How to Live Stream Pre-Recorded Video on YouTube with OBS

Making up over 82% of all Internet traffic in the past few years, live video streaming is one of the most prominent forms of online entertainment. Considering that just last year, the Internet consumed 8.5 billion hours of live content, it’s clear why creators are incentivized to deliver live streams. But what if you don’t have the time to “go live” all the time? Or maybe you want to put out content with higher production value without losing that live flair.

If you’ve ever wanted to stream live without actually being live, you’re not alone. In 2025, doing so is easier than ever. A growing number of streamers use pre-recorded videos to simulate live streaming in real time.

Some even mix it up with a quick live intro before switching to polished, pre-edited footage. Or use the latest AI scheduling tools to plan out their automated live stream schedule months in advance. With the right engagement and management tools, your viewer might not even notice the difference.

While YouTube is a popular choice for this, better options exist. Dacast is a professional platform that lets you do even more, like loop pre-recorded content 24/7, add pay-per-view access, or stream without ads. It’s built for anyone who needs more control, whether you’re running regular shows, corporate training sessions, or interactive events.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to stream pre-recorded video on YouTube with OBS, the trusted, free streaming software. We’ll also show how OBS integrates with Dacast to give you a smoother setup, especially if you’re juggling schedules or want to look more polished on screen.

Let’s learn how creators and companies can broadcast recorded video as live content without compromising the live experience for their viewers.

Table Of Contents

• Why Stream Pre-Recorded Videos Instead of Going Live?
• How to Stream Pre-recorded Video on YouTube With OBS: Setting Up
• How to Stream Pre-Recorded Videos to YouTube Using OBS with Dacast
• Content Production Tips For Streaming Pre-Recorded Videos Like a Pro
• Workflow Tips For Streaming
• FAQs
• Pre-recorded Streams For Real-Time Results

Why Stream Pre-Recorded Videos Instead of Going Live?

Live video is still a powerful way to connect with audiences. Over 83% of marketers say it helps drive viewer engagement across all platforms. And the numbers show that live videos have 10% greater viewer engagement than pre-recorded content.

But it’s not always the right tool for every moment. Live streams can be fickle. You never know if the frame rate might go down or if unexpected audio and video issues pop up, causing your viewership to plummet.

Creators and businesses are shifting toward pre-recorded live streaming—not just as a fallback, but as a strategy. Platforms like Dacast make it easier than ever to simulate live broadcasts using pre-recorded content while retaining full control over quality and timing.

Regardless of the goal you’re trying to achieve or the audience you’re trying to reach, pre-recorded live streaming helps you deliver polished content at the right time, every time. There are a mounting number of benefits as to why creators are going the pre-recorded route.

1. Better Quality, Less Stress

Pre-recorded content lets you refine every detail, audio levels, graphics, transitions, before you hit “go live.” You’re not juggling tech checks and stage fright in real time. The result? Fewer viewer drop-offs and a more professional final product.

Use case: Product launches or keynote presentations where you need everything to go smoothly, such as a software demo that walks through complex features step-by-step without interruption.

2. Smart Scheduling with AI Automation

Advanced AI scheduling tools aren’t just setting timers; they’re helping streamers make more intelligent decisions when putting out content. You can program AI to automatically adjust video playback or trigger a stream based on highly specific conditions, such as:

• Viewer local time zones
• Reaching a certain audience size
• Spikes in regional interest or platform activity

This unprecedented level of automation means your content can go live exactly when it has the best chance of being seen, without you needing to be online.

Use case: Large-scale webinar series or promotional campaigns that need to roll out at different times for North American, European, and Asian markets, without someone manually pushing it live.

3. Built for Time Zones and Global Audiences

With pre-recorded streams, you’re not locked into your own workday. Whether your audience is in Tokyo, Berlin, or São Paulo, you can set your content to go live at the most relevant hour for them. This eliminates red-eye sessions and late-night scrambles for creators, while giving audiences that same live experience.

