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OBS Studio does not document a built-in calendar scheduler for changing a VLC playlist every day. To rotate playlists unattended, use an OBS Lua or Python script—or an external controller connected through OBS WebSocket—and schedule that automation with your computer’s operating-system scheduler. You must also schedule the YouTube broadcast separately: changing OBS media does not create or start a YouTube live event.
First, choose what you mean by “schedule”
There are three different jobs that are easy to confuse:
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- Changing media in OBS: selecting which local files play in the live scene. OBS’s VLC Video source supports playlist playback, but its documentation does not describe a daily calendar scheduler. OBS Media Sources.
- Scheduling a YouTube live broadcast: setting up an upcoming live event and connecting it to the encoder stream. YouTube’s API treats the event and incoming stream as separate resources. Google’s broadcasts and streams guide.
- Scheduling an uploaded video: making a private upload public at a chosen date and time. That publishes a video; it does not switch the playlist inside an OBS live stream. YouTube Help: Schedule video publish time.
The steps below automate the first job. Set up the second separately if you need the live event itself to start on a schedule.
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Set up the OBS playlist you want to rotate
Prepare a stable scene and source
- Install VLC on the computer running OBS. OBS’s VLC Video source will not appear as an available source without VLC installed. If you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC. See the OBS Media Sources guide.
- In OBS, open the scene used for your YouTube broadcast. Add a source with Sources → + → VLC Video Source, and give it a consistent, distinctive name such as Daily Playlist. Keep that name unchanged if your automation will target the source by name.
- Add the media files for the playlist. Use file paths that will remain valid after a restart; moving or renaming files can leave the source unable to play them.
- Set the source’s Loop option according to whether that day’s list should repeat. Choose whether to shuffle or keep the listed order. OBS exposes loop and shuffle behavior for the VLC Video source; these are playback choices, not date-based scheduling.
- Save the scene and test the source manually before automating it. Confirm that every file loads and that the intended order and repeat behavior are correct.
Organize one list per day
Maintain an explicit mapping between the local day and the playlist that should be active—for example, a Monday list, a Tuesday list, and so on, or a dated list for each day. Keep the files and source references organized consistently. Decide in advance what should happen when a list is missing or empty: a sensible fallback is to leave the current playlist in place or switch to a known-good default rather than stop playback.
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Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 Studio Controller, 15 Macro Keys | Trigger actions in OBS, Twitch, YouTube and more, Visual feedback, Hundreds of plugins, Works with Mac and PC
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Automate the daily change
OBS supports scripts and external control, but its official documentation does not provide a ready-made daily playlist timer or a particular scheduler command. Treat automation as a small integration to build and test for your own operating system and OBS version, not as a setting you can simply enable.
Choose a control method
- OBS script: OBS’s developer guide describes Lua and Python scripts that can interact with scenes and sources. A script can select or replace the media list at the scheduled time. The guide establishes the scripting interface, not a complete daily-rotation recipe. OBS Developer Guide.
- External controller over WebSocket: a separate script or application can communicate with OBS through its built-in WebSocket endpoint. This separates the schedule from OBS, but you must implement the connection, source selection, and error handling. The OBS guide documents WebSocket as an extension and control interface; it does not prescribe a daily scheduling workflow. OBS Developer Guide.
Either way, the controller needs a reliable rule for choosing the day’s list, a way to apply it to the correct source, and a defined response if OBS is closed or a media file cannot be read.
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VSD M18 Macro Pad Programmable Keypad, Stream Controller Streaming Deck, Customizable LCD keys, Gaming shortcut keyboard, USB sound board, Trigger actions in OBS, Twitch, YouTube, Works with PC Mac
- 18 Programmable Keys Macro Keypad: This stream controller deck comes with 18 customizable macro keys (15 LCD visual keys + 3 physical buttons). Users may program single actions or multi-step sequences for daily operation. The keys support in-game combos, app launch and media playback control for multiple usage scenarios. Each LCD key accepts JPG, PNG and GIF images and animations to mark separate functions
- Single Tap Control: This USB macro keyboard pad supports single tap commands for quick operation. Users can trigger pre-set macros, input text, open files and web pages, adjust media playback, or switch OBS scenes with one tap. The straightforward layout fits gaming, live streaming and professional office task setup
- One Tap Multi-Shortcut: This macro controller pad streaming deck supports multi-shortcut macro programming for gamers and content creators. Custom shortcuts simplify game combo inputs, video editing, music production and photography workflows. The Operation Follow function runs multiple macro steps in custom order or simultaneous execution for adjustable task control
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Schedule the automation in your operating system
- Create the script or configure the external controller to select the intended playlist and update the named VLC Video source.
- Use your computer’s operating-system scheduler to run the automation at the desired local time. The exact scheduler UI and configuration depend on your operating system; the OBS documentation does not specify an India-specific scheduler setup.
- Set and verify the computer’s timezone. Check daylight-saving behavior if the machine might be moved or its timezone changed. For a channel in India, decide the intended local switching time using the machine’s configured time, rather than assuming a YouTube publishing timezone controls OBS.
- Test the change while monitoring the live scene. Confirm that the new playlist loads, follows the intended order and loop setting, and does not leave a black or frozen source.
- Test missed-run and restart behavior. Decide whether a change that was missed while the computer was off should happen immediately when it starts, wait for the next scheduled time, or be skipped.
OBS plugins are another possible extension route, but compatibility can depend on OBS version, platform, and architecture. Verify compatibility before installing one; the official OBS Plugins Guide explains plugin use without establishing a specific plugin as a daily playlist scheduler.
