Twitch, OBS, and NVIDIA collaborate to bring Multi-Encode streaming to Twitch

Twitch, OBS Studio, and Nvidia have collaborated to unveil the beta version of the new Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting feature, which will enable streamers to broadcast multiple encodes concurrently using the dedicated encoder (NVEC) on GeForce RTX and GTX GPUs. It addresses the problem of streamers needing to choose between high-resolution streaming, which could cause buffering for viewers with low bandwidth, and lower-bitrate streams that may result in pixelation and artifacts.

Twitch's solution has been server-side transcoding for top-performing channels, but this leaves many channels with only a single stream option.The soon-to-be-released beta Enhanced Broadcasting will address this, allowing regular non-top streamers to broadcast up to three resolutions at once, up to 1080p. In the coming months, users will also be able to test higher-input bit rates, 4K resolution, and up to 5 concurrent streams.

The partnership also brings support for the AV1 codec in GeForce RTX 40 Series GPUs. This codec provides 40% more encoding efficiency compared to standard H.264 and HEVC codecs. AV1 is a royalty-free codec that demands less bandwidth for superior video quality, and the feature will also simplify setup by automatically configuring OBS encoder settings, using a server-side algorithm to optimize OBS Studio configurations based on the streamer's setup. AV1 encoding will not be exclusive to NVIDIA hardware, suggesting broader industry acceptance of this efficient codec.

Creators can sign up for the beta at twitch.tv/broadcast, with enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis.