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To stream a local prerecorded video to YouTube Live on Linux Mint, add it to an OBS scene as a Media Source, set whether it should loop, connect OBS to a YouTube Live event with that event’s stream URL and key, then test the preview before going live. OBS can play the file and send it to YouTube; you do not need a separate media player or dedicated encoder for this workflow.
Before you begin
- Install OBS Studio from a supported source. The OBS Project recommends Flathub for non-Ubuntu distributions. Although Linux Mint is Ubuntu-based, the OBS project’s PPA instructions are specifically for Ubuntu; check current OBS and Mint guidance rather than copying older PPA commands. The OBS Linux installation page is dated 2021-08-26, and builds for other distributions may be community-provided. See OBS Linux installation instructions.
- Make sure your YouTube channel is verified and has had no live-streaming restrictions in the past 90 days. First-time live-stream activation can take up to 24 hours, so enable it well before the scheduled stream. Check YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility guidance.
- Have the video file available locally and know which YouTube event it should feed. This guide uses YouTube Studio’s encoder workflow.
Add the video to an OBS scene
- Open OBS and select an existing scene or create one in the Scenes panel.
- In the Sources panel, select + and choose Media Source. Name it if prompted, then select OK.
- In the Media Source properties, select the local video file. OBS documents support for video types including
.mp4,.ts,.mov,.flv,.mkv,.avi,.gifand.webm. A listed container does not guarantee every file encoded in it will decode on every Linux installation. See OBS Media Sources documentation. - Choose playback behavior: turn on Loop to restart the video when it reaches the end; leave it off for a single pass. OBS documents Loop as off by default.
- Use the preview canvas to position and size the video. Check that the source is visible in the active scene and fits the canvas as intended.
- Play the source and check OBS’s audio mixer. If the recording has sound, confirm that the relevant meter responds and that you can hear the audio.
If you need a playlist
For a playlist rather than one file, OBS documents VLC Video as a playlist-capable source. VLC must be installed, and OBS’s documentation notes that 64-bit VLC is required when using 64-bit OBS. For a single local video, the built-in Media Source is sufficient.
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Create the YouTube Live event and connect OBS
- In YouTube Studio, open the Live Control Room and create or select the event. If scheduling, use the event intended for this broadcast.
- Open the event’s encoder or stream settings and copy its stream URL and stream key.
- In OBS, open Settings > Stream. Select YouTube as the service if it is available in the list, then enter the server URL and stream key from the event. If the current OBS interface instead offers a direct account connection, follow the YouTube/OBS connection flow shown there.
- Treat the stream key like a password: it identifies where the encoder feed is sent and authorizes YouTube to accept it. Do not show it in a recording or publish it. If it is exposed, replace or reset it in YouTube Studio before using it again. See YouTube’s encoder setup guidance.
Choose encoder settings that fit your connection
YouTube recommends RTMPS for encrypted ingestion, H.264 video, constant bitrate (CBR), and a two-second keyframe interval; do not exceed four seconds. YouTube’s Help page does not state a publication year for these recommendations. Its quoted guidance says: “We recommend streaming to YouTube Live with RTMPS, a secure extension to the popular RTMP video protocol.” See YouTube’s encoder settings, bitrates and resolutions.
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For a conservative starting point, YouTube lists 2 Mbps video bitrate for 720p at 30 fps as its recommendation. That figure is from YouTube’s settings table, whose page does not state a publication year; it is not a guarantee that your computer or connection will sustain a stream. Audio bitrate is separate from video bitrate, and YouTube’s full settings guidance lists audio recommendations by codec and channel configuration.
#1 Best Overall
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GMKtec G3S Mini PC Intel N95 Processor (Up to 3.4GHz) 8GB RAM 256GB M.2 SSD | Mini Desktop Computer with VESA Mount for Office Home Business HTPC Proxmox, Dual 4K Display, WiFi 5, Gigabit Ethernet
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Match resolution and frame rate to the source and your available upload capacity. YouTube recommends keeping total streaming bitrate within available upload bandwidth, with 20% headroom. Measure upload speed rather than relying on download speed; a wired connection can help with stability but is not mandatory. YouTube’s Help page does not state a publication year for the headroom recommendation. Review YouTube’s encoder settings and its streaming tips.
