For one prerecorded video looped continuously, plan for roughly one copy of the source file—not a new copy for every replay. Add the operating system, streaming software, logs, temporary files, any alternate encodes or backups, and some free space for normal operation. The right Contabo plan depends on that retained-data total; stream bitrate affects outbound traffic, not how much disk the source video occupies.
Does looping a video use more storage?
No. If the same local file is played repeatedly, it remains one file on disk. A 20 GB video still occupies about 20 GB whether it plays once or loops all day. A second retained copy adds about another 20 GB; alternate encodes and other assets also count separately.
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Use the file’s actual size and count everything you intend to keep on the VPS. Do not treat a plan’s nominal capacity as entirely available for video: the OS, software, updates, logs, temporary working files, and routine system activity need room too. Keep operational free space rather than filling the disk to capacity.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat Contabo storage options are relevant?
Contabo’s product documentation lists Storage VPS plans with 300 GB, 400 GB, 1 TB, 1.2 TB, and 1.4 TB of SSD storage, with listed network ports ranging from 200 Mbit/s to 1 Gbit/s. Contabo positions this plan family for storage-heavy workloads, including media assets such as video files. These are documented nominal capacities, not a promise that all capacity is available for the video itself. See Contabo Storage VPS documentation; plan details can change.
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Contabo also documents Core VPS plans with 100–600 GB SSD and Performance VPS plans with 150–900 GB NVMe, alongside Storage VPS capacity of 300 GB to 1.4 TB SSD. Storage VPS prioritizes capacity and uses shared vCPUs; Performance VPS emphasizes NVMe and compute performance. A video merely being read and sent does not by itself establish a need for the fastest storage, but encoding workload and other server tasks may affect the CPU and memory you need. Compare current options in Contabo VPS documentation.
| Contabo family | Documented storage | What to consider for a loop |
|---|---|---|
| Storage VPS | 300 GB–1.4 TB SSD | Useful to compare when retained data is the main constraint; documentation describes shared vCPUs and storage for high-capacity use. |
| Core VPS | 100–600 GB SSD | Compare if its current capacity and other resources fit the workload. |
| Performance VPS | 150–900 GB NVMe | Compare if compute or NVMe performance matters for your encoder or other workloads. |
The documented Storage VPS change process requires reinstalling, so back up data and check Contabo’s current upgrade steps before changing storage plans. Contabo also applies fair-use traffic terms and reserves the right to throttle exceptionally high or disruptive usage; capacity alone does not guarantee uninterrupted 24/7 streaming. See the Storage VPS terms and details.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Keep disk capacity separate from stream bandwidth
Disk capacity measures files retained on the VPS. Stream bitrate measures the encoded data sent continuously to YouTube, so it affects network egress rather than multiplying the size of the local source file.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteYouTube’s live encoder guidance recommends bitrate according to codec, resolution, and frame rate. For H.264 at 1080p and 30 fps, its recommended range is 5–14 Mbps; for H.264 at 720p and 30 fps, it is 3–8 Mbps. These are live ingest recommendations, not estimates of source-file size. Consult YouTube’s live encoder settings and select settings appropriate to your stream.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
At a constant 5–14 Mbps, a stream sends approximately 2.25–6.3 GB per hour, or 54–151 GB in a day, using decimal units. This is a bitrate-times-time calculation, not a quoted YouTube statistic or disk-use estimate. It helps frame continuous outbound traffic, but actual conditions and Contabo’s fair-use terms still matter.
How to size your Contabo VPS
- Measure the source. Check the actual size of the video file that will stay on the server.
- Count every retained item. Include alternate encodes, overlays, music or graphics, logs, and any backup copy stored on the same VPS.
- Allow room for the system. Reserve space for the OS, streaming software, updates, temporary files, and routine activity. Do not plan to use every nominal gigabyte for media.
- Choose a plan family and capacity. Compare the total retained-data requirement with usable capacity, then consider storage type, CPU and RAM for encoding, network port speed, and traffic terms. If changing a Storage VPS plan, account for the documented reinstall requirement and back up first.
- Size the stream separately. Choose output resolution, frame rate, codec, and bitrate for YouTube, then confirm the VPS network path can sustain the outbound stream.
- Test and monitor. YouTube recommends testing the stream and monitoring stream health. Its network tips recommend leaving 20% upload-bandwidth headroom. Its encoder guidance recommends a two-second keyframe frequency, says not to exceed four seconds, lists CBR, and recommends RTMPS. These are configuration recommendations, not guarantees of uninterrupted service. See YouTube live encoder settings and YouTube streaming tips.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you would rather not administer a VPS, StreamNeo keeps an uploaded video or playlist live on YouTube from the cloud. Upload the recording, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. StreamNeo sends the uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; it automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly service is $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
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- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Contabo Object Storage the same as a Storage VPS?
No. The Storage VPS is a virtual machine with a disk; Object Storage is accessed through an S3 API. Choose based on whether you need a machine to run the loop or object storage for files.
Does a larger disk make a YouTube loop more reliable?
Not by itself. Disk capacity solves retained-file space; reliability also depends on the encoder, sustained network path, provider traffic terms, and monitoring.
Quick Recap
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