Use case: Online schools and education providers offering asynchronous lessons that launch as “live” sessions in local time, such as an 8:00 a.m. class broadcast across multiple campuses worldwide.

4. Interactive Elements Still Apply

Just because the video’s pre-recorded doesn’t mean the experience has to be passive. Platforms like Dacast now use AI advancements to support live chat overlays, audience polls, Q&A triggers, and even real-time offers layered into your pre-recorded streams. You can even schedule interactive prompts to appear at specific moments in the broadcast.

AI tools can be a bigger help by seamlessly integrating or dynamically adjusting these elements based on real-time audience engagement.

Use case: Online training modules where viewers must answer questions mid-stream or vote on decisions, creating engagement that feels just as personal as a live instructor.

5. Efficient, Scalable Workflows

Cloud-based live stream software and encoding tools reduce the load on your local machines and allow you to schedule multiple pre-recorded streams at once. If your content teams manage large libraries, they will thank you for this.

As your audience grows, the underlying cloud infrastructure can dynamically scale to accommodate increased demand without affecting video quality or stream stability.

Use case: Organizations running a simulated 24/7 content channel (e.g., a lifestyle network or internal training channel) that needs to stream new videos around the clock without manual intervention.

6. Ideal for Hybrid Streaming Strategies

Many broadcasters now blend live intros or Q&A sessions with a core block of pre-recorded content. This hybrid format gives you the best of both worlds: real-time connection where it counts, and high-production polish everywhere else. It’s especially popular for virtual conferences, educational series, and product demonstrations.

Use case: Virtual conferences where keynote speakers appear live to welcome viewers and answer questions, then transition into pre-produced sessions from guest speakers across different time zones.

7. Monetization Flexibility

Unlike platforms limited to ad-based revenue, Dacast allows you to monetize pre-recorded streams using subscriptions, pay-per-view, or secure access passes.

Use case: Fitness coaches or creators offering gated online courses, where viewers can purchase access to a series of exclusive classes or replays without needing to join live.

How to Stream Pre-recorded Video on YouTube With OBS: Setting Up

Why exactly would creators want to do a YouTube pre-recorded live stream? Because it’s one of the most used live streaming platforms. YouTube has over 2.5 billion active monthly users, even though in 2025 it tightened its policies to include:

• New age restrictions for live streamers (16 and older for solo streaming) 
• Deeper scrutiny of “inauthentic” or mass-produced content for monetization
• No individual controls over certain ad formats for long-form videos

YouTube videos garner billions of daily views, so it’s still worth it to stream to YouTube from OBS.

Before going into specifics, take a look at our video tutorial explaining how to live-stream using OBS.

Now, let’s focus on the technical side of an OBS YouTube live setup. Just follow the five easy steps below, and you’ll be good to go.

Step 1: Create a YouTube Account

You can’t upload videos or go live on the platform unless you have a user account and a channel.

1. Open up the YouTube site and click the Sign In button in the top right corner. This will prompt you to either log in to your account or create a new one.
2. Once logged in, go to settings and in the “Account” tab select “Create a Channel”.
3. Now that you have your very own channel, you’ll see a “+ Create” button every time you open up the site. When you click it, you’ll get the option to either upload a video or start a live stream.

Step 2: Install OBS onto your Streaming Setup

Next, you need to install OBS on your streaming PC or laptop. It’s open source, which means it has an active user base that constantly develops new plug-ins and add-ons to improve its functionality. It’s so popular because it works on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.

It’s also completely free to download OBS and use it without limitation. After you download it, the pop-up wizard will guide you through the installation, which should only take a minute or two. Installation varies for each operating system, so here are the steps for each.

First Step for Everyone:

• Go to the official OBS site and click the download button for your operating system.

