For a simple 24/7 YouTube feed, use Castr’s Pre-Recorded Streams workflow: upload MP4 videos, arrange them in a playlist, choose Loop, connect YouTube, and start the stream. For a channel with distinct scheduled programmes, breaks, or a mix of prerecorded and live material, use TV Playout and send its schedule to an existing Castr Livestream. These are different workflows with different plan limits.
Castr routes your prepared video to YouTube; the documented workflow does not translate or dub the programme audio. Make sure the video itself is in the intended regional language. If you want captions, confirm that Castr supports your exact language before relying on them.
Choose the right Castr workflow
Pre-Recorded Streams for a repeating playlist
Choose this when you want a continuous feed built from videos that play one after another and repeat. Castr’s setup guide says this feature is available on all plans, accepts MP4 files, and allows uploads from a computer or imports from cloud storage. File count and size depend on the subscription. The guide also describes a Date & Time option, so check the current controls if you want a scheduled start rather than a repeating feed.
TV Playout for a programme timetable
Choose TV Playout when you need a channel schedule with time slots, planned gaps or breaks, or a mixture of prerecorded videos and live streams. Castr describes it as a way to schedule content for continuous, 24-hour broadcast and send the resulting playout to an existing Castr Livestream. It is not interchangeable with the simpler playlist loop: access and media limits differ, and loop mode has a maximum duration that depends on plan.
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Prepare regional-language programming
- Confirm the language in the source. Check the spoken audio, any on-screen text, titles, and descriptions in the finished video. Castr’s documented workflow accepts a prepared video file; it does not establish that Castr will translate or dub the audio.
- Check the media rules for the feature you chose. Pre-Recorded Streams currently supports MP4 according to its setup guide. TV Playout has separate file-count, file-size, and per-file duration limits. Compare your files with the current plan matrix before uploading.
- Make a representative test file. Play it through from beginning to end and check audio levels, language clarity, aspect ratio, and the transition into the next item. This helps catch source-file issues before building a long-running schedule.
- Decide whether viewers need captions. Castr’s captioning page describes a beta feature with selection of up to four caption languages, but the reviewed guide does not list which languages are supported. Verify the exact spoken and caption languages in your account or with Castr, and check where captions appear for viewers; the guide specifically describes captions in the Castr player.
Connect YouTube as the destination
Castr documents two ways to connect YouTube: an API connection that selects a channel or event, and a manual connection using YouTube’s streaming server and stream key. Its YouTube connection guide dates from 2023, so labels and account flows may have changed. Follow the current dashboard and YouTube prompts if they differ.
- Create or select the YouTube live destination. Confirm that the channel and event are the intended ones. For TV Playout, first create the Castr Livestream destination that the playout will feed.
- Connect with the API, if available in your current dashboard. Authorize the relevant YouTube account, then select the channel or event Castr should use.
- Or connect manually. Copy the YouTube server address and stream key into Castr’s destination settings. Treat the key like a password: anyone who has it may be able to stream to your channel. If you use this manual method, Castr’s older guide says to edit the stream description in YouTube’s dashboard.
- Verify the destination before going live. Confirm the selected YouTube channel, event, stream visibility, title, and description. Start with a short test if you need to check that the correct language and programme appear as expected.
Set up a continuous playlist with Pre-Recorded Streams
- Open Pre-Recorded Streams in Castr. Start a new prerecorded stream using the current dashboard controls.
- Add your MP4 files. Upload from your computer or import from cloud storage. If an upload is rejected, check the current subscription’s file count and size limits.
- Arrange the playlist. Put programmes in the order viewers should see them. Check the sequence and transitions, especially if a video is intended to introduce the next programme.
- Select Loop. This is the mode for a repeating playlist. Castr also documents a Date & Time mode; use the current interface to confirm which scheduling option fits your intended start and duration.
- Select the YouTube destination and start the stream. Watch the YouTube output to verify that playback begins and repeats as intended.
Build a timetable with TV Playout
- Create a Castr Livestream first. TV Playout sends its schedule to an existing Castr Livestream, so set up and connect the YouTube destination before configuring the playout.
