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Start with a simple OBS scene, a local Media Source with Loop enabled, and a compatible hardware encoder if your computer offers one. Then reduce scene complexity or adjust output resolution and frame rate only if needed. Each change can affect quality or performance differently, so test it on your setup before streaming.
How to loop a video in OBS
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In your scene, select Sources → + → Media Source. Add the local relaxation video and confirm the source.
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Open the Media Source properties and enable Loop. OBS will replay the file after playback completes.
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Keep only the sources required for the finished scene. A single video source and any genuinely necessary overlays are easier to troubleshoot than a scene with many filters, browser sources, and hidden elements.
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Check the result in the OBS preview: confirm the video repeats as expected and that any transitions or overlays still look right at the loop point.
Media Source properties may also offer Hardware Decoding, depending on the file and system. Try enabling it and compare behavior with it off; OBS does not promise it will lower CPU use on every computer. Close file when inactive can release memory while a source is hidden, but reopening it may introduce a delay, and it is not a general CPU-saving setting for a continuously visible loop. See OBS’s Media Sources documentation.
Find out what is actually limiting OBS
High CPU use alone does not identify the bottleneck. OBS has to composite and render the scene using GPU resources, separately from encoding the outgoing video. If the scene cannot render smoothly, changing the encoder may not solve the problem. OBS’s encoding performance troubleshooting guide explains the distinction.
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Note CPU use while the same scene is running, and watch for dropped frames or visible stuttering in the preview or output.
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Look for unnecessary sources, demanding filters, and browser overlays. OBS notes that sources can consume resources even when they are not visible.
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Change one setting at a time. That makes it easier to tell whether a change helped, harmed output quality, or made no noticeable difference.
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Compare software and hardware encoding
If OBS offers a compatible hardware encoder on your machine, test it against the current encoder. Hardware encoding can move encoding work from the CPU to a specialized component in the GPU, but available choices depend on your operating system and hardware. It is not a guarantee of lower total system load or better quality in every case.
| Option | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Software encoder | Uses the CPU for encoding. Compare CPU use and output quality on your scene rather than assuming it is the right choice for every machine. |
| Compatible hardware encoder | Can shift encoding work to specialized GPU hardware. Availability and results depend on the computer and platform. |
OBS lists NVENC and AMD AMF on Windows and Linux, Intel Quick Sync on Windows and Linux, and VideoToolbox on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs in its hardware encoding guide. That guide says VideoToolbox streaming is unsupported on Intel Macs. The guide was published in 2022; check the encoder options in your current OBS installation and verify compatibility for your system before choosing one.
Simplify the scene before lowering quality
Remove anything the relaxation stream does not need, including unused sources and overlays. Reduce demanding filters or browser sources if they are not essential. If the source video is much larger than the size at which it appears in the output, consider using media closer to the output dimensions; the actual performance effect varies by system.
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These changes address scene rendering as well as encoding. OBS recommends simpler scenes when resources are constrained, but a minimal scene is not a guarantee of low CPU use if another part of the setup is the bottleneck.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Adjust resolution or frame rate only if needed
Lowering output resolution can reduce encoder workload. Reducing frame rate can also ease rendering and encoding demands; 30 fps may be worth comparing with 60 fps if the stream’s motion does not require the higher rate. The tradeoff is less image detail at a lower resolution or less-smooth motion at a lower frame rate.
Choose settings for the appearance you need and the output destination’s requirements. OBS identifies resolution, frame rate, encoder, and scene complexity as factors affecting system requirements. Its system requirements and overview guide do not establish one best setting for every relaxation video or computer.
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Test each change before a real stream
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Record the current scene and settings as your baseline, including resolution, frame rate, encoder, and observed CPU use.
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Make one change—for example, simplify the scene or try a compatible hardware encoder—then record or test stream again under the same conditions.
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Compare CPU use, smoothness, and image quality. Keep the change only if the overall result suits your stream.
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Repeat for other changes, such as hardware decoding, resolution, or frame rate. Avoid changing several settings at once because you will not know which one affected the result.
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OBS recommends testing settings before a real stream in its Quick Start Guide. The official guidance cited here does not give a benchmark for CPU savings from this exact looping-video setup, so a percentage reduction cannot be promised.
Troubleshoot common problems
| Symptom | What to check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| CPU remains high after changing encoders | The scene may be demanding, or encoding may not be the main bottleneck. | Remove unnecessary sources and filters, reduce browser overlays, and check for rendering or output stutter. |
| The preview or stream stutters | Scene rendering, encoding, or the chosen output settings may be beyond what the system handles smoothly. | Test a simpler scene and then compare a lower frame rate or resolution, one adjustment at a time. |
| Hardware decoding makes no difference or causes problems | Support and behavior depend on the media format and hardware. | Compare with hardware decoding disabled; keep the setting that behaves reliably on your setup. |
| The loop stops instead of replaying | The Media Source may not have Loop enabled, or the wrong source may be playing. | Open the source properties, enable Loop, and verify the intended local file is selected. |
| A hidden source takes time to appear again | Close file when inactive may close the media while it is hidden. | Disable that option if the reload delay is undesirable for your scene. |
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If your goal is an always-on YouTube loop rather than keeping OBS running, StreamNeo is a cloud service that plays uploaded videos on a YouTube channel. Upload the recording, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it supports uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60 fps, at one price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly service is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for YouTube streams of uploaded video, not camera broadcasts. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
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