OBS Recording and Streaming Settings
OBS HDR Recording on Windows 11
Published: October 6, 2026 · Updated: October 6, 2026
Quick Answer
For HDR recording, keep the whole capture-to-file pipeline HDR-aware: use an HDR source and display, a 10-bit format and HDR color space, then verify a short file in an HDR-capable player.
Check the baseline
Confirm Windows and the source are actually outputting HDR before changing OBS.
Configure the core setting
Use a 10-bit-capable video format and an HDR color space supported by the encoder.
Test under the real workload
Check tone mapping when SDR and HDR sources are mixed in one scene.
Verify the result
Record a short sample and inspect highlights, blacks and skin tones outside OBS.
Practical checklist
- Change one variable at a time.
- Make a short local recording before a live session.
- Use OBS Statistics to distinguish rendering, encoding and network problems.
- Keep a backup of working profiles and scene collections before major changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OBS HDR look washed out?
The file is often interpreted with the wrong color space or viewed through an SDR playback path.
Does HDR recording need 10-bit video?
A 10-bit path is the practical choice because it preserves the precision expected by HDR workflows.
Related guides
Editorial review
Author: ProjectOBS Editorial Team · Updated: October 6, 2026.
This guide is written around repeatable Windows troubleshooting: establish a baseline, change one variable, reproduce the workload and verify the result in OBS Statistics or a short recording.