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To stream a playlist of local video files around the clock, install VLC and OBS on Linux Mint, add the files to an OBS VLC Video Source, enable Loop Playlist, then send OBS to YouTube Live with your channel’s stream URL and key. This keeps the playlist running only while the Mint computer, OBS, and internet connection remain available; a 24-hour broadcast needs a plan for failures and monitoring.
What you need before you start
- A Linux Mint computer able to play the files and encode the chosen output while staying on for the broadcast.
- OBS Studio and VLC installed. OBS’s VLC Video Source is available on Linux, and VLC must be installed for that source to appear. See OBS Project’s Media Sources documentation.
- A YouTube channel eligible to go live. YouTube requires channel verification and no live-streaming restrictions in the previous 90 days; enabling live streaming for the first time can take up to 24 hours. See YouTube’s live-stream setup guidance.
- A stable upload connection with enough capacity for the selected stream settings, plus a way to monitor the broadcast.
Linux Mint releases can differ in their Ubuntu base and package setup. Follow the current OBS Project Linux installation instructions for your system rather than assuming one Ubuntu PPA command fits every Mint release. OBS recommends Flathub for non-Ubuntu distributions.
Build and test the looping playlist in OBS
- Install VLC and OBS. After installation, open OBS. If the VLC Video Source is missing, confirm VLC is installed and reopen OBS.
- Create a scene. In the Scenes panel, add a scene for the broadcast. In Sources, choose + and select VLC Video Source.
- Add and order the files. In the source properties, add the local video files in the sequence you want. Enable Loop Playlist; OBS documents this source as supporting a playlist, with looping enabled by default. The playlist here means local files in OBS, not a YouTube watch playlist.
- Check the picture and sound. Match the scene canvas and media aspect ratio to your intended output. Add overlays as separate sources, and make sure the playlist source is visible. Watch transitions and listen for audio problems.
- Make a local recording or short unlisted test. Check representative files, including the longest or largest ones and any changes in aspect ratio or audio level. Review the YouTube preview and stream-health indicators during a YouTube test before relying on the setup for a long run. OBS’s Quick Start Guide also recommends testing before going live.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Open YouTube Studio and go to Create → Go live to enter Live Control Room. If live streaming has not been enabled on the channel, complete YouTube’s eligibility and activation steps first; initial activation may take up to 24 hours.
- Create or select the live event. In the stream settings, copy the server URL and stream key. YouTube recommends RTMPS, the secure extension to RTMP.
- In OBS, open Settings → Stream, select YouTube as the service if offered, and enter the server URL and stream key. If the service selector does not expose the required fields, use the custom server option and enter the values from Live Control Room.
- Keep the stream key private. Do not put it in screenshots, public configuration examples, or shared documents. If it is exposed, replace it in YouTube Studio and update OBS with the new key.
- Apply the settings, start streaming from OBS, and check the incoming preview and stream health in Live Control Room before treating the broadcast as established.
Choose resolution, frame rate, and bitrate
There is no single bitrate that suits every Mint computer or internet connection. Choose settings the encoder can sustain and the connection can upload consistently. YouTube’s published recommendations are targets, not a guarantee for your specific hardware or network. Its current encoder guidance recommends RTMPS, constant bitrate (CBR), and a two-second keyframe interval (no more than four seconds). See YouTube’s encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions.
| Output example | Codec | YouTube-listed minimum bitrate | YouTube-listed recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | H.264 | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | H.264 | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
These figures are YouTube’s published H.264 recommendations, accessed in 2026; they are not measurements of your connection. YouTube recommends keeping 20% upload headroom, so do not plan to use all of a connection’s available upload capacity for the stream. Test during the times and conditions you expect to broadcast, and reduce output settings if OBS or YouTube reports instability.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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Keep a 24-hour broadcast from becoming an unattended failure
A looping playlist repeats media; it does not guarantee an uninterrupted live broadcast. The local computer must stay powered, OBS must remain running, and the network must keep delivering the feed. YouTube warns that network disruption can break a stream. The official guidance cited here does not establish that OBS or YouTube will restart a failed local OBS process automatically.
- Before the first full run, test the machine, playlist, and connection for a meaningful period and check YouTube’s preview and stream-health indicators.
- Plan how someone will notice a black screen, frozen video, missing audio, lost connection, power failure, or OBS exit. Arrange an operator or an alerting and monitoring method appropriate to the channel.
- Decide what to do after a failure: restore power or connectivity if needed, reopen OBS, verify the scene and stream settings, then reconnect and confirm the preview again.
- Check that you have rights to every video and audio track in the playlist. A live stream can be interrupted or restricted if its content violates copyright rules; consult YouTube’s live-streaming policies and setup guidance.
- Do not promise a single complete replay of a 24-hour broadcast. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; the cited guidance does not specify what happens to one continuous 24-hour stream’s archive.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you do not want a Mint computer and home connection to carry the broadcast, StreamNeo is a YouTube-only cloud service for looping uploaded videos. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; videos stream as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot, and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
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