside

• Recording: Local recording in up to 4K video, assuming your gear supports it. (Riverside)
• Live streaming: Up to 1080p Full HD, depending on your internet speed and the platform you’re streaming to. (Riverside)

Riverside leans heavily into local recording workflows. Some creators pick it when they’re focused on podcast-style production and can accept a bit more complexity or fewer seats compared with what we prioritize for live shows and multi-seat studios.

Restream Studio

• Live in Restream Studio: Highest resolution is Full HD (1080p). (Restream)
• External encoder: If you use OBS or another encoder with Restream, the resolution restriction from Restream Studio does not apply, so you can push higher resolutions if the destination supports it. (Restream)

For most workflows where you’re balancing ease-of-use, remote guests, and professional output, 4K local recording plus 1080p live is the practical sweet spot. That’s the workflow we focus on at StreamYard.

OBS vs StreamYard vs Riverside for high-resolution streaming and recording

Let’s look at how these tools handle high resolution and who they’re best for.

OBS Studio

• Free, open-source desktop encoder.
• Supports 4K recording and streaming, assuming your hardware system and platform can handle it. (Red5)
• OBS documentation recommends at least 8GB RAM, a modern multi-core CPU, and a dedicated GPU for optimal performance. (OBS Help)

Best fit when:

• You want maximum control over scenes, inputs, and encoding settings.
• You have the hardware, time, and experience to tune everything.

Many creators start with OBS and then move to us for ease of use, because they find encoder setups too convoluted for regular live shows.

Streamlabs Desktop

• Built on the same engine as OBS, with a more guided interface.
• Supports advanced features like HDR and 10-bit color, and notes that 4K streaming is possible to destinations such as YouTube when configured correctly. (Streamlabs)

Best fit when:

• You’re a PC-based creator who wants deep customization and overlays.
• You’re comfortable running heavier software locally.

Riverside

• Up to 4K local recording; live streaming up to 1080p. (Riverside)
• Strong fit for studio-style podcasts with limited seats and heavy post-production.

StreamYard

We aim to be the default for live, multi-guest, multi-platform shows:

• Up to 1080p live output.
• 4K local recordings on eligible plans. (StreamYard)
• Browser-based, no software to install for you or your guests.
• Many users cite ease of use and quick learning curve compared to pro encoders, which means they can go live confidently without babysitting settings.

For high-resolution workflows, we’re opinionated:

• Use StreamYard when your priority is reliable 1080p live + high-quality recordings + smooth guest experience.
• Add an encoder like OBS or Streamlabs only when you truly need full 4K live or ultra-granular control.

How much upload bandwidth is required to stream 4K?

If you decide to go beyond 1080p and use an encoder with platforms like YouTube, bandwidth becomes critical.

YouTube’s recommended live bitrates for 4K are roughly: (Restream YouTube Bitrate Guide)

• 2160p @ 30 fps: around 30 Mbps video bitrate.
• 2160p @ 60 fps: around 35 Mbps video bitrate.

That means your upload speed should comfortably exceed those numbers to allow for overhead, audio, and network fluctuations. In the U.S., many home connections simply can’t sustain that reliably during a long live broadcast.

This is one big reason we see many serious creators stick with 1080p for live and reserve 4K for local recording and editing.

Can I multistream 4K to multiple platforms at once?

Technically, if you:

• Use an encoder like OBS.
• Have enough upload bandwidth.
• Stream to platforms that accept 4K live.

…you can send a 4K signal to a service like Restream, which can then distribute it. Restream notes that when you use an external encoder with them, their Studio resolution limits do not apply. (Restream)

But there are trade-offs:

• Complexity: You manage encoders, scenes, and profiles.
• Hardware load: 4K at high bitrates is demanding.
• Real-world benefit: Many viewers will still see a 1080p (or lower) rendition.

Our philosophy at StreamYard is to make multistreaming simple and reliable at up to 1080p, then give you high-resolution files for repurposing. For most creators, that’s what actually grows their audience and business.

What we recommend

• For most creators: Use StreamYard for 1080p multistreaming and high-quality local recordings; focus on content, not encoder tweaking.
• For post-production heavy workflows: Combine 4K local recordings (StreamYard or Riverside) with 1080p live, then edit the 4K files for courses, clips, and replays.
• For niche 4K live needs: Use OBS or Streamlabs, plus a platform that supports 4K, and ensure you have strong hardware and upload bandwidth.
• When in doubt: Start simple with StreamYard’s browser studio, test your workflow, then layer in encoders only if you hit a real limitation.