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I never used OBS before. I'm computer illiterate. I need OBS because I want to record Skype videos with my grandparents before they die. I Googled this, but all the results were too complicated. I...
#3: Post edited
- I never used OBS before. I'm computer illiterate. I need OBS because I want to record [Skype videos with my grandparents before they die](https://redd.it/44spju).
- I Googled this, but all the results were too complicated. I couldn't begin to unravel [Comparison of x264](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [NVENC](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [Quicksync](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [VCE](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [x264 vs QSV or NVENC](https://redd.it/c1kmpc).
- I'm so flummoxed that the Encoder raises too many questions to list out here:
- - How does "Software" and "Hardware" differ here?
- - How do the two "Software" options differ?
- What "x264" mean or "low CPU usage preset, increases file size."- ![OBS Studio recording settings](https://i.stack.imgur.com/25nhU.jpg)
- I never used OBS before. I'm computer illiterate. I need OBS because I want to record [Skype videos with my grandparents before they die](https://redd.it/44spju).
- I Googled this, but all the results were too complicated. I couldn't begin to unravel [Comparison of x264](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [NVENC](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [Quicksync](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [VCE](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [x264 vs QSV or NVENC](https://redd.it/c1kmpc).
- I'm so flummoxed that the Encoder raises too many questions to list out here:
- - How does "Software" and "Hardware" differ here?
- - How do the two "Software" options differ?
- - What does "x264" or "low CPU usage preset, increases file size." mean?
- ![OBS Studio recording settings](https://i.stack.imgur.com/25nhU.jpg)
#2: Post edited
What are the differences between OBS' 4 encoders?
- I never used OBS before. I'm computer illiterate. I need OBS because I want to record [Skype videos with my grandparents before they die](https://redd.it/44spju).
- I Googled this, but all the results were too complicated. I couldn't begin to unravel [Comparison of x264](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [NVENC](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [Quicksync](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [VCE](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [x264 vs QSV or NVENC](https://redd.it/c1kmpc).
I'm so flummoxed that the Encoder raises too many questions to list out here. How does "Software" and "Hardware" differ here? How do the two "Software" options differ? I have no idea what "x264" mean or "low CPU usage preset, increases file size."![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/25nhU.jpg)
- I never used OBS before. I'm computer illiterate. I need OBS because I want to record [Skype videos with my grandparents before they die](https://redd.it/44spju).
- I Googled this, but all the results were too complicated. I couldn't begin to unravel [Comparison of x264](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [NVENC](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [Quicksync](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [VCE](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [x264 vs QSV or NVENC](https://redd.it/c1kmpc).
- I'm so flummoxed that the Encoder raises too many questions to list out here:
- - How does "Software" and "Hardware" differ here?
- - How do the two "Software" options differ?
- - What "x264" mean or "low CPU usage preset, increases file size."
- ![OBS Studio recording settings](https://i.stack.imgur.com/25nhU.jpg)
#1: Initial revision
What are the differences between OBS' 4 encoders?
I never used OBS before. I'm computer illiterate. I need OBS because I want to record [Skype videos with my grandparents before they die](https://redd.it/44spju). I Googled this, but all the results were too complicated. I couldn't begin to unravel [Comparison of x264](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [NVENC](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [Quicksync](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [VCE](https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/comparison-of-x264-nvenc-quicksync-vce.57358/), [x264 vs QSV or NVENC](https://redd.it/c1kmpc). I'm so flummoxed that the Encoder raises too many questions to list out here. How does "Software" and "Hardware" differ here? How do the two "Software" options differ? I have no idea what "x264" mean or "low CPU usage preset, increases file size." ![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/25nhU.jpg)