For looping a video file you control on your computer, OBS is the more direct fit: add it to a scene as a Media Source and enable Loop. If you want a managed, scheduled prerecorded event, compare Restream’s event workflow and plan limits. The similarly named datarhei Restreamer is a separate product; its documented YouTube workflow uses a Publication Service and streaming ID, but the cited guide does not specify a looping control.
What each product does for a YouTube Live loop
Looping a video in YouTube’s viewer is not the same as broadcasting that video repeatedly. For a live broadcast, YouTube receives an encoder feed. With OBS, your computer runs the encoder and sends the scene to YouTube. Services can instead manage publication or schedule prerecorded playback, depending on the product.
| Option | Documented workflow | Looping evidence | Operational fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | Add a local media file to an OBS scene, then send OBS’s encoder feed to YouTube. | Media Source has a Loop property; OBS says it is off by default. OBS Media Sources | Local scene and source control; the OBS setup must produce the feed. |
| datarhei Restreamer | Choose Publication Service, enter a valid YouTube streaming ID, save, and start the stream. Restreamer YouTube guide | The cited YouTube guide does not specify a looping control; that is not proof the product has no such capability. | A publication-service workflow; follow the product guide and YouTube setup. |
| Restream | Schedule a prerecorded event using uploaded or recorded video. | Restream’s reviewed help pages describe looping up to 10 times, with a maximum resulting stream duration of 40 hours. The event guide lists looping for Marathon and Media add-on plans; limits and availability can change. Scheduled event guide | Managed upload, storage, scheduling, and playback; check current plan and video-library limits. |
Restreamer (datarhei) and Restream are different products. Do not assume their names indicate the same service or features.
Loop a local video with OBS
1. Create or select a scene
In OBS, select a scene or create one for the broadcast. A scene can contain a media source alongside other sources, so you can add overlays or other elements if needed.
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2. Add the video as a Media Source
- In the Sources panel, select +, then choose Media Source.
- Create a new source or select an existing one, and confirm.
- Enable the local-file option if shown, then browse to the video file. OBS Media Sources support common formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM. If OBS cannot play the file as expected, check its format and playback before going live.
OBS’s Media Source documentation describes the Loop property as controlling whether the file plays again when playback completes. Turn it on; the default is off. The separate VLC Video source has a Loop Playlist setting and requires VLC, so use that only if your workflow calls for a playlist and you have VLC installed. Source: OBS Media Sources.
3. Connect OBS to YouTube
- In YouTube Studio, create or open the live stream and obtain its stream key using YouTube’s encoder setup workflow: YouTube encoder setup.
- In OBS, open Settings > Stream. Select YouTube if available, then connect your account or enter the stream key according to the connection method shown in OBS.
- Keep the stream key private. Anyone with access to it may be able to send a feed to your broadcast. If it is exposed, replace it in YouTube and update OBS.
- Start streaming in OBS and check YouTube Studio for the incoming feed and stream health before and during the broadcast.
4. Use YouTube’s encoder guidance
Follow YouTube’s current encoder settings for the chosen resolution and frame rate rather than relying on a generic bitrate copied from an unrelated tutorial. YouTube recommends RTMPS and a two-second keyframe interval, not exceeding four seconds; its settings guide also covers supported codecs and frame rates. Test the feed and monitor stream health: YouTube encoder settings.
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Looping only repeats the media file; it does not ensure the video is suitable for YouTube Live or that a broadcast will remain available. Use content you have rights to stream and follow YouTube’s applicable copyright and live-stream rules. A technically healthy encoder feed cannot prevent a rights or policy issue.
When Restreamer or Restream makes more sense
datarhei Restreamer: publication to YouTube
The datarhei guide documents selecting Publication Service, entering a valid YouTube streaming ID, saving, and starting the stream. Follow the guide for source and publication setup. It cautions that interrupting the stream from Restreamer before ending it on YouTube may affect saving the stream to YouTube’s DVR archive. The cited guide does not establish a loop setting, so verify the exact playback behavior you need in the current product documentation before choosing it for repeated playback.
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Restream: scheduled prerecorded events
Restream documents scheduling recorded videos to appear as live streams. Its help page states that a video can loop up to 10 times and that the resulting stream can run for up to 40 hours. The reviewed scheduled-event guide lists looping on Marathon and Media add-on plans and gives plan-specific video-library and resolution limits. These are product and plan details that may change; confirm current eligibility and limits in the event guide before relying on them. Restream says scheduled events air automatically at their scheduled time.
Restream also describes looping in its Upload & Stream overview. Its Studio playback feature is a separate workflow: a video from storage can be added to a Studio scene and looped after it finishes, as described in Play videos in Restream Studio. Do not treat Studio playback as the same setup as looping an OBS Media Source.
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Choose by workflow, not by name
- Choose OBS when you want to loop a local file, compose scenes and sources yourself, and can keep the OBS computer and its connection running for the broadcast.
- Consider datarhei Restreamer when its publication workflow fits your source and YouTube setup; independently verify how the version you use handles repeat playback.
- Consider Restream when scheduled prerecorded events and managed playback suit the job, and the current plan supports the required duration, loops, library, and resolution.
Restream’s OBS connection documentation covers account connection or an RTMP stream key, and its encoder settings apply to that Restream connection rather than being universal OBS or YouTube requirements: Connect OBS to Restream. For encoder-based streaming through Restream, see its streaming software guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting an OBS loop on YouTube
- The video plays once and stops: Open the Media Source properties and enable Loop. OBS’s default is off.
- YouTube does not show an incoming stream: Confirm OBS is streaming to the intended YouTube destination, check that the current stream key is entered correctly, and look at YouTube Studio’s stream health. If a key was changed or exposed, replace it in YouTube and update OBS.
- The image or playback is wrong in OBS: Check that the Media Source points to the intended file and that the file plays as expected. If using VLC Video for a playlist, make sure VLC is installed and use its playlist loop setting rather than assuming it is the Media Source property.
- The stream is unstable or YouTube reports a problem: Check encoder settings against YouTube’s current recommendations, including RTMPS and the keyframe interval, then test and monitor stream health.
- The saved YouTube archive is missing or incomplete after Restreamer: The datarhei guide warns that stopping from Restreamer before ending the stream on YouTube may affect DVR saving. Follow its shutdown guidance and check the YouTube broadcast state.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want a YouTube channel to stay live from uploaded videos without keeping OBS or a home computer running, StreamNeo runs the loop in the cloud. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. The stream plays your uploaded video; it does not broadcast a camera feed.
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Quick Recap
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