For a playlist of local cartoon files, start with OBS Studio’s built-in VLC Video source; it can play, loop, and optionally shuffle a playlist, so a separate plugin is not usually necessary. Install VLC first—OBS requires it for VLC Video, and 64-bit OBS needs 64-bit VLC. For a single file on repeat, use OBS’s built-in Media Source and enable Loop.
Which OBS playlist option should you use?
| Option | Best for | What it offers | Limits and checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| StreamNeo | Keeping a YouTube stream of uploaded videos running from the cloud rather than leaving a computer on | One always-on stream per slot; uploaded video plays as made, up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot. The first day is free. | YouTube only; plays uploaded videos, not a live camera feed. See StreamNeo. |
| OBS Media Source | One local cartoon video that should repeat | Loop setting; controls include restart on activation, hardware decoding where supported, and hiding the source at the end. | Not a multi-item playlist source. OBS notes that reopening an inactive source can cause a short delay. OBS Media Sources documentation. |
| OBS VLC Video | A playlist of local cartoon files | Playlist, loop playlist, shuffle, visibility behavior, and network caching; available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. | VLC must be installed; match its architecture to OBS. OBS Media Sources documentation. |
| Media Playlist Source plugin | Editing a playlist during playback or retaining the current file after an OBS restart | The project materials describe live playlist edits, item selection, and shuffle. | Third-party software. Confirm the current release supports your OBS version and operating system before installing. The OBS Forum resource lists minimum OBS 30.0.0, while an April 13, 2025 update says the upstream change has been merged since OBS 31; check the current release instructions rather than assuming compatibility. OBS Forum resource · plugin project. |
For a basic local playlist, VLC Video is the simplest first choice because it already handles the core loop use case. Consider Media Playlist Source only if you need its particular playlist-editing behavior. The available feature documentation does not establish that any option will be reliable for every 24/7 setup; test the exact computer, media files, and OBS build you intend to use.
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Set up a cartoon playlist in OBS
Before adding files
Confirm that you have permission to livestream the cartoons and their music in the territories where you intend to broadcast. Check whether the rights holder must allowlist your channel in Content ID. A license and YouTube’s monetization decision are separate issues.
For one video on repeat
- In OBS, select the scene where the video should appear and add a Media Source.
- Choose the local video file and enable Loop.
- Set the source’s activation and end-of-file behavior to suit the scene. If you hide and reopen the source, account for the short delay OBS says may occur when an inactive source is reopened.
- Preview playback and audio in the scene before starting a long broadcast.
For several local files
- Install VLC in the same architecture as OBS. If OBS is 64-bit, install 64-bit VLC. Restart OBS if necessary; VLC Video will not appear as a source type until VLC is installed.
- In the target scene, add a VLC Video source.
- Add the cartoon files to its playlist, then enable Loop Playlist. Enable shuffle only if you want playback order to change.
- Choose the visibility behavior and check network caching if you are using network-hosted media rather than local files.
- Play through a complete transition between files. Confirm that the next video appears, audio routes as intended, and the source behaves properly when the scene is hidden or shown.
When the third-party plugin is worth considering
Media Playlist Source is aimed at workflows where the playlist must be edited without restarting the current video, or where the selected file should be retained when OBS restarts. Read the latest installation notes for your specific OS and OBS build before installing; the published version notes are not fully consistent across releases. Do not install it merely because the stream is long—the available materials do not establish superior long-run reliability.
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Keep copyright and monetization checks separate
YouTube scans live streams for matches to third-party content. If it detects a match, it may show a placeholder, warn you to stop, or interrupt or terminate the stream if the issue remains. Even licensed material may be interrupted if the rights holder has not allowlisted the channel in Content ID. See YouTube’s guidance on copyright issues with live streams.
YouTube’s livestream terms require the provider to represent and warrant that they have the necessary rights to use the live content on Google services, including applicable music rights. This is a platform requirement, not legal advice; rights and exceptions can differ by territory. Review the YouTube Terms of Service and obtain advice appropriate to your situation if needed.
Rank #2
- Tactile Control, Visual Feedback: LCD keys, touch strip, and dials for audio, video, lighting, and more. Know that your command has been executed.
- Fully Customizable: Use as an audio mixer, studio controller, production console, etc.
- Multi Actions, Smart Profiles: trigger multiple actions at once or sequentially, automatically switch between interface configurations for different apps.
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- Stream Deck App and Store: drag and drop setup, download plugins, icons, thousands of royalty-free tracks, SFX, and more. Regular updates and new plugins frequently added.
Copyright enforcement is not the same as eligibility for monetization. YouTube’s channel-level reused-content review can apply even when a creator has permission. On July 15, 2025, YouTube renamed “repetitious content” as “inauthentic content” to clarify that repetitive or mass-produced material can be ineligible; examples include similar or repetitive videos with minimal variation. A playlist plugin, a license, or simply leaving a stream running does not guarantee monetization. See YouTube channel monetization policies.
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YouTube says a livestream under 12 hours can be automatically archived, but a stream longer than 12 hours may not be captured at all. If you need a complete archive, record a local backup rather than relying on YouTube’s automatic archive. The 12-hour guidance is from YouTube Help, accessed October 3, 2026; it is a platform threshold, not a guarantee that every shorter stream will archive successfully. See YouTube’s archive live streams guidance.
Rank #3
- 36 macro keys: Trigger commands and access tools with one press; customize your controls in the Stream Deck app, free for PC and Mac; trigger Multi Actions to automate entire sequences with one press
- Six multifunction dials: Make quick adjustments with more precision; turn a single dial into many functions with tools like Action Trigger for extra control; adjust settings and levels with precision
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When you would rather not leave OBS running
For a YouTube stream built from uploaded recordings, StreamNeo runs the playlist in the cloud: upload the video or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. Each slot includes looping and playlists, 10 GB of storage per slot pooled across active slots, and automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The video streams as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot—there are no quality tiers. The first day is free with no card; UPI and cards are accepted in India, with card checkout worldwide. StreamNeo is for YouTube and uploaded videos, not camera broadcasts.
Or let it run in the cloud: upload your recording or playlist, add the YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; any quality up to 4K 60fps is included at one price per slot; automatic recovery can restart the stream if YouTube drops it. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Work smarter not harder: forget keyboard shortcuts. Stream Deck Mini lets you assign tedious, hard to memorise shortcuts to a single key. Instantly identify and activate them without error.
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- Easy Set Up: User-Friendly Software. Drag actions onto keys. Then personalize settings with ease.
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Rank #4
- Advanced Live Production: easily control your favorite tools and platforms.
- 32 Customizable LCD Keys: instantly trigger unlimited actions with a tap.
- Powerful Integrations: Elgato 4KCU, OBS, Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, Discord, Spotify, Philips Hue, vMix, VoiceMod, and more.
- One-Touch Operation: change scenes, launch media, switch cameras, tweak lighting, adjust audio, post tweets – anything.
- Visual Feedback: know that your command has been executed.
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