The Tool Desk
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Set up a holding screen with OBS scenes
A scene keeps the holding image separate from your video or playlist, making it easy to switch without leaving the graphic over a playing clip. OBS scenes combine sources, and an Image Source can display a still image. OBS Project’s Media Sources documentation also explains the available media-source options.
- Create the video scene. In OBS, add a scene named Video. Add the video source or VLC Video Source playlist you want to play.
- Create the holding scene. Add a scene named Holding, then add an Image Source and select your holding graphic. Add text or other visual elements only if they help viewers, such as a brief message that the next video is coming.
- Choose a transition. Select a scene transition such as Cut or Fade in OBS and set its duration to suit the stream.
- Switch between scenes. When a clip ends, select Holding; switch back to Video when you are ready for playback to continue.
This manual method uses OBS’s built-in scene and transition controls and does not depend on an automation rule. If you prefer to keep everything in one scene, you can place the image above the video source and toggle the image source’s visibility between clips, but a separate scene makes it clearer which screen is live.
Understand what an OBS loop does—and does not do
OBS Media Source can loop a local audio or video file after playback completes. It also offers settings including Restart playback when source becomes active and Show nothing when playback ends. Those controls affect the media source; they do not create an interstitial screen.
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OBS VLC Video Source supports a list of media items and a Loop Playlist option. That repeats the list, but it does not inherently show a holding image between playlist entries. VLC must be installed for the VLC source to be available. The OBS documentation describes VLC’s playlist as a way to create a list of items, similar to an image slideshow, not as a holding-screen feature.
Automate the holding scene between clips
For a hands-off loop, the Advanced Scene Switcher plugin can use media conditions and a Switch scene action. A typical arrangement is to switch to Holding when a video item ends, wait for the desired hold, then start or reveal the next clip and switch back to Video.
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- Check compatibility first. The plugin listing currently identifies version 1.36.1, supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, and specifies OBS Studio 31.1.1 as its minimum version. Check the Advanced Scene Switcher listing for current release and compatibility information before installing.
- Configure a media condition. In the plugin’s macro setup, choose a condition for the media item ending and an action that switches to the Holding scene. The exact arrangement depends on your source and scene structure.
- Configure the return to video. Add the wait or timing condition for your desired hold, then arrange for the next clip to start or become visible and switch back to Video.
- Test the sequence. Confirm that the holding image appears at the right moment, that the next clip starts as intended, and that the scene returns to video before using the automation on a live stream.
If the source is a VLC playlist and the macro should run after each clip, select the condition that detects an individual item ending—not the playlist ending. The plugin release notes distinguish Ended for individual VLC items from Ended(Playlist) for the end of the full playlist. See the plugin listing and release notes.
For more direct per-clip control, configure individual Media Sources and explicit transitions or actions. That requires more source and scene setup than a single VLC playlist. Either approach depends on the installed plugin version and the way sources are configured; media restart and visibility settings can affect whether a clip resumes, restarts, or remains hidden when you change scenes.
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Choose the approach that fits your loop
| Approach | Best suited to | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Holding scene | A small number of clips or occasional breaks | You switch scenes yourself; no plugin automation is needed. |
| VLC playlist with a plugin macro | An ordered playlist that should advance with an interstitial | Requires VLC, Advanced Scene Switcher, compatible versions, and a tested item-ended rule. |
| Separate Media Sources with explicit actions | More direct control over individual clips and transitions | Requires more source, scene, and action configuration. |
Troubleshoot common problems
The VLC Video Source option is missing
OBS requires VLC to be installed for VLC Video Source. Check that VLC is installed and compatible with your OBS installation. If you do not need a playlist, a Media Source for an individual video is another built-in option.
The holding screen never appears between playlist items
Loop Playlist only repeats the VLC list; it does not insert an image. Use manual scene switching or configure a plugin macro based on the individual item ending.
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The macro runs only after the entire playlist
Check whether the condition is set to Ended(Playlist). For a trigger after every VLC item, use the individual-item Ended condition instead.
A video restarts or disappears after a scene switch
Review the Media Source settings for Restart playback when source becomes active and Show nothing when playback ends, along with the source’s visibility and activation behavior. Those settings determine what happens when the source becomes active or its playback ends.
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The plugin is unavailable or its controls do not match
Confirm that your OBS version meets the plugin listing’s stated minimum and check the listing for changes to the current release. Test the macro with your installed OBS build and actual source arrangement before relying on it live.
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