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For prerecorded footage sent through an encoder as a YouTube Live event, set the incoming stream to 720p and use YouTube’s live-ingestion bitrate recommendations: 8 Mbps for H.264 or 6 Mbps for AV1 or H.265/HEVC. YouTube lists the same targets for 720p30 and 720p60. If you mean uploading a video file normally through YouTube Studio, use the separate upload recommendations instead: 5 Mbps for 24, 25, or 30 fps, or 7.5 Mbps for 48, 50, or 60 fps.
The key distinction is the delivery path: prerecorded footage transmitted as a live event uses live encoder settings; a file uploaded to YouTube uses upload encoding settings.
Choose the right 720p workflow
“Pre-recorded video” can mean either footage played into a live encoder or a video file uploaded through YouTube Studio. The first arrives at YouTube as a live stream, even though it was recorded earlier. The second is a conventional video upload. YouTube publishes different bitrate guidance for each.
- Sending footage as a live event: use YouTube’s live encoder settings below. YouTube live encoder settings
- Uploading a video file: use the upload recommendations in the dedicated section below. YouTube video upload encoding settings
These are YouTube’s published recommendations; the pages do not show a publication date for the figures. A bitrate target cannot guarantee a stable stream if your upload connection cannot sustain it.
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720p live bitrate recommendations
For live ingestion, YouTube’s table gives the following minimum and recommended video bitrates. The figures are identical at 30 and 60 fps within each codec group.
| 720p live input | Minimum video bitrate | Recommended video bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 30 fps, AV1 or H.265/HEVC | 2 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
| 60 fps, AV1 or H.265/HEVC | 2 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
| 30 fps, H.264 | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 60 fps, H.264 | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
These are video bitrate figures. Use the recommended value if your connection can reliably sustain it; the minimum is not a promise of consistent delivery. Choose the frame rate that matches the source footage rather than assuming 60 fps will improve a recording made at a lower frame rate. YouTube transcodes a live stream into multiple playback formats for viewers, so you do not need to encode every viewer resolution yourself.
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Configure the live encoder
YouTube’s live settings support RTMP or RTMPS, with RTMPS recommended as the secure extension to RTMP. The documented video codecs are H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1; frame rates can be up to 60 fps.
- Set resolution and frame rate. Use 1280 × 720 and the source’s frame rate, up to 60 fps. YouTube recommends automatic detection by default.
- Choose the live bitrate from the table. At 720p, use 8 Mbps recommended for H.264 or 6 Mbps for AV1/H.265; use the applicable lower minimum only where necessary.
- Set bitrate mode to CBR. YouTube lists constant bitrate encoding for live streaming.
- Set the keyframe interval to two seconds. YouTube recommends two seconds and says not to exceed four seconds.
- Use compatible audio settings. YouTube lists AAC or MP3. Its advanced settings specify 44.1 kHz stereo or 48 kHz for 5.1 audio, with 128 kbps stereo or 384 kbps 5.1. 5.1 surround sound over RTMP/RTMPS is supported only with AAC.
YouTube’s advanced video settings specify square pixels, progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame, and CABAC. For color, the listed options are Rec. 709 for SDR and 8-bit SDR or 10-bit HDR. Match settings to your source and encoder’s available options.
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Resolution selection in Live Control Room
If you leave resolution selection on automatic detection, YouTube detects the incoming resolution and frame rate. If you need to select a resolution manually in Live Control Room, YouTube says to create a custom stream key and turn on manual settings for stream resolution. The exact labels in the interface can change, so follow the current Live Control Room prompts when setting up that key.
If you are uploading a 720p file instead
For a normal 720p SDR upload, YouTube’s separate guidance recommends 5 Mbps for standard frame rates—24, 25, or 30 fps—and 7.5 Mbps for high frame rates—48, 50, or 60 fps. These are upload encoding recommendations, not the live-ingestion targets above.
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YouTube’s upload guidance also recommends MP4, H.264, progressive scan, and variable bitrate, and advises encoding at the same frame rate as the recording. Consult its video upload encoding settings for the full file-upload specification.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Test and monitor the live feed
Before the event, test with representative motion and audio; a static screen or silent clip may not reveal problems that appear in the actual footage. YouTube’s guidance is direct: “Make sure to test before you start your live stream.” During the stream, watch YouTube’s stream health and messages for warnings or delivery issues.
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- Confirm the encoder is sending the intended 720p resolution, frame rate, codec, and bitrate.
- Check that bitrate is configured as CBR and keyframes are no more than four seconds apart, with two seconds recommended.
- Verify audio is present and is using a supported codec and sample rate.
- Allow for a reliable upload connection that can sustain the selected bitrate; investigate connection stability if stream health reports problems.
Troubleshoot common 720p live-stream problems
Stream health reports unstable or insufficient bitrate
The encoder may be set above what the connection can sustain, or the connection may fluctuate. Check the outgoing bitrate and network stability, then use a setting your upload connection can maintain. Do not treat YouTube’s minimum bitrate as a guarantee of stability.
The stream arrives at the wrong resolution or frame rate
Check the encoder’s output rather than relying on the source file’s label. YouTube detects resolution and frame rate automatically by default. If you need a manual resolution choice in Live Control Room, use a custom stream key and enable manual resolution settings.
The stream is rejected or does not meet encoder guidance
Review codec compatibility, CBR mode, keyframe interval, and the selected bitrate against YouTube’s live settings. Keep the keyframe interval at the recommended two seconds and never above four seconds.
Audio is missing or incompatible
Check that the encoder is sending AAC or MP3. For 5.1 audio over RTMP/RTMPS, use AAC; YouTube lists 48 kHz and 384 kbps for 5.1, compared with 44.1 kHz and 128 kbps for stereo.
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