The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →To stream a vertical video continuously from a VPS, configure a 9:16 YouTube live output before going live, then have an encoder on the VPS send your video to YouTube over RTMP or RTMPS. For a portrait feed, encode the video as 9:16; alternatively, send a horizontal feed and let YouTube create a vertical view from it. A looping file and a running FFmpeg process do not, by themselves, guarantee that a broadcast will recover after a network interruption.
Choose how to make the vertical picture
YouTube supports two approaches with different framing and setup implications. Choose before configuring the encoder, because YouTube says you cannot add the vertical format after the stream has started. The vertical experience is designed for mobile full-screen viewing and may be discovered as viewers browse YouTube Shorts.
| Approach | What YouTube receives | Framing and setup | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct vertical output | A 9:16 video feed sent to YouTube as the vertical format. | You control the portrait composition in the source or encoder. Configure the vertical output and assign it to the matching YouTube stream key before starting. | Portrait-first material, where the full frame is composed for a phone. |
| YouTube-generated vertical view | A horizontal feed that YouTube also uses to create a vertical version. | YouTube’s default vertical view is a center crop. In the Live Control Room layout canvas, YouTube also offers center crop, fit-to-phone-width, and stacked layouts. Review the crop or layout before going live. | One production intended to serve both horizontal and mobile viewers, if the source can tolerate the selected portrait layout. |
YouTube documents simultaneous 16:9 and 9:16 output through a third-party encoder: use RTMP(S), obtain a second stream key, and match each output format to its corresponding key. The horizontal-origin dual-stream option is not the same as sending a separately composed vertical feed; inspect the portrait result in the preview.
Check YouTube eligibility and configure the live stream
YouTube requires a verified channel and no live-streaming restrictions in the preceding 90 days to enable live streaming. Check the channel’s current eligibility in YouTube Studio before preparing the VPS.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Ryzen 5 3500U Processor】KAMRUI Essenx E2 Mini PC is equipped with AMD Ryzen 5 3500U (4-cores/8-threads, up to 3.7GHz) with integrated Radeon Vega 8 Graphics(1200MHz, 8 Core). The 3500U CPU operates at a base frequency of 2.1 GHz and a Boost frequency of 3.7 GHz. This DDR supports upgradable up to 32GB, SSD supports up to 2TB.(NOT INCLUED), KAMRUI E2 3500U Mini PC is ideal for light office work and home entertainment. KAMRUI E2 3500U is more than 35% more powerful and smoother in operation than the Intel N150, 33% faster than Intel N95, 28% performance boost over Intel i3-10110U, and 42% stronger processing power than AMD Ryzen 3 3200U.
- 【16GB DDR4 & 256GB SSD】The KAMRUI E2 mini computers is equipped with 16GB DDR4(Expandable up to 32GB) for faster multitasking and smooth application switching. 256GB M.2 SSD ensures fast startup times,fast file transfers and plenty of storage space,eliminating slow loading times and ensuring fast responsiveness.Storage space can RAM supports up to 32 GB, SSD supports up to 2TB (Not included)make file storage easier.
- 【4K Dual Display & USB 3.2 Type-A Port】KAMRUI E2 3500U mini desktop pc is equipped with an HDMI 2.0+DP 1.4 interfaces for faster transmission, Support Dual 4K@60Hz Display, E2 mini desktop computers is ideal for visual home entertainment, home office, conference rooms, etc. USB3.2 Gen1 Type-A Port×2 with a transfer speed of up to 5Gbps (10 times faster than USB 2.0) for efficient data transfer. The RJ45 1000M Gigabit Ethernet Port ensures a stable network connection.
- 【WiFi+Bluetooth stable connection】The Kamrui E2 micro pc have reliable and stable wireless connection, open websites in seconds, watch movies without buffering and download files smoothly, connect your monitor from WiFi or Ethernet, use a wireless keyboard and mouse through bluetooth, which will be powerful workstation for you.
