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To switch between cartoons and a holding screen during a YouTube Live broadcast, create one OBS scene for the cartoon video and another for the holding screen, then select the scene you want viewers to see. You can switch with the mouse, assign scene hotkeys, or use Studio Mode to preview the next scene before transitioning. You do not need to stop and restart the stream.
1. Create the cartoon and holding-screen scenes
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In OBS, find the Scenes panel and create two scenes. Name them clearly, such as Cartoons and Holding Screen, so you can identify them at a glance while live.
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Select Cartoons. In the Sources panel, add a Media Source, choose the local cartoon video file, and confirm. OBS documents support for common formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM. See the OBS Media Sources guide.
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Size and position the video in the preview so it fits your broadcast layout. Sources can be positioned, resized, cropped, and layered within a scene; see the OBS Sources guide. Check the audio mixer as well if the video is supposed to include sound.
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Select Holding Screen and add the content you want viewers to see between cartoons: for example, an image, text, or a color source. Arrange and size the sources in the preview.
2. Set the cartoon’s playback behavior
Select the cartoon’s Media Source and open its properties. Choose playback behavior based on what should happen when you return to the scene:
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- Loop: enable this if the file should start again when it reaches the end.
- Restart playback when source becomes active: enable this if each return to the cartoon scene should start the video from the beginning. If you want playback to resume instead, leave it off.
These are separate Media Source controls. Their availability and labels are documented in the OBS Media Sources guide.
3. Choose how to switch scenes while live
Click the scene name
The simplest approach is to click Cartoons or Holding Screen in the Scenes panel. OBS sends the selected scene to the stream output; switching scenes changes what viewers see without ending the broadcast.
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Assign a hotkey to each scene
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Open Settings in OBS and go to Hotkeys.
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Find the actions for switching to your named scenes, then assign a distinct keyboard shortcut to each one. Avoid shortcuts you commonly use in other applications.
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Apply the settings and test both shortcuts before going live. A dedicated controller is optional; OBS supports scene-switching hotkeys with an ordinary keyboard. Refer to the OBS Keyboard Shortcuts and Overview Guide.
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Use Studio Mode to preview first
Turn on Studio Mode when you want to prepare the next scene without immediately changing the live output. Select or adjust the next scene in the preview area, check it, then click Transition to send it live. OBS includes Cut and Fade transitions from a fresh launch, and lets you configure transition duration. A Cut changes immediately; a Fade makes the change gradual. See the OBS Studio Overview Guide.
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- Confirm the cartoon appears at the intended size and that its audio is present—or muted, if that is your intent.
- Confirm the holding screen is legible and has no unintended empty areas or overlays.
- Switch in both directions using your chosen method. If using Studio Mode, confirm that the preview changes first and the live output only changes after you click Transition.
- Check what happens when you return to the cartoon scene: it should resume or restart according to your Media Source settings.
If OBS struggles to render or encode the output, simplify costly sources and keep the scene collection focused. OBS’s Encoding Performance Troubleshooting guide discusses reducing source demands. You can also use OBS’s Quick Start Guide for general setup and its Auto-Configuration Wizard.
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- Full Customizable 10 LCD Keys, 4 RGB Knobs & Interactive Touch Bar: Tailored for content creation and gaming, the VSD N4 Pro stream controller supports fully configurable hotkeys and multi-scene modes. You can set single commands or multi-step chained operations, plus custom PNG/JPG/GIF icons for quick identification. It stores unlimited independent scene presets for streaming, editing, gaming and office use to skip repeated setup
- One-Tap Multi-Step Macro Activation, Zero Coding Needed: Simplify tedious computer workflows with the VSD N4 Pro macro pad. It converts complex repeated operations into one-tap triggers for editing shortcuts, app launches, webpage access and text presets. No coding or technical knowledge required; gamers and creators can set custom macros effortlessly
- USB Sound Deck & 500+ Expandable Downloadable Plugin Ecosystem: The VSD N4 Pro works as a professional USB soundboard for streamers. Trigger sound effects, switch background audio and adjust audio atmosphere with one tap. Note: It only sends audio control commands to your computer to trigger play, pause and other audio operations, without built-in speakers for sound output. Unlock full features via 500+ official plugins on VSDinside; preloaded widgets improve daily efficiency
- Dynamic RGB Visuals & Built-In USB Dock: Upgrade your desktop look and device connectivity with VSD N4 Pro. It features fully adjustable audio-synced RGB lighting, compatible with GIF, MP4 and MOV media files. Carbon-fiber panels and switchable haptic keys let you customize typing feedback. The built-in passive USB dock adds extra ports for mice, keyboards and storage drives
- Adjustable Ergonomic Stand & Cross-Platform System Compatibility: Designed for long streaming, editing and gaming sessions, VSD N4 Pro comes with a foldable 60-degree ergonomic stand for comfortable viewing and easy storage. USB-C plug-and-play design works seamlessly with Windows 10+ and macOS 11.0+. Automate batch tasks for live production, video editing, gaming shortcuts and daily office work
5. Connect OBS to YouTube Live
This guide covers switching scenes in an already configured stream. To connect OBS, use the current YouTube Live control room and OBS’s current streaming interface to select the service and configure the stream key. YouTube may have channel- or account-specific setup requirements; check the control room for your account’s current instructions. OBS’s Overview Guide describes generic service and stream-key settings, not current YouTube eligibility rules.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is to keep uploaded cartoons playing as a 24/7 YouTube stream, StreamNeo is a cloud alternative: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops uploaded videos, so your computer and home connection do not need to stay on. It does not switch OBS scenes or stream from a camera.
- Nothing has to stay on at home while the cloud stream runs.
- Videos stream as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot.
- StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card required; one free day is available per account.
Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, or start your free day.
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