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To loop locally stored videos in mixed formats on YouTube Live, create an OBS scene, add a VLC Video source, load the files in playback order, and leave Loop Playlist enabled. OBS decodes and combines those files on your computer, then sends one encoded live program to YouTube. VLC must be installed for the source to appear, and 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. OBS documents the VLC Video source and playlist controls here.
How the playlist becomes a YouTube live stream
There are two separate stages. First, OBS and VLC read and play your local video files, arrange them in a scene, and mix their audio. Second, OBS encodes that scene as a live stream and sends it to YouTube. YouTube receives the encoded program—not each original playlist file—so the source files’ formats and YouTube’s live encoder settings are different concerns.
OBS’s Media Source documentation lists MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM video, plus MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV audio. That list describes Media Source; OBS describes VLC Video as using VLC libraries for extended media support but does not publish an exhaustive VLC-in-OBS format matrix. Actual playback can therefore depend on your OBS and VLC versions, installed codecs, and specific files. Test every item in the playlist on the computer you will use.
Set up a looping playlist in OBS
- Install OBS Studio and VLC. Use matching architectures: OBS states that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. Restart OBS after installing VLC if the source is not available.
- Create a scene. In OBS, create or select a scene for the broadcast. Add a source and choose VLC Video. If that option is missing, confirm VLC is installed with the architecture matching OBS.
- Add the videos in order. In the VLC Video source properties, add the local files to its playlist in the sequence you want viewers to see them. Check the complete list for missing, moved, or unreadable files.
- Keep Loop Playlist on. OBS documents this option as On by default; it restarts the source when it runs out of media files. Shuffle Playlist is documented as Off by default. Leave shuffle off for a fixed sequence, or enable it if you want the order randomized.
- Check the scene composition. Preview the videos and confirm they fit the canvas as intended. Check aspect ratio, picture, audio levels, and the change from the last clip back to the first. The documentation does not guarantee seamless transitions, so judge the wraparound in your actual scene.
- Connect YouTube in OBS and configure the encoder. Follow YouTube’s current live-stream setup flow to connect the broadcast and stream key, then configure OBS’s streaming output. YouTube recommends RTMPS for live ingestion; its encoder settings guidance lists H.264, H.265 (HEVC), and AV1 video support, frame rates up to 60 fps, AAC or MP3 audio, and constant bitrate encoding. It recommends a 2-second keyframe interval, not exceeding 4 seconds. Choose settings supported by your OBS version and computer; these are YouTube’s encoder recommendations, not a guarantee that every local source file will play.
- Rehearse before going public. If it suits your workflow, test with an unlisted or private stream. Watch YouTube’s preview and stream-health indicators, and confirm that the playlist plays and wraps as expected before scheduling a public broadcast.
Choose the playlist source that fits
| OBS source | Best fit | Playlist and loop behavior | Requirement or limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| VLC Video | A playlist of local media files | Supports playlist ordering and playlist looping; shuffle is available. | VLC must be installed. The OBS documentation does not provide an exhaustive list of formats supported by VLC Video in every local setup. |
| Media Source | An individual local media file | Has a per-file loop option; it is not the documented playlist workflow. | OBS lists MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM video, and MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV audio. Test files in the installed setup. |
For several files that should play in sequence and repeat as a group, VLC Video is the appropriate OBS source. For one file that should restart by itself, Media Source may be sufficient.
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RTMPS or HLS for YouTube ingestion?
Use RTMPS as the usual starting point: YouTube recommends it for live ingestion. HLS is a documented alternative, particularly for HDR or codecs not supported over RTMP, but it has higher latency because it sends segments. It also involves more specific encoder and playlist requirements, so it is generally not the first choice for a straightforward OBS playlist stream.
YouTube’s live encoder guidance covers its recommended delivery settings. For HLS, YouTube requires TS segments and a rolling playlist with no more than five outstanding segments; the HLS API guide describes encoder-level playlist and segment requirements. Use HLS only when your encoder workflow or delivery needs call for it, and follow the current YouTube instructions for that path.
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Test the loop and troubleshoot common failures
- VLC Video is missing from the source list: Install VLC and make sure its architecture matches OBS. In particular, 64-bit OBS needs 64-bit VLC; restart OBS after installation.
- A playlist item shows no picture or sound: Confirm the file path is valid and the file plays in the local setup. Because the VLC Video format matrix is not exhaustive in the OBS documentation, test each file rather than assuming support from its extension alone.
- The order changes or the playlist does not repeat: Review the playlist order and the source’s Shuffle Playlist and Loop Playlist settings. Shuffle is documented as off and looping as on by default, but confirm the actual source properties.
- The return to the first clip is abrupt: Preview the end-to-start transition. The cited OBS documentation does not promise seamless joins; adjust the clip order or edit the source material if a hard cut is unsuitable.
- YouTube preview or stream health is poor: Check that OBS is connected to the intended YouTube stream and that encoder settings follow YouTube’s current guidance. Verify the local computer and network during a rehearsal; official source documentation does not guarantee uninterrupted operation for a particular machine, connection, playlist, or duration.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want a YouTube channel to keep looping uploaded videos without leaving your computer on, StreamNeo runs the stream in the cloud: upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay running at home; it streams your uploads at their original quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card required. Monthly service is $9.99 per month. Start your free first day with StreamNeo.
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