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To loop a pre-recorded relaxation video on YouTube Live with VLC, play it through OBS Studio: add an OBS VLC Video source, load your video or playlist, enable Loop Playlist, then connect OBS to your YouTube stream. VLC handles playback; OBS encodes and sends the stream. For a single file, OBS’s standard Media Source has a simpler Loop option.
Choose the right OBS source
| Source | Best for | Loop control | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| VLC Video | A playlist or playback supported by VLC | Loop Playlist restarts playback when the source runs out of media files. | VLC must be installed. OBS documentation notes that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. |
| Media Source | One local video file and a straightforward repeat | Enable Loop in the source properties. | No VLC installation is needed for this OBS source. |
Both sources play media inside OBS; neither sends a broadcast to YouTube by itself. OBS is the encoder that transmits the video and audio using your YouTube stream URL and stream key. OBS’s source visibility behavior can also affect playback when you switch scenes: VLC Video can be set to stop and restart, pause and unpause, or always play when hidden. Choose the behavior deliberately if the source will be in a scene that is not always visible. Labels and layout can vary between software releases.
Prepare YouTube Live before setting up the broadcast
YouTube requires a verified channel with no live-stream restrictions in the preceding 90 days. First-time live streaming can take up to 24 hours to activate, so enable it well before the planned broadcast. See YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility guidance.
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Use only video and audio you have the rights to stream. YouTube scans live streams for third-party content. A match may replace the broadcast with a placeholder, interrupt it, or terminate it; licensed material may still require the rights holder to add your channel to its Content ID allowlist. A video being available on YouTube does not give you permission to rebroadcast it. YouTube’s live-stream terms require the necessary rights for the live content.
#1 Best Overall
4K Full-HD USB and microSD Digital Media Player for TV Digital Signage
- [Smooth 4K Ultra HD Playback] This 4K@30Hz HDMI digital media player utilizes H.265/HEVC decoding technology, enabling playback of videos up to 4096×2304 resolution compared to H.264 or 1080P, delivering a clearer and smoother picture.
- [Plug and Play] The HD media player is easy to use, requiring no WiFi or app. It supports direct playback/copying/deletion of videos, music, photos, PPTs, and PDFs from USB storage devices or Micro SD cards. Equipped with dual USB ports, this media player can also connect to a mouse/keyboard or speakers.
- [HDMI RCA Optical Outputs] This media player connects to TVs, digital signage displays, or projectors via an HDMI port for crisp 4K video playback. The player also comes with analog RCA output to hook up legacy older TVs and monitors, plus built-in optical audio port to transmit lossless digital surround sound to soundbars, amplifiers and home theater audio systems, delivering immersive high-fidelity audio without signal loss.
- [TV Projector or Digital Signage] This 4K media player supports autoplay, loop playback, and shuffle playback, and supports both landscape and portrait display modes. HDMI media player can run continuously, making it ideal for TV projector or digital signage such as restaurant welcome videos, reception videos, and art and museum installations.
- [Extensive Compatibility] This media player for TV can play media files from USB hard drives up to 8TB in capacity or micro SD cards up to 1TB in capacity. Supported file systems include FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS. Supported formats include: H.265/HEVC (MKV, MOV, AVI), MPEG, FLV, RM, 3GP, MP4, WMV, RMVB, DAT, MPG, TS, M2TS, JPG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG, MP3, OGG, FLAC, APE, AAC, WMA, etc.
Set up a looping video in OBS
- Install OBS Studio and VLC. Get OBS from the OBS Project and install VLC if you plan to use the VLC Video source. Match the architectures: 64-bit OBS needs 64-bit VLC for this source to appear.
- Create a scene and add the source. In OBS, select or create a scene in the Scenes panel. In Sources, select +, then choose VLC Video. Name the source if useful and confirm.
- Load the relaxation video or playlist. In the source properties, add the local media file or files and arrange playlist order. Enable Loop Playlist so playback begins again after the final item. For one file instead, add Media Source, choose the file, and enable Loop.
- Fit the picture and audio. Select the source in the preview and use the transform options to fit it to the canvas. Check that the source is not muted and that the audio meter responds during playback. If the video has no audio, decide whether silence is intentional before going live.
- Set hidden-scene playback intentionally. Open VLC Video’s visibility behavior settings and choose whether it should stop and restart, pause and resume, or continue playing while its scene is hidden. This matters if you switch scenes during the broadcast.
