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For a playlist of local video files in OBS, make lower-resolution copies with FFmpeg and load those copies into OBS’s VLC Video Source. That reduces the size of the video OBS has to decode; changing OBS’s output resolution is a separate option that scales the stream or recording without replacing the source files. This guide assumes your playlist contains local files, not a YouTube playlist URL.
Choose between smaller files and a smaller output
The right method depends on what you want to change. If the source files are too demanding to decode, create smaller copies and use them in the playlist. If the files play smoothly but you want the finished stream or recording delivered at a lower resolution, change OBS’s output setting instead.
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| Method | What it changes | Workflow | Quality and resource notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower-resolution copies | The selected media files used by the playlist | Transcode files with FFmpeg, then add the copies to a VLC Video Source | Smaller source video may reduce decoding load. Re-encoding is lossy, so retain the originals. |
| Output (Scaled) Resolution | The resolution of the stream or recording output | Set it in OBS under Settings → Video | OBS scales the output using the selected downscale filter; source files remain unchanged. |
OBS recommends lower-resolution media files where appropriate, including when displaying full 4K media in a lower-resolution output. Its documentation does not give a percentage performance improvement, so the benefit depends on the files and the computer. [OBS encoding performance troubleshooting]
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FFmpeg’s scale filter can fit video within a maximum width and height while preserving its aspect ratio. This example creates a copy that fits within 1280×720:
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ffmpeg -i "original.mp4" -vf "scale=1280:720:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease" -c:v libx264 -crf 23 -preset medium -c:a copy "proxy_720p.mp4"- Install FFmpeg and open a terminal or command prompt in the folder containing the original file, or use full paths to both input and output files.
- Replace
original.mp4with the source filename. Changeproxy_720p.mp4to a distinct output name so you do not overwrite the original. - Run the command. The scale filter fits the video within 1280×720 and preserves its aspect ratio, so a video with a different shape may produce dimensions smaller than one of those limits.
- Play the output file from beginning to end, check that the picture looks acceptable and confirm audio is present before using it in OBS.
The video is re-encoded as H.264 with the example quality and speed settings; those settings are a starting point, not a universal optimum. -c:a copy copies the audio stream rather than re-encoding it, provided FFmpeg can copy that source audio into the output container. If the command reports an audio/container compatibility error, choose a compatible output container or encode the audio instead. FFmpeg describes transcoding as decoding and re-encoding; filtering such as resizing requires transcoding and can reduce quality. Keep the original as your high-quality master. [FFmpeg documentation] [FFmpeg scale filter documentation]
This is an ordinary transcoded video copy, not a special OBS proxy format. If you mean editor proxies for an NLE, the proxy and relinking steps depend on that editor and are separate from this OBS playlist workflow.
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Add the copies to an OBS playlist
- Install VLC. OBS’s VLC Video Source relies on VLC libraries; if you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC so the architectures match. [OBS Media Sources]
- In OBS, use the Sources dock’s add button and choose VLC Video Source. Name the source, then add the reduced-resolution files to its playlist.
- Set the source’s playlist options as needed, such as loop or shuffle, and check its playback, visibility, caching, audio-track and subtitle controls for your setup.
- Keep the copies in a stable folder and avoid moving or renaming them after adding them. Play through the playlist and check the picture and audio in your scene before streaming or recording.
OBS’s VLC Video Source supports playlists. Its Media Source is intended for individual media files and supports common video formats; it also offers hardware decoding when available. Use the source type that matches your setup. OBS’s general source workflow is to add a source from the Sources dock, then position and size it in the scene. [OBS Media Sources] [OBS Quick Start Guide] [OBS Sources Guide]
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- In OBS, open Settings → Video.
- Set Output (Scaled) Resolution to the resolution you want for your stream or recording.
- Choose the available downscale filter that suits your needs, then apply the setting and test the result.
This changes the output resolution, not the resolution of the playlist files. OBS notes that changing Base (Canvas) Resolution can require sources to be realigned or resized, while changing Output (Scaled) Resolution does not have that effect. [OBS Studio Overview]
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What this workflow does not cover
The instructions above are for local video files. The reviewed OBS documentation establishes VLC Video Source as a playlist source, but does not establish direct playback of a YouTube playlist URL in OBS or a built-in OBS feature that generates editor-style proxies. If you want to use YouTube-hosted videos, verify the specific playback method and its permissions separately rather than treating a local-file playlist as a YouTube URL playlist.
Troubleshoot common problems
- VLC Video Source is missing or will not play: Check that VLC is installed and that its architecture matches OBS—64-bit VLC for 64-bit OBS—then restart OBS and test again.
- A playlist item is missing: Confirm the file still exists at the location added to the playlist. Keep media in a stable folder, and update the playlist if files have been moved or renamed.
- The reduced copy looks stretched: Use the scale filter shown above, which preserves aspect ratio, and inspect the result. Do not force both output dimensions independently if that would distort the source.
- Audio is absent or FFmpeg reports an error: Test the output file outside OBS. If audio copying is incompatible with the output container, select a compatible container or encode the audio to a supported format.
- Playback still strains the computer: Try a lower-resolution copy and test it in the intended scene. Smaller files can help with decoding load, but no fixed performance gain is guaranteed; output scaling alone does not replace a demanding source file.
- Sources move after a resolution change: Check whether you changed Base (Canvas) Resolution. That setting can require scene sources to be realigned or resized; Output (Scaled) Resolution is the output-scaling control.
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