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For a single local clip, start with an MP4 file containing H.264 video and AAC audio, then add it to OBS as a Media Source and turn on Loop. This is a compatibility-first choice, not a special format required by OBS. Your file format does not set the live stream’s resolution or frame rate; configure those separately in OBS and check that your computer can handle 4K at 60 fps.
Which format should you choose?
OBS supports several video containers, including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF and WebM. For an ordinary local video that needs to play repeatedly, MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio is a sensible starting point: OBS describes MP4 as a de facto internet-video standard, H.264 as ubiquitous and AAC as widely supported in its Audio/Video Formats Guide.
The extension is not a guarantee that the codecs inside the file will work on your particular OBS build and hardware. Container, video codec and audio codec are separate parts of a file. Check the actual clip in the OBS version and on the machine you plan to stream from.
How to loop one video in OBS
- Add the source: In the scene where the clip should appear, add a Media Source and select the local video file. OBS documents this source and its playback controls in Media Sources.
- Enable looping: In the Media Source properties, turn on Loop. OBS defines the setting as specifying whether the file plays again after playback completes.
- Test playback: Preview the scene and let the clip reach its end. Confirm it starts again as intended and that both video and audio play correctly.
- Use hardware decoding only when appropriate: The Media Source properties include Use hardware decoding when available. It is optional, not a requirement for looping. Try it only if the computer has a suitable built-in decoder and testing shows it helps.
For a playlist instead of one repeated clip
Use OBS’s VLC Video source when you need to rotate through multiple files. OBS says this source uses VLC libraries, requires VLC to be installed, and provides a Loop Playlist property. For a single clip, the regular Media Source already has a Loop control, so VLC is an optional dependency rather than a prerequisite.
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Format, resolution and frame rate are different settings
An MP4 or H.264 source does not by itself make the live output 4K or 60 fps. In OBS, open Settings > Video and set the Base (Canvas) Resolution, Output (Scaled) Resolution and Common FPS Value for the output you intend to send. OBS’s Overview Guide says the Common FPS Value should match the desired output FPS, such as 30 or 60.
Choose source resolution according to how large the clip appears in the scene and the output resolution. If a high-resolution source is scaled down, or the stream is not 4K, unnecessarily large media may add workload without serving the presentation. OBS cautions that 60 fps can be more taxing than 30 fps; if playback or encoding becomes choppy, consider reducing output resolution or frame rate and review its Encoding Performance Troubleshooting guidance.
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The available OBS guidance here covers source playback, format compatibility and general output settings; it does not establish current YouTube-specific ingest requirements. Do not infer a YouTube bitrate, keyframe interval, codec requirement or account capability from the choice of loop-file format. Check current YouTube guidance for those platform-specific values before configuring the stream.
How the alternatives differ
| Choice | When it makes sense | Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio | A compatibility-first starting point for an ordinary single local clip. | Not an exclusive OBS requirement; verify the specific file on your system. |
| MKV | OBS describes it as flexible across OBS encoders and resilient if a recording ends unexpectedly. | Those are recording advantages, not a reason it must be preferred as a loop source. |
| MOV | Can suit editing workflows and some codec combinations; OBS notes it is often favored on Mac platforms. | Compatibility depends on the codecs in the file and the system. |
| VLC Video source | A playlist workflow or a reason to use VLC-library support. | VLC must be installed; a single clip can loop with Media Source. |
| AV1 or HEVC | Consider only when you have a specific reason and confirmed support for your workflow. | Codec and container compatibility varies; neither is needed for basic looping. |
Choose based on compatibility with your OBS build and playback hardware, whether you need one clip or a playlist, the file’s quality and size, and the decoding and rendering load at the size it occupies in the scene. OBS’s format guide covers supported formats and codec/container considerations.
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Common problems and fixes
- The clip does not play or has missing audio: A familiar extension does not guarantee the codecs inside are supported. Check the actual file and test a compatibility-first MP4/H.264/AAC version in your OBS setup.
- The clip stops at the end: Reopen the Media Source properties and confirm Loop is enabled. For a multi-file playlist, use VLC Video and its Loop Playlist option, with VLC installed.
- Playback or encoding is choppy: 4K and 60 fps can increase system load. Check OBS’s performance guidance; try a lower output resolution or frame rate and avoid a needlessly high-resolution source when it is scaled down.
- The stream is not 4K60 even though the file is: Set the canvas, scaled output resolution and Common FPS Value in Settings > Video. The source file’s format does not determine those output settings.
Or let it run in the cloud
If the aim is to keep a pre-recorded YouTube channel live around the clock, OBS is the do-it-yourself route: the computer running it and its connection need to remain available. StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live.
Quick Recap
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