If you only want the same VLC playlist to repeat, enable Loop Playlist in the OBS VLC Video Source; no Lua script is needed. If you need a custom action when playback ends or want to apply changed playlist settings, Lua can connect to OBS’s media_ended signal and update the source—but that update rebuilds the playlist and can interrupt playback. One important distinction: the signal is not documented as proof that the entire playlist, rather than one item, has finished.
Choose between looping and reloading
| What you need | Use | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat the same configured list of videos | VLC Video Source with Loop Playlist enabled | Built in and simplest; it does not by itself describe a custom workflow for re-reading changed files or settings. |
| Run a custom action after a media-end event or apply changed playlist settings | An OBS Lua callback connected to media_ended, followed by a source settings update if needed |
More control, but updating settings rebuilds/restarts player handling, and the signal is not documented as a unique whole-playlist boundary. |
VLC Video Source supports multiple media files in a playlist, but it appears in OBS only when VLC is installed. OBS’s VLC Video Source guide documents Loop Playlist as the control for restarting a source when it runs out of media, and Shuffle Playlist for changing playback order.
Enable the built-in loop for an unchanged playlist
- Install VLC if it is not already installed. Restart OBS after installation if the VLC Video Source is not available.
- In OBS, add or select a VLC Video Source and configure its media playlist.
- Open the source properties and enable Loop Playlist. Leave Shuffle Playlist disabled if you need the list to play in its configured order.
- Test playback through the final item and confirm that the first item starts again. Verify behavior with your installed OBS and VLC versions.
Use Lua when you need a custom end-event workflow
OBS includes Lua scripting through the obslua module. Scripts are managed at Tools > Scripts. OBS’s API exposes source lifecycle signals including media_ended, and Lua can connect callbacks to a signal handler using signal_handler_connect(handler, signal, callback). The OBS documentation provides the ingredients for this pattern, but does not establish a tested, drop-in script for every VLC playlist setup.
Implementation outline
- In Tools > Scripts, add a Lua script and identify the VLC Video Source by its exact name in the OBS Sources list. Source names are user-defined, so a script must target the name used in your scene.
- Obtain the source and its signal handler, then connect a Lua callback to
media_ended. The OBS scripting and API references describe the Lua module and signal connection mechanism: OBS scripting documentation and OBS source API reference. - In the callback, determine whether the event represents the end of the whole playlist or only the current item advancing. Do not treat each
media_endedevent as a confirmed playlist-end event without checking the behavior in your setup. - If a refresh is required, read the current source settings and preserve the existing
playlistarray and each entry’svaluefield unless you intend to replace them. The VLC source implementation consumes aplaylistsettings array and rebuilds player handling when settings are updated: OBS VLC Video Source implementation. - Update the source only when the callback’s end condition is satisfied. Expect playback to restart or be interrupted: a settings update is not documented as a seamless in-place refresh.
- Release source and settings objects according to OBS API ownership requirements. OBS warns that incorrect handling of scripting objects can leak memory or crash OBS; consult the scripting documentation before adapting the pattern.
This is an implementation pattern, not guaranteed copy-and-run code. The exact event sequence and update timing should be tested with your operating system, OBS version, VLC version, and source configuration before relying on it during a live production.
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Why a playlist update can restart playback
The VLC source implementation reads playlist settings and rebuilds its media-list player during an update. That makes an update consequential: it can stop and restart player handling rather than simply refreshing a file list without disturbance. If you only want continuous repetition of an unchanged list, the built-in loop avoids adding a settings-update step.
Troubleshoot the common failure modes
- VLC Video Source is missing: Confirm VLC is installed, then restart OBS and check the source list again.
- The list does not restart: Reopen source properties and check Loop Playlist. Test the complete playlist, rather than inferring behavior from an individual item ending.
- The script runs between playlist items: The callback may be receiving an event for each item. Add and verify a condition that distinguishes the intended final-item case; the signal documentation alone does not guarantee that distinction.
- The refreshed list starts over or playback visibly pauses: This can result from the source update rebuilding player handling. Avoid refreshing on every event, and use Loop Playlist instead if the files and settings have not changed.
- The callback does nothing: Check that the script targets the exact OBS source name and is connected to that source’s signal handler. Confirm the script is loaded under Tools > Scripts.
- OBS becomes unstable or resource use grows: Review how the script acquires and releases source and settings objects against the OBS scripting documentation; incorrect ownership handling can cause leaks or crashes.
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