The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Use OBS Media Source to loop one local video file; use VLC Video to loop a playlist of local files. Media Source is built into OBS and has a Loop switch that is off by default. VLC Video supports playlists and has Loop Playlist on by default, but requires VLC installed with the same architecture as OBS. Both are sources inside OBS; YouTube receives the finished encoder feed separately.
At a glance
| Question | Media Source | VLC Video |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | One local media file | A playlist of local media files |
| Loop setting | Loop; off by default | Loop Playlist; on by default |
| Other controls | Restart playback when source becomes active, hide at end, close file while inactive, hardware decoding when available, and playback speed | Shuffle Playlist, visibility behavior, network caching, and audio and subtitle tracks |
| Dependency | Built into OBS | VLC must be installed; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC |
The OBS settings and requirements in this comparison are documented in the official Media Sources guide (dated January 11, 2022). The destination connection to YouTube is configured separately.
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Choose Media Source for a single looping video
Media Source is the straightforward option when the stream should repeat one local file. OBS documents support for local video formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM, as well as audio files such as MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- In OBS, add a Media Source from the Sources dock. Create a new source or select an existing one.
- In the source properties, choose the local media file.
- Enable Loop. It is off by default, so without enabling it the file does not repeat through this setting.
- Review the other playback options for your scene. Restart playback when source becomes active is on by default; Show nothing when playback ends is also on by default; Close file when inactive is off by default.
These options do different jobs. Loop repeats the file when playback completes. Restart-on-active controls what happens when the source becomes active; it is not the loop control. “Show nothing when playback ends” concerns the end of playback, whereas hiding a source is a scene-visibility change.
#1 Best Overall
- [Smooth 4K Ultra HD Playback] This 4K@30Hz HDMI digital media player utilizes H.265/HEVC decoding technology, enabling playback of videos up to 4096×2304 resolution compared to H.264 or 1080P, delivering a clearer and smoother picture.
- [Plug and Play] The HD media player is easy to use, requiring no WiFi or app. It supports direct playback/copying/deletion of videos, music, photos, PPTs, and PDFs from USB storage devices or Micro SD cards. Equipped with dual USB ports, this media player can also connect to a mouse/keyboard or speakers.
- [HDMI RCA Optical Outputs] This media player connects to TVs, digital signage displays, or projectors via an HDMI port for crisp 4K video playback. The player also comes with analog RCA output to hook up legacy older TVs and monitors, plus built-in optical audio port to transmit lossless digital surround sound to soundbars, amplifiers and home theater audio systems, delivering immersive high-fidelity audio without signal loss.
- [TV Projector or Digital Signage] This 4K media player supports autoplay, loop playback, and shuffle playback, and supports both landscape and portrait display modes. HDMI media player can run continuously, making it ideal for TV projector or digital signage such as restaurant welcome videos, reception videos, and art and museum installations.
- [Extensive Compatibility] This media player for TV can play media files from USB hard drives up to 8TB in capacity or micro SD cards up to 1TB in capacity. Supported file systems include FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS. Supported formats include: H.265/HEVC (MKV, MOV, AVI), MPEG, FLV, RM, 3GP, MP4, WMV, RMVB, DAT, MPG, TS, M2TS, JPG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG, MP3, OGG, FLAC, APE, AAC, WMA, etc.
Choose VLC Video for a playlist
VLC Video is the documented OBS choice when multiple local media files should play as a playlist. It adds playlist behavior and VLC-backed media support, with the trade-off of an additional software dependency.
- Install VLC. OBS requires it for VLC Video to appear as a source. Match the architecture: 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- Add VLC Video in the OBS Sources dock and add the local files to its playlist.
- Leave Loop Playlist enabled if the list should begin again after its last item. This setting is on by default.
- Enable Shuffle Playlist only if you want randomized order; it is off by default.
