Recommended Free Tools
You can schedule a prerecorded video to play automatically as a YouTube Live broadcast in StreamYard. But StreamYard’s current help pages do not confirm that this automated workflow lets you select portrait output or guarantees a vertical 9:16 broadcast. If vertical framing is essential, check the orientation controls in your current prerecorded broadcast flow or ask StreamYard support before scheduling.
What StreamYard can—and cannot—confirm
StreamYard’s prerecorded workflow uploads a video and starts it at a scheduled time, even when you are offline. The broadcast ends when the video finishes. Its separate portrait studio supports 9:16, but the documentation does not establish that those controls are available for scheduled prerecorded broadcasts. The distinction matters: a vertical source file alone does not prove that the automated broadcast will be delivered as a vertical YouTube Live.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
StreamYard’s general destination documentation lists YouTube as supporting landscape, portrait, and dual landscape-plus-portrait orientations. Its portrait and MARS instructions, however, describe studio broadcasts, not specifically automated prerecorded playback. Treat compatibility between a prerecorded upload and vertical output as unconfirmed unless the current workflow explicitly offers the setting or StreamYard confirms it.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Prepare the video file
Start with native 9:16 footage if you need a portrait composition. StreamYard says native vertical video fills its portrait stage; landscape clips in a portrait studio can show bars. This guidance concerns portrait mode and is not a guarantee about prerecorded automation.
#1 Best Overall
- FEATURE: the tripod phone mount is adjustable by screw mechanism, 360 degree rotating, vertical(portrait mode) and horizontal(landscape mode) or any angle as you need, not necessary to take your cell phone out of a standard tripod or small tripod.
- EASY TO USE: two options for using tripod phone holder: 1. screw it directly to the tripod or selfie stick with pivoting arm, being able to 360 degrees rotating, 2. remove the phone clamp from pivoting arm and then mount on a tripod or monopod.
- ADJUSTABLE WIDTH: 2.2inch-4.1inch(55mm-105mm), attachable to any regular-size smartphone, tripod, selfie stick, monopod or camera; two standard 1/4 x 20mm female thread interfaces meeting your various needs. Very functional and compact.
- MATERIAL: the black part made of sturdy plastic, the female threads inserted are brass, the male screw is steel and soft non-slipping silica gel pads, which protect your cellphone from scratch and hold the phone securely.
- ATTACHABLE TO: most mobile phones, tripods, unipods, selfie sticks, cameras, camcorders, pico projectors, including iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/X/XS/XR/XS Max/8/7/6/6s Plus/SE/5s/5/5c, Samsung Galaxy S10/10+/S9/S9+/S8/S8+/S7/S6/S6 edge, Note10/10+/9/8 and Android phones.
- Format and codec: MP4 with H.264.
- Bitrate: no more than 10 Mbps (10,000 Kbps).
- Resolution: up to 1080p on paid plans, according to StreamYard’s prerecorded-stream documentation.
- File size: 10 GB on Core and Advanced; 25 GB on Teams and Business.
- Duration: up to 2 hours on Core, 4 hours on Advanced, and 8 hours on Team and StreamYard Business plans.
These are the plan limits listed in StreamYard Help Center’s prerecorded-stream documentation; check the current page and your account because plan names and limits can change. StreamYard’s encoding guidance recommends H.264 (x264), constant 30 fps, AAC audio, web-optimized/faststart, and Align A/V options. HandBrake is its suggested encoding utility. Keeping total bitrate under 10,000 kbps helps meet the upload limit; these encoding suggestions do not establish portrait-output support.
Connect the right YouTube channel
- In StreamYard, open Destinations and connect YouTube. Sign in to the Google account that owns the channel or has owner/manager access to its Brand Account.
- Select the intended channel and grant StreamYard the requested access. Double-check the channel name before authorizing.
- Make sure live streaming is enabled for that YouTube channel. StreamYard says verification and activation may take up to 24 hours.
StreamYard says the mobile-app 1,000-subscriber condition does not apply to its connection workflow. That does not remove other YouTube live-stream eligibility restrictions or channel policies; check YouTube’s current requirements if the channel cannot go live.
