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Which free looping method should you use?
| Your setup | OBS source | Repeat setting | Extra installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| One gaming VOD | Media Source | Loop | None beyond OBS |
| Several VODs in sequence | VLC Video | Loop Playlist | VLC with the same architecture as OBS |
Both are free software options documented by the OBS Project. The simpler choice for a single file is Media Source; VLC Video is useful when you want OBS to cycle through a playlist. The loop controls affect playback of the local source in OBS, not YouTube’s playback controls. See the OBS Media Sources documentation.
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Set up one looping VOD in OBS
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Install OBS Studio from the official OBS site. OBS describes the software as free and open source, with no watermark or commercial-use restriction, and says its official download does not bundle adware.
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Open OBS and create or select a scene for the broadcast.
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In the Sources area, select + and choose Media Source. Give the source a recognizable name, then select the local gaming video file.
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Turn on Loop in the Media Source properties. The option is off by default.
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Check the OBS preview and listen to the audio. Confirm the video and sound play as intended before connecting the stream.
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In YouTube Live Control Room, create an encoder stream and connect OBS using the stream configuration YouTube provides. YouTube’s encoder setup guide describes this workflow. If live streaming has not previously been enabled for the channel, YouTube says activation can take up to 24 hours.
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Set up a playlist of VODs
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Install VLC before adding the source. Use the VLC architecture that matches OBS: OBS’s documentation specifies 64-bit VLC for 64-bit OBS.
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In OBS, select + in Sources and add VLC Video.
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Add the gaming VOD files to the source’s playlist in the order you want them to play.
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Enable Loop Playlist in the VLC Video source properties.
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Check the preview and audio, then set up YouTube Live Control Room and connect OBS as an encoder as described above.
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OBS supports common local video formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, and WebM. The VLC Video source relies on VLC libraries for extended media support and will appear in OBS only when VLC is installed. Consult the OBS documentation if a file or source option does not behave as expected.
Check channel eligibility and rights before broadcasting
YouTube requires live streams to follow its Community Guidelines and Terms of Service, and restrictions can affect a channel’s access to live streaming. Review YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility and guidelines before scheduling a broadcast.
A VOD being playable in OBS does not establish that it is licensed for rebroadcast. Check the rights for the specific gameplay recording, soundtrack, overlays, and any other included material. This workflow does not determine whether a particular game recording or audio track may be streamed.
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The video stops instead of repeating: Open the Media Source properties and enable Loop. It is off by default.
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VLC Video is missing from the source menu: Install VLC, then check that its architecture matches OBS. The OBS documentation says 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
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A playlist ends after the last file: Open the VLC Video source properties and enable Loop Playlist, rather than relying on the single-file Media Source loop option.
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The OBS preview works but YouTube is not receiving the broadcast: The local loop and the live connection are separate parts of the workflow. Check the encoder stream setup in YouTube Live Control Room and use the stream configuration YouTube provides to connect OBS.
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You cannot start a first live stream immediately: YouTube says first-time live-stream enablement may take up to 24 hours; check channel eligibility and access in YouTube.
Or let it run in the cloud
OBS keeps the looping playback on your Windows computer, so that computer and its connection need to remain available while you stream. StreamNeo is an alternative for keeping uploaded videos live on YouTube: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Its cloud loop means nothing has to stay on at home; uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot, and the service automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start a free day.
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