HandBrake converts your video file; it does not broadcast or loop a live stream by itself. To loop a pre-recorded video on YouTube Live, export a compatible file in HandBrake, load it as an OBS Studio Media Source with Loop enabled, then send the stream from OBS to YouTube. Keep file-export settings separate from live-encoder settings, and test the finished stream over the internet connection you will actually use.
What HandBrake does—and what it does not
HandBrake is a free, local video converter. It can make an uploaded recording easier for OBS to play, but it does not connect to YouTube or repeat the video as a live broadcast. OBS handles playback and looping; OBS then encodes and sends the live stream to YouTube Live.
This distinction matters for settings: resolution and codecs in HandBrake describe the saved file, while bitrate, keyframe interval and ingest protocol describe the separate live stream. You do not need to buy a converter to follow this workflow.
Convert the video in HandBrake
1. Download HandBrake from an official source
Get the installer from HandBrake’s downloads page. At the time this guide was prepared, the page listed version 1.11.2; the current release can change, so check the official page when you download. The HandBrake team lists handbrake.fr, its GitHub project and Flathub as official download locations. HandBrake runs locally and does not require an account.
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2. Open the source and choose a starting preset
Open your recording in HandBrake. The project describes its default Fast 1080p30 preset as a reasonable beginner starting point. Its current Creator presets produce MP4 with H.264 video and AAC stereo audio, and are intended for video-hosting services such as YouTube. See the HandBrake preset guide for preset details.
Choose a resolution and frame rate that make sense for both the source and your intended broadcast. A preset may downscale the image or limit its frame rate; it does not necessarily preserve the source’s original properties. Upscaling a smaller source does not add image detail.
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3. Check the output before encoding
- Dimensions: Confirm the output resolution is the one you intended.
- Frame rate: Check that it suits the source and your planned stream. Avoid assuming a preset retains the original rate.
- Audio: Review the audio tracks and channel layout. Presets that do not include surround sound may encode only stereo and discard discrete surround channels.
- Destination: Choose a folder with enough free space for the encoded copy. Keep the original until you have checked the result.
Start the encode, then play the exported file locally from beginning to end—or at least inspect representative sections, including the end. Confirm the picture, sound and duration before putting it on air.
Set OBS to play the file on a loop
1. Add a Media Source
- Open OBS Studio and select or create the scene for the broadcast.
- In the Sources panel, select +, then choose Media Source.
- Create a new source or select an existing one. Browse to the HandBrake export as its local file.
- Enable Loop in the Media Source properties, then select OK. OBS defines this option as making the file play again after playback completes.
OBS Media Sources support MP4 and several other video formats; see the OBS Media Sources documentation. For this workflow, MP4 from a Creator preset is a straightforward option. Check the preview and confirm the source plays and restarts as expected.
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2. Check audio and run a test
Use OBS’s Quick Start Guide and Auto-Configuration Wizard if you need help with initial setup. Confirm the audio meters respond when the video plays and that the correct audio is reaching the stream. Do a short private or unlisted test before a public broadcast, and check moving video as well as audio.
Configure the live stream for YouTube
In OBS, connect the YouTube account or configure the YouTube stream key using the current OBS and YouTube interfaces. Treat the stream key as a password: do not share or publish it. YouTube’s encoder guidance recommends RTMPS, a secure extension of RTMP. Follow the current YouTube Live encoder settings and use a stream configuration OBS can sustain.
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Live video and bitrate settings
YouTube lists H.264, H.265 and AV1 for video, AAC or MP3 for audio, and recommends constant bitrate (CBR) encoding. Its recommended H.264 live bitrates include:
| Live output | YouTube-recommended H.264 bitrate |
|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 14 Mbps |
These are YouTube’s live-encoder recommendations, not HandBrake export targets or guarantees of smooth streaming on a particular connection. Your actual upload capacity must support the chosen stream reliably, with room for normal fluctuations. Test from the location and connection you will use; the available evidence does not establish upload speeds for a particular Indian ISP plan or address.
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Keyframes and stream health
YouTube recommends a keyframe frequency of 2 seconds and says not to exceed 4 seconds. Set the live encoder accordingly, then check OBS and YouTube’s stream-health information during the test and broadcast. YouTube’s guidance covers encoder settings and stream monitoring; an apparently successful connection is not a substitute for checking picture, motion and sound.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.India-specific checks before going live
- Run a test on the actual broadband or mobile connection and at the location you plan to stream from. Choose a bitrate and quality that remain stable during the test rather than assuming a named plan will support them.
- Use video and audio you have permission to broadcast. The technical setup guides do not establish copyright permissions, India-specific legal obligations or eligibility for a particular YouTube account.
- Check YouTube’s current account and live-stream requirements for your location before scheduling a broadcast. The encoder guidance explains technical settings, not account eligibility.
Troubleshooting common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The video plays once and stops | The Media Source’s Loop property is off or the wrong source is active. | Open the Media Source properties, enable Loop, and test playback through the end of the file. |
| The video does not appear in the OBS preview | The source may point to the wrong file or an unsupported/problematic export. | Confirm the selected path and open the exported MP4 locally. If necessary, re-encode with an MP4 Creator preset and select that file in OBS. |
| Picture is smaller, softer or moves differently than expected | The chosen HandBrake preset may have changed the resolution or frame rate. | Inspect the export’s dimensions and frame rate before encoding; choose settings appropriate to the source and intended output. |
| Surround channels are missing | A preset without surround support may have encoded stereo and dropped discrete surround channels. | Review the preset and audio track settings, then check the exported file’s audio layout before streaming. |
| Stream is unstable or YouTube reports poor health | The live bitrate may exceed reliable upload capacity, or the live settings may not match YouTube’s recommendations. | Test again at a lower sustainable bitrate or output quality; verify CBR, keyframe interval, audio and video settings against YouTube’s current encoder guidance. |
| OBS meters move but viewers cannot hear the video | The wrong audio source or output may be selected, or audio may not be reaching the stream. | Check OBS audio meters and stream audio during a test, and confirm the Media Source’s audio is routed to the live output. |
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