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24/7 live stream

How to Turn Old YouTube Videos Into a 24/7 Live Stream

Use OBS to loop a local video or playlist into YouTube Live, or run the prerecorded stream from the cloud. Check channel eligibility, rights, bandwidth, and replay limits first.

By DocumentaryTube Team 4 min read
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You can turn previously recorded videos into a continuous YouTube Live broadcast by looping a local video or playlist in OBS and sending it to YouTube with the stream URL and key from Live Control Room. The computer running OBS must stay on and connected. If you want the loop to run in the cloud instead, StreamNeo is a YouTube-only option: upload your video, add your stream key, and go live.

Before you start: check eligibility and rights

Make sure your channel can livestream

YouTube’s getting-started guidance says livestreaming requires a verified channel with no livestream restrictions in the preceding 90 days. The minimum age stated in that guidance is 16. Initial livestream activation may take up to 24 hours, so enable access before you plan to start.

Clear every part of the video for live use

Having uploaded a video before does not automatically grant permission to rebroadcast it live. Check the rights for the footage, music, images, clips, and other third-party material in every file. YouTube scans live streams for third-party matches; licensed material can still be interrupted unless the rights holder has allowlisted your channel. Looping a video does not change these obligations.

How to loop old videos with OBS

1. Prepare the video or playlist

  1. For one video, open OBS and add a Media Source to the scene. Select the local video file and enable Loop so playback starts again when it finishes.

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  2. For multiple files, add a VLC Video source, select the playlist files, and enable Loop Playlist. OBS requires VLC to be installed for this source type.

  3. Arrange the scene as you want viewers to see it. Check that the video fills the intended frame and that its audio is present at a sensible level. If you want a title card or other on-screen elements, add them to the scene before going live.

2. Connect OBS to YouTube Live

  1. Open YouTube Live Control Room and create or schedule a stream.

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  2. Copy the stream URL and stream key shown for that stream into the corresponding server and key fields in OBS. The key authorizes the encoder to send video to your channel; treat it like a password and do not publish or share it.

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  3. Start the OBS stream and wait for the feed to appear in YouTube’s Live Control Room preview. Confirm the picture and audio there before you begin the public broadcast.

  4. When the preview is ready, start the broadcast from Live Control Room if the stream was created in a mode that requires a separate start action. Keep OBS running for as long as you want the local loop to continue.

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3. Set bandwidth and monitor the feed

YouTube advises that upload bandwidth should exceed the stream bitrate, with 20% headroom. For example, if the outgoing stream uses 6 Mbps, aim for at least 7.2 Mbps of available upload capacity for that stream, not merely the connection’s advertised maximum. Other devices or uploads sharing the connection can reduce what is available.

Use the Live Control Room preview and stream health indicators to check for audio, video, and connection problems. Test the encoder and network setup before relying on a long broadcast, and keep an eye on the feed while it runs; a local loop depends on the computer, OBS, and internet connection all remaining available.

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Decide how to preserve a replay

Do not assume a single 24/7 broadcast will become a complete YouTube replay. YouTube says streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived, while streams longer than 12 hours may not be captured at all. If preserving the full program matters, plan shorter broadcasts or make a separate local recording. YouTube also recommends keeping a local archive backup.

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Local OBS or a cloud loop?

With OBS, you control the local scene and loop behavior, but the computer, encoder software, and connection have to stay available. YouTube’s encoder directory also lists Gyre as a cloud-based option for 24/7 prerecorded streaming. The directory listing alone does not establish current pricing, service levels, feature limits, or partner terms, so check those directly before choosing it.

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Or let it run in the cloud

StreamNeo keeps a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos: upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. The stream loops from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. Each slot streams the video as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; it also includes automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo or its pricing page for details. Start your free first day with StreamNeo.

Troubleshooting a 24/7 loop

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