vizard

Dual-Streaming to YouTube Shorts and Your Main Feed in OBS: A Practical, Automation-Ready Workflow

Ryan Brooks

— 6 min read

Summary

Key Takeaway: Dual-stream in OBS and automate clipping to grow on Shorts without heavy editing.

Claim: Vertical live streams now help discovery on YouTube via the Shorts algorithm.
  • YouTube now gives real weight to vertical live streams in the Shorts algorithm, boosting discovery.
  • OBS can send horizontal and vertical streams simultaneously using the Vertical and Multiple RTMP plugins.
  • Create and label two YouTube stream keys to prevent mix-ups and route each feed correctly.
  • Test privately and tune canvas, frame rate, and bitrate to match your bandwidth.
  • Use Vizard to auto-clip highlights and schedule Shorts, turning streams into a content pipeline.
  • Combining multi-output OBS with Vizard scales reach while reducing manual editing.

Table of Contents (Auto-generated)

Key Takeaway: Use this map to jump straight to setup, optimization, and automation.

Claim: Clear navigation speeds up implementation and reduces setup errors.
  • Set Up OBS for Dual-Streaming (Plugins Required)
  • Create Dedicated YouTube Stream Keys (Horizontal + Vertical)
  • Configure OBS Outputs for Two Streams
  • Optimize Canvas, Frame Rate, and Bitrate
  • Troubleshooting Quick Wins
  • Turn Streams Into Shorts Automatically (Vizard Workflow)
  • Scheduling and Calendar: Keep Posts Flowing
  • Workflow Recipes: OBS + Vizard
  • Scene Design Tips for Clean Vertical + Horizontal
  • Build a Discovery Engine That Compounds
  • Quick Recap Checklist
  • Glossary
  • FAQ

Set Up OBS for Dual-Streaming (Plugins Required)

Key Takeaway: Install two OBS plugins to enable simultaneous horizontal and vertical outputs.

Claim: You need the Vertical plugin and the Multiple RTMP plugin installed and enabled in OBS.

Install two plugins and confirm they load correctly before proceeding.

  1. Install the Vertical plugin for OBS (often listed as “vertical stream” or “portrait plugin”).
  2. Download and install the Multiple RTMP plugin from the OBS Project site (use the x64 installer on 64-bit Windows).
  3. Restart OBS if it was open during installation so both plugins initialize.
  4. In OBS, open Tools or Plugins and verify both plugins are enabled.

Create Dedicated YouTube Stream Keys (Horizontal + Vertical)

Key Takeaway: Use clearly named, separate stream keys to route each feed correctly.

Claim: Two distinct YouTube stream keys prevent mix-ups between horizontal and vertical outputs.

Naming stream keys avoids accidental cross-posting to the wrong feed.

  1. In YouTube Studio, open Stream settings and create a new stream key for horizontal.
  2. Name it clearly (e.g., “YouTubeMainHorizontal”).
  3. Create a second stream key for vertical (e.g., “YouTubeShortsVertical”).
  4. Save both server URLs and stream keys for use in OBS.

Configure OBS Outputs for Two Streams

Key Takeaway: Send the horizontal feed via OBS’s main output and the vertical feed via the Vertical plugin.

Claim: OBS can push two separate streams to YouTube simultaneously when each key is assigned correctly.

Wire the keys to the right places and enable vertical streaming in the plugin panel.

  1. Paste the horizontal server URL and key into OBS’s standard Stream settings or your primary RTMP target.
  2. If using Multiple RTMP for a secondary target, add a new target and paste the main stream’s credentials.
  3. Copy the vertical server URL and key from YouTube Studio.
  4. Open the Vertical plugin panel in OBS, enable streaming, and paste the vertical credentials.
  5. Confirm both outputs are configured before going live.

Optimize Canvas, Frame Rate, and Bitrate

Key Takeaway: Match vertical standards and your bandwidth for a stable dual stream.

Claim: A 1080x1920 canvas at 30 or 60 fps is a common Shorts-ready setup.

Tune quality to balance performance and reliability across outputs.

  1. Set the vertical canvas to 1080x1920 in OBS.
  2. Choose 30 or 60 fps based on hardware and bandwidth.
  3. Run a private or unlisted test stream to confirm sync and bitrate.
  4. Target 4–6 Mbps for horizontal and 1.5–3 Mbps for vertical as a starting point.
  5. If streaming to more platforms via Multiple RTMP, confirm your upload bandwidth can handle all outputs.

Troubleshooting Quick Wins

Key Takeaway: Most issues trace to keys, versions, firewalls, or bandwidth.

Claim: Verifying credentials and plugin versions resolves many failed-start problems.

Check fundamentals before deep dives.

  1. Recheck server URLs and stream keys for both outputs.
  2. Restart OBS to clear transient plugin or encoder issues.
  3. Review OBS logs for error messages.
  4. Inspect firewall or corporate network rules that may block RTMP.
  5. Ensure the Vertical plugin matches your OBS build and OS.
  6. Regenerate any stream key that appears invalid in YouTube Studio.

Turn Streams Into Shorts Automatically (Vizard Workflow)

Key Takeaway: Let AI find, edit, and format clip-worthy moments from long streams.

