Use a nested scene when you want to reuse a complete composition—such as a shared overlay or media layout—in several OBS scenes. Add that reusable scene as a source in each viewer-facing scene, arrange it in the source list, and avoid circular references. Use a group instead when you only need to bundle sources inside one scene. Looping a video keeps the media playing; it does not guarantee that OBS, your computer, network, or YouTube stays online.
Nested scene or source group?
| Choice | Use it when | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Nested scene | A composition should remain its own scene and be reused in multiple output scenes—for example, one overlay package used in a starting, main, and break scene. | Keep the scene relationships clear and make sure no path leads back to the parent scene. |
| Source group | You want to organize or move a bundle of sources together within a single scene. | A group and a nested scene serve different purposes; a group is not a reusable scene composition. |
OBS scenes are built from sources. Adding a scene as a source lets you reuse its composition, while the source list controls layering: higher sources can appear over and obscure lower ones. See the OBS Project’s Sources Guide.
Build a reusable scene and add it to your stream
- Create a focused scene. In the Scenes dock, add a scene for one reusable function, such as
Overlay - Shared,Camera - Host, orMedia - Main. Add and arrange only the sources that belong to that composition. - Add it to an output scene. Select the viewer-facing scene, then use the Sources dock’s + button and choose Scene. Select the reusable scene. The precise menu wording can vary by OBS version.
- Set its layer and size. In the Sources list, move the nested scene above or below other sources as needed. Select it in the preview to position and resize it. A higher source can cover sources underneath it.
- Repeat in other output scenes. Add the same reusable scene to starting, main, and break scenes. Adjust its transform in each output scene if that layout needs different positioning.
- Keep building blocks distinct from output scenes. Use names that describe what a scene does, and make it easy to identify which scenes are intended to go live.
Example: one overlay across three scenes
Create Overlay - Shared with your recurring border, labels, or other overlay sources. Add that scene as a source to Starting, Main, and Break. If you later change the shared overlay, the scene composition is reused wherever that scene is included. Check each output scene’s source order and positioning separately.
Avoid circular scene references
A scene graph must not lead back to itself. For example, if Main includes Overlay - Shared, the shared scene must not include Main—directly or through another nested scene. OBS community troubleshooting identifies this kind of cycle as a cause of an “infinite source recursion” error. When OBS refuses to add a scene as a source, inspect the full chain of nested scenes and remove the reference that returns to the starting scene. See the OBS community recursion discussion; this is forum guidance, not a formal OBS guarantee about all error cases.
#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.
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Loop one video or a playlist
One local video file
- In the target scene, add a Media Source from the Sources dock.
- Choose the file and enable Loop in the source properties.
- Confirm playback, audio, and the transition from the end of the file back to its start in the actual output scene.
The OBS Media Sources guide lists formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, and WebM for video, and MP3 and WAV for audio. Check that your particular file plays correctly in your OBS installation.
A playlist
- Install VLC if the VLC Video source is not available in OBS. The OBS guide notes that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- Add a VLC Video source and select the files for the playlist.
- Check Loop Playlist and verify that the list plays and repeats as intended, including its audio.
The OBS guide documents Loop Playlist as on by default, but confirm the setting and playback on your installation rather than relying on a default.
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- 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.)
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Test the full stream before relying on it
A well-organized scene collection and looping media address layout and playback, not continuous operation. OBS, the computer, the connection, and the streaming destination can each fail independently. Test the whole workflow, including scene changes, source visibility, media playback, and what happens after a disconnection.
- Check that each output scene displays the right sources in the right order.
- Let the video or playlist run through a repeat and listen for gaps, unwanted transitions, or missing audio.
- Verify the stream service or custom server, stream key, and bitrate in OBS’s stream and output settings.
- OBS lists Automatic Reconnect among its advanced settings. Its presence is not a promise of uninterrupted service; avoid changing advanced settings unless you understand their effect.
- Run a short test before the first stream. The OBS Quick Start Guide strongly encourages testing for a few minutes rather than going live without checking the setup.
OBS launch parameters such as --startstreaming, --collection "name", and --scene "name" can help launch a prepared configuration. They do not supervise the OBS process or guarantee recovery after every failure. See the OBS Launch Parameters documentation.
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Troubleshoot common problems
| Symptom | Likely thing to check | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| OBS will not add a scene as a source and reports infinite source recursion. | A direct or indirect scene reference loops back to the scene you are adding. | Trace the nested scene chain and remove the reference that closes the cycle. |
| An overlay or other source is hidden. | Another source is higher in the source list and covering it. | Reorder sources and check the result in the preview. |
| The VLC Video source is missing. | VLC may not be installed, or its architecture may not match OBS. | Install VLC; for 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC, then check whether the source is available. |
| A file or playlist does not repeat as expected. | Loop may be off, the playlist loop setting may differ, or playback behavior may not match the file. | Check the relevant loop property and test the complete playback cycle, including audio and transitions. |
| The stream stops even though the media is still looping. | Playback looping does not keep OBS, the computer, the network, or YouTube connected. | Check the stream connection and OBS reconnect settings, then test recovery. Do not treat a looping file as an uptime mechanism. |
Or let it run in the cloud
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Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, then start your 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.
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Rank #4
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