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Set OBS’s canvas and output to the shape you want—often 16:9—then fit and position the cartoon image within that frame. If the cartoon itself contains black margins, changing OBS’s output resolution or bitrate will not remove them; crop or reframe the image, or use a designed background to fill the unused space. Test the result in YouTube’s player before relying on the continuous broadcast.
Find where the black bars are coming from
Black bars can enter the picture in the source video, the OBS scene, or the output framing. Check each layer before changing settings: a frame that already has black margins needs a different fix from a source that simply does not match the canvas shape.
- Inspect the cartoon file. Pause on a representative frame and look at the image itself. If black margins are visible in the file, they are part of the picture and will remain unless you crop or reframe the source.
- Check the OBS preview. If the file fills its own frame but black bands appear around it in OBS, the source may not fill the canvas or may have been positioned with unused space around it.
- Check the YouTube player. Compare the actual live output with the OBS preview. The final player is the relevant check for viewers; do not assume that a clean-looking preview guarantees the encoded stream is framed as intended.
Set the OBS canvas and output shape
Choose the frame shape for the broadcast, then use matching aspect ratios for the OBS base canvas and output resolution. OBS’s Aspect Ratio Guide recommends producing at 16:9 for best results and gives 1920×1080 and 1280×720 as examples. These are examples, not requirements for every cartoon or channel.
In OBS, open Settings > Video and review Base (Canvas) Resolution and Output (Scaled) Resolution. Select values with the same intended aspect ratio—for example, 1920×1080 for both, or 1280×720 for both—if your content and output plan are 16:9. The canvas is the workspace for scene composition; the output resolution is the size OBS sends onward. A mismatch between them can change how the composition is scaled, but neither setting can remove margins already inside the cartoon image.
#1 Best Overall
- Experience seamless and high-quality video with the Mini Size 1 to 2 4K HDMI Splitter. Enjoy simultaneous playback of 4K and 1080P resolution on two screens with ease. This splitter features two HDMI outputs that can independently down-scale 4K to 1080P, making it perfect for use with older TVs or displays.
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- Please note that this HDMI splitter can only down-scale 4K/4KHDR to 1080P, and does not support options for up-scaling or ARC eARC VRR, NO CEC. It is recommended to use new HDMI2.0 cables, less than 3 meters in length, for best performance. Additionally, to get VRR or Down-scale 4K HDR D-o-l-b-y Vision, you can ask your seller to upgrade the Firmware.
- Setting up and using this splitter is hassle-free. Simply connect your devices, set EDID COPY, and adjust the scaler settings as needed. It is compatible with a wide range of devices such as Nvidia Shield, Xfinity box, Game Capture, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, PS4 Pro, X BoX series, Comcast, Soundbar, and more. It also features USB power and comes with a cable tie for easy installation.
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Resize the cartoon without damaging its proportions
In the OBS preview, select the cartoon source and adjust its bounds and position so the intended image occupies the canvas. Keep the image’s proportions unless distortion is an intentional stylistic choice. OBS documents a Scaling/Aspect Ratio Filter for setting a source’s new resolution or aspect ratio; use scaling thoughtfully and inspect the result in the preview.
| Framing choice | Does all cartoon content remain visible? | Does the art stay undistorted? | Does it fill the canvas? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit the complete image and fill the unused space with a background or overlay | Yes | Yes, if the source is scaled proportionally | Yes, if the background or overlay covers the remaining area |
| Enlarge the image until it fills the canvas | Not always; edges may be cropped | Yes, if enlarged proportionally | Yes |
| Stretch the image to the canvas | Usually, but composition may change | No; mismatched shapes can warp the artwork | Yes |
OBS cautions that stretching mismatched content can warp or distort it, and describes enlarging as an alternative that may move image content beyond the preview or canvas. See the OBS aspect-ratio guidance before choosing a crop or scale.
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- 1 input (1 Source) to 2 Output ( 2 Display) Supports HDMI 2.0 with EDID1 HD Source in to 2 HD Display - Supports Version 2.0 - Splitting one HDMI input signal into two HDMI output signals identical to the input signal. The device comes with a dual voltage supply using a US plug, and an adapter/converter is provided for international use.
- Resolutions up to 4K@60Hz, 2K@60Hz, Your able to Scale resolutions to match your TVs. UHDS-102A also supports HDMI 1.4, 1.3, 1.2.
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- Audio Extractor Analog Out or Optical Out : Supports 3D andLPCM,Dolby-AC3, DTS7.1, DSD/Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD master audio, Essentially all available audio options are supported
- Package Includes: 1 x UHDS-102 2.0 Splitter, 1 x DC 5V Power Adapter (100-240V, US Plug) and 1 x User Manual. 1 Year OREI Warranty and Lifetime Support
Choose between preserving the cartoon and filling every edge
Keep the whole cartoon
Scale the source proportionally so the complete image remains visible. If its shape differs from the canvas, use the available space for a background, artwork, or overlay rather than leaving plain black bands. This protects the art from cropping and distortion, but requires a deliberate design for the extra space.
Fill the frame by cropping
Enlarge the source proportionally until it fills the canvas, then check every edge. This avoids empty bands but can cut off character details, subtitles, or scene elements. Confirm that important content remains inside the visible frame throughout representative scenes, not just on one still image.
