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You can change what viewers see without ending a YouTube broadcast: keep the encoder connected and streaming, and switch the scene or video in the encoder. In OBS Studio, prepare clips as Media Sources in separate scenes; switch directly or use Studio Mode to preview the next scene before transitioning it to the live output. Do not click Stop Streaming in OBS or End Stream in YouTube Live Control Room for a content change.
Switch videos while keeping the broadcast live
A YouTube live stream receives a continuing video feed from an encoder such as OBS. Changing the encoder’s scene changes that feed; it does not require ending the YouTube broadcast. Keep OBS streaming and change the scene or source instead. YouTube’s encoder instructions treat ending the stream as a separate action: stop sending content from the encoder and, for scheduled streams, use End Stream in Live Control Room.
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Prepare OBS scenes and video clips
- Connect OBS to YouTube. Create or open your stream in YouTube Live Control Room and use the stream URL and stream key provided for the encoder. Enter those connection details in OBS. YouTube explains them in its encoder setup guide and stream settings guide. Keep the key private; anyone with access may be able to send a feed to your stream.
- Create a scene for each clip or segment. In OBS, use the Scenes panel to add scenes—for example, “Opening,” “Main video,” and “Holding screen.” Add a scene for each prepared layout or clip you want to select while live. OBS’s overview explains scenes and transitions.
- Add each local video. Select a scene, add a Media Source, and choose the video file. OBS documents common formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, and WebM in its Media Sources guide. Resize or position the source in the canvas as needed.
- Set playback behavior for each source. In the Media Source properties, choose whether to loop, restart playback when the source becomes active, show nothing when playback ends, or close the file while inactive. Closing an inactive file can free memory, but OBS warns it may cause a short delay when the file is shown again. Leave that option off if avoiding a reload delay matters and the computer has enough resources.
- Start the stream and verify the output. Start streaming in OBS and check the outgoing picture and sound in YouTube’s preview. YouTube recommends testing the encoder and monitoring stream audio and video quality; see its live-stream tips.
Switch directly or use Studio Mode
Direct scene change
Select the next scene in OBS. Its output becomes the live program feed while the encoder session remains connected. This is the simplest approach when you have checked the scene and its audio beforehand.
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Turn on Studio Mode in OBS to separate Preview from Program. Select and prepare the next scene in Preview, check its framing, then click Transition to put it on the live Program output. OBS says viewers cannot see that Studio Mode is enabled; they see the program output. See the OBS overview.
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Avoid ending the broadcast by mistake
- To change content, use the OBS scene or source controls. Keep the encoder’s streaming session running.
- Do not click Stop Streaming in OBS or End Stream in YouTube Live Control Room when you only want to switch clips.
- If you are unfamiliar with the controls, rehearse with a private or unlisted test stream before using them on a public broadcast.
Plan for playback gaps and long streams
Scene switching and media-source settings let you control what OBS sends, but the official guidance does not guarantee a zero-gap transition on every computer, file, or audio setup. Test the actual clips, transitions, and sound before the broadcast, and monitor the outgoing stream during changes. If a source has been set to close while inactive, allow for a possible reload delay when you show it again.
YouTube’s encoder instructions say streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. That guidance does not establish indefinite live duration or specify the archive outcome for streams longer than 12 hours. For a long-running broadcast, verify YouTube’s current limits and make a separate recording or archive plan.
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Check rights and YouTube rules before switching to a clip
Switching scenes does not change the rights status of the video you play. Use clips you own or are authorized to broadcast, including their music and other embedded material, and check YouTube’s current live-stream requirements. A content change can still lead to a copyright claim or interruption if the new material is not cleared. Stream continuity is not a substitute for permission.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want an always-on YouTube stream of uploaded videos without keeping OBS or a computer running at home, StreamNeo is a cloud option. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded videos from the cloud. It does not go live from a camera.
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