The Tool Desk
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Which OBS source should you use?
| Need | Best fit | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Play several local files in sequence and repeat the list | VLC Video Source | Supports a playlist and Loop Playlist, which is on by default. VLC must be installed, and its architecture must match OBS. |
| Repeat one local file | Media Source | Turn on Loop; it is off by default. Restart playback when the source becomes active is a separate setting. |
| Edit a playlist without restarting the current video | Third-party Media Playlist Source plugin | Its OBS forum listing describes playlist editing and resuming the current file across OBS restarts. It is not an official built-in source; check the current version and compatibility before installing. |
OBS describes the distinction directly: “Unlike Media Source, you can create a playlist of items, similar to an Image Slideshow.” See the OBS Media Sources documentation for the source controls.
How VLC Video Source handles a playlist
VLC Video Source plays media in an OBS scene and allows multiple items in one source. OBS uses VLC libraries for extended media support, so VLC must be installed for this source type to appear. OBS also specifies an architecture match: 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
Playlist controls that matter
- Loop Playlist: On by default. Leave it enabled to return to the beginning after the final item.
- Shuffle Playlist: Off by default. Leave it off when the files need to play in a fixed order.
- Visibility Behaviour: The default is “Stop when not visible, restart when visible.” If the source may be hidden or another scene may be shown while playback should continue, inspect this setting and choose a behavior that fits the production.
- Network caching: The documented default is 400 ms. OBS does not recommend a particular value for YouTube playlist URLs or establish that such URLs provide a durable nonstop program.
- Audio tracks and subtitles: VLC Video Source includes audio-track selection and subtitle controls.
The visibility setting controls the media source’s playback. It is not a command to end the outgoing livestream when the source is hidden.
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Set up a repeating playlist of local files
- Install VLC and match its architecture to OBS. If you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC. Reopen OBS and check the Add Source list for VLC Video Source.
- Add the source. In the scene where the playlist should appear, use the Sources panel’s Add button and choose VLC Video Source. Give the source a clear name.
- Build the playlist in the source properties. Add the local video files in the desired order.
- Set repetition and order. Keep Loop Playlist on to repeat the list. Keep Shuffle Playlist off for a fixed sequence.
- Check visibility behavior. If the source could become invisible because you switch scenes or hide it, choose the playback behavior you need; the default stops it while hidden and restarts it when visible.
- Test the complete sequence. Confirm that files play in the expected order and that playback returns to the first item after the last. Also check that the scene and audio behave as intended before relying on the setup.
These controls configure playlist playback. They do not ensure that OBS stays open, the host computer remains powered, the network stays connected, the encoder continues, or YouTube keeps receiving the stream.
Use Media Source for a single repeating file
Media Source is designed to add individual local media files. OBS lists video formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM, and audio formats including MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV.
- Add a Media Source to the scene and select the local file.
- Enable Loop in its properties; Loop is off by default.
- Review “Restart playback when source becomes active.” This setting is on by default and is separate from looping. Check it if scene switching or source visibility affects the playback you want.
- Check other relevant controls. Media Source also offers optional hardware decoding, hiding the source at the end of playback, unloading it while inactive, playback speed, and color-range controls.
For a playlist of multiple files, Media Source would mean managing separate sources rather than using VLC Video Source’s built-in playlist. Choose it when one file is the playback unit or when its per-file controls are useful.
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What these sources do—and do not—establish about YouTube URLs
The documented controls support local-file workflows; they do not establish that YouTube playlist pages or video URLs can be fed directly into either source as a reliable, ongoing program. The VLC source has a network-caching field, but the OBS documentation does not give a recommended cache value for YouTube URLs or say that VLC Video Source is more reliable than Media Source for them. Treat URL-based playback as dependent on the specific OBS, VLC, and service setup, and verify it directly rather than assuming support from the cache option.
Can either source guarantee a 24/7 stream?
No. Loop Playlist and Loop govern playback of media inside OBS. They do not keep OBS running or recover a stream if the computer, power, internet connection, encoder, or YouTube ingest fails. OBS’s source documentation does not promise continuous availability or compare the two sources’ CPU use, stability, or YouTube uptime. Plan monitoring and recovery separately from the source choice.
Alternative playlist workflow: Media Playlist Source
The OBS forum lists a third-party Media Playlist Source resource that uses Media Source internally. Its listing describes editing a playlist without restarting the video, remembering the current file across OBS restarts, and selecting an item directly. The listing says current versions require OBS 31 or later and notes that audio-track and subtitle selection are not supported. This is not an official built-in OBS source; check the plugin’s current release and compatibility before installing it: Media Playlist Source forum listing.
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Troubleshooting OBS playlist playback
VLC Video Source is missing from Add Source
Check that VLC is installed and that its architecture matches OBS. OBS specifies that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. Reopen OBS after installing or correcting VLC.
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The playlist stops when you change scenes
Inspect the VLC source’s Visibility Behaviour. Its documented default stops playback when the source is not visible and restarts when visible. Choose a behavior that allows playback to continue when hidden if that is required.
The playlist does not repeat
For VLC Video Source, check Loop Playlist. For a single Media Source file, check Loop instead. They are distinct source controls.
The items play in an unexpected order
Check Shuffle Playlist. It is off by default; turn it off if the intended sequence must remain fixed.
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A YouTube playlist URL does not behave as expected
Do not infer URL support or reliability from VLC’s network-caching control. OBS’s source documentation does not establish that YouTube playlist URLs work as a durable program input or prescribe a cache value for them. Verify the actual setup and consider a local-file playlist if that matches your use case.
The source loops, but the YouTube broadcast stops
Looping only governs source playback. Check separately whether OBS is open and encoding, the computer and network are available, and YouTube is still receiving the stream. The source settings are not an automatic recovery or uptime mechanism.
Quick Recap
Sources
- OBS Project, Media Sources (published January 11, 2022).
- OBS Project, Sources Guide (published January 11, 2022).
- OBS forum resource listing, Media Playlist Source (created August 8, 2023; plugin compatibility can change).
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