Apple VT H264 software encoder not usable

[odisfm]

Operating System Info

macOS 15

Other OS

No response

OBS Studio Version

31.0.1

OBS Studio Version (Other)

No response

OBS Studio Log URL

https://obsproject.com/logs/riiytYBWJGT3OlvX

OBS Studio Crash Log URL

No response

Expected Behavior

Record via OBS using Apple VT H264 software encoder

Current Behavior

When starting a recording, OBS displays error message: 'Starting the output failed. Please check the log for details. Note: if you are using the NVENC or AMD encoders, make sure your video drivers are up to date'

Steps to Reproduce

1. Select 'Apple VT H264 software encoder' as encoder
2. Start recording

Anything else we should know?

• Mac Mini M4 Pro
• No plugins installed
• H264 hardware encoder and x264 encoder work fine

[Fenrirthviti]

Can you provide a log file that has the failure in it?

[odisfm]

Can you provide a log file that has the failure in it?

oops, sorry

https://obsproject.com/logs/OHumdmzqZRf3GLTz

so that recording stop happens instantly after starting

[jcm93]

That log shows you using the Apple H264 Hardware Encoder, not the software encoder. Can you confirm the reproduction steps? That log also does not show any errors occurring in starting the output.

[odisfm]

That log shows you using the Apple H264 Hardware Encoder, not the software encoder. Can you confirm the reproduction steps? That log also does not show any errors occurring in starting the output.

my bad 😓

it looks like this failure isn't being written to the log. this is a fresh log file. I start OBS, and then attempt a recording twice.

https://obsproject.com/logs/pXudvQdNviWMXyHl

[jcm93]

After reproducing the error, would you be able to take a screenshot of your encoder settings under Settings->Output->Recording? Ideally with every field visible. Thanks.

[odisfm]

ok, so I was actually wanting to use this encoder for streaming, so I had this setup and ticked 'use stream encoder' under recording. selecting the h264 software encoder in the recording tab seems to work fine.

^ doesnt work

^ works

[jcm93]

Streaming with ABR is not supported and that is what is causing this (unfortunately vague and non-descriptive) error. You will need to use CBR with the hardware encoder for streaming.

[odisfm]

Streaming with ABR is not supported and that is what is causing this (unfortunately vague and non-descriptive) error. You will need to use CBR with the hardware encoder for streaming.

cool, thanks!