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How to Crop Portrait Videos in OBS for a 24/7 YouTube Playlist Stream

Set up portrait framing and a looping playlist in OBS, connect it to YouTube, and avoid common crop, rights, monitoring, and archive problems.

By VGSources Team 7 min read

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For a portrait-only playlist, set OBS’s canvas and output to portrait, add your clip or VLC playlist, crop the source with Alt-drag (Windows/Linux) or Option-drag (macOS), then position and size it to fill the frame. Test the result in YouTube’s preview before committing to a long broadcast: a 24/7 livestream is not necessarily archived for 24 hours, and YouTube may interrupt streams containing unapproved third-party material.

Choose where to make the portrait crop

You can compose one portrait output in OBS, let YouTube make a vertical version of a horizontal stream, or send separate horizontal and vertical outputs from an encoder. The right choice depends on whether the whole program should be vertical or you need a distinct composition for each format.

Route What it does Best suited to Check before going live
Portrait scene in OBS You compose the crop directly in OBS and send a portrait feed. A portrait-only program where you want direct control over the frame. Confirm the canvas, output, crop, and preview are portrait.
YouTube Live Control Room vertical layout YouTube derives a vertical output from a horizontal stream. Available layouts include center crop, fit-to-phone-width, and stacked. One horizontal program that should also have a YouTube vertical version. The default center crop can cut off content near the sides. Adjust the layout in the editing canvas; YouTube says you cannot add the vertical format after the stream has started.
Encoder dual output A third-party encoder sends separate horizontal and vertical outputs using RTMP(S) and a second stream key for the vertical stream. Separate compositions for both formats. Route each format to its matching key and inspect both previews.

YouTube says vertical live feeds can be discovered in the Shorts feed and open as a vertical viewing experience in its mobile app; feature availability differs from horizontal viewing. Check YouTube’s current vertical live-stream setup guidance and vertical live viewing information before choosing a format, since controls and availability can change.

Set up a portrait scene and crop it in OBS

1. Set the output shape

Configure the OBS base canvas and output for portrait, then compose the scene for that tall frame. There is no single resolution prescribed for this project: choose a resolution and frame rate compatible with your destination and your computer and network. Use YouTube’s current encoder settings and bitrate recommendations rather than relying on stale generic bitrate figures.

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2. Add one video or a playlist

For one local clip, add a Media Source and use its Loop option if you want that file to repeat. For multiple local files, add a VLC Video source, add the files in the intended order, keep shuffle off for sequential playback, and enable Loop Playlist if you want the list to repeat. The VLC playlist source requires VLC installed; match its architecture to OBS (for example, use 64-bit VLC with 64-bit OBS). OBS documents these source options in its Media Sources guide.

Check the source’s visibility behavior too. If it is configured to stop when not visible, switching scenes or hiding it can affect playback.

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3. Crop the source

  1. Select the video source in the OBS preview.
  2. Hold Alt on Windows or Linux, or Option on macOS, and drag a bounding-box edge inward to crop that side. OBS also lets you edit the crop numerically through Edit → Transform → Edit Transform.
  3. Move and resize the cropped image until it fills the portrait canvas. OBS provides Fit to Screen, Stretch to Screen, and Center to Screen transforms; Stretch can distort the picture when the source and canvas aspect ratios differ.
  4. Inspect faces, text, and important content close to the frame edges. A crop that looks acceptable on one clip may cut off a different clip’s subject.

OBS describes the control this way: “You can crop a Source using the Edit Transform window (Figure 3.1) or by holding the Alt/Option key and dragging the bounding box.” See the OBS Sources Guide. A fixed source crop does not automatically reframe differently composed clips. If framing varies across the playlist, use separate sources or scenes where practical, or edit the clips before adding them.