For Windows:

• Download: Get the .exe installer from the OBS website.
• Run: Double-click the downloaded file.
• Follow Prompts: Click “Next,” “I Agree,” and “Install” through the wizard.
• Finish: Click “Finish” when done.

Tip: Always run OBS as Administrator on Windows for better hardware access and stability.

For macOS:

• Download: Get the .dmg file from the OBS website.
• Open .dmg: Double-click the downloaded .dmg file.
• Drag to Applications: Drag the OBS Studio icon into your “Applications” folder.
• Eject: Eject the disk image.
• Grant Permissions: Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and manually enable “Screen Recording” and “Microphone” for OBS Studio. (Restart OBS if needed).

Apple has become stricter with permissions in recent macOS versions (Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia). Make sure OBS has access to:

1. Screen Recording
2. Microphone
3. Camera (if used)

You might also need to grant full disk access for recording games or apps running under Rosetta or special permissions.

For Linux (Ubuntu/Debian – most common):

• Open Terminal: Ctrl+Alt+T
• Install FFmpeg (if not installed):
  • sudo apt update
  • sudo apt install ffmpeg
• Add OBS Repository:
  • sudo add-apt-repository ppa:obsproject/obs-studio
  • sudo apt update
• Install OBS:
  • sudo apt install obs-studio
• Launch: Find “OBS Studio” in your applications menu.

Step 3: Configure OBS

Once you install OBS, it’s time to configure it properly so your streams always have good resolution and audio quality. To access and change the settings to your preference, open OBS, go to the “File” tab in the upper bar, and choose “Settings”. Navigate to “Output”, where you can change the values of the video and audio bitrate, video and audio encoder, etc.

For even more customization options, change the Output mode from Simple to Advanced. This will give you access to manually modify the keyframe interval, the CPU usage, and more. To adjust the audio, go to the “Audio” tab, and you can alter the resolution settings under the “Video” tab in “Settings”. The best OBS settings for live streaming professional broadcasters should use are:

Step 4: Add Advanced Tools and Plugins

OBS Studio’s open-source nature means a large selection of community-made plugins and tools that improve your pre-recorded live streaming workflow. These additions can automate tasks, manage complex scenes, and provide features beyond the core OBS functionality.

While OBS is powerful out of the box, these advanced tools and plugins can offer features like:

• Automated Scene Switching: For complex pre-recorded presentations, plugins can automatically transition between different video clips, images, or even live segments at predefined timestamps.
• Stream Scheduling Automation: Tools like “Advanced Scene Switcher” or dedicated scheduling plugins can automate when your pre-recorded video starts streaming, or even loop it for a 24/7 channel simulation.
• Countdown Timer Overlays: Easily add customizable countdown timer overlays to pre-recorded intros. They build anticipation before your main content begins. This helps simulate the start of a live broadcast, giving viewers a clear indication of when the “show” is about to start. OBS’s built-in “Text (GDI+)” source with a script, or dedicated timer plugins, can achieve this.
• Virtual Camera Enhancements: Some plugins enhance OBS’s virtual camera feature, allowing you to use your pre-recorded stream as a camera source for other applications like Zoom or Google Meet.
• Advanced Audio Routing: For complex setups, plugins can provide more granular control over audio sources, perfectly mixing the pre-recorded video’s audio with any live commentary or background music.

Step 5: Load Pre-Recorded Video into OBS

Now, it’s time to get your pre-recorded video into OBS and prepare it for broadcasting. First, find the “Sources” box at the bottom of the OBS window. This is where you add content that will be part of your stream, like images, video, or text. Click the “+” icon and select “Media Sources” from the menu to add a pre-recorded video file.

Name your source, then click “OK” to keep going. In the next window, you’ll see an option labeled “Local File” with a checkbox next to it. Make sure this box is checked. Click ” Browse ” to find the computer folder containing the pre-recorded video. Select the file to add to your stream with OBS.

