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To rotate prerecorded videos in a YouTube Live stream, use OBS: add one video as a Media Source and enable Loop, or add multiple files to a VLC Video source and enable Loop Playlist. Connect OBS to a stream in YouTube Studio with its stream URL and stream key, then test and monitor the broadcast. This keeps the video source cycling; it does not by itself guarantee an uninterrupted 24/7 broadcast or a complete archive.
Before you set up the stream
- Your YouTube channel must be verified and must not have live-streaming restrictions from the previous 90 days. First-time live-streaming enablement can take up to 24 hours. Check YouTube’s encoder setup guidance before scheduling a launch.
- Install OBS on a computer that can remain on and connected for as long as you want the local stream to run.
- Have the video files ready and decide whether you want one file repeated or a playlist of files rotated in order.
Set up a single video to repeat
- Open OBS and add a source in the Sources panel. Choose Media Source, then create or select the source.
- In the Media Source properties, select the video file and enable Loop.
- Confirm the video and its audio play in the OBS preview. If the source is not visible, check that it is enabled and positioned within the scene.
A Media Source with Loop is the simplest option when the same recording should play repeatedly. OBS documents the control in its Media Sources guide.
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Rotate several videos with a playlist
- Install VLC before adding the playlist source. If you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC so OBS can use it.
- In OBS, add a VLC Video source and use its playlist controls to add the video files you want to play.
- Enable Loop Playlist so playback restarts after the final file.
- Arrange the list in the order you want. Shuffle is a separate option and is off by default; leave it off for a predictable sequence or enable it if you want the file order randomized.
- Play the source in OBS and check both the picture and sound, including the transition between files.
OBS describes Loop Playlist as restarting the source after it runs out of media files. Its documentation does not promise gapless transitions, so check how your particular files behave rather than assuming there will be no pause between them.
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Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- In YouTube Studio, select Create → Go Live, then select an existing stream or create one.
- Copy the stream URL and stream key shown in the Live Control Room into OBS’s streaming settings. The stream key connects your encoder to the selected YouTube stream; treat it like a password and do not show it in a screenshot or on-stream capture.
- Start streaming from OBS. Wait for the preview to appear in the Live Control Room and check that the correct video and audio are reaching YouTube before making the stream public or relying on it.
- Use the Live Control Room’s stream-health information while the broadcast runs. YouTube’s live streaming tips recommend testing in advance, checking that the event is accessible, and monitoring audio and video.
YouTube’s encoder instructions describe connecting with the stream URL and key and note that stopping the encoder ends the stream. A loop in OBS controls local playback, not the availability of OBS, your internet connection, or YouTube’s ingestion.
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Choose encoder settings you can sustain
Set the encoder resolution and frame rate to suit both the source material and the upload capacity available to the streaming computer. YouTube detects encoder settings in the Live Control Room and transcodes the stream for viewers. Its current encoder settings page recommends streaming over RTMPS and lists these video bitrates:
| Output | AV1 or H.265 recommendation | H.264 recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 6 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 10 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 12 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
These are YouTube’s encoder bitrate recommendations, not a guarantee that your connection can maintain them. See the full encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions guidance for other output formats and settings. Test with representative motion and audio at the settings you plan to use, and check stream health rather than assuming a nominal upload speed is enough.
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Test and monitor the rotation
- Before a scheduled broadcast, run a representative test and confirm that the YouTube preview shows the intended scene, resolution, and audio.
- Let the playlist run long enough to observe a file change and confirm the order, audio levels, and any pause between files.
- Verify that the event is accessible to its intended audience and keep an eye on stream health and audio/video quality during operation.
- If a file is missing or playback stops, check the playlist entries and file availability on the computer running OBS. A local playlist cannot keep playing if the encoder computer or its connection is unavailable.
YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours are automatically archived. Do not assume a single uninterrupted stream of 12 hours or longer will produce a complete archive. If you need recordings of a 24/7 channel, plan the archive and stream restart approach separately and verify YouTube’s current behavior before relying on it.
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| Approach | Best fit | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| StreamNeo | A YouTube channel that needs uploaded videos looped from the cloud. | Cloud service rather than a local OBS setup; check current service terms and plan details. |
| OBS Media Source with Loop | Repeating one local file. | Simple setup, but it does not provide a multi-file queue. |
| OBS VLC Video with Loop Playlist | Rotating several local files. | Requires VLC installed with architecture compatible with OBS; the local computer and connection must remain available. |
| Gyre | Those considering a hosted service for continuous prerecorded YouTube streaming. | YouTube’s verified encoder page describes it as a cloud service; verify its current capabilities, pricing, and terms directly. |
| Upstream | Those looking for a cloud studio listed for 24/7 live video streaming. | YouTube’s listing does not establish prerecorded-playlist support, so confirm suitability directly before choosing it. |
StreamNeo is first to consider for cloud-based YouTube rotation: it runs always-on from the cloud, streams uploaded files at any quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot, and offers a free first day. For other hosted services, compare how content is supplied, playlist controls, outage handling, monitoring, and current terms rather than assuming every service supports prerecorded playlists.
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Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; StreamNeo loops the files from the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. It supports any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one price per slot, with no re-encoding or quality tiers, and automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month.
Each slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB of storage per slot pooled across active slots, looping and playlists, automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream, and StreamNeo team support. The same product is included on every plan; only the billing length changes. See StreamNeo for details or start the free first day. StreamNeo is for uploaded-video streams to YouTube, not camera broadcasts.
Quick Recap
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