Use OBS’s built-in Media Source to loop one rain video; choose VLC Video Source when you want a playlist of multiple clips. For either option, enable the relevant loop setting and check how the source behaves when hidden before leaving the stream unattended. For a YouTube broadcast, also plan for copyright checks and the platform’s limits on archiving very long streams.
Which OBS source should you use?
| Your setup | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One local rain video | Media Source | It is the simpler built-in option; enable Loop to replay the file when it ends. |
| Several clips played in sequence or shuffled | VLC Video Source | It accepts a playlist and has a Loop Playlist setting; shuffle is available if you want clips in a changed order. |
OBS documents Media Source for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its listed video formats include MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM; listed audio formats include MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV. The Media Source Loop setting is off by default. VLC Video Source uses VLC libraries for extended media support, so it requires VLC to be installed before that source type appears in OBS. OBS documents that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. OBS Media Sources documentation (dated January 11, 2022).
Set up a single looping rain video
- In OBS, open the scene where the rain video should appear. In the Sources panel, select + and choose Media Source.
- Name the source if useful, then select the local video file in its properties.
- Enable Loop. This setting is off by default, so without it the file reaches its end and stops playing.
- Confirm the source is visible in the scene and check the preview. Listen for the expected audio and verify that the picture fills the intended canvas.
- Start a test stream or monitor a preview before leaving it unattended. Confirm that the video and audio continue as expected after the file reaches its end.
Set up a playlist of rain clips
- Install VLC before configuring the scene. Match its architecture to OBS: for 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC.
- In the OBS scene, use the Sources panel’s + menu and choose VLC Video Source.
- Add the rain clips to the source playlist and put them in the desired order.
- Enable Loop Playlist so playback restarts when the list reaches its end. Decide whether to enable shuffle: leave it off for a predictable sequence, or turn it on if changing order is desired.
- Review the source’s visibility behavior and audio-track settings. VLC Video Source offers visibility choices including stop/restart, pause/unpause, and always play; choose the behavior that matches how your scenes are used.
- Preview and monitor the stream, including transitions between clips, before leaving it unattended.
OBS’s documentation lists Loop Playlist as on by default for VLC Video Source, but check the setting in your own source rather than relying on a default. Available labels and options can depend on the OBS version and platform. See OBS’s Media Sources documentation.
Make the stream suitable for unattended playback
A loop setting only controls media playback; it does not guarantee that the broadcast remains online. Continuity also depends on the computer, power, network connection, media file, encoder, and platform connection. No particular OBS or VLC configuration can be treated as a guarantee of 24/7 uptime.
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#1 Best Overall
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- Check source visibility behavior: a source that pauses or stops while hidden may not keep playing when another scene is active.
- Monitor video and audio: verify output before leaving the setup unattended and keep an eye on stream quality. YouTube’s encoder guidance recommends monitoring audio and video quality.
- Plan for a local recording: if keeping a complete copy matters, record locally as well as streaming. YouTube recommends a local archive as a backup.
- Consider shorter broadcasts if an archive is essential: YouTube says it can automatically archive streams shorter than 12 hours, while streams exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. A single continuous 24/7 stream therefore should not be assumed to produce a complete YouTube archive. YouTube: Archive live streams.
- Do not promise a fixed rewind window: YouTube DVR lets viewers pause and rewind live streams, but rewind can be limited or unavailable for very long broadcasts, including streams longer than 12 hours. YouTube: Turn on DVR on live streams.
Check rights before streaming rain footage and sound
Use original rain footage and audio, or material whose license clearly permits the intended live use, territory, and any replay you plan to keep. Retain the license documentation. “Rain sounds” are not automatically free to use: a recording and any composition or other embedded audio can involve separate rights.
YouTube’s livestream terms require creators to have the necessary rights for live content on Google services worldwide, including relevant music licensing rights. YouTube also scans live streams for third-party content. If it identifies a match, it may replace the stream with a placeholder; if the issue is unresolved, the stream may be interrupted or terminated. A license alone may not prevent an interruption if the rights holder has not allowlisted the channel through Content ID. Read YouTube’s livestream terms and guidance on copyright issues with live streams.
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Or let it run in the cloud
If your aim is a YouTube channel that keeps playing uploaded rain videos while your home computer is off, StreamNeo runs the loop from the cloud. The setup is: upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, then go live. It plays uploaded videos, not a live camera feed.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Nothing has to stay on at home; the stream runs from the cloud.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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