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To stream a prerecorded video as a YouTube livestream with PRISM Live Studio on desktop, link your YouTube channel, add the local video as a Media Source in a scene, check playback and audio, then use Go Live. PRISM documents this workflow for Windows and Mac. It is a live broadcast from a media file—not an upload or a scheduled Premiere.
What you need and what this workflow does
PRISM Desktop can use a selected local media file as a source in a live scene. PRISM Live Studio’s official FAQ confirms that media files such as videos, images, and audio clips can be used in a livestream.
This guide covers one video file as a desktop Media Source. PRISM’s separate Media Playlist instructions are for Android and iOS; they do not establish a desktop playlist workflow. If you need several videos to play sequentially, do not assume the mobile playlist steps apply to PRISM Desktop.
PRISM’s getting-started guide lists Windows 10/11 (64-bit) and Apple Silicon macOS Monterey 12.3 or later. Requirements can change, so check the current PRISM Desktop getting-started guide for the latest supported systems.
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Set up PRISM and connect YouTube
- Add your channel. In PRISM Desktop, open the channel list and add or select your YouTube channel. Follow PRISM’s sign-in and authorization prompts.
- Enter the livestream details. Open Live Information and set the title, category, visibility, and any other available stream details. PRISM says these details can be changed before going live or during a stream.
- Choose the scene. Select an existing scene or create one. A scene is the composition viewers will see; its sources provide the video and other elements in that composition.
For current setup and channel instructions, consult PRISM’s official desktop guide.
Add the prerecorded video as a Media Source
- Select the scene you want to use.
- In the Sources area, choose the add-source control and select Media Source.
- Select the local video file when prompted, then confirm the source. PRISM’s Using Media Source guide documents this process for Windows and Mac.
- Check the scene preview. Confirm that the video is visible and that any audio you intend to broadcast is coming through at an appropriate level.
Fix playback if Studio Mode does not start the video
PRISM documents a Studio Mode issue in which a newly added media source may not play automatically. Studio Mode separates the EDIT view from the LIVE view: editing the left-side preview does not change what viewers see on the right until you apply the change.
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- Option 1: change the source setting before confirming. When adding the Media Source, uncheck Restart playback when source becomes active, then click OK.
- Option 2: apply the change in Studio Mode. Leave that option enabled, add the source, then click Apply so the edited scene is sent to the LIVE side.
These are the two remedies listed in PRISM’s Media Source instructions. After either change, verify playback in the program view before starting the broadcast.
Rehearse and go live
- Review the program. Check that the correct scene is active, the video plays as intended, and the required audio sources are audible.
- Optionally use YouTube Rehearsal. PRISM documents a Rehearsal button in the YouTube Live Info window for checking broadcast settings. Rehearsal is available only for YouTube, is disabled during multistreaming, and does not provide a replay. See PRISM’s YouTube Rehearsal guide.
- Start the broadcast. Turn on the intended channel and choose Go Live. PRISM describes a confirmation/edit step followed by a second Go Live action to begin streaming.
- Finish when done. Use Finish to end the broadcast.
PRISM’s documented workflow covers sending a local file as a live broadcast. It does not determine whether your channel is eligible to livestream or whether a particular video complies with YouTube’s current rules. Check YouTube Help and the Live Control Room for current eligibility, copyright, and prerecorded-content requirements before broadcasting.
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Desktop Media Source versus mobile Media Playlist
| Feature | PRISM Desktop | PRISM mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Documented feature | Media Source: select a local media file for a scene. | Media Playlist: create and order videos in a playlist. |
| Platforms stated in PRISM documentation | Windows and Mac. | Android and iOS. |
| Official instructions | Using Media Source | Using Media Playlist |
The mobile playlist feature is not a documented substitute for the desktop Media Source steps above.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
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