Connect OBS to YouTube and test the playlist

Connect the encoder

YouTube requires a verified channel with no live-stream restriction in the previous 90 days; first-time live-stream activation can take up to 24 hours. The creator must be at least 16 years old. In YouTube Live Control Room, create or schedule the stream, then use its server URL and stream key in OBS’s streaming settings. YouTube recommends RTMPS where available. Follow its current encoder connection steps and settings guidance; interface labels can change.

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Run a test before the long session

Use an unlisted or otherwise appropriate test stream before relying on the setup. Check each of these:

  • The Live Control Room preview shows the intended portrait framing and output shape.
  • The playlist starts at the expected clip, advances in order, and repeats if Loop Playlist is enabled.
  • Audio is audible and synchronized, and faces, captions, and important details remain visible.
  • The watch page is accessible as intended, and playback looks right on a phone.
  • If recording locally, the recording file is growing and can be played back.

YouTube’s live-streaming tips advise checking stream quality and local archive integrity. A long session can still be affected by computer restarts, power or network loss, or a source failure. Plan how you will monitor and recover; OBS does not make a home computer or connection immune to interruptions.

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Plan for archives and rights

A 24/7 stream may not produce a complete archive

YouTube says streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived; streams longer than 12 hours may not be captured at all. Its guidance is: “If your live stream is less than 12 hours, YouTube can automatically archive it for you.” If retaining the full program matters, plan a local recording backup and decide how to rotate or retain files. Estimate storage from your recording settings and retention period; YouTube does not prescribe a specific capacity or drive.

See YouTube’s archive live streams guidance and check local recordings rather than assuming a continuous broadcast will be saved as one complete replay.

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Confirm rights for every playlist item

A playlist source only controls playback; it does not grant rebroadcast rights. Use material for which the channel has the necessary rights for livestreaming and any archive, including music. YouTube scans live streams for third-party content and may replace the stream with a placeholder and warn the creator; if the material continues, it may interrupt or terminate the stream. Even with a license, a rightsholder may need to add the channel to its Content ID allowlist to avoid live detection interruptions.

YouTube’s copyright guidance for live streams and livestream terms explain the platform’s detection and rights requirements. Check the permission attached to each video and soundtrack before including it.

Troubleshoot common problems

Symptom Likely cause What to check or do
The portrait crop cuts off a face, text, or game action. The fixed crop does not suit that clip’s framing, or the source was stretched to fill. Adjust the crop and position in Edit Transform; avoid Stretch if it distorts the image. Use separate scenes or prepare clips with different framing.
The playlist does not advance or repeat as expected. Wrong source type or loop/shuffle settings; VLC dependency or visibility behavior may also be involved. Use Media Source for a single looping file or VLC Video for a multi-file playlist. Check order, Loop Playlist, Shuffle Playlist, VLC installation and architecture, and whether the source stops when hidden.
YouTube does not show the expected portrait version. The stream was composed or routed differently than intended, or vertical output was not configured before starting. Check the OBS output and Live Control Room preview. For YouTube-generated vertical output, configure the layout before the stream starts; for dual encoder output, verify the vertical feed uses its separate key.
The stream is interrupted after a copyright warning. YouTube detected third-party material, or the relevant rightsholder has not allowlisted the channel. Stop using material without the necessary rights, confirm the license covers livestreaming, and ask the rightsholder about Content ID allowlisting where applicable.
The replay is missing or incomplete. A broadcast longer than 12 hours may not be captured as an archive. Use a local recording backup, monitor that the file is growing, and verify recordings after the session.
The broadcast stops unexpectedly. A computer restart, power or network interruption, or source failure may have ended the encoder feed. Inspect the computer, connection, and source; plan a way to monitor the session and restart or recover it. Do not assume a single OBS setting guarantees uninterrupted operation.

Or let it run in the cloud

If the goal is a YouTube playlist that keeps running without leaving a home computer on, StreamNeo runs uploaded videos from the cloud. Upload your 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; it supports uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly is $9.99 per month.

Start your free StreamNeo day.

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.

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