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In OBS, add the video as a Media Source, connect OBS to a YouTube Live event with its stream key, and start streaming. For a modest PC, begin by testing at 720p30 with H.264, CBR, and a two-second keyframe interval. YouTube lists 3 Mbps as the minimum and 8 Mbps as recommended for H.264 720p30, but your PC and measured upload connection must both handle the settings smoothly.
Before you begin: check YouTube access and prepare the event
Your YouTube channel must be verified and must not have had live-streaming restrictions in the preceding 90 days. Create or schedule the event in YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room. For an encoder workflow, the control room provides a stream URL and a stream key. Treat the key like a password: do not show it in screenshots, video, or public examples. YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility and setup guidance explains the requirements.
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- Install OBS and have the video file available on the PC that will run the stream.
- Allow time before the scheduled start for an unlisted test using the same video and settings.
- Use a wired connection if practical, and test the actual upload capacity where the stream will run.
Add the prerecorded video in OBS
For one video: use Media Source
- In OBS, create or select a scene.
- In the Sources panel, select + and choose Media Source.
- Name the source if prompted, then select Browse to choose the local video file.
- Check the preview to confirm the picture appears as expected. Enable Loop if the video should restart automatically when it ends; leave it off for a one-time playback.
- Use the source options for restarting playback when the source becomes active if that behavior suits your scene. Hardware decoding is optional and depends on whether the PC’s GPU supports the file’s media formats.
OBS documents support for video formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM. A listed container does not guarantee that every codec or file will work on every PC, so verify the actual file in the preview and during the test stream. See the OBS Media Sources guide.
For a playlist: use VLC Video
If you need to play multiple files as a playlist, add a VLC Video source, select the files, and configure playback and looping as needed. VLC must be installed on the PC. For a single prerecorded video, Media Source is simpler.
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Choose OBS settings that fit the PC and connection
There is no universal CPU, RAM, or GPU minimum established for this setup. A budget PC may play and stream a file comfortably at one setting but struggle at another. Start conservatively, run a realistic test, and lower the output resolution or frame rate if OBS reports rendering or encoding lag.
| Setting | Starting choice or guidance |
|---|---|
| Video codec | H.264 is a straightforward starting choice; YouTube also lists H.265/HEVC and AV1 for live ingest. |
| Rate control | CBR, as recommended by YouTube for encoder streams. |
| Keyframe interval | 2 seconds; YouTube says not to exceed 4 seconds. |
| Resolution and frame rate | Test 720p at 30 fps first. Move to 1080p30 only if the PC and upload connection remain stable in a full test. |
| H.264 video bitrate | At 720p30: 3 Mbps minimum, 8 Mbps recommended. At 1080p30: 5 Mbps minimum, 14 Mbps recommended. These are YouTube live-ingest figures, not a promise that a particular PC can encode without lag. |
| Audio | AAC; YouTube recommends 128 kbps stereo audio. |
| Color and scan | For ordinary SDR, use Rec. 709. YouTube recommends square pixels and progressive scan. |
In OBS, open Settings → Output and use Advanced output mode if needed to choose an encoder and rate control. Set the video encoder to H.264, rate control to CBR, the bitrate to a value supported by both YouTube’s live settings and your tested upload, and the keyframe interval to 2 seconds. Configure audio as AAC stereo at 128 kbps. In Settings → Video, set a 720p output and 30 fps to begin. The exact encoder names and available hardware options depend on the PC and its OBS installation. If a supported hardware encoder is available, you can test it; do not assume every budget GPU has one that can handle the file.
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YouTube’s live encoder figures are ingest settings, not the separate figures sometimes shown for uploaded videos. Consult the current YouTube live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions when choosing a target.
Measure the Indian internet connection at the stream location
The advertised download speed of a broadband plan does not tell you how much stable upload capacity OBS can use. YouTube notes that upload bandwidth is often lower than download bandwidth, and that other people or devices sharing the connection can reduce the amount available to the streaming PC. Its streaming tips recommend retaining 20% upload bandwidth headroom. Test at the location and time you expect to stream, with the network in realistic use, and keep the chosen stream bitrate below the stable capacity. A wired Ethernet connection may help stability compared with Wi-Fi, but neither can make an insufficient upload connection adequate.
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As YouTube advises: “The total bitrate you’re streaming cannot exceed the amount of upload bandwidth available.” Its streaming tips also recommend testing upload bitrate and using a wired connection where practical. These are general recommendations, not measurements of any particular Indian ISP or city.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Connect OBS to YouTube and run a full test
- In OBS, open Settings → Stream and select YouTube as the service if it is available. If using a custom encoder workflow, enter the stream server URL and stream key supplied by YouTube Studio. Keep the key private.
- Return to your scene and check the Media Source preview, framing, and playback. Confirm the OBS audio meters move when the video’s sound plays.
- Start the stream from OBS for the unlisted test event. In YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room, wait for the preview and inspect the stream-health status.
- Let the test run long enough to check the video and audio under realistic conditions. Watch OBS statistics for dropped frames, rendering lag, and encoding lag, and check the YouTube preview for sound and picture issues.
- If the test is stable, use the same settings for the scheduled event. If it is not, reduce resolution or frame rate, lower the bitrate to match stable upload capacity, or test a supported hardware encoder. Recheck the full setup after changing settings.
- At the end, stop the event in YouTube and then stop OBS after the live stream has ended.
YouTube recommends testing before the event, checking the preview and stream health, and monitoring audio and video through the broadcast. Its encoder settings guidance and streaming tips cover those checks.
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Copyright and monetization still apply to prerecorded video
Being able to play a file through OBS does not mean you have the right to broadcast everything in it. Use original content or obtain the necessary rights for the video, music, and other material it includes. A successful live stream does not itself make a video original or guarantee monetization.
YouTube defines reused content as material republished from YouTube or another online source without significant original commentary, substantive modification, or educational or entertainment value. Its reused-content monetization policy is assessed at channel level and is separate from copyright rules. Read YouTube’s channel monetization policies before relying on reused material for monetization.
Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is to keep prerecorded video live on YouTube without leaving a budget PC running, StreamNeo is a cloud option: upload the recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. The cloud handles the looping, so nothing has to stay on at home. It streams the uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; it can automatically recover if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, or start the free first day.
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