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OBS does not have a built-in playlist that automatically queues whole scenes. For a repeating sequence of prerecorded videos, use OBS’s VLC Video source and enable playlist looping. For different layouts, make separate scenes and switch between them with transitions. These are separate workflows, and neither by itself guarantees an unattended, always-on stream.
First, clarify what “scene playlist” means
In OBS documentation, a playlist is a list of media files loaded into a VLC Video source—not a queue of scenes that OBS automatically plays in sequence. OBS scene collections organize sets of scenes and sources, while transitions let you switch between scenes. The official documentation does not describe a built-in automatic scene scheduler. See the OBS Media Sources guide and Scene Collections guide.
- Repeat videos or audio: use a VLC Video source in a scene.
- Switch layouts: create separate scenes and change between them with OBS transitions.
Make a looping playlist of media files
- Install VLC. VLC must be installed for the VLC Video source. If you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC as well.
- Open or create a scene. In OBS, select the scene where the media should appear, or create one in the Scenes panel.
- Add the source. In the Sources panel, select + and choose VLC Video Source. Give it a recognizable name.
- Load the files. In the source properties, add the video or audio files in the intended order. Check the preview and adjust the source’s placement and size in the scene.
- Enable looping. Turn on Loop Playlist so OBS repeats the loaded list when it reaches the end. Enable shuffle only if you want a different order rather than a fixed sequence.
- Check visibility behavior. The source’s default behavior is to stop when hidden and restart when shown. If you reuse the source across scenes, review the option governing playback when the source is not visible; otherwise a scene switch may interrupt playback.
- Test the whole sequence. Start the source, confirm files play in the intended order, and let it reach the end so you can verify the loop. Check for missing files, unexpected black gaps, or audio-level changes before going live.
OBS documents playlist looping and optional shuffle for VLC Video sources; see Media Sources.
Use separate scenes for different layouts
Scenes are useful when the channel needs visibly different compositions—for example, a title card, a prerecorded segment, and a break screen. Create each composition as its own scene, add the relevant sources, then use the scene controls and transitions to change the live output. A transition changes what viewers see; it does not turn a set of scenes into an automatically advancing playlist.
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Use Scene Collections to save distinct arrangements of scenes and sources for different productions. They do not store output settings; OBS says to use Profiles for those. See the Scene Collections guide and OBS Studio Overview Guide.
Connect OBS to YouTube
- Confirm channel eligibility. YouTube says a channel must be verified and must not have had live-streaming restrictions in the preceding 90 days. First-time live-stream enablement can take up to 24 hours, so enable it ahead of your planned broadcast. Check YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility and getting-started guidance.
- Set up the broadcast in YouTube Studio. Create or schedule a live stream and choose the encoder workflow. YouTube’s encoder setup instructions cover obtaining stream details and connecting an encoder.
- Enter the stream key in OBS. In OBS, open Settings > Stream, select YouTube or the appropriate service/server option, and enter the stream key from YouTube. Treat the key like a password: do not show it in a recording or share it publicly.
- Check output and scenes. Confirm the stream is going to the intended YouTube broadcast, audio is present, the correct scene is selected, and the media source is playing as intended. OBS advises testing the configuration and scenes before the first broadcast; see its overview guide.
- Start streaming and verify YouTube’s preview. Confirm the incoming video and audio in YouTube Studio before relying on the broadcast.
YouTube’s help page states limits of 10 active streams per channel and three per stream key. These are platform limits, not a target for a single always-on setup; check the current YouTube guidance for the applicable account and live-stream rules.
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Plan for failures before calling it always-on
A looping playlist only repeats media while OBS, the computer, power, and network connection remain available. A local OBS setup can stop if the machine shuts down, loses internet, the source fails, or the stream disconnects. The OBS and YouTube setup guides explain configuration and testing, but do not promise unattended uptime or document one universal automatic recovery method.
- Test the complete chain—media playback, OBS output, internet connection, YouTube preview, and audio—before leaving it unattended.
- Decide who will notice a failed stream and how it will be restarted after a power, network, computer, or source problem.
- Recheck the broadcast after any change to files, scenes, source visibility, stream settings, or the stream key.
Choose the approach that fits the channel
| Approach | Best suited to | What to account for |
|---|---|---|
| OBS VLC Video source | Repeating a sequence of local media files inside a scene | VLC is required; loop and shuffle controls are available; playback can stop while the source is hidden. OBS documentation. |
| OBS scenes, collections, and transitions | Organizing different show layouts and changing the live scene | Collections save scenes and sources, not output settings; transitions change the live scene. OBS documentation and overview. |
| StreamNeo | Running uploaded videos as a cloud-managed, always-on YouTube stream | Upload a recording or build a playlist, add the YouTube stream key, and go live. It runs in the cloud, streams the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and offers a free first day. StreamNeo. |
| Other hosted or dedicated options | Evaluating a managed cloud service or encoder hardware | YouTube’s encoder setup page lists Gyre and Upstream as hosted 24/7 options and AJA HELO Plus as a dedicated encoder with scheduled prerecorded-media streaming. Treat these as examples to evaluate, not endorsements or evidence of comparative reliability or terms. YouTube encoder setup. |
When comparing choices, focus on whether you need a media-file loop or scene changes, whether the system runs locally or in the cloud, whether it supports unattended scheduling, and how failures will be monitored and recovered. OBS identifies itself as free software; the documented media playlist workflow also requires VLC. See the OBS Help Portal.
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Or let it run in the cloud
With StreamNeo, upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud; nothing has to stay on at home. Every slot streams the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one price, and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. Start your free first day with StreamNeo.
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