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To stream a local video playlist through OBS to YouTube, install VLC with the same system architecture as OBS, add OBS’s VLC Video source to a scene, configure its playlist and playback behavior, then connect OBS to YouTube with the server URL and stream key from YouTube Studio. Test audio and playback before going live.
What the VLC Video source does
OBS’s VLC Video source plays a playlist of local media files inside an OBS scene. It is different from the built-in Media Source, which is intended for individual media files. OBS Project describes VLC Video as using “the VLC libraries for extended media support over the built-in Media Source.” VLC must be installed before VLC Video appears as an available source. OBS Project’s Media Sources documentation lists support for Windows, macOS, and Linux when the VLC prerequisite is met.
The playlist is the content OBS plays; YouTube’s stream URL and stream key are connection details that send OBS’s encoded output to your channel. They are separate parts of the setup.
Install VLC and check compatibility
- Install OBS Studio and VLC on the computer you will use to stream.
- Match their architecture. If your OBS installation is 64-bit, install 64-bit VLC.
- Open or restart OBS after VLC is installed, then check whether VLC Video appears in the source-type list.
If it is missing, verify that VLC is installed and that its bitness matches OBS. The OBS documentation identifies the VLC installation as a prerequisite; it does not describe a separate playlist plug-in installation.
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Guermok Video Capture Card, 4K USB3.0 HDMI to USB C, 1080P 60FPS & 2K 30FPS
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Add a VLC playlist to an OBS scene
- In OBS, create a scene or select the scene that will contain the playlist.
- In the Sources dock, select the plus button and choose VLC Video.
- Name the source if prompted, then open its properties.
- Add the local media files you want played to the source’s playlist and arrange them in the desired order.
- Apply the settings and check the preview to confirm the source plays.
Sources belong to scenes, so a VLC playlist will be present only in scenes where that source has been added. The OBS Sources Guide explains adding sources and arranging them in a scene.
Choose playlist and playback settings
OBS documents these VLC Video controls and defaults. Use the options that match the program you intend to broadcast:
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| Setting | Documented default | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Loop Playlist | On | Restarts the playlist after its final item. Turn it off if the playlist should end. |
| Shuffle Playlist | Off | Randomizes item order when enabled. Leave it off for a fixed sequence. |
| Visibility Behaviour | Stop when not visible; restart when visible | Controls what happens when the source is hidden, such as when changing scenes. Review it if playback should continue while the source is not visible. |
| Network Caching | 400 ms | Sets caching for network media. OBS lists the default but does not provide a tuning recipe; consider changing it only when diagnosing buffering with network-based media. |
| Audio Track | 1 | Selects the audio track used by the source. Choose the intended track if the media contains more than one. |
| Subtitles | Off | Enables subtitle display; select a subtitle track when subtitles are enabled. |
These defaults are listed in the OBS Media Sources documentation. Menu wording and layout may change between application versions, so confirm the labels in your installed OBS version.
Position and layer the playlist in the scene
Select the VLC Video source in the Sources dock and adjust its bounding box in the preview to set its position and size. Source order determines what covers what: sources higher in the list render over sources below them. Move the VLC source up or down if it is obscured by another layer. For precise placement, use Edit Transform; to crop, use Alt-drag on Windows or Option-drag on macOS. See the OBS Sources Guide for source ordering and transform controls.
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Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- In YouTube Studio, go to Create → Go Live, then open the Stream tab in Live Control Room. First-time users may need to create a stream; returning users may be able to reuse prior settings.
- Copy the stream URL and stream key provided in Live Control Room.
- In OBS, open the stream settings and enter YouTube’s server URL and stream key in the corresponding fields. OBS’s overview describes the service/server and stream-key fields in its streaming setup.
- For a scheduled broadcast, wait until the stream preview appears in Live Control Room, then select Go live.
YouTube says first-time live-stream enablement may take up to 24 hours. If your channel has not been enabled yet, allow for that activation period before planning the first broadcast. Follow YouTube’s encoder streaming instructions for the current Live Control Room flow; the interface may change.
Check playback and audio before the broadcast
- Confirm the intended playlist item appears in the OBS preview and that the order, looping, and shuffle behavior are correct.
- Watch the OBS Audio Mixer meters while the playlist plays to confirm audio is reaching the mixer.
- If the source is silent, check the VLC source’s selected audio track; its documented default is track 1. Audio routing and monitoring can vary by setup, so verify the actual output rather than relying only on the setting.
- Review your output settings and make a short test stream or recording before the first real broadcast. OBS recommends testing so problems can be found beforehand.
- For YouTube launch problems, verify that OBS has the stream URL and stream key from Live Control Room. For scheduled streams, wait for preview and explicitly select Go live.
OBS’s Quick Start Guide recommends a test before a first live stream.
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Common problems and fixes
| Symptom | What to check |
|---|---|
| VLC Video does not appear in OBS | Install VLC, make sure its architecture matches OBS, and restart OBS. |
| The playlist stops at the end | Enable Loop Playlist if it should restart after its final item. |
| Items play in an unexpected order | Check Shuffle Playlist and the order of items in the playlist. |
| Playback stops or restarts during a scene change | Review Visibility Behaviour and whether the source is visible in the active scene. |
| The video is hidden or framed incorrectly | Check the source’s position in the Sources list, then adjust its bounding box or Edit Transform settings. |
| The playlist has no audible output | Check the Audio Mixer meters and confirm the selected VLC audio track is the intended one. Further routing and monitoring causes depend on the OBS setup. |
| OBS connects but the YouTube broadcast does not start | Confirm the stream URL and key match the values in Live Control Room. For a scheduled stream, wait for the preview and click Go live. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is to keep uploaded videos playing on a YouTube channel without leaving a computer running at home, StreamNeo is a cloud alternative: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It plays uploaded videos, not a live camera feed, and streams to YouTube.
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