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To stream a looping slideshow to YouTube Live, add OBS’s Image Slide Show source, select your images, leave Loop enabled, connect OBS to a YouTube broadcast, then test the stream at settings your computer and upload connection can sustain.
Build the looping slideshow in OBS
- Add the source. In the OBS scene where the slideshow should appear, click + in the Sources panel and choose Image Slide Show. Give it a recognizable name if prompted.
- Add your images. In the source properties, use the + control to add individual image files or directories. OBS documents BMP, TGA, PNG, JPEG, JPG, and GIF support. The source is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Choose playback behavior. Set Slide Mode to automatic for timed playback or manual/hotkey-based if you want to advance images yourself. Choose whether to randomize playback. For a planned sequence, leave random playback off.
- Set timing and transitions. Set the time between slides and transition speed, then choose a transition such as fade. OBS’s documented defaults are automatic mode, fade, 8,000 milliseconds between slides, 700 milliseconds transition speed, and playback while the source is not visible. Adjust them to suit the presentation.
- Keep Loop enabled. OBS lists Loop as on by default. This restarts the slideshow after the last image. Hide when slideshow is done defaults off; with Loop on, the sequence restarts rather than finishing.
- Arrange and preview. Resize and position the source in the preview canvas. Confirm that images are framed correctly and that any other scene elements, such as titles or audio sources, are where you want them.
Choose the right source for your material
| Material | OBS source | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| A collection of still images | Image Slide Show | Direct option for image files or directories; includes slide timing, transitions, random playback, and looping. |
| A slideshow already rendered as one video | Media Source | Use its loop option to repeat the local media file. |
| A playlist of video files | VLC Video | Supports playlists and has Loop Playlist on by default. VLC must be installed; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. |
OBS documents the Image Slide Show, Media Source, and VLC Video options in its Image Sources and Media Sources guidance.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Create or select the broadcast. Open YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room and create a broadcast or select one you have already prepared. Account eligibility and the broadcast’s current state are governed by YouTube’s current interface and Help pages.
- Connect the encoder. Use OBS’s YouTube service integration, or enter the stream connection information provided by YouTube. YouTube accepts RTMP/RTMPS encoder streams and recommends RTMPS, the secure version of RTMP. Follow the current labels shown in YouTube Studio; older walkthroughs may describe menus that have since changed.
- Protect the stream key. Treat it as a credential. Do not publish it, show it on screen, or send it to anyone who should not be able to broadcast to your channel. If it is exposed, replace or reset it in YouTube Studio.
- Start a test transmission. Start streaming in OBS and check that YouTube receives the signal and displays the correct scene before making the broadcast public or starting the event.
YouTube’s encoder settings guidance covers supported protocols and stream parameters. A 2015 OBS Forum guide provides historical orientation only; its exact interface labels and timings may no longer match current YouTube Studio.
Choose stream settings your connection can sustain
Use YouTube’s recommendations as starting points, not guarantees. The following SDR examples are YouTube’s recommended ingestion bitrates; actual stability depends on your upload connection, encoder, and computer. YouTube’s current encoder page, accessed October 3, 2026, lists these values:
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#1 Best Overall
Sale
Guermok Video Capture Card, 4K USB3.0 HDMI to USB C, 1080P 60FPS & 2K 30FPS
- 【1080P 60FPS Video Capture Card】 This HDMI game capture card is based on USB3.0 high speed transmission port, input resolution up to 4K@30HZ, output resolution up to 2K@30Hz or 1920×1080@60Hz. Type c and USB interface can meet most of the devices in daily life. Easily meet the online capture, real-time recording, online meetings, live gaming and other functions, so you have a better visual enjoyment. Note: For capture use only; requires capture software to function and is not intended for direct screen casting to a monitor or TV
- 【Ultra Low Latency Screen Sharing】 HDMI capture card is made of good quality aluminum alloy with strong heat dissipation, allowing you to enjoy ultra low latency while live gaming or video recording or live streaming, avoiding blue screens and lag. This HDMI to USBC capture card supports easy recording of good quality audio or HD video and transferring it to your computer or streaming platform, allowing you to record 60 fps HD video directly on your hard drive and real-time preview
- 【Plug and Play, Easy to Carry】 This HDMI 1080P video capture card does not require any additional drivers or external power supply, just plug and play for fast capture. The capture card is small and lightweight, so you can put it in your bag for emergencies, making it very portable for outdoor live streaming. It's also a great way to share content in game recording, video conference, video recorder and online teaching
- 【Wide Compatibility USB Capture Card】 Easily streams to Facebook, Youtube or Twitch. With the connection, this HDMI to USB C/3.0 video capture devices can be working on several Operating Systems and various software: Windows 7/ 8/ 10, Mac OS or above, Linux, Android, Laptop, Xbox One, PS3/PS4/PS5, Camera, DVDs, Set Top Box, Webcame, DSLR, Switch/Switch 2, TV BOX, HDTV, Potplayer/VLC, ZOOM, OBS Studio etc.
