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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallFor a standard SDR video loop, set YouTube’s live output to Rec. 709, keep OBS’s Media Source YUV color range consistent with the actual video file, and enable Loop on the source. Leave HDR off unless the footage and the complete streaming chain are configured for HDR. These settings address different things: Rec. 709 is the SDR color space, while YUV range is a per-source level setting.
Set up a local video to loop in OBS
- In OBS, add a Media Source and select the prerecorded local video.
- In the Media Source properties, enable Loop. OBS describes this option as replaying the file after playback completes; it is a source setting, not a global color setting. See the OBS Media Sources reference for supported formats and source properties.
- In the same properties, check YUV Color Range. OBS documents Partial as the default. Set the range to match the file’s actual range rather than changing it by guesswork.
- Configure the stream’s SDR color space as Rec. 709, then make a short test output and inspect it for crushed blacks, washed-out contrast, or unexpected color shifts.
The correct range depends on the particular source file and playback/encoding path. OBS’s documentation establishes the control and its default, but cannot determine the range of an unspecified file or guarantee how a particular chain will look after YouTube processing. Check the file’s metadata where possible and verify with a test before relying on the setting.
Choose the right color settings for SDR
Rec. 709 is the SDR target
YouTube’s live encoder guidance specifies Rec. 709 for SDR and 8-bit SDR video. For an ordinary SDR recording, use the SDR path rather than enabling HDR as a general image-quality improvement. Configure the ingest signal you send; YouTube says it creates output formats for viewers on different devices and network conditions.
For live encoding, YouTube specifies CBR and recommends a 2-second keyframe frequency, with an interval not exceeding 4 seconds. Choose resolution, frame rate, and bitrate using YouTube’s current encoder guidance and your reliable upload capacity; a long-running loop does not change these encoder requirements. See YouTube’s live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions.
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YUV range is separate from color space
Rec. 709 does not tell you whether a particular Media Source should use Partial or Full range. The OBS Media Source range option applies to the selected file, and its documented default is Partial. Match the setting to the file’s actual range and inspect a test stream; a global color-space change is not a reliable fix for every range mismatch.
Use HDR only for an HDR workflow
HDR is a separate technical path, not a toggle for improving SDR footage. YouTube’s described OBS setup requires OBS 30.1 or later, an HDR source, HEVC hardware encoding, P010 color format, and Rec. 2100 PQ or HLG; YouTube recommends HLG. The source, playback, encoder, and stream configuration all need to support the chosen path. Viewers on unsupported devices receive SDR.
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If your source is SDR, keep the output SDR unless you have deliberately converted the footage and configured the entire chain for HDR. YouTube’s directions are the direct reference for its HDR stream requirements: Stream in HDR. OBS also publishes an HDR capture guide, but its device list reflects support described in 2022 and should not be treated as a complete current compatibility guarantee: OBS HDR capture guide.
| Decision | Ordinary SDR loop | HDR loop |
|---|---|---|
| Source | SDR prerecorded video | HDR source and supported playback chain |
| Color target | Rec. 709, 8-bit SDR | Rec. 2100 PQ or HLG; YouTube recommends HLG |
| OBS/encoder requirements | Use the standard SDR configuration | OBS 30.1 or later, HEVC hardware encoding, and P010 are stated for YouTube’s described setup |
| Viewer compatibility | YouTube creates viewer renditions for different devices and networks | Unsupported viewer devices receive SDR |
Keep the loop reliable and the project reusable
If you are recording or repackaging the source before streaming, OBS recommends MKV recording because it is more resilient to an ungraceful stop; OBS provides built-in remuxing to MP4. Save output configuration in an OBS Profile. Scenes are stored separately in Scene Collections, so preserve the relevant collection as well if you need to move or restore the complete setup. See OBS recording formats and OBS Profiles.
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Troubleshoot common color and loop problems
The video looks washed out or too dark
- Check that the output is using Rec. 709 for SDR.
- Recheck the selected Media Source’s YUV Color Range against the file’s actual range; Partial is OBS’s documented default, not a universal answer for every source.
- Make a test output and inspect it after YouTube processing before changing multiple settings at once.
The file stops instead of replaying
Open that file’s Media Source properties and confirm Loop is enabled. The setting belongs to the source; changing a global color option will not make the file repeat.
HDR is unavailable or the picture is not HDR
Confirm that the source is genuinely HDR and that the OBS version, color format, color space, and hardware encoder meet YouTube’s documented HDR requirements. An SDR source does not become an HDR master simply because the output is set to HDR.
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The stream looks different across viewer devices
YouTube creates viewer output formats for different devices and networks. Test the ingest signal and check the playback result on representative devices; you do not configure every viewer rendition in OBS.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
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