The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Restream’s listed Upload & Stream plans allow a video library of 4 hours at up to 1080p on Marathon or 12 hours at up to 4K on Media. A playlist can run for up to 24 hours and contain up to 40 entries. Those are separate limits: library capacity is not the same as playlist runtime, and a 24-hour playlist does not guarantee that YouTube will save the entire livestream.
Restream playlist limits at a glance
| Limit | Documented figure | What it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon video library | 4 hours; up to 1080p | Video-library allowance listed for the Upload & Stream playlist feature. |
| Media video library | 12 hours; up to 4K | Higher listed video-library allowance and resolution. |
| Playlist runtime | Up to 24 hours | Total length of the scheduled playlist, distinct from library capacity. |
| Playlist entries | Up to 40 | Unique videos and repeated copies each count as entries. |
These figures come from Restream’s playlist article dated July 25, 2026. Check that the Upload & Stream add-on and the stated tier limits are available on your account, since plan details can change. Restream’s playlist guide describes the feature and its limits.
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How much video can I store in Restream?
Restream’s playlist-library hours should not be confused with all storage on your account. Its cloud storage article, dated August 5, 2026, says storage limits depend on subscription plan. Uploads on paid subscriptions do not expire unless manually deleted; uploads on free accounts are stored for 30 days. Recordings have a separate 15- or 30-day retention period depending on plan. Restream’s storage article explains those distinctions.
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Recordings also have a per-session duration cap: the Restream recording-download article dated July 1, 2026 lists up to 6 hours on Standard and 10 hours on Professional and Business. It describes a 15-minute trial recording on Free during the first seven days after signup. These are recording limits, not playlist or upload limits; recordings are subject to expiry. See Restream’s recording-download guidance.
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Will YouTube save a 12-hour livestream?
Do not treat 12 hours as a guaranteed archive duration. YouTube says streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived, while streams exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. Restream says it does not set a stream-duration limit, but that does not override YouTube’s archive behavior. A stream longer than 12 hours may continue live yet leave no complete YouTube archive. YouTube’s live-stream archiving guidance covers the archive caveat; Restream’s current duration guidance is at How long can I stream for?.
Restream also warns that its servers may undergo maintenance or restart during continuous streams lasting more than 24 hours and suggests restarting every 24 hours. That is operational advice from Restream, not a promise about YouTube archive capture.
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DVR and rewind are separate from archiving
YouTube may limit or disable DVR rewind on streams longer than 12 hours. If DVR is disabled, viewers cannot seek backward while the stream is live; YouTube says they can still watch a recording of the entire stream once it becomes available. That availability is not assured for streams exceeding the archive boundary. YouTube’s DVR guidance explains the viewing distinction.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhat is the maximum length of a YouTube video upload?
For a verified YouTube account, an individual uploaded video can be at most 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever limit is reached first. This governs a single source-video upload. It does not set Restream’s combined playlist runtime, nor does it guarantee that a livestream archive will be saved. YouTube’s upload-size and length limits describe the upload rule.
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- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
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How to plan a playlist without losing the archive
- Check the library tier. Confirm whether your account’s Upload & Stream tier offers the 4-hour, up-to-1080p Marathon library or the 12-hour, up-to-4K Media library.
- Build within both playlist caps. Keep the playlist at or below 24 hours and 40 entries; repeated clips count toward the entry total.
- Plan YouTube’s archive separately. If you need a reliable automatic archive, keep the livestream under 12 hours rather than relying on a longer playlist to be saved.
- Keep a local copy of important material. Download important recordings before their plan-dependent expiry and retain an independent local backup. Restream says its cloud storage is not a replacement for a hard drive or other backups, and YouTube recommends a local archive backup. YouTube’s archive-promotion guidance also discusses organizing livestream archives.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is a continuous YouTube broadcast rather than a Restream playlist, StreamNeo is an alternative: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. The cloud keeps the uploaded videos looping without a computer, OBS, or home connection left on. It supports any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream, and the first day is free with no card. Monthly is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo streams to YouTube only and plays uploaded videos; it does not broadcast a camera feed. Learn about StreamNeo, or start your free first day.
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- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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