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Use OBS Studio’s VLC Video source to play a sequence of MP4 property tours from Ubuntu, then send the output to YouTube Live with an encoder stream URL and key. Install VLC as well as OBS, add the files in order, leave shuffle off, and test the full sequence and audio before broadcasting. YouTube must be enabled for your channel, and you’ll need a stable upload connection with spare bandwidth.
What you need before you start
- An Ubuntu computer capable of playing the tour files and encoding a live stream. OBS and VLC packaging varies by Ubuntu release and installation method; use the current OBS instructions for your version rather than relying on a single installation command. OBS’s Linux installation page describes Ubuntu installation options: OBS Studio on Linux.
- OBS Studio and VLC installed. OBS’s VLC Video source needs VLC available to OBS; with 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC. Sandboxed OBS installations may need additional setup for VLC visibility.
- MP4 files you have permission to broadcast, including rights to any music or other audio they contain.
- A YouTube channel eligible to stream live. YouTube Help says the channel must be verified and must not have live-streaming restrictions in the previous 90 days. Confirm your channel’s current eligibility in YouTube Studio before the event.
Choose the right OBS source
| OBS source | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| VLC Video | Several MP4 files played as a playlist | Supports playlists, with shuffle off and playlist looping on by default. VLC must be installed and accessible to OBS. |
| Media Source | Playing one file at a time | Useful for a single clip, but not the clearest choice for a multi-file tour sequence. |
For a property-tour playlist, VLC Video is the practical choice. OBS documents VLC playlist playback and supported media formats at OBS Media Sources. Do not assume every combination of MP4 files changes over without a pause; preview the actual sequence on your setup.
Set up the playlist in OBS on Ubuntu
- Install OBS Studio and VLC. Follow the current installation guidance for your Ubuntu release. Launch OBS and confirm VLC Video appears among the available sources. If it does not, check that VLC is installed and accessible to the OBS build; a sandboxed package can require extra configuration.
- Create a scene. In the Scenes panel, select +, name the scene (for example, “Property tours”), and confirm.
- Add the playlist source. In Sources, select + > VLC Video. Name it, then add the MP4 files to its playlist in the intended viewing order.
- Check playlist behavior. Keep shuffle disabled so tours play in your chosen order. OBS documentation says playlist looping is enabled by default; check the source’s controls rather than assuming the setting has not been changed.
- Fit the picture to the canvas. Match the OBS canvas and output dimensions to the tour footage where practical. Inspect the preview for cropping, black bars, or an unexpected aspect ratio. The exact resolution you should use depends on the footage, your computer, and available upload capacity.
- Check sound and transitions. Play the complete playlist locally in OBS. Listen through the end of each file and the start of the next, check audio levels, and confirm the right clip follows the previous one. OBS’s playlist support does not guarantee a gapless transition for every set of MP4 files.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Open YouTube Studio and select Go Live. Create or schedule an encoder stream in the Live Control Room. YouTube describes the encoder workflow in its live-streaming encoder guide.
- Copy the stream URL and key. In the Live Control Room, retrieve the stream URL and stream key. In OBS, open Settings > Stream, choose YouTube as the service, and enter the connection details as required by the current OBS interface. Treat the stream key like a password. If you believe it has been exposed, reset it in YouTube Studio.
- Choose a supported connection and encoder setup. YouTube recommends RTMPS where available. Its encoder guidance recommends constant bitrate (CBR) and a two-second keyframe interval, with intervals not exceeding four seconds. Select a codec, resolution, and bitrate that your computer and connection can sustain; consult YouTube’s current encoder settings for supported options.
- Leave upload headroom. YouTube recommends keeping 20% of upload bandwidth available beyond the stream’s bitrate. Measure your actual upload capacity and avoid saturating the connection with other traffic.
Test, start, and end the broadcast
- Test before the event. YouTube advises setting up the encoder at least two hours before an event and starting it at least 15 minutes beforehand. Start OBS streaming early enough to check the Live Control Room preview, picture, and sound before the planned start. See YouTube’s live-streaming tips.
- Start the OBS stream. Select Start Streaming in OBS and wait for the preview in YouTube’s Live Control Room. For a scheduled broadcast, select Go live there when the preview is ready.
- Monitor playback. Watch the stream preview and confirm the playlist is advancing as intended. Keep an eye on OBS and the Live Control Room for connection or audio/video problems.
- End cleanly. End the broadcast in YouTube Live Control Room and stop streaming in OBS. YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours are automatically archived; do not rely on that rule for longer broadcasts.
Property-tour and YouTube considerations
- Verify content permissions. Confirm you can broadcast the tour footage and every included audio track. A video being an MP4 file does not establish that you have streaming rights.
- Plan the loop deliberately. A looping playlist repeats the files in sequence. Check that the order, any identifying information, and each tour’s opening and ending still make sense on repeat.
- Check channel and stream settings close to broadcast time. YouTube eligibility requirements, Studio labels, and supported encoder settings can change. Verify the current Live Control Room details rather than relying on an old saved key or remembered screen layout.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| VLC Video is missing from OBS sources | VLC is not installed, is not visible to the OBS installation, or has an architecture mismatch | Confirm VLC is installed and accessible to OBS. For 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC. Check whether your OBS package is sandboxed and whether it needs additional VLC access. |
| The playlist order is unexpected | Files were added in the wrong order or shuffle is enabled | Review the playlist order and turn shuffle off. |
| The playlist stops after the final file | Looping is disabled or the source setting differs from its default | Inspect the VLC Video playlist controls and enable looping if you want the sequence to repeat. |
| There is a pause, black frame, or audio change between tours | The files may differ in encoding, dimensions, frame rate, or audio characteristics | Test the full playlist in OBS, including each transition. The sources do not establish gapless playback for arbitrary MP4 combinations. |
| YouTube does not receive the stream | Incorrect stream URL or key, an inactive stream setup, or a connection issue | Check the current Live Control Room details against OBS’s Settings > Stream. If the key may be compromised, reset it in YouTube Studio. |
| Preview buffers or stream quality degrades | Upload capacity is insufficient or competing traffic is consuming bandwidth | Reduce the bitrate or output resolution to a sustainable supported setting, stop unnecessary uploads, and retain YouTube’s recommended 20% upload headroom. |
| Picture is cropped or letterboxed | Tour footage and OBS canvas have different aspect ratios or dimensions | Review the source transform and canvas/output dimensions; test the result in the YouTube preview before going live. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want the prerecorded playlist to keep a YouTube channel live without leaving Ubuntu or OBS running at home, StreamNeo is a cloud service for looping uploaded videos to YouTube. Upload the recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on, and the service automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. Videos stream as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot. The first day is free with no card required. Monthly: $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for uploaded videos on YouTube, not camera broadcasts. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray
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Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter
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The Tool Desk
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