The OBS preview is often scaled down, so softness there may not exist in the file. Open the original recording at 100% size first. If you are building the setup from scratch, start with OBS game recording settings; for compression basics, see the game recording bitrate guide.
When the blur appears identifies the cause
| What you see | Check first | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| Still text is soft | Base and output resolution | Unwanted resizing |
| Breakup only during motion | Quality control and encoder headroom | Not enough detail retained per frame |
| Game source looks stretched | Source transform and canvas ratio | Aspect-ratio mismatch |
| Quality drops later | Encoding lag and system load | Sustained load or thermal limit |
Restore clarity in a controlled order
- 1Confirm source size — Match the game/source resolution and base canvas aspect ratio.
- 2Choose output size — If downscaling is unnecessary, keep base and output resolutions aligned.
- 3Select a scaling filter — When reducing size, compare small text with a sharper downscale filter.
- 4Use recording quality controls — Do not blindly reuse a constrained streaming bitrate for local recording.
- 5Create encoder headroom — If CPU or GPU is saturated, lower game load or use a lighter encoder preset.
- 6Repeat the same scene — Record a short segment containing both static UI and fast camera movement.
When you need a simpler clip workflow
DOR does not sharpen an OBS file. If you want a separate workflow that automatically records moments in supported games, you can test DOR automatic game recording. Verify the resulting clarity, audio, and performance on your own PC and game before relying on it.
If blur arrives with lag, stop raising quality and address recording FPS drops first. An overloaded encoder cannot process a more demanding setting reliably. OBS also documents the warning signs in its official encoding performance troubleshooting guide.
