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To stream property-tour MP4 files in sequence from Ubuntu, use OBS Studio with its VLC Video source: add the files in tour order, keep shuffle off, connect OBS to a YouTube encoder stream with its stream URL and key, then preview and start the broadcast. VLC must be installed and available to OBS; for 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC.
Before you begin
- Ubuntu computer: Install OBS Studio using the current instructions for your Ubuntu release. OBS’s Linux installation page describes a PPA and apt route for Ubuntu 18.04 or newer, but that page is dated 2021; check the current OBS instructions and your release’s packaging rather than assuming the old route is the right one.
- OBS Studio and VLC: OBS’s VLC Video source depends on VLC being installed and visible to OBS. Match the architecture: 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. Packaging and sandboxing can affect whether OBS can access VLC.
- Tour files: Have the MP4s ready in the exact order you want viewers to see them. Confirm that you have permission to stream both the footage and any audio in it.
- YouTube access: YouTube’s encoder setup guidance requires a verified channel with live streaming enabled and no live-streaming restriction in the previous 90 days. Eligibility and interface details can change, so check YouTube Studio before planning an event.
- Reliable upload: The connection must sustain the selected stream bitrate with spare capacity. YouTube recommends keeping 20% upload-bandwidth headroom.
Choose the right OBS playback source
| OBS source | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| VLC Video | Several MP4 files played as a playlist | Requires VLC installed and accessible to OBS. OBS documents playlist playback; shuffle is off by default and playlist looping is on by default. |
| Media Source | One file at a time | Useful when you need a single video source, but the VLC Video source is the more direct fit for a multi-file playlist. |
Set up the playlist in OBS
- Install OBS Studio and VLC. Use the current OBS Linux installation instructions for your Ubuntu version. After installation, open OBS and confirm it launches. If OBS cannot see VLC, check whether the OBS package is sandboxed and whether its VLC integration is available for that installation method.
- Create a scene. In OBS, use the Scenes panel to create or select a scene for the property tour.
- Add the playlist source. In the Sources panel, select +, choose VLC Video, and create a source. Add the MP4 files to its playlist in the intended viewing order.
- Check playlist behavior. Leave shuffle off for a property-by-property sequence. OBS documents shuffle as off by default and playlist looping as on by default. If you want the tour to stop after its final file, change the loop setting; if you want the sequence to repeat, leave looping enabled.
- Fit the image to the canvas. Set the OBS canvas and output dimensions to suit the footage and the stream you plan to send. Check that the picture is not cropped, stretched, or surrounded by unwanted empty space. The right dimensions depend on your source files and connection.
- Preview the entire sequence. Play every file, listen to the audio, and watch the transitions—especially the handoff between different MP4s. Playback gaps can vary with the files and setup, so do not assume transitions will be gapless without checking them on your system.
Create a YouTube encoder stream and connect OBS
- In YouTube Studio, open Go Live and create or schedule an encoder stream in the Live Control Room.
- Copy the stream URL and stream key shown for that stream. In OBS, open Settings > Stream, select YouTube or the relevant YouTube ingest option, and enter the URL and key. YouTube recommends RTMPS where available.
- Treat the stream key as a password: do not publish it or share it with people who should not control your broadcast. If it is exposed, YouTube documents resetting it in the Live Control Room and updating OBS with the replacement.
- In OBS output settings, use constant bitrate (CBR) and a two-second keyframe interval. YouTube recommends a two-second interval and says it should not exceed four seconds. Choose a supported codec, resolution, and bitrate that your computer and upload connection can sustain; there is no single bitrate that suits every source and connection.
- Start streaming in OBS. Wait for the incoming preview in YouTube’s Live Control Room and check the picture and sound. For a scheduled broadcast, click Go live in the Control Room after the preview appears.
Run a pre-broadcast check
YouTube advises testing ahead of an event and checking audio and video quality. Its live-stream tips recommend setting up the encoder at least two hours before the event and starting it at least 15 minutes before. Use that lead time to identify connection, playlist, or audio problems rather than discovering them after viewers arrive.
- Confirm the files play in the intended order and the loop setting matches your plan.
- Check the opening, file transitions, ending, and audio level in OBS and the YouTube preview.
- Confirm OBS reports a stable stream and that your upload connection has the recommended bandwidth headroom.
- Verify the correct stream key is in use and that the Live Control Room shows the stream you intend to broadcast.
- Make sure all video and audio in the tour are cleared for your intended stream.
End the broadcast and find its archive
End the broadcast in YouTube’s Live Control Room, then stop streaming in OBS. YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours are automatically archived. Do not assume that an unended or longer stream will be archived under the same rule.
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Troubleshooting
OBS does not show VLC Video or the playlist will not play
Check that VLC is installed, matches OBS’s architecture, and is accessible to the OBS installation you are using. Sandboxed OBS builds may need additional setup for VLC access; the exact remedy depends on the Ubuntu package and installation method.
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Files play in the wrong order or repeat unexpectedly
Reorder the playlist entries in the VLC Video source and make sure shuffle is off. Check the loop control: OBS documents playlist looping as enabled by default.
The YouTube preview is missing or the stream will not connect
Verify that OBS has the correct stream URL and current key, that the intended encoder stream is open in YouTube Studio, and that the channel is eligible to live stream. If a key may have been exposed, reset it in the Live Control Room and replace it in OBS. Prefer RTMPS where available.
The stream buffers, drops frames, or looks unstable
Choose a bitrate and output resolution your computer and upload connection can sustain. Reduce the bitrate or resolution if needed, and leave the 20% upload headroom YouTube recommends. Check the connection during the full playlist test, not just for a short opening clip.
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Picture or audio changes between MP4s
Review the entire sequence in OBS before going live. Compare the files’ framing and audio levels, and check transitions individually. The documented playlist feature does not guarantee gapless transitions for every combination of MP4 files.
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