The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Castr can loop pre-recorded video to YouTube continuously, but its published settings recommend 1080p and do not confirm that the pre-recorded scheduler outputs 4K. You can set up a continuous stream; before relying on it as a 4K broadcast, ask Castr whether that specific workflow preserves 3840×2160 or downscales the video.
What Castr’s documentation confirms—and what it doesn’t
- Continuous playback: Castr documents an Infinite Loop mode that sends uploaded video to connected platforms continuously, 24/7. Its setup guide also describes uploading one or more MP4 files, arranging a playlist, choosing a schedule, connecting a destination and starting the stream.
- YouTube as a destination: Castr documents connecting through a YouTube API flow or manually with YouTube’s streaming server and stream key.
- 4K output: Castr’s recorded-video recommendations specify 1920×1080, not 3840×2160. The available documentation does not establish whether the pre-recorded scheduler passes through 4K or downscales it. So the answer is: continuous streaming is documented; continuous 4K output is unconfirmed.
Castr’s separate TV Playout documentation lists 1080p as the highest output for relevant advanced settings, but TV Playout is a different product and does not prove how the pre-recorded scheduler handles 4K. Likewise, YouTube’s ability to ingest 4K does not establish what Castr sends.
How to set up a continuous Castr stream to YouTube
- Prepare MP4 files. Castr’s setup guide says the scheduler accepts .mp4 files. Its recorded-video settings guide recommends MP4, constant bitrate (CBR), a 2-second keyframe interval, 1920×1080 resolution, 30 FPS and 4,000 Kbps (4.0 Mbps). These are Castr’s published recommendations, not a guarantee of 4K support. Castr warns that a video outside its suggested configuration may cause the stream to stop during a broadcast.
- Upload and arrange the video or playlist. Upload one or more files, put them in the intended order and toggle individual playlist items on or off as needed. File count and media-size limits depend on your subscription.
- Choose the schedule. Select Infinite Loop for continuous repeat. Castr says this mode starts the uploaded video on added platforms and continues 24/7. Choose Date & Time if you need a future start rather than a continuously repeating schedule. Check your current plan and account to confirm the mode and limits available to you; availability of the pre-recorded feature on a plan does not by itself establish that every plan permits continuous looping.
- Connect YouTube. Use Castr’s documented API connection or manually enter YouTube’s streaming server and key. With the manual key method, edit the stream description in YouTube’s dashboard. Check that the destination is the intended YouTube channel and event before starting.
- Test before depending on it. Start a test stream and check YouTube’s stream health and the received resolution. Confirm the output is actually 2160p if 4K is essential; do not infer it from the source file’s resolution. Also verify the account’s upload and loop limits before planning an always-on channel.
Which YouTube connection should you use?
| Connection | Best fit | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Castr’s YouTube API connection | A setup managed through the documented YouTube connection flow. | Castr documents this as a way to connect YouTube Events. Confirm event-management details in your account. |
| Manual server and stream key | A setup where you enter YouTube’s ingest details directly. | Castr says stream descriptions for manual-key users must be edited in YouTube’s dashboard. |
What 4K means for YouTube delivery
YouTube’s live encoder guidance includes 4K/2160p ingest settings and says it transcodes incoming live streams into formats for viewers on different devices and networks. For H.264 at 2160p and 60 FPS, YouTube recommends 35 Mbps; bitrate guidance varies by codec and frame rate, so use YouTube’s current encoder settings table for the exact format you plan to send. This is YouTube’s ingest guidance, not evidence that Castr’s scheduler emits a 4K feed.
YouTube’s live guidance also says low latency is unavailable for 4K/2160p; that resolution is optimized for quality at normal latency. For a documentary channel prioritizing picture detail over near-real-time interaction, this may be an acceptable trade-off.
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Before committing to a 24/7 4K workflow
- Ask Castr whether its pre-recorded scheduler outputs 3840×2160 for your specific plan and file format, or downscales to 1080p.
- Confirm the plan’s media-size, file-count and continuous-loop limits in your account.
- Run a test and verify the received resolution in YouTube’s stream health before scheduling a long broadcast.
- Keep copyright and YouTube’s live-stream rules in mind: using a loop does not grant rights to documentary footage, music or other material. Use content you own or are licensed to broadcast, and check YouTube’s applicable policies.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is an always-on YouTube channel from uploaded video, StreamNeo is another option to consider. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, then go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; StreamNeo plays the uploaded video in the cloud and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. Uploaded quality is streamed as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; the first day is free with no card. The monthly option is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for YouTube and uploaded videos, not live camera feeds. See StreamNeo or start the free first day.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Does Castr document Infinite Loop for pre-recorded video?
Yes. Castr describes Infinite Loop as continuous 24/7 playback to added platforms; check your account’s plan limits for availability.
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Does YouTube’s 4K ingest guidance prove Castr sends 4K?
No. YouTube’s guidance describes what it can ingest; Castr’s scheduler output resolution remains unconfirmed.
Quick Recap
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