Rank #2
- Dual Cold Shoe Mounts: Attach microphones, lights, and accessories for enhanced photography or vlogging.
- Versatile Screw Design: 1/4" screw hole compatible with tripods, selfie sticks, cameras, and various accessories.
- 360° Rotation, 180° Tilt: Effortlessly switch between landscape and portrait mode with adjustable angle design for precise control.
- Universal Phone Compatibility: Fits smartphones from iPhone 14 to Galaxy S23 Ultra, accommodating devices within 2.16" to 3.7" width. For best results, avoid clamping directly on the side buttons. Adjust the position slightly higher or lower if your phone has thick cases or protruding buttons.
- Secure Grip: Thick non-slip silicone pad ensures stability even with a thick phone case.
Schedule the prerecorded YouTube Live
- In StreamYard, choose Create, then Live Stream, then Pre-recorded video.
- Upload a local video file or select an existing StreamYard recording. Confirm it meets the supported format, bitrate, size, and duration limits for your plan.
- Choose YouTube as the destination. Enter the broadcast title and description, then set the date and time.
- If viewers need an advance post and shareable link, select Schedule an announcement. On YouTube, the link becomes available at the selected announcement-post time. Without an announcement, the watch-page link is not available until the broadcast goes live. StreamYard says an announcement cannot be added after the prerecorded stream is created.
- Before confirming, look for an explicit portrait or 9:16 setting in this prerecorded flow. If it is absent—or its effect is unclear—do not assume the scheduled broadcast will be vertical. Confirm with StreamYard support or use a regular studio broadcast if you need documented portrait controls.
- After scheduling, check the broadcast’s status in StreamYard and verify it becomes live at the intended time.
StreamYard’s conventional YouTube scheduling guidance recommends a 1280 × 720 px thumbnail. That thumbnail size is not the source-video aspect ratio and does not confirm vertical output.
Choose automation or a portrait studio broadcast
| Approach | Starts unattended? | Portrait control documented? | Overlays, comments, intro/outro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automated prerecorded broadcast | Yes; it starts at the scheduled time and ends when the video finishes. | Not established for this workflow. | Comments cannot be overlaid; studio overlays and media cannot be controlled during playback. |
| Regular studio broadcast playing a prerecorded video as long-form media | No; a host must start the broadcast. | Portrait controls are documented for the studio workflow. | Use the studio workflow when you need studio-directed playback, such as an intro/outro or overlays. |
For a studio broadcast, StreamYard documents selecting Portrait before going live; the orientation cannot be changed after the broadcast starts. Its MARS documentation describes sending landscape and portrait from one studio session to YouTube, which creates separate YouTube posts and counts as two destinations. Streaming both formats to YouTube requires a paid plan, although StreamYard describes MARS itself as available on all plans. These studio details should not be taken as confirmation that the prerecorded automation uses the same controls.
Rank #3
- 🏆【Latest Metal Phone Tripod Mount】: 360° rotation smartphone holder with 2 side cold shoe and 1 back cold shoe & 1/4" Expand Hole Design, you can attach additional LED light, microphone or other film device. It helps you film steady vlogging video for Facebook, Youtube, and platforms as well as live streaming channels.
- 🏆【Back Cold Shoe & Two 1/4" Expand Hole Design】: There is a cold shoe on the back, which solves the problem that the wireless microphone cannot be fixed during mobile phone recording. Two 1/4" screw hole help you expand the devices you want.
- 🏆【Standard Arca Mount on Bottom】- ULANZI Iron Man IV with a standard Aka quick release plate port, quick installation. A 1/4 screw port is added at the bottom to connect tripods. It is all aluminum metal made. Solid, Durable and Safer.
- 🏆【Side Double Cold Shoe Design】: ULANZI ST-27 with 2 cold shoes on the side, you can mount your fill light & microphone at same time. It is be the best choice for your vlog.
