For looping a local video file on YouTube Live, OBS is the more directly documented choice: add the file as a Media Source and enable Loop. YouTube receives an encoder feed; its viewer-side player loop setting does not broadcast your video repeatedly. Choose datarhei Restreamer if you want to publish a configured source through its Publication Service, or Restream (a separate product) for a managed, scheduled prerecorded event—subject to its current plan limits.
What these tools do differently
OBS Studio is encoder software running on your computer. You build a scene, add a video source, and send the resulting feed to YouTube. OBS documents a Loop property for Media Sources, which repeats a file when playback finishes; the setting is off by default.
datarhei Restreamer is a separate product from Restream. Its YouTube publication guide describes selecting Publication Service, entering a valid YouTube streaming ID, saving, and starting the stream. That guide does not specify a looping control, so it is not enough to conclude that Restreamer cannot loop video; confirm that the workflow you intend to use supports your source and repeat behavior.
Restream is a third, distinct service. Its documentation describes scheduled prerecorded events using uploaded or recorded video. The reviewed event guide says looping is available on Marathon and Media add-on plans, with up to 10 plays and a maximum resulting stream duration of 40 hours. These limits and plan details can change; check the current event guide and your account’s plan before relying on them.
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- 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.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Which one should you choose?
| Option | Best fit | Looping and workflow | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | Local playback with hands-on control of scenes and sources. | Add a Media Source to a scene and turn on Loop; connect OBS to YouTube as an encoder. | Your computer and OBS setup must produce the feed. Configure and monitor the YouTube stream. |
| datarhei Restreamer | Publishing a configured source to YouTube through Restreamer’s Publication Service. | The cited guide covers entering a YouTube streaming ID and starting publication; it does not state a loop control. | Confirm the exact source and looping workflow you need. The guide warns that interrupting from Restreamer before ending the broadcast on YouTube may affect saving it to YouTube’s DVR archive. |
| Restream | A managed prerecorded event scheduled to air automatically. | The reviewed guide describes up to 10 video plays and up to 40 hours of resulting stream duration. | The reviewed help page lists looping for Marathon and Media add-on plans. Check current plan, video-library, and resolution limits. |
If local scene control and a clearly documented file-loop setting matter most, start with OBS. If you want a managed scheduled event, examine Restream’s current plan requirements. If you are evaluating datarhei Restreamer, follow its publication guide and verify how its current source configuration handles repetition.
Loop a local video in OBS and send it to YouTube
1. Prepare the YouTube live stream
- In YouTube Studio, create or open the live stream you plan to use and retrieve its stream key using YouTube’s encoder setup workflow: YouTube encoder setup. Treat the key as a password: do not publish it or share it with anyone who should not be able to broadcast to your channel.
- In OBS, open Settings > Stream, select YouTube as the service, and connect the account or enter the stream key using the available connection method. Confirm the destination before starting the broadcast.
- In Settings > Output and Settings > Video, choose encoder settings that your system and connection can sustain. YouTube recommends RTMPS and a two-second keyframe interval, not exceeding four seconds. Its current guide provides codec, frame-rate, and quality recommendations: YouTube encoder settings. Use that guidance for the target resolution and frame rate rather than copying a bitrate from an unrelated tutorial.
2. Add and loop the file
- In the OBS scene where the video should appear, select Sources > + > Media Source. Give the source a name and choose the local video file. OBS lists common supported media types including MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM; compatibility can still depend on the file’s encoding and your system.
- In the Media Source properties, enable Loop. OBS describes this property as controlling whether the file plays again after playback completes; its default is off. Leave it off if you want one play only.
- Check the preview for framing, audio, and any unwanted transition or empty space at the end of the file. If the format or playback is problematic, OBS also documents a separate VLC Video source option that requires VLC and has a Loop Playlist setting; that is a different source type from Media Source.
- Start streaming from OBS, then check YouTube Studio’s stream preview and stream health before sharing the live link. YouTube advises testing and monitoring the encoder feed.
Configure Restreamer or Restream for their documented workflows
datarhei Restreamer
- Follow the Restreamer YouTube guide to select Publication Service, enter a valid YouTube streaming ID, save the configuration, and start the stream.
- Use YouTube’s own stream setup and encoder guidance for the broadcast settings, then verify the feed in YouTube Studio.
- When stopping, account for Restreamer’s warning: interrupting from Restreamer before ending the broadcast on YouTube may affect whether the stream is saved to YouTube’s DVR archive.
Restream scheduled prerecorded events
Restream’s prerecorded-event guide describes uploading or selecting video, scheduling an event, and having it air automatically. The guide reviewed for this comparison says the event can loop up to 10 times, with a maximum resulting duration of 40 hours; it lists looping for Marathon and Media add-on plans. Because availability and plan limits are volatile, check that guide for current video-library, resolution, and event requirements before scheduling.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
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Restream also describes recorded-video scheduling and looping in its Upload & Stream overview. Do not confuse that managed event workflow with the separate option to play a video inside Restream Studio: the Studio guide describes adding a stored video to a scene and looping it after it finishes.
Check copyright and YouTube channel rules
Having permission to upload a video does not automatically establish that a continuous live broadcast complies with every applicable right or platform rule. Before streaming, confirm that you have the necessary rights to the video, music, and other material, and review YouTube’s current live-stream policies and notices in your account. Repeating a video does not make it original or change its rights status. Avoid assuming that a stream will be eligible for recommendations or monetization merely because it remains live; YouTube applies its own channel and content policies.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
For OBS, Restreamer, or Restream, the source still reaches YouTube as a live broadcast, so check YouTube’s current requirements as well as the chosen tool’s workflow. Keep a copy of the source file and any relevant permission records.
Troubleshoot a looped YouTube stream
- The video plays once and stops: For an OBS Media Source, open its properties and enable Loop; the documented default is off. For a Restream or Restreamer workflow, check that product’s current event or publication settings rather than assuming the OBS control applies.
- YouTube shows no incoming video: Confirm OBS is connected to the intended channel and using the correct stream key, then check YouTube Studio’s stream health. If using Restreamer, verify the streaming ID and Publication Service configuration.
- The feed disconnects or stream health is poor: Check the encoder output, network stability, and YouTube’s current recommended settings. Test before relying on a long broadcast; YouTube recommends RTMPS, a two-second keyframe interval, and monitoring stream health.
- The file will not play or has no sound: Check OBS’s supported media workflow, source selection, and audio levels. Try a compatible file or, if appropriate, OBS’s VLC Video source, which requires VLC.
- The Restream event will not loop or schedule: Verify the current plan’s eligibility and event limits. The reviewed guide lists looping for Marathon and Media add-on plans, but plan details can change.
- A Restreamer broadcast is missing from YouTube’s DVR archive: Review the stop sequence in Restreamer’s guide; it warns that interrupting from Restreamer before ending on YouTube may affect archive saving.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is a YouTube channel that keeps uploaded videos playing without leaving a computer running, StreamNeo is a cloud alternative. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud; it does not broadcast from a camera.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- 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
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
- Nothing has to stay on at home: the stream runs in the cloud, so your computer can be off.
- Every slot supports the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- Automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card required (one free day per account); monthly billing is $9.99 per month.
Start your free StreamNeo day.
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