To keep OBS playlist clips centered and proportionally scaled, use a VLC Video source, then check its bounding box and horizontal and vertical alignment in Transform → Edit Transform. Fit to Screen is the quick way to scale a clip proportionally; it may leave bars when the clip and canvas have different aspect ratios. If clips shift as the playlist advances, centered alignment and a suitable bounding box are the first settings to inspect.
Set up the playlist as a VLC Video source
OBS’s VLC Video source supports playlists and uses VLC libraries. Install VLC before configuring the source; if you use 64-bit OBS, OBS says to install 64-bit VLC as well. See the OBS Media Sources guide for source setup details.
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- In OBS, add or select your VLC Video source in the Sources list.
- Configure the source’s playlist with the clips you want to play.
- With the source selected, right-click it and choose Transform → Fit to Screen. The shortcut listed in the OBS Sources Guide is Ctrl+F on Windows or Cmd+F on macOS.
- Right-click the source again and choose Transform → Edit Transform to inspect its bounding box and alignment.
Center clips and keep them the same apparent placement
In Edit Transform, set a bounding-box mode that scales the source inside the intended scene bounds, then set horizontal and vertical position alignment to center. If the source has no suitable bounds yet, use Fit to Screen first, then inspect the transform settings. The exact behavior can vary with OBS version and source configuration, so check the settings on your own VLC source rather than assuming one preset will suit every playlist.
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#1 Best Overall
- 【1080P 60FPS Video Capture Card】 This HDMI game capture card is based on USB3.0 high speed transmission port, input resolution up to 4K@30HZ, output resolution up to 2K@30Hz or 1920×1080@60Hz. Type c and USB interface can meet most of the devices in daily life. Easily meet the online capture, real-time recording, online meetings, live gaming and other functions, so you have a better visual enjoyment. Note: For capture use only; requires capture software to function and is not intended for direct screen casting to a monitor or TV
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Choose between fitting, cropping, and stretching
The canvas is a fixed frame; each playlist clip has its own shape. What looks like a sizing problem is often the difference between preserving the whole image and filling every pixel of the canvas. The OBS Aspect Ratio Guide explains the trade-offs:
| Approach | Proportions | Is all image content visible? | Does it fill the canvas? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit to Screen | Preserved | Yes | Not always; bars may appear if the aspect ratios differ |
| Crop or scale beyond the frame | Preserved | No; edges are hidden | Can fill more or all of the canvas, depending on the crop and scale |
| Stretch to Screen | Not preserved; the image is distorted | Yes, though distorted | Yes |
Use proportional fitting when viewers should see the entire clip without distortion. Empty bars are the expected trade-off for clips whose shape does not match the canvas. If edge-to-edge coverage matters more, crop or enlarge the source beyond the frame, accepting that some edge content will disappear. Stretch to Screen also fills the frame, but changes the shape of people and objects; use it only if that distortion is acceptable. OBS lists Ctrl+S or Cmd+S for Stretch to Screen. To crop manually, hold Alt on Windows or Option on macOS while dragging a source edge, as described in the Sources Guide.
Rank #2
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Check the scene frame if every source looks wrong
If the canvas itself has an unexpected shape, open Settings → Video and check both resolution fields. Base (Canvas) Resolution defines the scene space in which sources are arranged; Output (Scaled) Resolution sets the stream or recording output size. They serve different purposes, so changing output resolution alone is not the same as changing the scene frame. Changing the base canvas can require you to realign or resize sources. The OBS Studio Overview Guide describes this distinction.
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Troubleshoot clips that move or change size
- Each new clip appears off-center: Select the VLC Video source and inspect horizontal and vertical position alignment in Transform → Edit Transform. Confirm both are centered.
- A clip is centered but appears smaller or larger than the previous one: Check the bounding-box mode and bounds in Edit Transform. Confirm the source is scaling inside the intended scene bounds.
- Bars appear around a clip: If the clip’s aspect ratio differs from the canvas, bars are consistent with fitting the entire image proportionally. Crop if you prefer to hide edge content; avoid stretching unless distortion is acceptable.
- The VLC Video source is unavailable or its playlist does not work: Verify VLC is installed and that its architecture matches OBS—OBS specifies 64-bit VLC for 64-bit OBS.
- The scene frame seems unusually shaped: Check Settings → Video and distinguish Base (Canvas) Resolution from Output (Scaled) Resolution before resizing sources.
- Sources move after changing canvas resolution: Recheck their transforms and alignment; changing the base canvas can require sources to be repositioned or resized.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is a prerecorded-video stream that stays live on YouTube, StreamNeo is a separate cloud option: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it loops uploaded videos, not a live camera feed. Any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps streams as made at one flat price per slot, and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly service is $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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Rank #4
- 2K 30FPS & 1080p 60FPS HDMI Capture Card: The 4K@30Hz input and 2K@30Hz output resolutions offer dual benefits. The high input resolution preserves original video quality for post-production editing, while the 2K output provides an optimal balance between clarity and compatibility. At the same time, this HDMI to USB-C capture card is also backward compatible with 1080p 60FPS, to fulfill a variety of daily needs. Note: Ensure your HDMI source device and the capture device support 2K resolution
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Rank #3
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