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Schedule the YouTube live broadcast separately
Your local playlist automation only changes the media OBS sends. It does not create a YouTube event or, by itself, guarantee that an upcoming event becomes live. YouTube’s Live Streaming API models the broadcast event as a liveBroadcast and the incoming encoder feed as a liveStream. The broadcast can be scheduled, bound to a stream, and transitioned to live when the bound stream is active; auto-start settings are also part of the workflow. See Implementation: Broadcasts and Streams, Life of a Broadcast, and LiveBroadcasts: transition.
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VSD N4 Pro Stream Controller Streaming Deck, Audio and Studio Controller | Programmable Macro Pad Keypad, Multi‑Actions, Customizable LCD Keys, Knobs, Touch Bar, RGB Lights & Stand, Works with PC Mac
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You can manage the event in YouTube’s Live Control Room or use the API workflow. Check the event’s auto-start and start behavior rather than assuming the playlist schedule will start the broadcast. Before relying on unattended public starts, test with a private or unlisted event and confirm the stream reaches the expected live state. For the YouTube-side encoder settings and stream controls, see Manage live stream settings.
Keep OBS settings organized without treating them as schedules
OBS profiles store most output-related settings, while scene collections store scenes. A profile can help separate encoder/output configurations, but it is not a playlist calendar and does not store scenes. See OBS Profiles.
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fifine D6 RGB Macro-Keyboard with 15 Programable Buttons for Multi-Tasking
- [Customizable LCD Macro Keys] Ampligame D6 stream controller features a total of 15 customizable macro keys , allowing you to create and assign different operations according to your live stream needs. Launch the software or application through a simple finger press, and switch your OBS scenes, control your audio levels, which is very easy and convenient to use.
- [Wide Application Compatibility] This OBS stream controller for PC has a wide range of software, applications and plugins options whether in the store or download from the computer. They work with OBS Studio, Streamlabs, Twitch, YouTube and more in the Fifine D6 stream controller. This contoller for content creators lets you customize your setup effortlessly. You can also drag-and-drop, set up and download from the console's store, with a very large number of plugins and icons to fill your streaming.
- [Visual Operation Keypad] After setting and customizing your keys, you can see the application on the touchscreen of stream controller and press to control directly. No need to open plenty of windows/app interfaces on the PC screen one by one, the Fifine D6 macro keypad streamlines your workflow and improves the work efficiency. Let you know your demands having been satisfied with a visual feedback. (Tip: Please ensure both firmware and software are updated to the latest versions prior to initial use.)
- [Vivid RGB Lighting] Brighten your gaming setup with customizable RGB effects on stream controller for gaming. There is a glowing RGB ring around the twitch stream controller, with a total of 9 different controllable and changeable modes. Matching the shortcut button’s look and gaming aura according to your personal preferences, dynamic RGB on video stream controller will give your viewers a more vivid game impression.
- [Applied in Multi-Tasking Scenes] Whether you intend to use the PC media controller in gaming, live streaming, photography/graphics design, video editing, music creation or office work, this versatile streaming equipmentmakes multi-tasking easier. You can also create folders to generate different programs, and the individual scenes can be processed independently.
Common problems and fixes
- The VLC Video source is missing: install VLC and match its architecture to OBS; the OBS guide specifically notes that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. Restart OBS after installation if necessary.
- The schedule runs but the playlist does not change: check that the automation targets the exact scene and source name, that OBS is running and reachable, and that the playlist’s file paths still exist.
- The stream goes black or stops on a file: open the source in OBS and test each media item. Correct missing paths or unsupported/problematic files, then test the fallback behavior built into your automation.
- The wrong day’s playlist loads: verify the scheduler’s timezone and the date-to-playlist mapping, including what happens around midnight and after a missed run.
- The media changes but YouTube is not live: check the separate YouTube event and encoder connection. Playlist rotation, event scheduling, and the broadcast’s transition to live are distinct operations.
- A plugin stops working after an update: verify that it supports your current OBS version, operating system, and architecture before relying on it.
Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is an always-on YouTube channel playing uploaded videos, StreamNeo avoids keeping OBS and a home computer running. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; StreamNeo loops it from the cloud. You can update the playlist in StreamNeo rather than automating daily changes in OBS.
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- Nothing has to stay on at home; the stream runs from the cloud.
- One flat price per slot for any quality up to 4K 60fps, exactly as uploaded, without re-encoding or quality tiers.
- Automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card required (one free day per account).
Monthly pricing: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, or start your free day.
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VSD M18 Stream Controller Streaming Deck, Programmable Macro Pad Keypad | Customizable LCD keys, Gaming shortcut keyboard, USB sound board, Trigger actions in OBS, Twitch, YouTube, Works with PC Mac
- 18 Programmable Keys Macro Keypad: The heart of the Streaming Deck lies in its 18 customized macro keys (15 visual LCD and 3 button). These keys allow you to assign individual or a series of actions to streamline your workflow. Whether it's executing game combos, launching apps, or controlling media, the possibilities are endless. You can personalize each LCD key with different images and animations (JPG, PNG, GIF) for enhanced recognition and memorization
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- Versatile Compatibility: The VSDinside PC control board's AI shortcut keyboard is compatible with both Windows 11 and above, as well as macOS 11.0 and above, making it a versatile choice for users across different platforms. Simply connect it via a USB-C cable and start using it in seconds. It seamlessly integrates with popular software such as OBS, Streamlabs, YouTube, Twitter, Discord, Excel, Word, and Photoshop
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