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To keep recorded church services playing on YouTube Live with OBS Studio, use a looping Media Source for one recording or a VLC Video source with a looping playlist for several recordings. Connect OBS to a YouTube encoder stream with its stream URL and key, test the preview, then start the broadcast. The computer running OBS must remain on and connected for the stream to continue.

Choose how OBS should play the recordings

What you want to play OBS source What to configure
One service recording Media Source Select the local video file and enable Loop.
Several recordings in a set order VLC Video Load the files as a playlist and enable Loop Playlist. VLC must be installed; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.

OBS documents common media formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, and WebM. See the OBS Media Sources guide for source behavior and setup details.

Prepare the recordings and build the OBS scene

  1. Put the files in a stable local folder. Play each recording before adding it to OBS. Decide whether the stream repeats one service or cycles through several. Avoid moving or renaming files after configuring the source.
  2. Create a scene. In OBS, add a source using the + button in the Sources dock. Choose Media Source for one recording, give the source a name, select the file, and enable Loop. If you want a sequence, install VLC first, add a VLC Video source, add the service recordings in the intended order, and enable Loop Playlist.
  3. Check framing and audio. Make the video fit the canvas, confirm that the source is visible in the active scene, and listen to playback through OBS. A hidden VLC source can affect playback, so keep it visible when it needs to run.

Connect OBS to YouTube Live

  1. In YouTube Studio, create or schedule a live stream using an encoder. Follow YouTube’s encoder setup guide.
  2. Copy the stream URL and stream key from YouTube’s stream settings. In OBS, open Settings > Stream, choose YouTube as the service, and enter the connection details. YouTube describes the key as the credential that lets an encoder send its feed; treat it like a password and do not share it.
  3. Apply the settings, then start streaming from OBS. Wait for the incoming feed to appear in YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room. Review the preview and stream health before clicking YouTube’s control to go live, if the event is not configured to start automatically.

YouTube’s stream settings help explains the encoder URL and key. For a safer ingest connection, YouTube recommends RTMPS; its encoder settings describe supported settings and testing.

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Set video, bitrate, and keyframes for the connection

Use a resolution and bitrate your internet connection can sustain continuously. A church’s upload capacity can fluctuate, so do not choose a bitrate solely because it matches the source recording’s quality. Leave upload-bandwidth headroom for other network traffic, and run a test stream under realistic conditions before promoting it.

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  • Video codec: YouTube lists H.264 for RTMP/RTMPS video.
  • Bitrate mode: Use constant bitrate (CBR), as recommended by YouTube’s encoder settings.
  • Keyframe interval: YouTube recommends 2 seconds and says not to exceed 4 seconds.
  • Resolution and bitrate: Choose them together based on available upload bandwidth and the detail viewers need; consult YouTube’s current encoder settings rather than treating a single bitrate as right for every connection.
  • Audio: Confirm the service’s speech and music are audible and not distorted in the YouTube preview. Use YouTube’s current settings guidance for encoder audio configuration.

Test the full broadcast before relying on it

  1. Start with a representative service recording, including its normal audio and any slides or transitions.
  2. Start the OBS output ahead of the time you intend to publish. In Live Control Room, wait for the preview and inspect stream health.
  3. Check the event from the channel or watch page using a separate browser or device. Confirm the correct video is playing, the audio is understandable, and the event is accessible as intended.
  4. Let the test run long enough to catch file transitions, playlist order, and network instability. YouTube recommends previewing and monitoring encoder streams; see its live streaming tips.

Plan for long broadcasts and replays

A continuous OBS output depends on the local computer, OBS, the media files, and the internet connection remaining operational. If the church needs an archive, also record locally and plan a controlled end and restart before the broadcast passes 12 hours. YouTube says streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived, while a stream exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all: “If your stream exceeds 12 hours, it may not be captured at all.” See YouTube’s archive guidance.

Clear rights for every part of a recorded service

Having a recording does not necessarily grant permission to rebroadcast everything in it. Check rights for music, readings, slides, video clips, and other third-party material, including the relevant online and livestream uses. YouTube scans live streams for third-party matches and may interrupt or terminate a broadcast if matching content remains. A license may not prevent an interruption if the rights owner has not allowlisted the channel through Content ID. YouTube places responsibility for securing necessary rights, including music rights, on the person providing the stream. Review YouTube’s copyright guidance and its livestream terms.

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Troubleshoot common problems

Symptom Likely cause What to check
The same service does not repeat Loop is disabled or the wrong source is active. Open the Media Source properties, enable Loop, and confirm that the source is visible in the active scene.
The playlist stops after one file Loop Playlist is off, VLC is missing, or the source cannot access a file. Confirm VLC is installed in the matching bitness for OBS, enable Loop Playlist, and verify each file plays from its configured location.
YouTube does not receive the OBS feed Incorrect stream URL or key, inactive event, or connection issue. Recheck the URL and key in YouTube Studio and OBS, confirm the event is ready for an encoder, and inspect OBS and YouTube stream status.
Preview stutters or stream health warns of instability The selected output may exceed stable upload capacity or the connection may be fluctuating. Test again on the same connection, reduce resolution or bitrate if needed, and leave more upload headroom.
Video plays but audio is missing or distorted Source audio is muted, routed incorrectly, or clipping. Check OBS’s audio mixer meters and mute controls, then listen to the YouTube preview before going live.
Broadcast is interrupted after a content match Third-party content was detected, or the channel was not allowlisted by the rights owner. Review the match and rights status; do not restart the same material until the church has resolved the rights issue.
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Or let it run in the cloud

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Each slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB of storage per slot pooled across active slots, looping and playlists, and StreamNeo team support. See StreamNeo for details, or start the free first day.

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