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Use an MP4 file as the local video source in OBS, enable Loop in the Media Source properties, and send the live broadcast with H.264 video and AAC stereo audio. MP4 is the file OBS plays; it is not the format YouTube receives as a live stream. OBS encodes the playback into a supported live stream, so audio settings and routing matter as much as the file extension.
Why MP4 is a practical choice—and what it does not do
MP4 is supported by OBS Media Source and is a practical container for a local product video. YouTube also lists MP4 among its supported upload formats, with a recommended upload profile of H.264 video and AAC-LC audio. Upload recommendations and live-ingest requirements are separate: OBS plays the source file, then encodes and sends a live stream to YouTube.
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For a straightforward RTMP/RTMPS setup, YouTube lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, or AV1 for video and AAC or MP3 for audio. H.264 video with AAC stereo is a compatibility-first starting point. YouTube recommends RTMPS, the secure variant of RTMP. YouTube’s live encoder settings describe supported codecs and recommended encoder settings; its upload settings cover file uploads, which are a different workflow.
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- Prepare the source. Use a local MP4 file and confirm it contains the intended audio track. Check that the product video’s picture and sound are suitable for a continuous loop.
- Add and loop the file. In OBS, add a Media Source, select the local file, and enable Loop in the source properties. OBS restarts the file after playback completes. For a playlist, use VLC Video and enable its Loop Playlist property. See the OBS Media Sources documentation.
- Check the audio meter. While the file plays, watch the corresponding source in the OBS Audio Mixer. The meter should move when the video’s audio plays. If it does not, verify the file has an audible track and check the Media Source settings. OBS documents meter checks and manually selecting devices in its audio sources guide.
- Route the source to the broadcast. Make sure it is not muted and is included in the audio track used by the stream. Set the outgoing audio codec to AAC stereo, a suitable default for this workflow.
- Configure live video output. Set the encoder to H.264 and use constant bitrate (CBR). YouTube recommends a two-second keyframe interval and says not to exceed four seconds. For stereo audio, its recommended settings are 44.1 kHz and 128 kbps. See YouTube’s encoder guidance.
- Test the actual scene and loop boundary. Run a short test with the real scene. Check the audio, motion, and transition when the file restarts, and monitor YouTube’s stream health. OBS’s loop setting confirms that playback restarts; it does not guarantee a gapless or frame-perfect transition for every export. YouTube also recommends testing before going live.
Choose a stream profile your connection can sustain
Use these YouTube-recommended H.264 live-ingest bitrates as starting points, not guarantees of picture quality. Choose a profile your upload connection can sustain reliably.
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| Live resolution and frame rate | YouTube-recommended H.264 bitrate | Audio starting point |
|---|---|---|
| 720p30 or 720p60 | 8 Mbps | Stereo AAC; 44.1 kHz and 128 kbps recommended |
| 1080p30 | 14 Mbps | Stereo AAC; 44.1 kHz and 128 kbps recommended |
| 1080p60 | 17 Mbps | Stereo AAC; 44.1 kHz and 128 kbps recommended |
These are encoder recommendations from YouTube’s current live settings guidance, checked October 3, 2026. They are not a substitute for testing the connection and stream health at the chosen quality. CBR and a two-second keyframe interval (no more than four seconds) are also part of YouTube’s guidance.
Fix “no audio” by following the signal path
A file ending in .mp4 does not prove that viewers will hear it. Check the stages in order and use a controlled test stream or recording before the real broadcast.
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- No movement on the OBS source meter: Check whether the file contains an audible audio track and whether the Media Source is playing it. Focus on the file and source playback first.
- The meter moves, but viewers hear nothing: Check that the source is unmuted, assigned to the audio track sent to the stream, and included in the outgoing mix. Confirm the encoder is using a YouTube-supported audio codec.
- YouTube reports a stream-format error: Review the outgoing container and codec settings in OBS against YouTube’s supported live settings. YouTube identifies unsupported codec or container configurations as stream-format errors; see YouTube’s stream error guidance.
- You hear audio locally, but the audience does not: Local monitoring is separate from the live output mix. In OBS, set up monitoring and choose a monitoring device if you need to listen locally, but verify the stream track independently. See OBS audio monitoring guidance.
- The audience hears an echo: Check whether the same device is being captured both in global audio settings and as a scene source. OBS warns that duplicate capture can cause echo; remove the redundant capture path. See OBS’s audio sources guide.
When HLS is relevant
RTMP/RTMPS with H.264 video and AAC audio is the straightforward compatibility-first route for this workflow. YouTube also supports HLS for applicable ingest use cases; its supported audio codecs include AAC, AC3, and EAC3. HLS has additional segment and playlist requirements and higher latency because it sends segments. Switching to HLS does not fix a muted source or incorrect audio routing. See YouTube’s HLS ingest guidance.
Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is to keep a prerecorded product video looping on YouTube without leaving a computer running, StreamNeo is a cloud option. Upload the video, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it loops uploaded videos, not a live camera feed. Any quality up to 4K 60fps streams as uploaded at one flat price per slot, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. StreamNeo streams to YouTube only. See StreamNeo or start the free first day.
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