Now, you should adjust the video’s looping, buffering, and timing settings:

• Video Looping: This keeps the pre-recorded video on a loop as many times as you want. It automatically restarts the video once it finishes. You can adjust this setting by going to “Sources” > “Media Sources” and ticking the box next to where it says “Loop”.
  
• Video Buffering: This setting can prevent interruptions or stutters during playback. It’s especially useful when dealing with network delays, high-quality media files, or performance issues. OBS generally manages buffering automatically, and you only need to adjust for performance issues. You can do this in two ways. In “Media Sources,” check the “Use hardware decoding” box, or in “Settings” > “Output”, lower the bitrate.
  
• Video Timing: Timing adjustments help control the synchronization and delay of media playback. It keeps the video and audio in sync and prevents any playback delays. It’s also possible to add a delay in the stream itself. You can do that by opening “Settings” > “Advanced” > “Stream Delay” > Enable.

Step 6: Connect OBS to YouTube Live

After you configure your OBS software and input the pre-recorded content, it’s time to connect it with your YouTube Live account. As we mentioned, you can only go live and post videos on YouTube if you have an account with a channel. If you don’t have this set up already, go back to Step 1 and return here after it’s done.

You’ll need a YouTube stream key to connect the streaming software to the platform. To find this, follow these steps:

1. Open YouTube Studio.
2. Select the “Go Live” option in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select the Start Right Now option in the YouTube Live Control Room Window that pops up.
4. Click Go in the Streaming software box in the following pop-up window.
5. In “Streaming Settings,” click the “Copy” button.

Next, go back to OBS and open “Settings”. Navigate to the “Stream Tab” and open the “Service” drop-down menu. Here, you’ll find two options: YouTube HLS and YouTube RTMPS. Here is the difference between the two:

• YouTube HLS: A protocol that uses adaptive bitrate streaming to adjust the quality of the stream based on the viewer’s network conditions.
  
• YouTube RTMPS: This protocol secures the connection between OBS and YouTube by encrypting it. It’s also good for low-latency live streaming.
  

Select the one you prefer, select “Use Stream Key,” and paste the key you copied from YouTube Studio.

That’s it! Now you’re ready to use OBS and stream pre-recorded content on YouTube.

How to Stream Pre-Recorded Videos to YouTube Using OBS with Dacast

While YouTube Live is a common starting point, using Dacast OBS integration for live streaming pre-recorded video will elevate your pre-recorded streaming capabilities. Dacast seamlessly integrates with OBS and uses a high-performance CDN to deliver your content securely anywhere in the world.

It allows you to record your streams, which you can then upload and broadcast on YouTube as live videos. When using Dacast and OBS to stream, you can also expect:

• Several Monetization Opportunities: You can monetize live streams with the AVOD, SVOD, and TVOD monetization options.
  
• Enterprise-Grade Auto-Scaling: Dacast’s CDN automatically scales to accommodate fluctuating audience sizes. It delivers your pre-recorded content without buffering or quality degradation, providing a seamless viewing experience even during peak traffic.
• Robust Security Features: Protect your valuable content with Dacast’s comprehensive security measures, including password protection, token authentication, geo-blocking, DRM, access control, and IP whitelisting.
• Full Branding & White-Labeling: Maintain consistent brand identity. Dacast allows you to fully customize your stream with your logo, colors, and personalized graphics, offering a completely white-label solution.
• Enhanced Analytics: Gain deeper insights into viewer behavior and stream performance with Dacast’s advanced analytics, allowing data-driven decisions to optimize future content and strategies.

Dacast vs. YouTube Direct Streaming: A Comparison for 2025

Let’s see how these two streaming powerhouses stack up against each other:

OBS and Dacast Integration: Technical How-To

Now, let’s focus on how to stream pre-recorded video live using OBS and Dacast. We already figured out how to get and use the YouTube stream key, and doing the same with the Dacast one is even easier. You just need an active Dacast account to begin.

