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In OBS, add the prerecorded clip as a Media Source, place it above the background in the Sources list, and add a Chroma Key filter to the clip. Start with OBS’s documented defaults—Green, Similarity 400, Smoothness 80, and Spill Reduction 100—then tune the preview against your actual footage. Those defaults are starting points, not a universal preset.
Set up the prerecorded overlay in OBS
- Add the clip: In the scene’s Sources panel, select + and choose Media Source. Select the local video file. OBS lists MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM among supported video types. In the Media Source properties, enable Loop if the overlay should repeat; it is off by default. Restart playback when source becomes active is on by default, and Show nothing when playback ends is on by default, so the final frame will not remain visible when playback ends. OBS Media Sources.
- Arrange the layers: Add or select the background source, then put the clip above it in the Sources list. Sources higher in the list appear in front of lower sources. OBS Sources Guide.
- Add the key filter: Select the clip source, open Filters from its context menu, and add Chroma Key under Effect Filters. The filter removes the selected color from that source. OBS Filters Guide.
- Check audio: A Media Source can include audio. Listen to the scene in preview or a test recording and decide whether the clip’s sound should be part of the live mix; do not assume it is muted or wanted.
OBS Chroma Key defaults and what to adjust
The OBS Project’s Chroma Key Filter reference lists these starting values. OBS’s source documentation dates to 2022; labels and defaults may change in later versions, so confirm them in your installed OBS interface. OBS Chroma Key Filter.
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| Control | Documented default | Purpose and adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Key Color Type | Green | Chooses the color to remove. Select the color actually behind the subject; OBS also allows a custom color. |
| Similarity | 400 | Sets how similar a pixel must be to the key color to be removed. Increase gradually if key-colored background remains. Higher values remove a broader range and can erase wanted subject detail. |
| Smoothness | 80 | Softens the edge of the removed area. Adjust when the cutout edge looks too hard or too soft. |
| Key Color Spill Reduction | 100 | Reduces residual key color around edges, such as green fringing near hair. |
| Opacity | 1.0 | Controls source opacity: 0.0 is transparent and 1.0 is opaque. Keep 1.0 unless translucency is intentional. |
| Contrast | 0.0 | Source contrast control. |
| Brightness | 0.0 | Brightness control. |
Tune the key against your footage
- Begin with the documented defaults and view the clip over the actual background used in the scene. OBS describes the filter as removing instances of a given color from the source.
- If parts of the keyed background remain, raise Similarity in small increments. Watch the subject as you adjust: pixels close to the key color may include edges or details you want to preserve.
- If the matte edge is too hard, adjust Smoothness. It softens the removed edge; it is not a substitute for changing the removal threshold.
- If a colored fringe remains at the subject’s edges, adjust Key Color Spill Reduction. Spill reduction targets residual key color, while Smoothness changes edge softness.
- Check fine details and movement after each change. Inspect the clip at representative moments, not just a still frame, and compare background removal, subject detail, edge softness, visible spill, and stability in motion.
There is no substantiated final numeric setting for unspecified footage. Background color, compression, motion, edge detail, and the intended composite all affect the result; use the OBS preview to decide what is acceptable for your clip.
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Check YouTube Live encoding before going on air
Chroma Key controls the composition inside OBS. They do not set YouTube’s stream encoder. YouTube’s general SDR guidance recommends CBR bitrate encoding, a two-second keyframe interval, and Rec. 709 color space; it says not to exceed a four-second keyframe interval. Choose resolution, frame rate, and bitrate for your connection and intended stream rather than applying unrelated HDR guidance. Test first with audio and movement similar to the actual broadcast, then monitor YouTube stream health and any messages. See YouTube’s live encoder settings and bitrates guidance; the reviewed page does not state a publication date.
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- Reverse Folding Stand: Highly portable, comes with a carry bag for easy transport. Larger unfolding area, better stability and compact storage than conventional stands. Quick intuitive setup saves time, rock-solid stability for worry-free use
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Troubleshoot common keying problems
- Background color is still visible: Confirm Key Color Type matches the clip’s background, then increase Similarity gradually while checking that the subject is not being removed.
- Parts of the subject disappear: Lower Similarity and inspect the affected detail. The threshold may be removing pixels that resemble the selected key color.
- Edges look harsh: Adjust Smoothness and inspect the result in motion as well as on a still frame.
- Green or other key-color fringe remains: Adjust Spill Reduction, then review the edge against the real scene background.
- Overlay appears behind the background: Move the clip higher in the Sources list.
- Clip stops instead of repeating: Open the Media Source properties and turn on Loop.
- Last frame stays on screen: Check the Media Source setting Show nothing when playback ends; OBS documents it as on by default.
- Audio is unexpected or missing: Check the Media Source’s audio in the scene mix and verify it in a test recording before the live broadcast.
Or let it run in the cloud
The OBS method above is for compositing a keyed clip into a live scene. If your goal instead is to keep uploaded videos playing as a 24/7 YouTube stream, StreamNeo is a separate cloud option: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops uploaded videos; it does not broadcast from a camera and streams to YouTube only.
- Nothing has to stay on at home: the stream runs in the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not need to remain on.
- Uploaded videos stream as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card, one free day per account.
Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, then start your free first day.
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