- 🏆【Extra Wide Compatibility】: Ulanzi phone tripod mount compatible with iPhone17 16 15 14 13 12/12Pro/12Pro Max/11/11Pro/11Pro Max/X/Xs/XR/Xs Max,8/7/6/6s, iPhone 6/6s plus, iphone SE,Samsung Galaxy s10s10 plus S9/S9+,S8/S8+/S7/S6/S6 edge, Note 10 9 8 5 4 3 and many other brands and models
Do not describe a vertical YouTube Live as a YouTube Shorts livestream. StreamYard says Shorts does not support live streams; its MARS portrait output creates a separate YouTube post.
What to expect during playback
The automated broadcast runs outside StreamYard’s live studio. You can view comments on YouTube, but cannot put them on the stream. Studio overlays and media assets cannot be controlled during the prerecorded playback, and StreamYard says the broadcast is no longer automatically saved to its library. If you need those studio controls, use a regular studio broadcast and start it yourself.
Rank #4
- 【Sturdy and Stable】: Made of premium aluminum alloy and stainless steel, Liphisy phone tripod with remote keeps your device stay securely in place for still shots and video recording.
- 【Multi-angle Shot】: With a max height of 64”, this tripod stand with a 210-degree rotation head and 360-degree rotation holder allows you to capture shots from any angle, catering to different photography needs.
- 【Wireless Remote Included】: Package includes a wireless remote that connects to your cell phone easily, making it a breeze to snap photos or video recordings.
- 【Height Adjustable】: The height of this cell phone tripod with remote can be adjusted from 17” to 64” and the easy lock mechanism makes it really easy to set up. It gives you an excellent vantage point for capturing photos and videos.
- 【Wide Application】: Compatable with different phone and camera, this tripod is great for photography and video recording, perfect for travel and home use.
Troubleshooting
The scheduled video is not vertical
Cause: the automated workflow may not expose the portrait controls documented for studio broadcasts. Check the current flow for an explicit orientation setting; if there is none, ask StreamYard support before relying on portrait output. A native 9:16 source is sensible preparation, but it does not resolve this workflow limitation.
The destination or channel is missing
Cause: the wrong Google account or channel may be selected, access may not have been granted, or live streaming may not be enabled. Reconnect the intended channel from Destinations, check owner/manager access, and allow for StreamYard’s stated activation window of up to 24 hours after verification.
Best Value
- Universal Phone Holder: This multifunctional phone clamp can be mounted on the top of a camera or tripod through 1/4"-20 threaded hole or cold shoe at the bottom for photography, live-streaming, vlogging, interviews, etc
- Support Landscape and Portrait Modes: The phone holder can be quick switching between landscape and portrait modes, and securely lock when rotated to 90° degrees. Two rotary joints supports 180 degrees adjustment
- Universal Compatibility: It supports smartphones with a width of 57-88mm / 2.5-3.5in (for Samsung, for iPhone 18 / 18 Pro / 18 Pro Max / 17 /17 Pro/17 Pro Max/16/16 Pro/16 Pro Max/15/15 Pro /15 Pro Max / for iPhone 14/14 Pro /14 Pro Max / for iPhone 13 /13 Pro /13 Pro Max / for iPhone 12 Pro Max and so on)
- Threaded Holes & Cold Shoe: Designed with well-spaced threaded holes to facilitate the installation of power bank holders (ID: 2336 / 2790). There is a cold shoe mount on top for microphone or light
- Package Included: phone holder x 1. Please note that the load capacity is 500g
The video will not upload
Cause: unsupported encoding or a plan-specific size/duration limit. Check that it is MP4/H.264, at or below 10 Mbps, and within the limit for your plan. Re-encode with the settings StreamYard recommends if needed.
Viewers cannot get the watch link early
Cause: no announcement was scheduled. Without one, the link is not available until the stream goes live. StreamYard says an announcement cannot be added after the prerecorded broadcast is created, so confirm this choice when scheduling.
You need comments or overlays on the video
Cause: the automated prerecorded workflow does not provide the live studio’s playback controls. Run a regular studio broadcast and play the video as long-form media instead; a host will need to start the broadcast.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is to keep uploaded videos looping as an always-on YouTube channel rather than schedule one finite prerecorded event, StreamNeo is a separate cloud option. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; StreamNeo streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly is $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
