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To stream a playlist of local videos at 4K and 60 fps, add the files to an OBS VLC Video source, then separately set OBS’s output resolution to 3840×2160 and frame rate to 60 fps. The video files’ own resolution does not set the live stream’s output. You also need a computer and upload connection that can sustain the workload, plus a YouTube-compatible encoder configuration.
Before you start
- Install OBS Studio and VLC Media Player. OBS’s VLC Video source requires VLC, and their architectures must match: 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. See the OBS Media Sources guide.
- Prepare the video files you intend to play and decide their order. Test that each file plays and that the desired audio is present.
- Make sure your computer can render and encode 3840×2160 at 60 fps, and that your upload connection has sufficient stable capacity. YouTube’s bitrate recommendations are not a guarantee that your PC or connection can sustain a stream.
- Set up the YouTube live stream and have its stream key available. Treat the key like a password: do not show it on screen or share it.
Add the playlist to OBS
- Open the intended scene. In OBS, select the scene that will carry the videos.
- Add a VLC source. In the Sources dock, click + and choose VLC Video. If the option is missing, verify that VLC is installed and that its 32-bit or 64-bit architecture matches OBS.
- Add and order the files. In the VLC Video source properties, use the playlist controls to add the video files and arrange them in the sequence you want. The VLC Video source is the playlist-capable choice; OBS’s regular Media Source is intended for individual-file playback.
- Check playback options. Shuffle is off by default, so the playlist plays in listed order. Loop Playlist is on by default; turn it off if playback should end after the final file. Review the source’s visibility behavior too: its documented default is to stop when hidden and restart when visible. Scene changes can therefore affect playback.
- Place the video in the scene. Right-click the source and use Transform → Fit to Screen (Ctrl-F on Windows; Cmd-F on macOS), or edit its transform values for precise placement. Fitting a source changes its size and position on the canvas; it does not configure the stream’s output resolution or bitrate. See the OBS Sources Guide.
Set OBS to output 4K at 60 fps
In OBS, open Settings → Video. Set the output resolution to 3840×2160 and the common FPS value to 60. The canvas/base resolution controls the working scene; the output resolution controls the video sent to YouTube. For a true 4K output, ensure the output resolution—not just the canvas—is 3840×2160.
These settings do not upscale the source into genuine 4K detail. They set the outgoing frame dimensions and rate. A lower-resolution file can be placed in a 4K scene, but its picture will not gain detail it did not contain.
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Rendering and encoding at 4K/60 is demanding. If OBS struggles, reduce the output resolution or frame rate until the stream is stable. OBS’s performance guidance specifically advises trying 30 fps if 60 fps is not working; stable 1440p or 30 fps is preferable to a nominal 4K/60 stream with persistent stutter or dropped frames. See OBS Encoding Performance Troubleshooting.
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Configure YouTube-compatible encoder settings
YouTube’s live encoder guidance supports RTMP/RTMPS ingest with H.264, H.265/HEVC, or AV1, up to 60 fps. In OBS, open Settings → Output, select the streaming output mode and configure an available encoder and rate control. YouTube recommends constant bitrate (CBR) and a two-second keyframe interval, and says not to exceed four seconds.
| 4K/2160p at 60 fps codec | YouTube-recommended bitrate |
|---|---|
| H.264 | 50 Mbps |
| AV1 or H.265/HEVC | 35 Mbps |
These are YouTube’s current platform recommendations; its live encoder page does not state a publication date. They are not measured guarantees of performance. Use a bitrate your encoder and sustained upload capacity can maintain, and check YouTube’s live stream health during a test. Recheck YouTube’s live encoder settings if configuring a stream later, since platform recommendations can change.
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In OBS, choose a keyframe interval of two seconds if the selected encoder exposes the setting. Keep the codec, bitrate, frame rate and resolution consistent with what your system and connection can handle. If the selected encoder or OBS version presents different controls, use the available equivalent and confirm YouTube reports a healthy incoming stream.
Connect OBS to YouTube and start the stream
- In YouTube Studio, create or open the live stream you intend to use and copy its stream key.
- In OBS, open Settings → Stream, choose YouTube as the service, then connect an account or use the stream-key option and paste the key. Keep the key private.
- Click Start Streaming in OBS. Check YouTube Studio’s stream preview and health indicators before presenting the stream to viewers.
- When finished, stop the stream in OBS and confirm the live event has ended in YouTube Studio.
Test playback and monitor stream health
Before the actual event, test the full playlist path: confirm the files advance in order, loop or stop as intended, remain visible through any scene changes, and have the expected audio. YouTube recommends testing with audio and movement similar to the real program, then monitoring stream health and messages while live. Its 4K streams use normal latency rather than the low-latency option. See YouTube’s live streaming tips.
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Common problems and fixes
- VLC Video is not listed: Install VLC Media Player and ensure its architecture matches OBS. Restart OBS after installing VLC.
- The playlist plays in the wrong order: Turn off Shuffle Playlist and arrange the files in the desired sequence in the source properties.
- The last video stays visible, or playback unexpectedly repeats: Check Loop Playlist. It is on by default for VLC Video. If using an individual Media Source instead, review its end-of-playback behavior.
- Playback stops or restarts after changing scenes: Review VLC Video’s visibility behavior. Its documented default stops playback while hidden and restarts it when visible.
- The stream is not 4K or 60 fps: Check OBS’s output resolution and FPS under Settings → Video. Adding 4K files or fitting them to a scene does not change these output settings.
- Video stutters, frames are lost, or YouTube reports poor health: Rendering, encoding, and upload capacity can each be the bottleneck. Reduce output resolution or frame rate, lower bitrate if necessary, and test again while monitoring YouTube’s health messages.
- Audio is missing or wrong: Test each file in the playlist before going live and verify OBS’s audio mixer shows the expected source activity. Do not assume that a successful video preview confirms the audio path.
Copyright and YouTube channel rules
Only stream video and audio you have the rights or permission to use. A playlist can trigger copyright claims or other enforcement just as a live camera feed can; having a local copy does not grant streaming rights. YouTube’s copyright and monetization rules can also apply to repetitive or reused material. Review the rules that apply to your channel and content before scheduling a long-running broadcast; do not treat OBS playback as a way around them.
Or let it run in the cloud
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Quick Recap
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- Turn Your Camera into a Pro Webcam: Connect your DSLR or mirrorless camera to any computer and go live in stunning quality
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