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Use OBS’s Media Source to repeat one video file; use VLC Video to play a playlist. For a single file, enable Loop. For a playlist, enable Loop Playlist and leave Shuffle Playlist off if you need a fixed order. VLC must be installed for the VLC Video source to appear, and its architecture must match OBS (64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC).
Which OBS source fits your video?
| Your goal | Choose | What to set or consider |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat one local video | Media Source | Enable Loop in the source properties. It is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux and does not require VLC. |
| Play several files in sequence and repeat them | VLC Video | Add the files to its playlist and enable Loop Playlist. Disable Shuffle Playlist when order matters. VLC must be installed with the same architecture as OBS. |
| Control playback when changing scenes | Either | Choose the source’s behavior when it is hidden; these options govern playback in OBS, not YouTube’s live state. |
OBS’s Media Source documentation lists video formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM, along with audio formats such as MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV. The documentation gives Media Source Loop a default of Off and VLC Video Loop Playlist a default of On. The VLC source implementation also sets shuffle off by default. Defaults and labels may differ by OBS version, so verify the installed source properties before going live. OBS Media Sources documentation (dated January 11, 2022) and the VLC source implementation.
Loop one video with Media Source
- Add the source: in the OBS scene, use the Sources panel’s + button and choose Media Source. Create a new source or select an existing one.
- Select the file: in the source properties, enable the local-file option if needed, then browse to the video. Confirm the file is available on the computer running OBS.
- Enable repetition: turn on Loop. The documented default is Off, so do not assume the file will repeat unless the property is checked.
- Choose scene behavior: decide whether to enable Restart playback when source becomes active and Close file when inactive. These settings affect what happens when the source becomes visible or inactive; test them if you switch scenes.
- Check the output: play the source and confirm both video and audio in the OBS preview and in a test stream before relying on it live.
Loop a playlist with VLC Video
- Install VLC first: the VLC Video source depends on VLC being installed. Match its architecture to OBS; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- Add the source: in the OBS Sources panel, select +, then VLC Video. If the source is missing, check the VLC installation and architecture.
- Build the playlist: add the video files in the order you want them played. Confirm the paths work on the computer running OBS.
- Set repeat and order: enable Loop Playlist. Leave Shuffle Playlist off for a predictable sequence; turn it on only if randomized playback is intended. Although the documented loop default is On, check the actual setting.
- Set hidden-source behavior: select whether VLC playback should stop and restart, pause and resume, or continue while the source is not visible. The right choice depends on how the scene is used.
- Test the whole playlist: confirm transitions between files, audio levels, and the return from the final item to the first. OBS documents a default of 400 ms for VLC Video’s Network caching property; that is a configuration default, not a performance guarantee.
Understand source playback versus YouTube Live
OBS scenes combine sources into the broadcast output. Loop and visibility properties determine what a source plays and when it plays inside OBS; they do not start or stop the YouTube stream, schedule its public transition, or guarantee that a live session survives source changes.
For an encoder stream, YouTube’s workflow is to enter the server URL and stream key in the encoder. For a scheduled event, wait for the Live Control Room preview and select Go live when ready. See YouTube’s instructions to create a live stream with an encoder and manage live stream settings.
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Check stream quality and test before going live
The source choice does not set YouTube’s encoder resolution, frame rate, or bitrate. Choose those in the streaming workflow to suit the connection and consult YouTube’s recommendations for the selected codec and resolution in encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions. The help page does not state a publication date.
- Test that video moves and audio is audible, including at file and playlist transitions.
- Check the Live Control Room preview before selecting Go live for a scheduled stream.
- Monitor stream health during the broadcast. Recommended encoder settings are guidance, not proof that a particular OBS source or connection will run continuously.
Troubleshooting
The video plays once and stops
For Media Source, check that Loop is enabled. For VLC Video, check Loop Playlist and verify that the playlist contains the intended files.
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VLC Video is missing from the source menu
Install VLC and confirm its architecture matches OBS. The OBS documentation specifies that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
The playlist plays in an unexpected order
Check Shuffle Playlist. Turn it off when files should play in the order listed.
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Playback changes when switching scenes
Review the source’s hidden or inactive playback behavior. For Media Source, inspect Restart playback when source becomes active and Close file when inactive. For VLC Video, choose the desired stop/restart, pause/resume, or always-play behavior. These settings affect source playback inside OBS, not the YouTube stream’s public status.
The local preview works, but YouTube is not live
Check the encoder connection and that the correct YouTube server URL and stream key are configured. For a scheduled stream, use the Live Control Room preview and select Go live when ready; source playback alone does not make the event public.
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