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What Castr can do without your computer
Castr’s pre-recorded streaming feature plays uploaded or imported video files from Castr’s cloud. Castr describes this as requiring no encoder or computer to remain running after setup, and lists YouTube among the supported destinations. That is Castr’s product description, not an independent uptime guarantee. Castr’s pre-recorded streaming page explains the cloud workflow.
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In Castr’s documented setup, you add video files, arrange them in a playlist, choose looping playback or a scheduled time, add a destination, and start the stream. Its help article identifies MP4 as the supported file format and says file size and media-file limits depend on the subscription. Pre-recorded streaming is available across plans, but current limits and plan-specific capabilities should be checked in Castr before you commit. Castr’s setup guide covers the steps.
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The documented input is video files uploaded to Castr or imported from cloud storage. The reviewed Castr instructions do not confirm that you can paste a YouTube playlist URL, have Castr fetch its videos, or keep the Castr broadcast synchronized with changes to that playlist. A Castr playlist in this workflow is a sequence of files used for a broadcast—not an existing YouTube playlist.
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If your videos are currently on YouTube, first make sure you have the rights and a lawful way to obtain the underlying files. Then check whether Castr can import those files from a supported storage service or upload them directly. Do not assume that having a public YouTube playlist means Castr can ingest it.
Castr also has a separate playlist feature for viewer playback of Castr livestream and video-on-demand content, with options such as looping and shuffle. That is a player feature, not a method for turning a YouTube playlist into a live broadcast. Castr’s playlist documentation describes that feature.
Rank #2
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Set up a file-based Castr broadcast
- Create a pre-recorded stream. In Castr, start the pre-recorded stream workflow described in its setup guide.
- Add your video files. Upload MP4s or import files from cloud storage. Check your subscription’s current file-size and media-file limits first.
- Arrange the playlist. Put the files in the intended playback order. Choose looping if you want the sequence to repeat, or set the scheduled date and time for a scheduled broadcast.
- Add YouTube as a destination. Configure the destination in your Castr dashboard and complete any connection or authorization steps shown there. The cited guide says to add a platform destination; it does not establish the exact YouTube authorization flow for every account.
- Start the stream and verify it. Confirm the broadcast appears as expected on YouTube, then check the schedule, playback order, and loop behavior in Castr. A cloud workflow removes the need to keep your local encoder running, but it does not remove the need to configure and verify the broadcast.
When to use Castr TV playout instead
If you want a continuously programmed channel made from scheduled files and potentially live streams, Castr separately documents its TV playout product. Castr says this channel runs from its servers and can be delivered to destinations associated with the livestream, including YouTube. It is a broader scheduling and playout product than a single pre-recorded stream. Castr’s TV playout page describes the option.
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Choose based on what you need to program: one or more files scheduled or looped as a pre-recorded broadcast, or a channel schedule that can include files and live inserts. Confirm the supported destinations, current file and loop limits, and plan requirements for the particular Castr product before setup.
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Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is specifically to keep uploaded videos playing as a 24/7 YouTube live stream, StreamNeo is another cloud option: upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. Each slot streams the uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; it also attempts automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. The monthly option is $9.99 per month. It streams to YouTube only. See StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
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