- 【Versatile Ports】This KAMRUI E2 Small pc is equipped with HDMI 2.0×1(4K@60Hz)、DP1.4×1(4K@60Hz)、Gigabit Ethernet Port (RJ45, 10/100/1000Mbps) ×1、USB3.2 Gen1 Type-A Port×2（5Gbps）、USB2.0 Type-A Port×2、3.5mm Audio Jack ×1、DC In ×1、Power Button ×1
- Open YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room. Create or schedule the live stream and select the third-party encoder workflow. Choose the vertical or simultaneous horizontal-and-vertical setup that matches your plan.
- Configure the formats before the encoder starts. For dual output, enable both formats, review the vertical layout, and note which stream key corresponds to each format. YouTube says vertical cannot be added after the stream has started.
- Get the current ingestion details from YouTube. Copy the server/ingestion destination and the relevant key or keys from YouTube Studio. Use YouTube’s current details rather than an endpoint or key copied from an old tutorial.
- Keep stream keys secret. A key is a credential that lets an encoder publish to your stream. Do not put it in a public command, screenshot, repository, shared log, or support post. Use a protected environment variable or secret store on the VPS, and restrict access to the account and machine that need it.
- Match output to key. Send the 16:9 output to the horizontal key and the 9:16 output to the vertical key. Sending a format to the wrong key can prevent the intended presentation from appearing.
YouTube’s published channel limits are up to 10 active streams per channel and up to 3 active streams per stream key. These are platform configuration limits, not a guarantee that a VPS can encode or deliver that many streams.
Prepare the VPS and encoder
The basic pipeline has three parts: a video file or other source on the VPS, an encoder/muxer that sends a live output, and the YouTube ingestion destination and key. For a pre-recorded video, the encoder must read the file and emit it as a live stream; YouTube does not automatically turn an uploaded file into a continuous broadcast.
Set the portrait composition
For direct vertical output, use a 9:16 source or configure the encoder to produce a 9:16 frame. Check that the subject, captions, and important visual elements remain inside the portrait frame. If you start with horizontal material, decide whether to crop, scale, or compose a layout; a simple center crop can cut off content near the left and right edges.
For YouTube-generated vertical from a horizontal encoder stream, send the horizontal format to the matching key and configure the vertical layout in the Live Control Room. Do not assume the default crop will preserve every important part of the picture.
Rank #2
- Office Gaming Mini PC - UPGRADED GMKtec Nucbox M5 Ultra Series is equipped with the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor, 8 Cores/16 Threads, Base 2.00GHz (Power Saving Quiet Mode) with Turbo Boost up to 4.50GHz (Performance Mode) in BIOS settings, Based on the ZEN 3+ architecture, this small but powerful mini pc delivers satisfying results in productivity, office work, and gaming. 35% Performance increase over AMD Ryzen 5 7430U/ Ryzen 7 5700U, 5600U, 5560U, 5500U.
- 16GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB PCIe SSD - Installed with DDR4 16GB RAM (1x16GB), the Nucbox M5 Ultra mini pc support expansion to 64GB RAM. Featured with 256GB M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 SSD, support dual slot expansion to 4TB SSD. (Upgrades not included)
- DUAL NIC LAN 2.5G RJ45 - Fast Network Speeds: Enjoy up to 2500Mbps data transmission speed without worrying about lagging. Ideal for working, gaming, and surfing the internet. Great for Untangle, Pfsense or as a server office PC.
- Mini Desktop Computer with 4K Triple Screen Display - Nucbox M5 Ultra integrates AMD Radeon Graphics 8 Cores 2000 MHz GPU to deliver powerful graphics processing power to easily handle the demands of complex design software, 4K@60Hz UHD video editing, and playback. It can connect to 3 display screens simultaneously.
- Fast Internet WiFi 6E + BT5.2 Connection - GMKtec Mini PC with WiFi-6E Wireless, have 2.5G/5G/6G triple band, more faster and lower latency. Bluetooth 5.2 allowing you more quickly to connect other wireless devices (headset, mouse, keyboard, etc.) Interface features 2*USB3.2 ports, 2*USB2.0 ports, 1*HDMI 2.0 port(4K@60Hz), 1*USB-C port(PD/DP/DATA), 1*DP Port, 1*Audio 3.5mm (HP&MIC), 1*DC Power Port.
