Twitch has announced that in June it will activate the Dual Format feature, allowing streamers to broadcast in horizontal and vertical simultaneously. Mobile users will see the content in full screen without black bars, while on desktop the classic panoramic format will be maintained. The platform is thus responding to the growth of consumption on mobile devices, seeking a smoother experience without forcing the viewer to rotate their phone.
How real-time dual encoding works 🖥️
Technically, Dual Format requires the streamer to configure two different resolutions from their streaming software, such as OBS Studio. Twitch processes both video signals in parallel and distributes them according to the user's device: the vertical one for mobile and the horizontal one for desktop. This implies a greater use of the creator's equipment resources, as they must render two simultaneous video streams. The platform recommends a stable connection of at least 10 Mbps upload speed to avoid interruptions.
Mobile rules, and the streamer must adapt 📱
Finally, Twitch realizes that watching a vertical stream with black borders is like watching a movie through a peephole. Now creators will have to think about two framings at the same time, as if they didn't have enough to do reading the chat and pretending they care about the latest donation. Of course, if your phone is 5 inches, get your eyes ready: the chat text will be so small you'll need a magnifying glass or have to guess what's happening from the emojis.