- 【Package Content & Note】 1x HD Audio Capture Card , 1x USB 3.0 to USB C Adapter (A-side 3.0, B-side 2.0), 1x user manual. Please note that you need to restart the OBS Studio software after the audio setup is complete, otherwise it will result in no sound output. When using an adapter, if the device is recognized as USB 2.0, try using the other side with the USB-C port. Simply flip the capture card and reconnect it to be recognized as USB 3.0
| Output | Codec | YouTube recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | H.264 or AV1/H.265 | 6 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | H.264 | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | AV1/H.265 | 10 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | H.264 | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | AV1/H.265 | 12 Mbps |
YouTube lists RTMP/RTMPS, H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 among its video options, supports up to 60 fps, recommends CBR bitrate encoding and a two-second keyframe interval, and says the keyframe interval must not exceed four seconds. For audio, its listed choices include AAC and MP3. Check YouTube’s live encoder settings page for the current recommendation that matches your selected resolution, frame rate, and codec.
For a mostly static slideshow, a higher frame rate is not automatically better. Pick a resolution and frame rate that suit the images and your viewers, then leave upload headroom rather than setting OBS at the full measured upload speed. Run a speed test and test the actual stream settings. If the broadcast is interactive, latency may matter; YouTube notes that 4K/2160 streams do not offer the “improve for low latency” option and are optimized for quality at normal latency.
Rank #2
Capture Card, USB Video Capture Card Device, Audio Video Converter Grabber for RCA to USB-Convert VHS Mini DV VCR Hi8 DVD to Digital, for PC TV Tape Player Camcorder, MAC Windows Vista Compatible
- AV TO USB Converter: Capture videos and audios from VHS, VCR, Hi8, DV tapes to a PC, with the help of our USB Video Converter. Save room while digitizing your favorite old memories
- Quality Capture Card: Our USB Video Capture Card converting anolog RCA composite input into HD 720P USB output and capturing audio without any sound card. Advanced signal processing technology provides you with great precision, colors, resolutions, and details.
- Plug and Play: Automatically install the driver once you hook up this RCA to USB Converter to a PC. No external power is needed. User-friendly and easy to operate
- Wide Compatibility: The Video Capture Card can work with video devices with RCA connector or S-Video connector, such as VHS, VCR, Hi8, camcorder, compatible with Windows and Mac OS. Support video formats like NTSC, PAL, and support brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation control
- Note: The Video Converter is used with acquisition software. We recommend OBS Studio or PotPlayer for Windows, and QuickTime Player for Mac. They can be downloaded for free online. Please operate according to the steps in User Manual or contact us if you have any questions
Test before the event
- Watch the OBS preview through at least one full sequence. Verify that every intended image appears, cropping and text are legible, timing feels right, transitions complete, and playback returns to the first image.
- Send a private or otherwise appropriate test broadcast and inspect YouTube’s incoming preview and stream status.
- Test with audio and movement similar to the planned stream. YouTube specifically advises: “Make sure to test before you start your live stream. Tests should include audio and movement in the video similar to what you’ll be doing in the stream.”
- Monitor YouTube’s stream health and messages during the event. If YouTube reports instability, reduce the bitrate or output settings and test again rather than assuming the recommended bitrate will work on every connection.
Check whether your computer can run OBS
OBS’s published system requirements (dated August 25, 2021) list Windows 10 or 11 with a DirectX 10.1-compatible GPU; macOS 11 (“Big Sur”) or later on Intel or Apple Silicon with an OpenGL 3.3-compatible GPU; and Linux/Unix with an OpenGL 3.3-compatible GPU and X Window System or Wayland. These are baseline requirements, not a guarantee of stable streaming. CPU load varies with encoder, resolution, frame rate, and scene complexity. Use Tools → Auto Configuration Wizard in OBS to find settings suited to your hardware, and consult the current OBS requirements for updates.
Troubleshoot common failures
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or do |
|---|---|---|
| Images do not appear | Files or directories were not added, a file is unsupported, or the source is hidden. | Reopen Image Slide Show properties, verify the file list and supported formats, and check the source’s visibility in the scene. |
| The slideshow stops at the last image | Loop is off or Hide when slideshow is done is enabled. | Enable Loop and verify the sequence restarts during preview. |
| The order changes unexpectedly | Random playback is enabled. | Disable random playback when the sequence must follow a specific order. |
| YouTube does not receive the stream | The wrong broadcast or connection details were selected, the stream key is incorrect, or the broadcast is not ready. | Check the selected Live Control Room broadcast and connection information, then confirm YouTube’s current broadcast state and incoming preview. |
| Stream health reports dropped frames or instability | The upload connection or computer may not sustain the selected output settings. | Run a speed test, lower bitrate or resolution, use a sustainable frame rate, and repeat the representative preflight test. |
| VLC playlist source is unavailable | VLC is not installed or its architecture does not match OBS. | Install VLC; if OBS is 64-bit, use 64-bit VLC. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is a YouTube channel that stays live around the clock, StreamNeo is a cloud service for looping uploaded videos or playlists, rather than a camera-based OBS broadcast. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not need to stay on. Each slot streams the uploaded file as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card.
