Usually, leave “Use hardware decoding when available” off initially. It is optional, off by default in OBS’s documented Media Source settings, and only applies to certain files when your GPU has a suitable built-in decoder. It is separate from the Loop checkbox, which makes a local file repeat after it finishes. If playback is already smooth, there is no need to change the decoding setting.
What the setting does—and what it does not do
OBS describes the option as: “Sets the GPU to perform hardware decoding on certain file types if your GPU has the appropriate hardware decoder built-in.” The definition appears in OBS Project’s Media Sources guide, dated January 11, 2022. Hardware decoding is about playing the input file; it is not a promise that every file or GPU combination will use the GPU decoder.
Decoding is not looping
In a regular Media Source, Loop controls whether a file plays again after playback completes. OBS documents Loop as off by default, independently of the hardware-decoding option, which is also off by default. Turn on Loop if you want the local file to repeat; changing the decoding checkbox does not make it loop.
Decoding is not stream encoding
Decoding processes the video file OBS plays. Encoding creates the outgoing livestream or recording. OBS’s separate Hardware Encoding guide discusses encoder choices; its guidance does not establish a performance result for Media Source decoding.
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YouTube transcoding is a separate step
YouTube’s processing of a stream does not determine whether OBS should decode a local source file in hardware. OBS’s transcoding article says YouTube transcodes all streams, including the source feed. That is a delivery process on YouTube’s side, not a reason given by OBS to enable local Media Source hardware decoding.
When to enable hardware decoding
If a local file plays smoothly and OBS is otherwise behaving well, leave the option off. If playback is choppy or CPU load seems problematic, compare the same file and scene with the option off and on. Keep the setting that is reliable on your machine; the outcome depends on the file, GPU decoder support, drivers, and system workload.
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OBS’s guide does not quantify CPU savings, GPU load, quality changes, or dropped-frame improvements for this use. It also does not provide a detailed codec, GPU, and driver compatibility matrix. A listed file extension alone cannot confirm that a particular file will use hardware decoding.
Set up a local file to loop in OBS
- Add the file: In the OBS scene where you want playback, use Sources → + → Media Source. Create a new source or select an existing one, then choose the local file. The OBS guide lists video extensions including .mp4, .ts, .mov, .flv, .mkv, .avi, .gif, and .webm.
- Enable repetition: Open the Media Source properties and check Loop. This is the control that repeats the file after it ends.
- Test decoding only if needed: If you are troubleshooting playback or CPU load, change Use hardware decoding when available and compare. Keep the file, scene, and output conditions the same for both trials.
- Observe more than one loop boundary: Check whether playback remains smooth and the file restarts reliably. Compare CPU load and, if your system exposes it, GPU load or decoder activity. Treat the result as specific to your setup, not as a general benchmark.
If your source is a playlist
OBS documents a separate VLC Video source that can play a playlist and requires VLC to be installed. Its Loop Playlist option defaults to on. You do not need to install VLC simply to loop one local file: regular Media Source has its own Loop property.
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If you mean a YouTube webpage, not a local file
Capturing or embedding a YouTube webpage is a different source workflow from playing a local file with Media Source. The hardware-decoding advice here applies to the local-file source; do not assume its controls or behavior apply to browser capture.
Troubleshoot choppy or unreliable looping
- The video stops at the end: Confirm that Loop is checked in the Media Source properties. Hardware decoding does not control repetition.
- Playback is choppy: Compare decoding off and on using the same clip and scene. The GPU must have an appropriate built-in decoder for the file type, and OBS’s guide does not identify support for every codec and device combination.
- CPU use appears high: Test the two decoding states under the same conditions and watch both CPU and GPU behavior where available. Do not assume that enabling the option will reduce CPU use; the official guide publishes no benchmark for this workload.
- The source is a playlist: Check whether you are using OBS’s VLC Video source and its Loop Playlist property rather than a regular Media Source. VLC must be installed for that source.
- The outgoing stream has problems: Check the output encoder separately from the Media Source’s decoding option. OBS notes that hardware encoders use a specialized GPU component and can take work off the CPU, but that is encoder guidance, not evidence about this playback checkbox. OBS also cautions that meeting system requirements does not guarantee streaming or recording capability; CPU needs vary with encoder, resolution, FPS, and scene complexity in its System Requirements guide.
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