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To show the current video or song title over a prerecorded YouTube live stream, use OBS Studio: play the video or playlist in a scene, place a Text Source above it, and set the text source to read from a file. A separate script, helper tool, or manual process must update that file when the item changes. OBS provides the playback and text-display pieces, but its VLC playlist source does not automatically guarantee a now-playing title.
Choose a workflow that fits the title you need
| What you need | Suitable option | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| A title or graphic that changes during playback | OBS scene with a media source and a file-driven Text Source | You need a reliable separate process to update the title file. |
| Local playlist playback | OBS VLC Video source | VLC must be installed; playlist playback alone does not establish automatic title display. |
| Automatic scheduled prerecorded broadcast without live overlay control | StreamYard prerecorded streaming | Its automated playback mode does not allow overlays or media assets to be controlled during playback. Embed titles in the video beforehand if they must appear. |
| Dedicated hardware playback and graphics | AJA HELO Plus | This is specialized optional hardware; YouTube’s encoder listing describes scheduled prerecorded playback and built-in graphics. |
Build a changing now-playing title in OBS
1. Create the YouTube broadcast and connect OBS
In YouTube Studio, create or schedule a stream in Live Control Room. Connect OBS either through YouTube’s service integration or by entering the server URL and stream key YouTube provides in the encoder settings. Treat the stream key like a password: do not publish it, put it in an overlay, or share it with anyone who should not be able to broadcast to your channel. See YouTube’s encoder setup guidance.
2. Add the video or playlist to an OBS scene
Create an OBS scene for the broadcast. For a single local video, add a Media Source. For a playlist, add a VLC Video source. OBS supports common local video formats as Media Sources; its VLC source supports playlists, looping, and shuffle. VLC must be installed for the VLC source to be available, and 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. Consult the OBS Media Sources documentation.
3. Place a file-driven Text Source above the video
Add a Text Source, move it above the video in the scene’s source stack, and set its position and appearance so it is readable without obscuring important documentary footage. Enable “Read from file” and choose the text file that will contain the current title. OBS describes this option as reading text from a file instead of the Text property; see OBS Text Sources and the OBS sources guide.
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4. Make the title file change with the playback
The text source only displays the contents of its file. Arrange a separate helper tool, script, or manual process to replace that content when the current video or song changes. Confirm that the mechanism works with your exact operating system, playback source, and playlist before going live. OBS’s documented file-reading feature does not establish a universal updater or guarantee that every playlist exposes its current item’s metadata.
5. Check the preview and go live
Start streaming from OBS, confirm that the preview arrives in YouTube Live Control Room, then complete YouTube’s go-live steps. YouTube says encoder streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; that archive behavior is not a substitute for checking YouTube’s current live-stream settings and channel requirements.
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If automatic scheduling matters more than a changing overlay
StreamYard supports automatically scheduled prerecorded streams to YouTube. Its help documentation says that because the stream runs automatically, overlays and media assets cannot be controlled during playback as they can in a standard live stream. If every title must appear, add it to the video before uploading or scheduling rather than relying on a live-controlled overlay. See StreamYard’s prerecorded streaming guidance and its scheduling instructions.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is to keep prerecorded videos looping on YouTube rather than to build a changing OBS overlay, StreamNeo runs uploaded videos from the cloud: upload a recording or playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; the stream continues with your computer off. It plays the uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. StreamNeo streams to YouTube only, and it does not add a dynamic now-playing title to the uploaded video. Start the free day with StreamNeo.
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Check the title and broadcast before starting
- Confirm that the text file contains the intended current title and that the Text Source is reading that file.
- Test every transition that should change the title, including the move between playlist items; do not assume the VLC source supplies the current filename to the text source.
- Check the title’s size, contrast, and placement against both bright and dark footage.
- Verify the OBS preview in YouTube Live Control Room before completing the go-live steps.
- Use only video, music, and graphics you have permission to broadcast. A prerecorded format does not remove copyright obligations or guarantee eligibility for monetization under YouTube’s policies.
Troubleshoot common failures
The title is missing or never changes
Check that “Read from file” is enabled, the correct file is selected, and the Text Source sits above the video source. Then verify that your updater actually writes the new title to that file. A playlist change will not necessarily update the title by itself.
The VLC Video source is unavailable
Install VLC and restart OBS. Match the VLC architecture to OBS; OBS notes that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
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The video plays but the wrong playlist title appears
Check the updater’s relationship to the player and playlist, then test transitions with the same source and operating system you will use on air. The documented OBS features do not promise automatic current-item title extraction from every playlist.
YouTube does not receive the OBS stream
Check that OBS is connected to the correct YouTube broadcast and that the server URL and stream key match the values for that event. Keep the key private; if you believe it has been exposed, replace or reset it through YouTube’s stream settings before broadcasting.
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