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To loop prerecorded videos through vMix and stream them continuously to YouTube, use vMix PlayList or List for playback, then send vMix’s program output to YouTube Live. MultiCorder is a separate recording tool: it records selected sources into separate files and does not create or control the playlist.
A loop can play content back-to-back, but it is not a time-of-day scheduler and does not guarantee an uninterrupted 24/7 broadcast. Plan a test, keep the computer and connection running, and monitor YouTube’s stream health.
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Choose PlayList or List for playback
| Option | Best for | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| PlayList | A modest set of vMix inputs where you want per-item timing and transitions. | Sequences inputs and can loop back to the beginning. You can set each item’s start position, duration, transition, and transition time. |
| List | A larger or changing collection of video or audio files treated as one input. | Moves automatically to the next file, can loop or shuffle, and supports M3U files. vMix says it avoids loading all videos at once. |
You can also put a List input inside a standard PlayList for more complex playback patterns. Keep media at the file locations vMix expects so it remains available when the preset is reopened.
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Build a looping PlayList
- Add your media as vMix inputs. Load the clips you want to play. Use a separate input for each clip when you need distinct per-clip timing or transitions.
- Open PlayList. Click the PlayList button at the lower left of the vMix interface.
- Add inputs. In the PlayList window, select an entry under Available Inputs and click the right-arrow control to add it to the playlist.
- Set each item. Double-click a playlist entry to configure its start position, duration, transition effect, and transition time. Choose a cut or another available transition deliberately.
- Choose the duration. Set an item’s duration to zero to use the input’s duration, or specify a fixed duration for that playlist item.
- Enable looping and start playback. Turn on Loop so the playlist restarts after its final item, then start it with the PlayList control.
- Save the preset. PlayLists are linked to the active preset. Save the preset and reopen that same preset when restoring the setup.
See the vMix Help 28 PlayList guide for the controls and item settings.
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Use List for a large or changing media library
- Add a List input in vMix and populate it with video or audio files, or use an M3U file where appropriate.
- Keep Auto Next enabled so playback advances to the next item.
- Turn on Loop if the list should restart at the end. Enable Randomise only if you want playback order shuffled.
- Use the List input directly, or add it to a standard PlayList if you need it alongside other inputs.
Because a List can advance through files without loading every video simultaneously, it can be useful for a large collection. The exact controls and supported details are in the vMix Help 28 List guide.
Send the vMix output to YouTube Live
Use vMix as the encoder and output source for a YouTube live stream. First confirm the channel is eligible: YouTube requires channel verification and no live-stream restriction during the previous 90 days. Create or prepare the live stream in YouTube Studio, then configure vMix to send its program output using the stream key and encoder settings for that stream. YouTube’s current setup steps are in its live-stream setup help; interface labels can change, so follow the current Studio screens rather than relying on an old walkthrough.
Set output quality and encoder values
Choose resolution and frame rate based on the video you are playing and the upload capacity available to the streaming computer. YouTube’s encoder guidance recommends CBR, RTMPS as the secure protocol, and a two-second keyframe interval; do not exceed four seconds. For H.264, YouTube lists 14 Mbps as the recommended bitrate for 1080p30 and 17 Mbps for 1080p60. These are YouTube configuration recommendations, not guarantees of stream quality; codec, resolution, frame rate, and connection capacity all matter.
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Run an upload speed test and test with representative motion and audio before relying on the stream. YouTube specifically recommends a speed test to check upload bitrate. Consult the current YouTube encoder settings for its full resolution, frame-rate, and codec guidance.
Preflight and monitor
- Check the stream key carefully and do not share it publicly; anyone with access may be able to stream to the channel.
- Test the actual playlist, including a transition and the final item returning to the beginning.
- Listen for audio level, silence, clipping, or an unintended audio source.
- Check YouTube’s stream health while live and respond to warnings such as insufficient upload bandwidth or encoder problems.
- Keep vMix running on a powered computer with a stable internet connection for the duration of a do-it-yourself broadcast.
Where MultiCorder fits
Use MultiCorder only if you also need separate recordings of selected sources—for example, isolated camera or audio files for later editing. It records raw video and audio from selected capture sources into separate files in addition to the main vMix recording. Those raw source files do not include normal program effects or color correction; Output 1–4 are the exception and record those outputs as configured.
- Open MultiCorder settings and select the eligible sources you want to record.
- Choose a supported recording format and destination folder that suit your editing and resilience needs.
- Start the MultiCorder recording separately from the playlist and stream workflow.
MultiCorder is available in vMix 4K, Pro, and Max according to the current vMix Help 28 MultiCorder page. It cannot run at the same time as Instant Replay.
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Storage and system capacity
vMix’s stated minimum requirements include an SSD, an Intel Core i7 Quad Core or higher, and a high-end graphics card with at least 1 GB of onboard memory. Treat these as vMix’s listed minimums, not a guarantee that a particular machine can record every workload. Simultaneous source count, resolution, format, processing load, and sustained storage performance affect capacity. vMix warns that a drive unable to keep up with multiple camera recordings can cause dropped frames; its documentation does not establish a universal drive-speed or capacity threshold.
Choose recording storage by considering capacity, sustained write performance, interface compatibility, and how many sources and formats you will record at once. vMix recommends a fault-tolerant recording format and fast storage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Know what “continuous” means in vMix
A looping PlayList or List is basic playback automation: it can keep content moving from one item to the next and begin again at the end. It is not a full time-of-day broadcast scheduler. vMix says it is primarily designed for live events and “does not support time of day scheduling.” Its scheduling article, last updated January 17, 2025, describes PlayList and List as basic options for 24/7 playback when content does not need to start at fixed clock times; it also says vMix Scheduler is unmaintained and compatibility is uncertain. See the vMix scheduling support article.
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Looping also does not protect against a computer shutdown, internet outage, or every YouTube disconnect. The official vMix and YouTube guidance cited here does not promise uninterrupted uptime or automatic recovery from those failures. For a local setup, plan for power and network reliability and monitor the broadcast.
Troubleshooting common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Playlist stops at the end | Loop is not enabled, or playback was not started from the PlayList control. | Enable Loop in the PlayList and test the final item returning to the first. |
| A clip switches at the wrong time | The playlist item has a fixed duration or start position that does not match the intended playback. | Double-click the item and review its start position and duration. Use duration zero to follow the input’s duration. |
| List does not advance | Auto Next may be disabled, or a media file may be unavailable. | Check Auto Next, file paths, and the list’s contents; test the sequence before going live. |
| YouTube does not receive the stream | Eligibility, stream key, output setup, or connection may be at fault. | Confirm channel verification and recent live-stream eligibility, recheck the stream key and current Studio setup, and review YouTube stream health. |
| Stream health reports instability | Upload capacity, encoder settings, or the local connection may not sustain the configured stream. | Run an upload speed test, use YouTube’s bitrate guidance for the chosen codec and frame rate, and test with representative motion. |
| MultiCorder files drop frames | Storage may not keep pace with simultaneous recordings, or system workload may be too high. | Review drive write performance, source count and recording formats; use fast storage and reduce workload if necessary. |
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