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- 【HDMI & Component Cables Included】This HDMI to Component scaler converter comes with HDMI & Component cables, no need to purchase any extra cables. Package list contains: 1 x HDMI to Component converter, 1 x integrated Component cable(0.8m), 1 x HDMI cable(1.0m), 1 x USB power cable(0.8m), 1 x user manual.
- 【Wide Compatibility】This HDMI to YPbPr converter converts HDMI signal into Component video and analog stereo R/ L audio signal. It allows you to connect HDMI sources to a Component display, such as HDTV, monitor, projector, ect. Widely used with Blu-ray DVD, STB, PS3, PS4, Amazon Fire TV Stick, PC and all kinds of devices with 1080P HDMI output.
- 【Built-in Scaler Function】With built-in scaler engine, this HDMI Component adapter can easily up-scales or down-scales HDMI signal into multiple resolutions of Component signals. You can select the most suitable output resolution by the switch button on the converter. It offers solutionto solve display problems when the source resolution is greater than the display.
- 【On-Screen Display】This HDMI to Component Converter supports OSD (On-Screen Display) for showing current input and output resolutions.
- 【Full HD 1080P & Plug and Play】The maximum input and output resolutions up to 1920 x 1080/60hz. No drivers needed, easy to install and operate. Plug and Play.
Stretch only if distortion is acceptable
Stretching can make a mismatched source cover the canvas, but it changes the geometry of characters and objects. OBS generally does not recommend stretching mismatched content. Prefer matching source and canvas shapes, adding a background, or accepting a considered crop.
Test the actual live output before leaving it on
- Play representative cartoon footage in OBS, including motion and any expected audio.
- Inspect the full canvas for bars, unintended cropping, and distorted shapes. Check more than a single frame if the video’s framing changes between scenes.
- Send a test stream or otherwise inspect the encoded output in YouTube’s player. Compare it with the OBS preview and verify the visible edges.
- Monitor YouTube’s stream health during the test. YouTube recommends testing with movement and audio similar to the planned stream and monitoring stream health; its encoder guidance is separate from scene composition and does not claim to remove bars embedded in a source image. See YouTube’s live encoder settings and stream-health guidance.
Bitrate controls the data rate of the stream, not the shape of the image. Raising or lowering it will not crop source margins or fill unused canvas space.
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- 【HDMI & Component Cables Included】This HDMI to Component scaler converter comes with HDMI & Component cables, no need to purchase any extra cables. Package list contains: 1 x HDMI to RGB scaler converter, 1 x integrated Component cable(0.8m), 1 x HDMI cable(1m), 1 x USB power cable(0.8m), 1 x user manual.
- 【Wide Compatibility】This HDMI to YPbPr converter converts HDMI signal into Component video and analog stereo R/ L audio signal. It allows you to connect HDMI sources to a Component display, such as HDTV, monitor, projector, ect. Widely used with Blu-ray DVD, STB, PS3, PS4, Amazon Fire TV Stick, PC and all kinds of devices with 1080P HDMI output. Note: Component output supports 480i & 576i resolutions.
- 【Built-in Scaler Function】With built-in scaler engine, this HDMI Component adapter can easily up-scales or down-scales HDMI signal into multiple resolution Component signals. You can select the most suitable output resolution by the switch button on the converter. It offers solution to solve display problems when the source resolution is greater than the display.
- 【On-Screen Display】This HDMI to YPbPr Converter supports OSD (On-Screen Display) for showing current input and output resolutions.
- 【Full HD 1080P & Plug and Play】The maximum input and output resolutions of this HDMI to Component converter is up to 1920 x 1080/60hz. No drivers needed, easy to install and operate. Plug and Play.
Troubleshooting black bars
- Bars are visible in the original video: Crop or reframe the source in your composition, or preserve the full image and cover the surrounding area with a designed background. Canvas and bitrate changes alone will not remove baked-in margins.
- Bars appear in OBS but not in the file: Check that the source is positioned and scaled to the canvas as intended, and review the canvas and output aspect ratios in Settings > Video.
- Bars appear in YouTube but not in the OBS preview: Inspect the encoded live output and compare its framing with the preview. Check the output resolution and test again before leaving the broadcast unattended.
- The cartoon looks too wide or too tall: Undo stretching and scale proportionally. Then choose a background to preserve the full image or crop carefully to fill the canvas.
- Characters or scene details disappear after scaling: The source is enlarged beyond the canvas edges. Reduce the scale and fill the leftover space, or adjust the crop so important details stay visible.
- Changing bitrate has no effect on the bands: Return to source and scene framing. Bitrate is not a framing control.
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos; it does not correct black bars in a source file or go live from a camera. Upload the cartoon recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Your computer does not have to stay on at home; each slot streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot, and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start your free first day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Smooth 4K to 1080p Downscaling – Effortlessly converts 4K HDMI signals to 1080p, ensuring older TVs, monitors, and projectors work seamlessly with modern 4K sources like Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices.
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- Stable & Reliable Signal Management – Built-in EDID and HDCP management guarantee smooth communication between devices, while the CEC block switch prevents unwanted device conflicts for uninterrupted performance.
- Flexible & Compact Design – Can be powered directly through HDMI or via USB-C for easy setup, with a slim, portable form factor that fits perfectly in entertainment centers, conference rooms, or portable AV kits.
- Package & Warranty – Includes 1x XD-3000 unit and 1x User Manual for quick setup. Backed by a 1-Year Warranty, ensuring long-lasting reliability and customer peace of mind.
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