- Choose the visibility behavior intentionally. By default, VLC Video stops when it is not visible and restarts when visible. OBS also documents a 400 ms network-caching value and audio and subtitle track settings.
If order matters, keep shuffle off. If the source may be hidden during scene changes, decide whether playback should continue, pause, or stop and restart, according to the available visibility options and the intended show behavior.
Rank #2
- VLC for Kindle plays most local video and audio files, as well as network streams (including adaptive streaming), like the desktop version of VLC.
- VLC for Kindle has a media library for audio and video files, and allows to browse folders directly.
- VLC has support for multi-track audio and subtitles. It supports auto-rotation, aspect-ratio adjustments, hardware acceleration and gestures to control volume.
- It also includes a widget for audio control, supports audio headsets control, cover art and a complete audio media library.
What “not visible” means in OBS
Visibility means whether the source is shown in the OBS scene, not whether the OBS application window is on screen. You can show or hide an individual source with its eye control in the Sources dock. VLC Video’s visibility setting determines how playback behaves when that source is hidden or otherwise not visible in the scene. The documented default is to stop while hidden and restart when visible. See the official OBS Sources Guide for the scene visibility controls.
Connect the OBS output to YouTube separately
The media source supplies content to the OBS production; it does not connect that content to YouTube or choose the stream destination. OBS encodes and sends the composed output, while YouTube accepts that feed through the encoder stream URL and stream key. Configure those separately in OBS using the details from YouTube’s Manage live stream settings page. The key and URL are not loop settings.
Rank #3
- 【Mini Portable Media player】-- Fits into the palm of your hand, It is a perfect travel partner for those short on space and sockets. Also compact and easy multifunction HD media player for office work and home entertainment;Aluminum alloy material, not easy to damage during carrying
- 【1080P MP4 Player】-- Full HD 1080p@60Hz supports most video decoding formats: RM, RMVB, AVI, DIVX, MKV, MOV, HD MOV, MP4, M4V, PMP, AVC, FLV, VOB, MPG, DAT, MPEG, TS, TP, M2TS, WMV, (H.264,H.263,WMV9/VC-1,MPEG1/2/4),Not support VPR files. Note: Please use our 4K player to play some videos taken with smart phones, ASIN: B07WPY8VKL
- 【HDMI or AV Output】-- Supports 1080p HDMI output, allowing you to transmit crisp, clear video and audio in a pure digital format to an HDTV; it also supports composite AV output for use with analog TVs. An analog AV cable is included. While using HDMI video output, you can also connect external speakers via the AV output. However, video cannot be output via both AV and HDMI at the same time.
- 【USB 2.0/3.0 Compability】-- Drive external USB 2.0/3.0 storage devices such as USB flash(up to 512G)/SD card(up to 128G) and hard drive(partition should be MBR, up to 8TB), you can also delete or copy files in the USB drive(FAT or FA32) directly, Also plays subtitle files as well as loop videos
- 【Support Multiple Formats of Files and Playback Modes&Multi-functional Remote Control】-- Supports most video, audio, and image formats on the market, supports random playback of video and image modes, and supports loop playback. Supports repeat, zoom, fast forward, fast rewind, rotation, breakpoint playback method, start from scratch playback method and time selection playback method. It is also equipped with a convenient remote control for easy navigation of menu screens (ASIN: B0C9PZPFL8)
- Choose the appropriate OBS source and configure its file or playlist and playback behavior.
- In YouTube’s live-stream setup, obtain the encoder stream URL and stream key for the stream.
- Enter the destination details in OBS’s streaming configuration, then start streaming and confirm the live feed in YouTube.
Limits to keep in mind
- The documented settings establish how local media and playlists are configured; they do not establish that adding or editing playlist items during an active YouTube stream avoids a playback reset, gap, or interruption.
- The cited OBS documentation covers local media and VLC-backed playback. It does not establish whether a YouTube watch-page URL can be used directly as the input to either source.
