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In OBS, set Settings → Video → Output (Scaled) Resolution to 1920×1080. For a standard 16:9 scene, set Base (Canvas) Resolution to 1920×1080 too. Fit each clip to the canvas, then enable looping on a Media Source or a VLC Video playlist. The output stays 1080p even when some source clips are lower resolution—but lower-resolution footage will not gain detail, and these settings alone do not guarantee an uninterrupted 24/7 broadcast.
Why mixed-resolution clips can still produce a 1080p stream
OBS arranges sources on a Base (Canvas) Resolution and sends the stream at the Output (Scaled) Resolution. Those settings are separate from the resolution of each individual video. A 720p clip can therefore be scaled into a 1080p output alongside native 1080p clips. The result is a 1080p encoder feed, not a promise that every frame contains native 1080p detail.
For a 16:9 stream, use 1920×1080 for both canvas and output unless you have a specific reason to build the scene at another size. OBS explains the distinction in its Studio Overview Guide.
Configure OBS for a 1080p output
- Open Settings → Video. Set Base (Canvas) Resolution to 1920×1080. This is the workspace where you position and size sources.
- Set Output (Scaled) Resolution to 1920×1080. This is the resolution OBS sends to the stream. If you later change the canvas size, check source placement and sizing again; OBS notes sources may need realignment or resizing.
- Choose a frame rate suited to the footage and system. For a playlist made mainly of 30 fps clips, 30 fps is a reasonable starting point, not a requirement. YouTube’s encoder guidance supports frame rates up to 60 fps, but OBS advises testing higher frame rates because 60 fps can demand more system resources.
- Apply the settings and inspect the preview. Confirm the scene fills the 16:9 canvas as intended before configuring the stream connection.
Fit clips with different shapes to the canvas
Add each video as a Media Source, or include it in a VLC Video playlist. Select a source and use Transform → Fit to Screen (Ctrl+F). Fit preserves the source’s aspect ratio, so non-16:9 material may leave empty bars or unused space. This avoids stretching faces or game footage out of shape.
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If edge-to-edge coverage matters more than preserving the original proportions, you can crop or use Transform → Stretch to Screen. Stretch fills the canvas but can distort the image. Check representative 16:9, 4:3, vertical, and other differently shaped clips in the preview; one transform choice may not suit every source. OBS documents these transforms in its overview guide.
Choose the right loop method
| Playback need | OBS source | Repeat setting | Dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repeat one video | Media Source | Enable Loop | Built-in OBS source |
| Repeat several videos in sequence | VLC Video | Enable Loop Playlist; OBS lists it as on by default | VLC must be installed for the source to appear |
OBS lists supported local video formats and playback options on its Media Sources page. Validate playback and transitions in the actual scene before going live.
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Set YouTube ingest quality and connection details
The bitrate below is for the incoming encoder feed, not a viewer’s guaranteed playback resolution. YouTube’s current live encoder guidance, accessed in 2026, gives these H.264 figures:
| Output | Minimum bitrate | Recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
Use the rate matching the chosen frame rate and codec. YouTube recommends CBR, a 2-second keyframe interval (no more than 4 seconds between keyframes), and AAC or MP3 audio for the documented ingest options. RTMP and RTMPS are supported; RTMPS is the secure version of RTMP. See YouTube’s live encoder settings for the current recommendations.
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- In YouTube Live Control Room, create or open the scheduled/live stream and copy the stream key and server URL shown in its stream settings.
- In OBS, open Settings → Stream, choose YouTube or the applicable YouTube ingest option, and connect the account or enter the stream key as prompted. Keep the key private; anyone who obtains it may be able to send video to your stream.
- Set the encoder output to H.264 and use the matching bitrate, CBR, and 2-second keyframe interval. Configure audio using a supported codec such as AAC.
- Test before the public broadcast with representative motion and audio, then check YouTube’s stream-health messages while live. YouTube describes stream keys, stream URL, latency, and DVR controls in Manage live stream settings.
What viewers will actually see
A 1080p output setting tells OBS what to send to YouTube; it does not force every viewer’s device to display 1080p. YouTube says it transcodes live streams into multiple output formats so viewers on different devices and networks can watch. Available playback quality may differ by device, connection, and YouTube’s delivery choices. A 720p source also remains limited by its original detail even when scaled into the 1080p frame.
Keeping a 24/7 loop running
Loop settings control media playback, and output settings control the encoder feed. Neither establishes continuous uptime for a particular computer, OBS session, internet connection, or power supply. YouTube recommends testing the setup and monitoring stream health; its guidance does not provide a universal uptime guarantee for an individual setup.
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- Before starting, watch the playlist through a full cycle or at least through every transition you intend to broadcast.
- Confirm that files remain available at their configured locations and that the loop resumes as expected at the end.
- Monitor YouTube’s stream-health status and messages during the event, especially after changes to the encoder or scene.
Troubleshooting common mixed-resolution problems
The stream is not 1080p
Recheck Settings → Video → Output (Scaled) Resolution. A 1920×1080 Base (Canvas) alone does not determine the outgoing resolution. Also verify the encoder output configuration and YouTube stream health.
A clip has bars or empty space
This is expected when fitting a source with a different aspect ratio into a 16:9 canvas. Keep Fit to Screen to preserve proportions, or crop the source if you need to fill the frame without distortion.
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The picture looks stretched
Replace Stretch to Screen with Fit to Screen, or crop to fill. Stretch forces the source to the canvas dimensions and can alter its proportions.
The lower-resolution clips look soft
Scaling 720p or other lower-resolution footage to 1080p does not create missing image detail. The stream can be 1080p while those particular clips still look softer than native 1080p material.
A playlist source is missing
The VLC Video source requires VLC to be installed. If you only need to repeat one file, use OBS’s built-in Media Source and enable Loop instead.
The stream drops or reports poor health
Check YouTube’s current stream-health messages, confirm that the encoder settings match the selected frame rate and codec, and test the connection and representative content before resuming a long broadcast. A loop or resolution setting cannot by itself diagnose or prevent a host- or connection-specific interruption.
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