Choose RTMP or RTMPS correctly
YouTube’s Live Streaming API documents RTMP, including RTMPS, as an ingestion type; it also documents HLS and DASH. YouTube recommends RTMPS in its encoder-settings guidance. Google describes RTMPS this way: “RTMPS is a regular RTMP (RealTime Messaging Protocol) video stream tunneled through an SSL connection.”
When using RTMPS, use the protocol, ingestion endpoint, application path, port, and hostname YouTube provides or documents. The RTMPS connection uses port 443, and the hostname must be supplied through SNI for authentication. A correct stream key cannot compensate for an incorrect endpoint, path, port, or hostname.
Loop a video without mistaking a loop for recovery
A file loop controls what the encoder reads after it reaches the end of a recording. It does not prove that the encoder process will remain alive, that the VPS network will stay connected, or that a dropped YouTube connection will restart the broadcast in the intended state. Those behaviors depend on the encoder configuration, source file, process supervisor, and connection state.
Design and test these as separate concerns: file replay, process restart after an encoder failure, and reconnection or republishing after a network or YouTube interruption. The YouTube documentation does not validate a universal FFmpeg command or supervisor setup for indefinite looping. Do not treat a command-line loop option as an uptime guarantee.
Rank #3
- 【AMD Ryzen 3 5300U CPU: Outperforms N150 & 3500U】 BOSGAME E5 mini PC is powered by the TSMC 7nm FinFET architecture AMD Ryzen 3 5300U processor (4 Cores, 8 Threads, up to 3.8GHz boost, 6MB total cache). Compared to low-end Intel N150 or 3500U chips which only have 4 single threads and throttle under load, the 5300U delivers over 30% faster multi-core speed. Run 30+ browser tabs, large Excel sheets, and Zoom meetings simultaneously without system lag.
- 【8GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB NVMe SSD Storage】 Installed with high-speed 8GB DDR4 dual-channel memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, eliminating slow boot times and application loading delays. To accommodate growing data requirements, the upgradeable hardware design features dual SODIMM slots that allow you to expand memory up to 64GB RAM, ensuring smooth operation during heavy multitasking.
- 【High-Capacity Dual M.2 SSD Storage Expansion】 Never worry about running out of space for your business files. In addition to the pre-installed 256GB system drive, the motherboard houses an extra empty internal M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 3.0 slot. This allows you to easily add a second solid-state drive for up to an additional 2TB of storage capacity (upgrades not included) without needing to remove or reinstall the original operating system.
- 【Radeon 6-Core Graphics & Triple 4K Displays】 Integrated with official AMD Radeon Graphics (6 Graphics Cores, 1500 MHz frequency) for casual gaming, photo editing, and crisp 4K media decoding. Featuring 1x HDMI 2.0 port, 1x DisplayPort, and 1x Full-Function Type-C port, the E5 outputs true 4K@60Hz resolution to three monitors at once. This multi-screen setup eliminates constant window-switching for traders, programmers, and office workers.
- 【Dual 2.5GbE LAN Ports for Advanced Networking】 Experience fast wired network transmission speeds up to 2500Mbps without lagging or buffering. The integration of dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports (powered by Realtek RTL8125 controller) makes this compact computer an exceptional hardware choice for tech enthusiasts. Easily configure it into software routers, hardware firewalls (pfSense, OpnSense), home NAS servers, or local homelabs.
Rehearse and verify the stream
- Start a rehearsal or available practice path. Use YouTube Studio’s available practice workflow where offered, or schedule a low-risk test. Start the encoder only after the vertical format and keys are configured.
- Check the preview on a phone-sized portrait view. Verify that faces, text, and other essential content are visible in the vertical frame. Also inspect the horizontal preview if you are sending both formats.
- Check audio and stream health. Listen to the preview and watch YouTube Studio’s stream-health indicators. YouTube’s Live API health status can identify issues including low video bitrate, frame-rate mismatch, and no audio stream.
- Test the failure path deliberately. In a noncritical rehearsal, verify what happens if the encoder exits or its network connection is interrupted. Confirm who or what restarts the process, whether YouTube accepts the renewed connection, and whether the video resumes as intended.