1. Obtain Your Dacast Stream Key and URL:

• Log in to your Dacast account.
• Navigate to the “Live Streams” tab and select “Create Live Stream” (or choose an existing one).
• Go to the “General” tab for your chosen live stream and click “Encoder Setup.”
• A new window will appear displaying your stream’s URL (often referred to as the RTMP Server URL) and Stream Key. This is also where you can select OBS as your RTMP encoder from the drop-down menu, confirming compatibility.

2. Configure OBS for Dacast:

• Open OBS Studio on your streaming setup.
• Go to “Settings” (File > Settings).
• Navigate to the “Stream” tab.
• In the “Service” drop-down menu, select “Custom Streaming Server.”
• Paste the Dacast Stream URL you copied from your Dacast account into the “Server” field.
• Paste the Dacast Stream Key into the “Stream Key” field.
• Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your settings.

With your OBS stream key setup complete, you are now ready to send your pre-recorded video from OBS directly to Dacast. From there, Dacast’s advanced features will help you manage, monetize, and even simulcast your content to other destinations, including YouTube.

Content Production Tips For Streaming Pre-Recorded Videos Like a Pro

The Dacast OBS integration makes it easy to always provide high-quality streams to your audience, even if they are pre-recorded. But to achieve high-grade production, you must follow the best practices for streaming pre-recorded videos in 2025. Why not try these pre-recorded live stream tips:

• Use High-Quality Encoded Files: Export your videos as MP4 files encoded with H.264 for maximum compatibility and smooth playback (30fps recommended).
• Optimize Audio Levels: Normalize audio to around -12 dB to maintain consistent volume and clarity across devices.
• Enable Closed Captions: Include captions to improve accessibility, meet compliance requirements, and expand engagement—especially for global or hard-of-hearing audiences.
• Use AI Tools for Efficiency: Consider using AI tools for video streaming to generate thumbnails and optimize stream titles, descriptions, and metadata. This can improve visibility and save production time.

Workflow Tips For Streaming

Once your content is production-ready, it’s time to plan your streaming workflow. Here is how you can make everything run smoothly:

• Schedule Broadcasts: Schedule your streams during peak engagement windows to maximize viewership and audience interaction.
• Test Your Stream in Private Mode: Run private or unlisted test streams to check for playback quality, sync issues, and audio levels before going live.
  
• Consider Multistreaming: Broadcast to multiple platforms (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn) simultaneously to widen your reach and engage different audiences.

Pre-Recorded Streaming Planning Checklist

As all organized people know, lists make the world go round. Here is our checklist for things to do before every stream. You can use it as a template and add or remove items as it best suits your process.

1–2 Weeks Before Stream

• Select or record high-quality video content
• Edit and export video in MP4 (H.264, 30fps) format
• Normalize audio levels to -12 dB
• Add captions or subtitles for accessibility
• Generate a custom thumbnail using AI or design tool
• Write optimized title, description, and tags (AI tools recommended)

3–5 Days Before Stream

• Upload video to streaming platform
• Schedule the stream for peak viewing time
• Set up multistreaming destinations (YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Double-check captions and metadata
• Promote stream via email, social, or community channels

1 Day Before Stream

• Run a private test stream (check sync, quality, and audio levels)
• Confirm start time and timezone settings
• Review viewer engagement tools (chat, polls, CTAs)
• Coordinate with team or moderators

Day of Stream

• Monitor stream in real-time or have alerts set up
• Engage with audience in live chat (or assign a moderator)
• Capture analytics and viewer questions for follow-up content
• Promote replay link after the broadcast ends

FAQs

1. Can I schedule multiple pre-recorded live streams at once?

YouTube and Dacast let you schedule multiple pre-recorded live streams in advance. This automation allows broadcasts to go live at set times without manual intervention. It makes managing daily content, global time zones, or continuous programming much easier. Dacast also supports playlist-based scheduling, enabling seamless, back-to-back simulated live events with minimal oversight.