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Rank #3
Video Capture Card, 4K USB3.0 HDMI to USB C, 1080P60FPS HDMI Capture Card for Streaming, Gaming, Video Recording Compatible with Switch, Xbox, PS4/5, OBS,iPad Mac OS Windows,Camera, Zoom(Silver)
- 【4K HDMI Input, 2K@30Hz Recording】Powered by a true USB 3.0 high-speed interface, the capture card supports up to 4K@30Hz HDMI input and records at 2K@30Hz or 1080P@60Hz. Perfect for gamers, streamers, and professionals who need crisp, smooth video for live streaming, gameplay recording, or online meetings.
- 【Ultra Low Latency Screen Sharing】Built with a premium aluminum alloy shell and advanced chipset for stable heat dissipation, ensuring ultra-low latency transmission. Capture high-quality video and dual-channel audio in real time—no lag, no frame drop—ideal for Twitch, YouTube, or OBS streaming.
- 【Easy Plug and Play, Compact & Portable】No driver or external power required—just plug and play via USB 3.0 or Type-C connection to your Windows or macOS computer. Lightweight and compact design makes it easy to carry for outdoor streaming, live shows, or mobile recording setups.
- 【Wide Compatibility & Multi-Device Support】Compatible with Windows 7 8 10 11, macOS, Linux,Android and supports most popular software such as OBS, Zoom, VLC, Twitch Studio, and more. Works seamlessly with PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, DSLR cameras, TV boxes, and other HDMI-output devices for streaming to YouTube, Twitch, etc.
- 【What You Get】Includes: HDMI Capture Card, USB 3.0 to USB-C Adapter, User Manual. Tips: Make sure your tablet’s OTG function is enabled before connecting. Test your HDMI device with a monitor first to confirm video and audio output, then connect to the Video Capture Card for recording.
Monthly access is $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start your free first day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Sale
Capture Card, 4K HDMI Video Capture Card, Game Capture Card, 1080P 60FPS Video Capture Device, HDMI to USB 3.0 Capture Card for Streaming, Work with Camera/Xbox/PS4/PS5/PC/OBS
- 【1080P HD High Quality】Capture resolution up to 1080p for video source and it is ideal for all HDMI devices such as PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, DVDs, DSLR, Camera, Security Camera and set top box. Note: Video input supports 4K30/60Hz and 1080p120/144Hz. Does not support 4K120Hz/144Hz. Output supports up to 2K30Hz.
- 【Plug and Play】No driver or external power supply required, true PnP. Once plugged in, the device is identified automatically as a webcam. Detect input and adjust output automatically. Won't occupy CPU, optional audio capture. No freeze with correct setting.
- 【Compatible with Multiple Systems】suitable for Windows and Mac OS. High speed USB 3.0 technology and superior low latency technology makes it easier for you to transmit live streaming to Twitch, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, OBS, Potplayer and VLC.
- 【HDMI LOOP-OUT】Based on the high-speed USB 3.0 technology, it can capture one single channel HD HDMI video signal. There is no delay when you are playing game live.
- 【Support Mic-in for Commentary】Rybozen capture card has microphone input and you can use it to add external commentary when playing a game. Please note: it only accepts 3.5mm TRS standard microphone headset.
Rank #4
Audio Express AXHDCAP 4K HDMI Video Capture Card, Cam Link Card Game Audio Adapter HDMI to USB 2.0 Record Capture Device for Streaming, Live Broadcasting, Video Conference, Teaching, Gaming
- [Enhanced 4K-1080P Video Capture Experience] Capture the Magic: Elevate your video recordings to new heights with our upgraded anti-static 1080P Video Capture Card. Immerse yourself in stunning visuals, supporting HDMI input at 4K 60FPS and USB output for capturing in 1080P, complete with rich stereo sound. Enjoy crystal-clear video recordings, dynamic gaming live streams, and professional conference broadcasts. Note: HDMI resolution: Max input can be 3840×2160@30Hz / Video output resolution: Max output can be 1920×1080@30Hz
- [Seamless Real-Time Preview] Stay in the Moment: Our advanced ultra-low latency technology ensures seamless real-time transmission of video streams. Experience instant, lag-free previews, allowing you to capture every detail precisely. Effortlessly record video directly to your hard disk, all without compromising on quality or introducing any delays.
- [Versatility and Broad Compatibility] Your Creative Hub: Connect your DSLR, camcorder, or action camera to a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Unlock a world of possibilities with real-time streaming to popular platforms like Twitch, Youtube, OBS, Zoom, Potplayer, and VLC, giving you the tools to share your content effortlessly.
- [Effortless Plug and Play] Simplicity Redefined: Say goodbye to complex installations. Our plug-and-play design eliminates the need for drivers or external power supplies. Seamlessly integrate high-definition acquisition into various scenarios, whether it's educational recordings, immersive gaming, precise medical imaging, captivating live streams, or professional broadcasting.
- [Seize Every Detail with Precision] Unleash your creativity and attention to detail with our video capture card. Capture every nuance, every color, and every moment with precision, thanks to the enhanced capabilities of our technology. Whether you're a content creator, a gamer, or a professional, our capture card empowers you to seize the finest elements and bring them to life in your recordings and live streams.
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