Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteYou can loop a prerecorded video through Owncast by repeating a local video file in OBS and sending OBS’s live RTMP output to your Owncast server. The loop setting is in OBS—not Owncast. Owncast receives the stream and serves it to viewers as HLS. The documented workflow does not establish a way to import and loop a video directly from a YouTube page through Owncast.
What this setup does—and what it does not do
This method takes a video file available on your computer (or on the computer running OBS), loops it in OBS, and broadcasts the resulting stream to Owncast. Owncast is the receiving server; it does not select or repeat the source video.
Owncast accepts an incoming RTMP stream and converts it to short segments for HLS playback. As Owncast puts it, “Owncast takes your source stream and converts it to short, individual video segments.” Owncast’s video-quality documentation explains the output side of that process.
If by “on YouTube” you mean a video hosted on YouTube, this workflow does not pull that page or video into Owncast. Use a local file you have the rights to broadcast. The documentation covered here does not establish a direct YouTube-video import path through Owncast, nor does it establish current YouTube livestream-policy requirements.
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Choose how to repeat your video
| OBS source | Best for | What to configure | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media Source | Repeating one local file | Enable Loop. | No VLC dependency is documented. |
| VLC Video | Repeating a playlist of local files | Add the files to the playlist and enable Loop Playlist. | VLC is required; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. |
OBS describes the Media Source loop property as specifying whether “the file play again once playback has completed.” Loop is off by default. See OBS Project’s Media Sources guide for source details.
Set up OBS to loop a local file
Loop one recording with Media Source
- Install OBS on a computer that can access the video file, then open the scene you will use for the stream.
- In the Sources panel, add a Media Source. Select the local video file. OBS documents support for formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM.
- In the Media Source properties, enable Loop, then confirm the source. This makes the file play again after it reaches the end.
- Check the OBS preview and audio before going live. A loop repeats the file; it does not repair missing media, silent audio, or problems inside the recording.
Loop several recordings with VLC Video
- Install VLC as well as OBS. Match their architectures: OBS’s documentation specifies that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- Add a VLC Video source to the scene and add the local files to its playlist.
- Enable Loop Playlist in the source properties and confirm the order and playback in the preview.
Connect OBS to Owncast
- Open your Owncast server’s broadcast or stream configuration and retrieve the RTMP endpoint and stream key for your instance. The documented default RTMP port is TCP 1935; the endpoint pattern is
rtmp://yourserver:1935/live/<your-stream-key>. Replace the hostname and key with your own values. - In OBS, open Settings → Stream and configure a custom RTMP destination using the server endpoint and stream key supplied by your Owncast setup. Follow the fields shown by your OBS version and Owncast instance; the endpoint pattern above describes the destination, not a universal hostname.
- Change the default Owncast stream key after setup if one was provided, and keep the key private. Anyone who obtains it may be able to broadcast to your instance.
- Configure OBS output for a quality your computer, server, and network can sustain. Owncast recommends H.264 video and AAC audio for assured transcoding and playback compatibility. Set the keyframe interval to 2 seconds; OBS expresses this interval in seconds.
- Start streaming in OBS. Confirm that Owncast reports an incoming stream and that the video and audio play in the Owncast viewer. Review the Owncast admin stream-health page while the stream runs.
Choose output quality for the available capacity
There is no single resolution or bitrate that is reliable for every Owncast server and network. The broadcaster has to encode the source, the server may need to transcode it, and the server must deliver the resulting segments to viewers. Higher quality can increase those demands; inadequate processing or delivery capacity can cause buffering or errors.
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- Begin with an output your OBS computer and Owncast server can handle, rather than assuming the source file’s resolution is a safe streaming setting.
- Use H.264 video, AAC audio, and a two-second keyframe interval for the compatibility and transcoding guidance documented by Owncast.
- Check both the viewer playback and Owncast’s stream-health information. If playback stutters or errors appear, reduce the output demand and check the server’s processing and network capacity.
Owncast’s video-quality guide discusses quality settings; it does not make a particular setting a guarantee for every host or audience connection.
Keep the stream running
OBS must keep broadcasting the source. If OBS is running on your everyday computer, that computer and its network connection must remain available for the stream to continue. Owncast itself also needs a server and network connection capable of receiving, processing, and delivering the feed. A remote host can keep the server separate from your home computer, but it still requires administration and sufficient capacity.
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A spare computer or mini PC may be an option for a local OBS setup, but no particular model or minimum specification is established here. If you already have a capable computer, dedicated hardware may not be necessary.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The video stops at the end instead of repeating. | Loop is not enabled, or the wrong source is configured. | For one file, open Media Source properties and enable Loop. For multiple files, check Loop Playlist on the VLC Video source. |
| The VLC Video source is unavailable or does not work. | VLC is missing or its architecture does not match OBS. | Install VLC; if OBS is 64-bit, use 64-bit VLC. |
| OBS cannot connect to Owncast. | The destination or stream key may be wrong, or the RTMP connection may not reach the server. | Check the instance’s RTMP endpoint and key, and confirm that the server is reachable on its configured RTMP port (1935 by default). |
| Owncast receives a stream, but viewers see buffering or errors. | Encoding, server processing, transcoding, or delivery capacity may be insufficient. | Review Owncast’s stream-health information and reduce output demands; check the server and network capacity. |
| The viewer has video but no usable audio. | The source may be silent or the audio format may not suit the configured path. | Check the source and OBS audio meters, then use AAC audio as Owncast recommends for compatibility and transcoding. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is a 24/7 YouTube stream made from uploaded videos, StreamNeo is a separate YouTube-only option; it does not send a stream to Owncast. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops the uploaded videos in the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. Videos stream as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot regardless of quality, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Visit StreamNeo or start the free day.
Quick Recap
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