2. What’s the best bitrate for high-quality pre-recorded streaming?

For high-quality streaming, the recommended bitrate for 1080p video is between 4500 and 6000 kbps. For 720p, a bitrate range of 2500-4000 kbps is typically sufficient. These bitrates balance quality and bandwidth usage, maintaining smooth playback for viewers.

3. Does Dacast offer better monetization than YouTube?

Dacast offers more advanced and flexible monetization than YouTube. While YouTube relies on ads and eligibility thresholds, Dacast gives broadcasters direct revenue through ad-free pay-per-view, subscriptions, and secure content gating. It also supports custom pricing tiers, promo codes, and regional restrictions, giving content creators full control over their revenue.

4. Can I stream pre-recorded content to YouTube and Dacast at the same time?

Users can stream pre-recorded content to both platforms simultaneously using tools like OBS. Many cloud-based encoders support multi-platform distribution with scheduled playback. Users can automate content delivery across YouTube, Dacast, Facebook Live, and more. This provides a synchronized broadcast without overloading local resources or requiring multiple uploads.

5. What is the best bitrate for streaming 1080p pre-recorded video in 2025?

The optimal bitrate for streaming 1080p pre-recorded video is between 6000–8000 kbps, especially when using H.264 or the newer H.265/HEVC codec. HEVC allows higher quality at lower bitrates, which improves streaming on low-bandwidth connections. Adaptive bitrate streaming is also widely used now, so multiple bitrate ladders should be prepared for seamless playback across devices.

6. Does Dacast support 24/7 pre-recorded video loops?

Dacast does support 24/7 looping of pre-recorded content using its live playlist feature. Streamers can schedule and repeat videos as a continuous simulated live stream. The platform also supports dynamic playlist editing, meaning you can swap or reorder content without interrupting the live feed.

7. Can I use interactive features (e.g., polls) in pre-recorded streams?

Yes, interactive elements like polls, clickable overlays, and timed Q&A can now be added to pre-recorded streams using tools like H5P, Vplayed, or Flowplayer integrations. Also, AI-driven audience engagement tools can detect viewer drop-off points and auto-trigger interactions. While not native to most platforms, embedding or third-party plugins makes pre-recorded interactivity seamless and measurable.

8. What’s the difference between YouTube RTMPS and HLS for streaming?

RTMPS is ideal for secure, low-latency ingest, used mainly when streaming live from encoders like OBS to platforms like YouTube. HLS, preferred in 2025 for playback, supports adaptive bitrate, higher resolution, and better mobile compatibility. While RTMPS is for sending, HLS is for receiving. For pre-recorded content, HLS is now more widely used due to smoother delivery.

9. Can I monetize pre-recorded live streams with subscriptions or pay-per-view?

Platforms like Dacast offer full monetization of pre-recorded streams via subscriptions (SVOD), pay-per-view (TVOD), and hybrid models. Advanced tools now include geo-targeted pricing, token-based access, and blockchain-enabled rights management. Simulated live streams can be monetized like live events, with viewer authentication, coupons, and tiered access for premium experiences.

Pre-recorded Streams For Real-Time Results

The future of professional broadcasting lies in pre-recorded streaming. By using pre-recorded live streaming software, you can start a stream during peak engagement hours regardless of the time of day. Now, you don’t have to dedicate large portions of your time to go live. As long as you have a rich backlog of video content, you can schedule your pre-recorded stream whenever you want to.

While using YouTube and OBS makes this method accessible, switching to Dacast and taking advantage of its OBS integration will give you superior stream control and open up new monetization opportunities. Our pricing options fit all budgets, and we offer a free 14-day trial – no credit card needed!

For seamless broadcasting solutions and professional broadcasting features, start streaming with Daccast!

Get started For Free

To learn more about broadcasting and pre-recorded streams, join our LinkedIn group!