RTMPS is the ordinary choice for this standard SDR workflow. HLS is a separate ingestion option for supported use cases such as HDR or codecs that RTMP does not support; it has higher latency, so it is not a default improvement for a typical prerecorded stream.
Rank #2
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Getorli Mini PC, Ryzen 5 7430U(Beats 7330U/5300U),16GB DDR4 Upgradable RAM 512G SSD, Dual 2.5G LAN Mini Computers Support Triple 4K Display, WiFi6 Mini Desktop Computer for Home Office Daily Use
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Test, go live and monitor
- Test before the event with audio and movement similar to what you plan to broadcast. YouTube recommends a representative test rather than checking only a static or silent picture.
- Start streaming in OBS so the encoder feed reaches YouTube. In the Live Control Room, wait for the preview and inspect the stream health indicators.
- Verify that the picture is correct, the audio is present and the stream is stable. Once the event is ready, use the relevant Go live control in YouTube Studio. Start the encoder well ahead of a scheduled event and keep monitoring audio and video quality during the broadcast.
- End the event in YouTube Studio, then stop the OBS stream. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. See YouTube encoder guidance.
Copyright and channel considerations
Using OBS to send a file does not grant permission to broadcast its contents. Confirm that you have the rights or permissions needed for the video, music, images and other material in the recording, and follow YouTube’s copyright rules. Repeating a video also repeats its content; looping is a playback setting, not a copyright or monetization exemption. YouTube’s eligibility checks and stream setup do not guarantee that a particular video complies with its policies.
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Troubleshooting
| Symptom | What to check | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No picture in OBS or YouTube preview | Confirm the Media Source points to the intended file, is visible in the active scene, and uses a documented video type. | Re-select the file and check the scene’s source visibility. If the container is listed but the file still fails, its encoding may not be decodable in that Linux installation. |
| No audio | Check whether the OBS audio mixer responds while the video plays, then inspect the YouTube test preview. | Confirm the recording contains audio and that its source is included in the OBS mix. Test again with representative audio before going live. |
| Video stops after one playback | Loop is off by default. | Edit the Media Source properties and enable Loop. |
| YouTube preview does not appear | Check the stream URL and key, OBS connection status, and whether your upload capacity can carry the configured bitrate. | Correct the event credentials in OBS, check the outbound connection, and reduce bitrate if it exceeds what your measured upload capacity can sustain. |
| Channel cannot start a live stream | Check verification and whether the channel has a live-streaming restriction within the past 90 days. | Enable live streaming early; first-time activation can take up to 24 hours. Consult YouTube’s current eligibility guidance if the restriction or status is unclear. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is a YouTube channel that stays live around the clock, StreamNeo is an alternative to leaving OBS and your Linux Mint computer running: upload a 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. It streams the video as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot regardless of quality; if YouTube drops the stream, it automatically recovers. The first day is free with no card. Monthly service is $9.99 per month. Start your free StreamNeo day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Sale
GMKtec Mini PC, G3 Ultra Intel Pentium Gold 7505 16GB LPDDR4 RAM 512GB SSD | Office Business Desktop Computer (Beats N100/N150), 4K Dual HDMI/USB3.2 Gen2 10Gbps/WiFi 6/BT5.2/2.5GbE
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Rank #4
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Bmax Mini PC B1 Plus, Intel Celeron J3355 (Up to 2.5GHz), 6GB RAM 128GB eMMC Support M.2 SSD Expansion (512GB/2TB), 4K Dual Display 2.4G/5G WiFi & BT5.0 Mini Desktop Computer for Home/Office
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Rank #3
BOSGAME E5 11 Pro Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 5300U 4C/ 8T, Business Home Office PC | 8GB DDR4 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, 2.5 GbE Dual Lan Desktop Computers, Triple Displays 4K 60Hz, Wi-Fi 5, BT 5.0, Support Linux SSH
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