You can run a 24/7 YouTube stream from Castr without leaving a computer on: create a cloud Pre-Recorded Stream, upload MP4 video, set the playlist to Loop, connect your YouTube channel, test privately, then start the broadcast. For timed programming rather than a playlist that repeats, use Castr TV Playout. Castr’s plan limits for looping, storage and media vary, so confirm them in your account before building the channel.
Before you start
Check that the YouTube channel is eligible to livestream. YouTube requires a verified channel with no live-streaming restriction in the previous 90 days; its stated minimum age for livestreaming is 16. See YouTube’s live-stream setup requirements. Have the video files ready as MP4s and decide whether the channel should repeat a playlist or follow a schedule.
Choose the Castr workflow
Loop a playlist of prerecorded videos
Use Castr’s Pre-Recorded Stream when you want one video or an ordered group of videos to repeat continuously. Castr says prerecorded streaming is available on all plans, but infinite looping is available on Premium and higher. Confirm the current plan terms and limits for playlist size, files and storage in the Castr dashboard before uploading.
Schedule a channel lineup
Use TV Playout when you want different programs to begin at set times or need to change the lineup while it runs. The playout broadcasts into a Castr livestream, which can then be distributed to YouTube. Castr schedule times follow the device’s time zone; when setting India-local times, set the scheduling device to India Standard Time first.
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Live camera or produced video
A live camera, overlays, scene switching or other live production requires a separate live-ingest workflow and encoder. That is not needed for cloud playback of uploaded files. This guide focuses on uploaded video and Castr playout, not a local live production setup.
Set up a repeating 24/7 stream
- Create the stream: In the Castr dashboard, create a new Pre-Recorded Stream.
- Add videos: Upload MP4 files or select recordings already in the Castr library. File size and file-count allowances depend on your subscription.
- Arrange and loop: Put the videos in the desired order and select Loop so the playlist repeats. Check that your plan supports infinite looping and accommodates the playlist you want.
- Connect YouTube: Add YouTube as a destination. Castr documents connecting a YouTube event through its API or entering YouTube’s streaming server and stream key manually. If using a key, copy it from the intended YouTube event into Castr carefully, and verify the YouTube destination is enabled.
- Run a private test: Start a private or unlisted test, review Castr’s preview and input health, and check playback on YouTube before making the stream public.
- Start and verify: Start the stream, then check the channel from a viewer device to confirm that video and audio are arriving as expected.
Video preparation and quality
Castr’s recorded-video recommendations for YouTube/Facebook delivery specify an average video bitrate of 1,500–2,500 Kbps and AAC audio at 128 Kbps. These are recommendations, not a guarantee for every source file or playback result. Test a representative upload and inspect the YouTube output before relying on the full playlist.
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Castr’s published encoder recommendations for live ingest—such as H.264, CBR and a two-second keyframe interval—apply to a live encoder workflow, not to the uploaded prerecorded-file configuration above. Do not treat those encoder settings as a requirement for a cloud playlist.
India-specific setup and scheduling
The documented Castr and YouTube setup does not establish a separate India-only destination configuration. Use the same cloud workflow described here. The practical India-specific detail is scheduling: Castr uses the device time zone, so select India Standard Time on the device used to create the TV Playout schedule and double-check the displayed broadcast times.
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The cited setup guidance does not establish India-specific Castr pricing, latency or legal advice. Confirm current plan details directly in Castr and assess applicable rights and rules for your content.
Test and monitor the stream
Castr recommends preflight testing and checking the received input; its testing guidance suggests using a private or unlisted stream. YouTube also recommends checking the preview and monitoring video and audio quality. A successful Castr schedule does not guarantee uninterrupted availability at YouTube or zero downtime, so check the live destination after launch and when changing the playlist.
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Copyright, policy and archives
Clear every item in the playlist
YouTube’s livestream terms require you to hold the necessary rights to the content you broadcast, including music rights, and to follow Community Guidelines and applicable laws. Clear every video and audio track for continuous public livestream use before adding it to the playlist. See YouTube’s livestream terms and policies.
Do not rely on one 24/7 archive
YouTube says it can automatically archive a livestream when it is under 12 hours; a stream exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. A continuous 24/7 broadcast therefore should not be treated as one dependable replay archive. Keep the original files or arrange a separate recording workflow if you need replay copies. See YouTube’s live-stream archive guidance.
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Troubleshooting common setup problems
- The Loop option is unavailable or the playlist will not repeat: Check the account’s plan and current feature limits; Castr identifies infinite looping as Premium and higher.
- YouTube receives no stream: Confirm the destination is enabled, the correct YouTube event is selected, and—if using manual connection—the server and stream key belong to that event. Run another private test and inspect Castr’s preview/input health.
- The schedule starts at the wrong local time: Check the time zone on the device used to schedule TV Playout. Castr uses that device’s time zone; set it to India Standard Time for India-local scheduling.
- The stream appears live but playback or audio is poor: Test a sample file, inspect the Castr preview and YouTube output, and compare the media with Castr’s recorded-video recommendations. A recommendation does not guarantee every source will perform identically.
- You cannot find a replay of the full broadcast: If the livestream exceeded 12 hours, YouTube may not capture it. Preserve source files or use a separate recording workflow.
- The stream is blocked or interrupted by a rights issue: Review rights for every video and audio track and check the channel’s livestream eligibility and applicable YouTube policies.
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