Connect OBS to YouTube and go live
- Create or select a YouTube stream. In YouTube Studio, choose Create → Go Live and create a broadcast or select the one you intend to use. Open its Live Control Room to find the server/stream URL and stream key.
- Enter the connection details in OBS. Open OBS stream settings and select YouTube if it is available as a service. Otherwise, copy the server URL into the server field and the YouTube stream key into the key field. Keep the key private like a password; if it is exposed, reset it in Live Control Room.
- Choose compatible encoder settings. YouTube’s encoder guidance supports RTMP/RTMPS, H.264/H.265/AV1 video, AAC/MP3 audio, and constant bitrate (CBR). It recommends a two-second keyframe interval, no more than four seconds, and RTMPS for encrypted delivery. Select settings suited to the source and your available upload connection; the platform guidance is at YouTube’s encoder settings and bitrates help page.
- Test before the audience arrives. Start streaming from OBS and confirm YouTube’s preview shows the expected video and audio. Check stream health and any warnings in Live Control Room. YouTube recommends testing representative motion and audio and monitoring stream health before and during a broadcast.
- Start and monitor the broadcast. Start the broadcast in YouTube Studio when the preview is ready. Keep an eye on stream health and messages, especially at the start, so you can catch connection or content interruptions.
- End and check the archive. End the stream deliberately in YouTube Studio. YouTube automatically archives streams shorter than 12 hours; if you want a replay from a longer continuous stream, plan around that limit and check the channel’s Live tab afterward.
Troubleshoot common problems
- VLC Video is missing from the source menu: install VLC, then reopen OBS. Confirm VLC’s architecture matches OBS; the documented requirement is 64-bit VLC for 64-bit OBS.
- The video stops at the end: for VLC Video, enable Loop Playlist and confirm the media is actually in the playlist. For a single-file Media Source, enable Loop.
- The video pauses when you switch scenes: review VLC Video’s hidden-source behavior. Choose always play if it must continue while hidden, or choose pause/unpause or stop/restart if that is the intended behavior.
- YouTube receives no video or audio: check that the correct OBS scene is selected, the media source is visible and playing, audio is not muted, and YouTube’s preview and stream health show a signal. Recheck the selected YouTube broadcast and OBS connection details.
- OBS cannot connect, or the key no longer works: confirm the server URL and key belong to the selected Live Control Room stream. If the key may have been exposed, reset it and update OBS.
- The live stream is interrupted after starting: check YouTube’s stream health and messages. A third-party-content match can interrupt or terminate a stream; resolve rights or allowlisting issues rather than repeatedly restarting infringing material.
- Live streaming is not available yet: confirm channel verification and eligibility, including no live-stream restrictions in the preceding 90 days. If this is the first activation, allow up to 24 hours.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you do not want a computer, OBS, and your home connection to remain on, StreamNeo keeps a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos in the cloud. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it loops uploaded videos, supports any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. It streams to YouTube, not from a live camera. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Monthly service is $9.99 per month. Start the free day on StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 2
Best Value
Micca 4K Ultra-HD USB and microSD Media Player, 4K HDMI, Digital Signage
- MAKE YOUR TV SMARTER - Enhance any TV with the ability to play videos, music, and photo slideshows from a USB drive or MicroSD Card! It’s so simple and intuitive - anyone can use it. The Micca 4K is amazingly compact and affordable, get one for each TV in the house!
- PLAYS 4K ULTRA-HD VIDEOS - Works with TVs old and new! Smoothly plays videos up to 4096x2304@30fps over UHD 4K/60Hz HDMI output. Sharp and clear video and audio in pure digital format, compatible with 4K and 1080p TVs, projectors, and monitor displays. Composite AV output for use with analog TVs or for sending sound to a stereo system.
- DUAL USB AND MICRO SD READER - Play media files from USB flash drives and USB hard drives up to 8TB, or microSD cards up to 1TB. Supports FAT/FAT32, exFAT and NTFS file systems. Compatible with wireless air mouse remotes for non-line-of-sight control so that the player can be hidden away!
- SIMPLE DIGITAL SIGNAGE - Automatic video playback with endless repeat and looping, and the ability to resume from the last stopping point. Configurable 90/180/270 degree video output rotation. Great for digital signage applications such as restaurant menu boards, lobby welcome videos, art and museum installations.
