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You can stream a sermon video stored on a Synology NAS by opening it from a computer, playing it through an encoder such as OBS, and sending that encoder’s feed to a YouTube Live event. In this workflow, the NAS stores the file; the computer handles playback and streaming. Synology’s Surveillance Station Live Broadcast documentation describes live camera streaming, not playing a prerecorded file from a NAS folder.
What you need
- A sermon video and audio file that plays correctly.
- A computer with OBS or another encoder, connected to the internet and able to access the NAS file.
- A YouTube channel with live streaming enabled.
- The event’s YouTube server URL and stream key, which you enter in the encoder.
YouTube describes an encoder this way: “An encoder converts your video into a digital format to stream on YouTube.” (YouTube Help)
Set up the sermon file in OBS
Open the file from the NAS
Make the sermon available to the computer using your church’s existing NAS file-sharing setup. You can open it from the NAS or copy it to the computer if that is more dependable for your local setup. NAS model, DSM version, share permissions, network conditions, and video codec can affect playback; the general OBS and YouTube instructions do not establish model-specific NAS performance.
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Add it as a media source
- Open OBS and select or create the scene you intend to use.
- In the Sources panel, select +, then choose Media Source.
- Name the source, then select OK.
- Enable Local File and browse to the sermon file, whether it is on a mounted NAS share or copied locally.
- Enable Loop only if you want the file to restart automatically. Confirm the source preview shows the intended video and that audio is present.
OBS Media Source supports common formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM. That list does not guarantee that every file’s particular codec will decode on every computer. For an ordered playlist or broader playback support, OBS also offers a VLC Video source; it requires VLC installed, and 64-bit OBS requires matching 64-bit VLC. See the OBS Media Sources guide.
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Create the YouTube Live event
- In YouTube Studio, open Go Live and create a stream. For a planned service, use the scheduling option in Live Control Room, such as Manage and Schedule Stream where shown.
- Set the event details and schedule. A scheduled event provides a shareable upcoming page where viewers can set reminders.
- In the stream’s encoder settings, copy the server URL and stream key shown by YouTube Studio.
First-time live-stream enablement can take up to 24 hours, according to YouTube Help, so enable and verify access well before the service. YouTube’s interface labels may change. Keep the stream key private: anyone who obtains it may be able to send a feed to your event.
Connect OBS and go live
- In OBS, open Settings, then Stream.
- Choose YouTube from the service list if available. Otherwise choose the option for a custom streaming server and enter the server URL and stream key from YouTube Studio.
- Select Apply and OK.
- Start the sermon playback in OBS and select Start Streaming.
- For a scheduled event, wait for the feed to appear in YouTube Live Control Room preview. Check the video and audio, then select Go live there when ready.
Rehearse with the actual sermon file and the same NAS access path before service day. Check the opening frame, audio, and that the encoder feed remains connected. The appropriate encoder output settings depend on the file, computer, connection, and YouTube’s current guidance; the cited sources do not prescribe a universal sermon bitrate or resolution.
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End the event and confirm the archive
When the service is over, select End Stream in YouTube Live Control Room, then stop streaming in OBS. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived and available in the channel’s Live tab. For a longer stream, do not assume automatic archiving will apply.
Which streaming method fits?
| Method | What it does | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Computer with OBS | Plays a file or playlist and sends the encoder feed to YouTube. | YouTube lists OBS as open-source software available at no charge. The computer must remain on, and an operator should verify the scheduled event and click Go live. |
| Dedicated encoder | A standalone device can encode and, depending on the model, play prerecorded media. | YouTube’s encoder guide lists the AJA HELO Plus and describes its PlayToStream function for scheduling prerecorded media to YouTube Live. Confirm the exact device supports your file and NAS workflow before purchasing; compatibility with every NAS share or format is not established. |
| Synology Surveillance Station Live Broadcast | Broadcasts a live camera stream from Surveillance Station to YouTube. | Synology’s version 8 help describes entering an RTMP path and key and choosing a camera and profile. Synology’s DSM 7.4 specifications state that Live Broadcast supports H.264 streaming. This is not documented as a prerecorded-file player. |
Sources: YouTube encoder guide, Synology Live Broadcast help, and Synology Surveillance Station DSM 7.4 specifications.
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Troubleshooting
OBS cannot find or open the NAS file
Check that the computer can access the share and that the account used for the share has permission to read the file. If the share is unavailable or playback is unreliable, copy the file locally and test again. Share setup and stability depend on the local NAS and network.
The video appears, but there is no sound
Check that the file itself has an audio track and plays with sound outside OBS. In OBS, inspect the source and audio mixer meters while playback runs, then verify the YouTube preview before going live.
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YouTube shows no incoming feed
Confirm OBS is streaming, the selected service or custom server URL is correct, and the stream key matches the event. If live streaming was just enabled for the first time, activation may take up to 24 hours. Do not expose the key while troubleshooting; replace it in YouTube Studio if it has been shared publicly.
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The scheduled event has a preview but is not public
A scheduled event does not necessarily begin public playback as soon as OBS connects. Wait for the preview in Live Control Room and select Go live when you are ready.
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The file stutters or OBS cannot decode it
Test the file locally and confirm the computer can decode its codec. Try a locally copied file to distinguish NAS access problems from file or encoder problems. OBS’s supported container list is not a guarantee for every codec combination; consider a VLC Video source for playlist or playback needs, with VLC installed at the matching architecture for OBS.
Synology Live Broadcast has no option for the sermon file
That feature is documented for camera feeds from Surveillance Station. Use a computer encoder to play the prerecorded file, or evaluate a dedicated encoder whose current documentation explicitly supports the intended media and storage arrangement.
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