To run a church playlist continuously through OBS, install VLC with the same architecture as OBS, add a VLC Video Source to the program scene, load the media files, and enable Loop Playlist. Then configure YouTube as OBS’s streaming destination and test the picture, sound, and stream health before relying on it. The playlist can repeat; that alone cannot keep the computer, OBS, or internet connection running reliably.
1. Install VLC and add a VLC Video Source
- Install VLC. OBS’s VLC Video source requires VLC installed. Match the architectures: 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. If “VLC Video” is missing from OBS’s Sources add menu, check both the installation and architecture. OBS documents support for Windows, macOS, and Linux; exact compatibility and menu wording can depend on the versions on your church’s machine. OBS: Media Sources
- Open the intended scene in OBS. In the Sources panel, use the add control and choose VLC Video. This source supports a playlist using VLC libraries; OBS’s separate Media Source is for a single file.
- Add and order the media. Add the church’s video files to the source playlist and arrange them in the desired sequence. Confirm the source is visible in the scene and sized and positioned as intended.
2. Set looping, shuffle, and visibility behavior
Loop the playlist
Enable Loop Playlist so the source restarts after it reaches the end of the media list. OBS documents this setting as on by default, but verify it rather than relying on the default. OBS: Media Sources
Choose a predictable or randomized order
Shuffle is separate from looping and is documented as off by default. Leave it off when the church needs a fixed order—for example, an opening, service, and closing sequence. Turn it on only when randomized playback is acceptable.
Decide what happens when the source is hidden
OBS offers three visibility behaviors: stop when not visible and restart when visible; pause when not visible and resume when visible; or always play while hidden. Choose based on how the church uses scenes. If the VLC source is hidden while another scene is live, stopping or pausing it can change where playback resumes; always-play can let the playlist continue out of view. Test the chosen behavior by switching scenes before going live. OBS: Media Sources
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Check the audio track
The VLC source has an Audio Track setting, documented with track 1 as the default. Confirm the intended audio is selected, then watch OBS’s audio mixer while a representative clip plays. Check the YouTube preview too; seeing meter activity in OBS does not by itself confirm that viewers receive the expected sound.
3. Connect OBS to YouTube
- In YouTube Live Control Room, create or select the stream and locate its server URL and stream key.
- In OBS’s stream settings, select YouTube or the applicable custom-server option, then enter the server URL and stream key. YouTube’s encoder guide describes supplying these details in the streaming encoder. Treat the stream key as a password: do not publish it or share it with people who should not control the stream. YouTube Help: Get started with live streaming
- Start the encoder and inspect the incoming preview and stream-health information in YouTube before directing viewers to the stream.
- Test with audio and motion similar to the actual program. Check the intended playlist, scene visibility, audio level, YouTube preview, and the public or unlisted watch page on a second device. YouTube advises monitoring stream health and reviewing messages during an event. YouTube Help: Get started with live streaming
4. Choose output settings the connection can sustain
There is no single bitrate that suits every YouTube stream. YouTube’s recommended bitrate depends on codec, resolution, and frame rate, so use its current encoder-settings table for the output you choose rather than copying a generic number. For general RTMP/RTMPS guidance, YouTube supports H.264, recommends constant bitrate (CBR), and recommends a two-second keyframe interval that should not exceed four seconds. YouTube Help: Get started with live streaming
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Choose a quality the church’s upload connection can sustain. YouTube recommends testing upload capacity and leaving 20% bandwidth headroom beyond the total stream bitrate. A playlist that plays perfectly on the local computer can still produce a broken broadcast if the connection is interrupted or oversubscribed. YouTube Help: Get started with live streaming
5. Plan for reliability and archiving
A looping source is not a nonstop-stream guarantee
Loop Playlist only repeats local media. It does not recover a failed computer, OBS instance, power supply, internet connection, or YouTube ingest. YouTube warns that a connectivity disruption can break a stream. For a church relying on continuous playback, decide who will monitor the stream and how the team will respond to a stopped encoder or unhealthy connection. YouTube Help: Get started with live streaming
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Do not rely on YouTube alone for a full 24-hour archive
YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours can be automatically archived, while a stream exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. If preserving the full broadcast matters, arrange a separate local recording and verify that it is being created; YouTube recommends a local recording as a backup. YouTube Help: Archive live streams
Confirm rights for every item in the playlist
YouTube’s livestream terms place responsibility on the provider to have the necessary rights for live content, including music rights. Check the rights for every recorded song, video, and other item used in the continuous playlist. Which licenses apply depends on the material and territory; a general configuration guide cannot determine a particular church’s legal obligations. YouTube Terms of Service
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
6. Troubleshoot common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or do |
|---|---|---|
| VLC Video is missing from the Sources menu | VLC is not installed, or its architecture does not match OBS. | Install VLC and match architectures; in particular, 64-bit OBS needs 64-bit VLC. OBS: Media Sources |
| The playlist stops at the last item | Loop Playlist is disabled. | Open the VLC source properties and enable Loop Playlist. |
| Items play in an unexpected order | Shuffle is enabled, or the playlist order is not what the program requires. | Disable Shuffle for a fixed sequence and review the playlist order. |
| Playback stops, pauses, or jumps after switching scenes | The source’s hidden-visibility behavior is not suited to the scene workflow. | Choose stop/restart, pause/resume, or always-play intentionally, then test scene changes. |
| Picture appears but expected audio is missing | The wrong audio track may be selected, or the audio is not reaching the mix or YouTube preview. | Check the VLC Audio Track setting and OBS mixer, then verify sound in YouTube’s incoming preview. |
| YouTube reports poor health or the stream drops | The chosen output may exceed available upload capacity, or connectivity may be disrupted. | Check YouTube’s health messages, test upload capacity, select a sustainable output, and retain the recommended 20% bandwidth headroom. YouTube Help: Get started with live streaming |
| A long stream is missing from the archive | YouTube may not capture streams exceeding 12 hours. | Use a separate local recording plan if a complete archive is required. YouTube Help: Archive live streams |
Or let it run in the cloud
If maintaining an OBS computer and connection around the clock is not the right fit, StreamNeo keeps an uploaded-video YouTube stream running from the cloud:
- Upload a recording or build a playlist.
- Add your YouTube stream key once.
- Go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded videos from the cloud.
Nothing has to stay on at home. Every slot streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; there are no quality tiers or re-encoding. StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. It is for uploaded videos on YouTube, not a camera-based live feed. See StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