- Create a playout and add programme items. Add prerecorded files and, where required, live streams. Check each item against your plan’s file count, size, and duration rules.
- Set the order and timing. Schedule items consecutively where you want uninterrupted programming. Castr also documents a Break item for a gap that would otherwise occur, and the ability to loop a schedule on eligible plans.
- Choose a loop horizon if you use loop mode. The Castr Help Center’s July 2026 plan guide lists loop mode for Premium, Ultra, and Events, with a maximum of 15 days on Premium and 30 days on Ultra and Events. Plan to renew or maintain the schedule before that limit; do not assume one TV Playout loop runs indefinitely.
- Activate the schedule and monitor the YouTube output. Verify the programme, timing, and destination. Recheck after schedule edits or changes to the connected stream.
TV Playout limits listed by Castr
The Castr Help Center plan table dated July 13, 2026 lists one playout on each plan. These are product limits published by Castr, not independent performance results. Plan names and limits can change, so confirm the live plan matrix before subscribing or designing a schedule.
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| Plan | Playouts | Maximum files per playout | Maximum file size | Maximum duration per file | Loop mode and maximum horizon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 1 | 5 | 500 MB | 30 minutes | Not listed |
| Standard | 1 | 10 | 1 GB | 60 minutes | Not listed |
| Premium | 1 | 30 | 2 GB | 60 minutes | Available; maximum 15 days |
| Ultra | 1 | 30 | 10 GB | 240 minutes | Available; maximum 30 days |
| Events | 1 | 50 | 10 GB | 240 minutes | Available; maximum 30 days |
Regional-language captions and accessibility
Castr’s captioning page describes the feature as beta. It lists 10 free captioning hours per account during beta, up to four caption languages, and duration settings up to 24 hours or Unlimited. Castr says the allowance and pricing may change after beta. The page does not establish which regional languages are supported, so verify your exact language in the dashboard or with Castr before advertising captions. Also test where the captions are visible: the reviewed guide specifically describes captions in the Castr player, which does not by itself establish how captions appear on YouTube.
Keep the channel running reliably
- Plan for TV Playout renewal. Its loop mode has plan-specific maximum horizons, so add a calendar reminder to review and renew the schedule in time.
- Check the YouTube destination after changes. Confirm the channel, event, stream key or API connection, and stream metadata after editing settings.
- Investigate delivery issues from the source outward. Castr troubleshooting notes that very high source bitrate can sometimes cause delivery problems and suggests considering x264 video and AAC audio settings. Treat that as a troubleshooting lead, not a universal encoding prescription; test a representative file and follow current Castr guidance.
- Keep a backup of the schedule and source files. Retain the original media and a copy of the programme order so you can restore an item or rebuild a playlist if needed.
Common problems and fixes
A file will not upload
Check that it is an MP4 for Pre-Recorded Streams, then check the applicable subscription’s file count and size limits. TV Playout uses its own limits, including maximum duration per file; a file that works in one feature may not fit the other.
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The stream is going to the wrong YouTube channel or event
Review the destination selected in Castr and the account authorized for the API connection. If using a manual key, confirm that it belongs to the intended YouTube stream and replace it in Castr if necessary.
The scheduled programme stops looping
For TV Playout, check whether the plan’s maximum loop horizon has elapsed. The July 2026 guide lists 15 days for Premium and 30 days for Ultra and Events. Renew or rebuild the schedule as needed.
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Captions are missing or in the wrong language
Check the caption language selected in Castr and verify that the exact language is supported. Also confirm the viewer is watching in a player where those captions are available; the reviewed Castr guide describes captions in the Castr player.
YouTube output is unstable or delivery fails
Check the source bitrate and review Castr’s current troubleshooting advice. The help article flags very high source bitrate as a possible cause and mentions x264 video and AAC audio as settings to consider, not as a one-size-fits-all requirement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Castr to run a 24/7 YouTube channel in a regional language?
Yes, provided the programme files already contain the intended language. Castr’s documented workflows stream prepared video; they do not establish automatic translation or dubbing.
Does Castr list which regional languages its captions support?
The reviewed captioning guide does not provide a supported-language list. Confirm your language in the current dashboard or with Castr.
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