- Monitor the actual VPS workload. Observe CPU or encoder capacity, outbound network use, disk access, and process status during the rehearsal. Repeat under the expected source, resolution, and duration; a short test does not establish long-run reliability.
Understand the viewer and feature trade-offs
YouTube describes vertical live as a mobile-focused, full-screen experience that can surface during Shorts browsing. YouTube’s feature comparison lists clickable links, pre- and mid-roll live ads, premieres, live redirect, and 4K broadcast as horizontal-stream features rather than vertical-feed features. Memberships and gifted memberships are listed for both formats.
For simultaneous horizontal and vertical output, YouTube says viewers share one stream URL and the same chat, and receive one go-live notification. Metrics specific to the vertical stream become available 24 hours after the stream, according to YouTube Help.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose VPS capacity for your workload
There is no universally sufficient VPS size established by YouTube’s documentation. Requirements depend on whether the VPS passes through an already encoded source or performs a video encode, the number and type of outputs, resolution and frame rate, bitrate, network allowance, and how you handle restarts and connection recovery.
- Encoding capacity: Check that the VPS can sustain the required software or hardware encoding workload. A second independently encoded output can change the workload; measure your actual configuration.
- Transfer allowance: Estimate outbound data from your total outgoing bitrate and planned broadcast hours, then compare it with the provider’s traffic allowance and overage terms. For simultaneous feeds, account for the traffic of each output.
- Network and location: Compare the provider’s network limits and region with your source location and the YouTube ingestion route. A server’s advertised CPU count alone does not establish stable delivery.
- Operations and total cost: Review restart controls, monitoring, support, billing period, and any bandwidth or storage charges. Price the full workload rather than choosing a plan based on a generic “24/7 streaming” label.
Rehearse with the exact media, output formats, and expected run duration. The setup’s long-run reliability depends on the VPS, network, encoder, and recovery design; no provider or plan can be called best without current terms and workload assumptions.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #4
- 12th Intel Alder Lake N95 Processor – The GMKtec G3 S Mini PC is powered by the 12th Gen Intel N95 processor with 4 cores, 4 threads, 6MB cache and a burst frequency up to 3.4GHz. Compared with N100/N5105/N5100/N5095, the N95 delivers up to 36% overall performance improvement. Perfect for routine tasks, office work, and home entertainment, this compact mini desktop is more convenient than traditional bulky PCs.
- 8GB RAM & 256GB SSD Storage – Pre-installed with 8GB DDR4 memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2242 SSD, the G3 S mini desktop offers quicker startup, smoother multitasking, and faster file transfers. Enjoy seamless performance whether you’re working on multiple applications, browsing, or streaming content.
- Rich Interfaces & Connectivity – The G3 S mini computer comes equipped with USB 3.2 (up to 10Gbps), dual HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), and a 3.5mm audio jack. With support for WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45 1000MbE), it connects easily with monitors, projectors, printers, office equipment, and other peripherals, making it versatile for both home and business use.
- Dual 4K Display Support – Featuring upgraded Intel UHD Graphics (up to 1000MHz), the G3 S supports 4K video playback and AV1 decoding for a smooth viewing experience. With dual HDMI outputs, you can connect two 4K@60Hz displays simultaneously, enabling efficient multitasking for work and entertainment.
- GMKtec WARRANTY - GMKtec offers a 1-year limited GMKtec's warranty for each mini PC, starting from the date of the purchase. All defects due to design and workmanship are covered. With a professional after sales team always ready to attend to your needs, you can simply relax and enjoy your mini PC.
Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is a continuous YouTube stream from uploaded videos rather than managing a VPS and encoder, StreamNeo is a cloud option: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops the uploaded videos from the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. Each slot streams the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for YouTube streams from uploaded videos, not camera-based live production. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a vertical live stream be discovered in YouTube Shorts?
Yes. YouTube says vertical live streams can appear while viewers browse Shorts.
Does YouTube create a vertical view from every horizontal live stream?
No. Configure the vertical output or dual-stream option in Live Control Room before the encoder starts.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