- The source guides describe controls and requirements, not comparative reliability, performance, or seamless transitions. No relative performance figures are established.
Troubleshooting
The single video stops instead of repeating
Check that you added Media Source and enabled Loop in its properties. Loop is off by default.
The playlist ends and does not start again
Check Loop Playlist in VLC Video. It is on by default, but may have been changed.
Rank #4
- MAKE YOUR TV SMARTER - Enhance any TV with the ability to play videos, music, and photo slideshows from a USB drive or MicroSD Card! It’s so simple and intuitive - anyone can use it. The Micca G3 is amazingly compact and affordable, get one for each TV in the house!
- PLAYS 2K QUAD-HD VIDEOS - Works with TVs old and new! Smoothly plays videos up to 2560x1440@60fps, upscaled to UHD 4K/60Hz HDMI output. Sharp and clear video and audio in pure digital format, compatible with 4K and 1080p TVs, projectors, and monitor displays. Composite AV output for use with analog TVs or for sending sound to a stereo system.
- DUAL USB AND MICRO SD READER - Play media files from USB flash drives and USB hard drives up to 8TB, or microSD cards up to 1TB. Supports FAT/FAT32, exFAT and NTFS file systems. Compatible with wireless air mouse remotes for non-line-of-sight control so that the player can be hidden away!
- SIMPLE DIGITAL SIGNAGE - Automatic video playback with endless repeat and looping, and the ability to resume from the last stopping point. Configurable 90/180/270 degree video output rotation. Great for digital signage applications such as restaurant menu boards, lobby welcome videos, art and museum installations.
- MEDIA FORMAT SUPPORT - Videos: MKV, MP4/M4V, AVI, MOV, MPG, VOB, M2TS, TS files encoded with H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC1, up to 2560x1440, 60fps, 100mbps. Subtitles: SRT, PGS, IDX+SUB. Music: MP3, WAV, FLAC. Photos: JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG
VLC Video is missing from the source list
Install VLC and ensure its architecture matches OBS. In particular, 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
Playback stops during a scene change
Check whether the VLC Video source is hidden in that scene and review its visibility behavior. The default behavior stops playback when the source is not visible, then restarts it when visible.
Best Value
- MAKE YOUR TV SMARTER - Enhance any TV with the ability to play videos, music, and photo slideshows from a USB drive or MicroSD Card! It’s so simple and intuitive - anyone can use it. The Micca 4K is amazingly compact and affordable, get one for each TV in the house!
- PLAYS 4K ULTRA-HD VIDEOS - Works with TVs old and new! Smoothly plays videos up to 4096x2304@30fps over UHD 4K/60Hz HDMI output. Sharp and clear video and audio in pure digital format, compatible with 4K and 1080p TVs, projectors, and monitor displays. Composite AV output for use with analog TVs or for sending sound to a stereo system.
- DUAL USB AND MICRO SD READER - Play media files from USB flash drives and USB hard drives up to 8TB, or microSD cards up to 1TB. Supports FAT/FAT32, exFAT and NTFS file systems. Compatible with wireless air mouse remotes for non-line-of-sight control so that the player can be hidden away!
- SIMPLE DIGITAL SIGNAGE - Automatic video playback with endless repeat and looping, and the ability to resume from the last stopping point. Configurable 90/180/270 degree video output rotation. Great for digital signage applications such as restaurant menu boards, lobby welcome videos, art and museum installations.
- MEDIA FORMAT SUPPORT - Videos: MKV, MP4/M4V, AVI, MOV, MPG, VOB, M2TS, TS files encoded with H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC1, up to 4096x2304, 30fps, 200mbps. Subtitles: SRT, PGS, IDX+SUB. Music: MP3, WAV, FLAC. Photos: JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG
The loop works in OBS, but YouTube is not receiving a live feed
Check OBS’s encoder stream URL and stream key configuration separately from the source properties. A correct loop setting alone does not establish the YouTube connection.
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