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Run an FFprobe inspection, decode the file with FFmpeg’s null output, then play it through the exact OBS source you plan to use. These checks catch many damaged or unreadable files before a playlist run, but a clean command-line result is not a guarantee that OBS will play the clip correctly.
1. Inspect the file and its streams with FFprobe
FFprobe checks whether it can open the file and reports container and stream metadata. In a terminal, run:
ffprobe -v error -show_error -show_format -show_streams -of json "clip.mp4"Replace clip.mp4 with the file’s actual name or path. Keep quotation marks around paths containing spaces.
- If FFprobe cannot open or recognize the file, or its output includes an error section, investigate before adding it to OBS.
- If it opens and reports plausible format, video, and audio stream information, that is a useful first check. It does not show that every frame can be decoded.
FFprobe documents -show_error for reporting probing errors and -show_format and -show_streams for displaying format and stream information: FFprobe Documentation.
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2. Attempt to decode the file without creating a new video
Next, ask FFmpeg to read and decode the input while discarding its output:
ffmpeg -v error -i "clip.mp4" -f null -The null muxer creates no output file, so this test does not convert or overwrite your clip. Let the command finish; stopping it early only tests the portion read so far. Check both any error messages and the process exit status. FFmpeg documents the null muxer and uses ffmpeg -benchmark -i INPUT -f null - as an example of decoding to null output: FFmpeg Formats Documentation: Null muxer.
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A clean run is evidence that FFmpeg decoded the streams it selected on that machine. It is not proof that every alternate track was exercised or that OBS will play the file without problems.
3. Play it through the OBS source you intend to use
Command-line checks cannot reproduce the entire OBS playback path. Test the clip in a scene using the source you will actually use, and let it play through while checking both picture and sound.
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For one media file: Media Source
OBS Media Source plays a media file in a scene. The OBS Project’s documented supported video extensions include .mp4, .ts, .mov, .flv, .mkv, .avi, .gif, and .webm. An extension on this list does not establish that a particular file is intact or that all of its codecs will behave as expected.
For a multi-item playlist: VLC Video
OBS’s VLC Video source supports playlists and uses VLC libraries for extended media support. VLC must be installed for the source to appear in OBS; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. If your intended playlist uses this source, test the file there rather than relying only on a Media Source test. See the OBS Project Knowledge Base article Media Sources (2022-01-11).
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What the results tell you
| Result | What it suggests | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| FFprobe cannot open the file or reports an error | The file may be unreadable, incomplete, or in a format FFprobe cannot recognize in this environment. This alone does not identify the cause. | Keep the original unchanged. Check that the path is correct and investigate the file or its format before putting it in the playlist. |
| FFprobe reports streams, but FFmpeg reports decode or demux errors | The container can be inspected, but the decode attempt encountered a problem. | Keep the original unchanged and treat the clip as suspect. Do not assume the metadata probe cleared it. |
| Both command-line checks are clean, but OBS playback fails | The issue may involve the OBS source, a codec or container compatibility difference, or the local OBS/VLC setup rather than file damage alone. | Test the exact source and verify VLC installation and architecture if using VLC Video. |
| Both checks and the intended OBS playback complete normally | This is stronger practical evidence that the file is usable in your current setup, not a universal guarantee of flawless playback in every environment. | Add it to the playlist after the full playback test. |
Keep the original safe while troubleshooting
- Do not overwrite or delete the source file while investigating.
- Distinguish probing from decoding: metadata can be readable even when part of the media cannot be decoded.
- If FFmpeg succeeds but OBS does not, focus on the intended source and its dependencies before concluding the file is corrupted.
- A clean FFmpeg run covers the streams FFmpeg selected by default; it may not test every alternate audio or video track.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
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