For a playlist of local video files, create smaller copies with FFmpeg, then load those copies into OBS through a VLC Video Source. This can reduce the amount of high-resolution media OBS has to decode. If you only want the stream or recording itself to be smaller, change OBS’s Output (Scaled) Resolution instead. OBS’s documented playlist workflow uses local media; the sources cited here do not establish direct YouTube playlist URL playback or a built-in OBS proxy-generation feature.
Choose between smaller files and a smaller output
| What you want to change | Use this method | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Every source should be delivered in a smaller stream or recording | In OBS, open Settings → Video and change Output (Scaled) Resolution. | Sets the output resolution for streaming or recording and uses the selected downscale filter. Changing Base (Canvas) Resolution instead can require you to realign or resize sources; changing Output (Scaled) Resolution does not have that effect. OBS Project: Overview |
| Reduce the resolution of selected files used by the playlist | Make smaller copies with FFmpeg and use those copies in the playlist. | OBS decodes the smaller media files rather than the full-resolution originals. OBS recommends lower-resolution media files where appropriate, including when displaying 4K media in a lower-resolution output. No percentage performance gain is established. OBS Project: Encoding Performance Troubleshooting |
The second route is the practical choice when you want smaller source files for a playlist. These are ordinary transcoded copies, not a special OBS proxy format.
Create lower-resolution copies with FFmpeg
FFmpeg’s scale filter can constrain the output dimensions while preserving the original aspect ratio. For one local MP4, an illustrative command is:
ffmpeg -i "original.mp4" -vf "scale=1280:720:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease" -c:v libx264 -crf 23 -preset medium -c:a copy "proxy_720p.mp4"- Replace
original.mp4with the path and filename of your source. Keep quotation marks around paths that contain spaces. - Run the command in a terminal where FFmpeg is installed. The output video is scaled to fit within 1280Ă—720 while retaining its aspect ratio; it may be smaller in one dimension if the source has a different shape.
- Check the output visually and confirm that its audio plays before using it. Keep the original file: transcoding decodes and re-encodes video, which can reduce quality, and this example’s video encoder settings are not universally optimal. FFmpeg documentation and FFmpeg scale filter documentation
The example copies audio rather than re-encoding it. If FFmpeg reports that the audio stream cannot be copied into the chosen container, use an appropriate audio conversion for your source and output format rather than assuming the video command fits every file. Adjust the encoder’s quality and speed settings to suit your needs, then inspect the result. The command is an example, not a guaranteed performance or quality setting.
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Add the copies to an OBS playlist
- Install VLC. OBS’s VLC Video Source uses VLC libraries and requires VLC to be installed. If you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC as well. OBS Project: Media Sources
- Add a VLC Video Source. In the OBS scene where the playlist should appear, add a source and choose VLC Video Source.
- Build the playlist with the reduced files. Add the FFmpeg copies rather than the full-resolution originals. VLC Video Source supports a list of items, looping and shuffle, along with controls for visibility, caching, audio tracks and subtitles.
- Keep file locations stable. Leave the copies in a consistent folder and avoid moving or renaming them after adding them to the playlist, so OBS can continue to find the files.
- Test playback and sound. Play the playlist in OBS and check that it advances and that audio is present before streaming or recording. Use the Sources dock to add a source, then position and size it in the scene if needed. OBS Project: Quick Start Guide and OBS Project: Sources Guide
For a single ordinary media file rather than a playlist, OBS’s Media Source supports common video formats and offers a hardware-decoding option when available. OBS Project: Media Sources
What this workflow does—and does not do
- It creates smaller local media files and lets OBS play those copies in a playlist.
- It does not preserve full-resolution detail in the reduced copies, and re-encoding can be lossy. Keep originals for archiving or future use.
- It is separate from changing OBS’s output resolution: smaller source files affect selected playlist media, while Output (Scaled) Resolution changes the stream or recording output.
- The documented steps here do not establish that OBS generates editor-style proxies or plays a YouTube playlist URL directly. If you meant proxies for a separate editing program, use that editor’s own proxy and relinking workflow.
Troubleshoot common problems
The VLC Video Source is missing or will not play
Check that VLC is installed and that its architecture matches OBS; for 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC. Then reopen OBS and test the source again. OBS Project: Media Sources
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A playlist item is missing after you move files
Restore the file to its original location or update the playlist to point to its new location. Keeping playlist copies in a stable folder avoids broken paths.
The smaller copy looks soft or has the wrong shape
Reducing resolution removes image detail. Check that the output fits within the intended dimensions and retains the source’s aspect ratio; the example command does this with force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease. Make a new copy at a higher target resolution if the image is too soft for your scene.
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The command fails or the output has no usable audio
Confirm the input path and filename, then play the output in a media player and check its audio before adding it to OBS. The example copies audio with -c:a copy; some source and container combinations may require audio conversion instead.
OBS still struggles with playback or encoding
Try lower-resolution media files when the output does not require the originals’ resolution, or lower the Output (Scaled) Resolution if the whole stream or recording can be smaller. OBS’s guidance recommends lower-resolution media as one possible performance measure, but does not promise a specific improvement. OBS Project: Encoding Performance Troubleshooting
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