- MEDIA FORMAT SUPPORT - Videos: MKV, MP4/M4V, AVI, MOV, MPG, VOB, M2TS, TS files encoded with H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC1, up to 4096x2304, 30fps, 200mbps. Subtitles: SRT, PGS, IDX+SUB. Music: MP3, WAV, FLAC. Photos: JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG
Rank #4
Micca G3 2K Quad-HD USB and microSD Media Player, 4K HDMI, Digital Signage
- MAKE YOUR TV SMARTER - Enhance any TV with the ability to play videos, music, and photo slideshows from a USB drive or MicroSD Card! It’s so simple and intuitive - anyone can use it. The Micca G3 is amazingly compact and affordable, get one for each TV in the house!
- PLAYS 2K QUAD-HD VIDEOS - Works with TVs old and new! Smoothly plays videos up to 2560x1440@60fps, upscaled to UHD 4K/60Hz HDMI output. Sharp and clear video and audio in pure digital format, compatible with 4K and 1080p TVs, projectors, and monitor displays. Composite AV output for use with analog TVs or for sending sound to a stereo system.
- DUAL USB AND MICRO SD READER - Play media files from USB flash drives and USB hard drives up to 8TB, or microSD cards up to 1TB. Supports FAT/FAT32, exFAT and NTFS file systems. Compatible with wireless air mouse remotes for non-line-of-sight control so that the player can be hidden away!
- SIMPLE DIGITAL SIGNAGE - Automatic video playback with endless repeat and looping, and the ability to resume from the last stopping point. Configurable 90/180/270 degree video output rotation. Great for digital signage applications such as restaurant menu boards, lobby welcome videos, art and museum installations.
- MEDIA FORMAT SUPPORT - Videos: MKV, MP4/M4V, AVI, MOV, MPG, VOB, M2TS, TS files encoded with H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC1, up to 2560x1440, 60fps, 100mbps. Subtitles: SRT, PGS, IDX+SUB. Music: MP3, WAV, FLAC. Photos: JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG
Rank #3
HDMI Media Player, Black Mini 1080p Full-HD Ultra HDMI AV Output MP4 Player
- 【Mini Portable Media player】-- Fits into the palm of your hand, It is a perfect travel partner for those short on space and sockets. Also compact and easy multifunction HD media player for office work and home entertainment;Aluminum alloy material, not easy to damage during carrying
- 【1080P MP4 Player】-- Full HD 1080p@60Hz supports most video decoding formats: RM, RMVB, AVI, DIVX, MKV, MOV, HD MOV, MP4, M4V, PMP, AVC, FLV, VOB, MPG, DAT, MPEG, TS, TP, M2TS, WMV, (H.264,H.263,WMV9/VC-1,MPEG1/2/4),Not support VPR files. Note: Please use our 4K player to play some videos taken with smart phones, ASIN: B07WPY8VKL
- 【HDMI or AV Output】-- Supports 1080p HDMI output, allowing you to transmit crisp, clear video and audio in a pure digital format to an HDTV; it also supports composite AV output for use with analog TVs. An analog AV cable is included. While using HDMI video output, you can also connect external speakers via the AV output. However, video cannot be output via both AV and HDMI at the same time.
- 【USB 2.0/3.0 Compability】-- Drive external USB 2.0/3.0 storage devices such as USB flash(up to 512G)/SD card(up to 128G) and hard drive(partition should be MBR, up to 8TB), you can also delete or copy files in the USB drive(FAT or FA32) directly, Also plays subtitle files as well as loop videos
- 【Support Multiple Formats of Files and Playback Modes&Multi-functional Remote Control】-- Supports most video, audio, and image formats on the market, supports random playback of video and image modes, and supports loop playback. Supports repeat, zoom, fast forward, fast rewind, rotation, breakpoint playback method, start from scratch playback method and time selection playback method. It is also equipped with a convenient remote control for easy navigation of menu screens (ASIN: B0C9PZPFL8)
Rank #2
VLC for Fire
- VLC for Kindle plays most local video and audio files, as well as network streams (including adaptive streaming), like the desktop version of VLC.
- VLC for Kindle has a media library for audio and video files, and allows to browse folders directly.
- VLC has support for multi-track audio and subtitles. It supports auto-rotation, aspect-ratio adjustments, hardware acceleration and gestures to control volume.
- It also includes a widget for audio control, supports audio headsets control, cover art and a complete audio media library.
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