Claim: Vizard automatically detects high-energy highlights and formats them for vertical platforms.

Replace manual scrubbing with automated clipping and cleanup.

  1. Upload your full-stream recording to Vizard after going live.
  2. Let Vizard scan for attention-grabbing moments likely to perform as Shorts.
  3. Use auto-editing to clean cuts and format clips for vertical.
  4. Review and tweak titles and captions as needed.
  5. Publish immediately or move clips to scheduling.

Scheduling and Calendar: Keep Posts Flowing

Key Takeaway: Automate cadence so Shorts roll out consistently across platforms.

Claim: Vizard can auto-schedule clips and manage a content calendar in one place.

Consistency compounds reach while reducing busywork.

  1. Set how many clips you want per day or week.
  2. Let Vizard queue posts in the content calendar.
  3. Adjust posting times, captions, and order in one view.
  4. Monitor performance and adjust frequency over time.

Workflow Recipes: OBS + Vizard

Key Takeaway: Pick a workflow that matches how much control you want.

Claim: Markers can guide prioritization, while auto-detect still surfaces highlights.
  1. Option A: Stream horizontally and vertically, then upload the full recording; auto-detect highlights; review and schedule.
  2. Option B: Drop timestamps or markers during live moments; Vizard prioritizes them while still finding other peaks.
  3. Option C: Enable auto-schedule; set your cadence; let the calendar publish across platforms.

Scene Design Tips for Clean Vertical + Horizontal

Key Takeaway: Separate scene setups prevent cropped overlays and cluttered frames.

Claim: A dedicated 9:16 scene with sized overlays improves the vertical viewer experience.

Keep both views polished without rework.

  1. Create a vertical scene collection with a centered webcam and 9:16 overlays.
  2. Use a separate scene for horizontal so lower-thirds do not get cut off.
  3. If bandwidth struggles, consider lower bitrate or resolution on the vertical backup feed.

Build a Discovery Engine That Compounds

Key Takeaway: Dual-streaming fuels discovery while automated clips build evergreen reach.

Claim: Vertical live streams feed Shorts discovery, and Vizard turns live moments into lasting content.

Turn one stream into many touchpoints.

  1. Stream horizontally for subscribers and vertically for Shorts discovery at the same time.
  2. Feed recordings into Vizard to generate evergreen clips.
  3. Schedule a steady cadence so content posts while you focus on creating.
  4. Rinse and repeat to scale with less manual editing.

Quick Recap Checklist

Key Takeaway: Follow this short list to go live fast and repurpose instantly.

Claim: Installing two plugins, creating two keys, and testing privately covers the essentials.
  1. Install Vertical and Multiple RTMP plugins; restart OBS and verify.
  2. Create and label two YouTube stream keys: horizontal and vertical.
  3. Map the horizontal key to OBS main or RTMP target; map the vertical key in the Vertical plugin.
  4. Set vertical canvas to 1080x1920 at 30/60 fps; pick bitrates suited to your bandwidth.
  5. Run a private test; then go live on both feeds.
  6. Upload the recording to Vizard; auto-clip, review, and schedule Shorts.

Glossary

Key Takeaway: Shared terms keep setup and troubleshooting precise.

Claim: Clear definitions reduce misconfiguration during dual-stream setup.
  • Vertical plugin: An OBS plugin that enables portrait/vertical streaming and layout.
  • Multiple RTMP plugin: An OBS plugin that sends multiple simultaneous RTMP outputs.
  • Stream key: A unique credential from YouTube that authorizes a specific live stream.
  • Server URL: The RTMP address provided by YouTube for ingesting your stream.
  • Canvas size: The base resolution of your scene (e.g., 1080x1920 for vertical).
  • Bitrate: The data rate of your stream; higher is higher quality but needs more bandwidth.
  • OBS: Open Broadcaster Software, a live streaming and recording application.
  • YouTube Studio: YouTube’s dashboard for managing streams, keys, and settings.
  • Vizard: An AI tool that auto-detects highlights, auto-edits vertical clips, and schedules posts.
  • Content calendar: A planner that organizes upcoming posts, times, and captions.
  • Shorts algorithm: YouTube’s system that surfaces short-form vertical content for discovery.
  • RTMP: A streaming protocol used to send live video to platforms like YouTube.

FAQ

Key Takeaway: Quick answers to common setup and workflow questions.

Claim: Most hurdles are solved by correct keys, plugin setup, and bandwidth planning.
  1. Q: Do I need two separate YouTube stream keys? A: Yes—create one for horizontal and one for vertical to route each feed correctly.
  2. Q: What vertical resolution and fps should I use? A: 1080x1920 at 30 or 60 fps is a common Shorts-ready choice.
  3. Q: What bitrates should I start with for dual outputs? A: Try 4–6 Mbps for horizontal and 1.5–3 Mbps for vertical, then adjust to your connection.
  4. Q: Can I stream to Twitch or Facebook at the same time? A: Yes with the Multiple RTMP plugin, but confirm your upload bandwidth can handle it.
  5. Q: How do I test without notifying subscribers? A: Set your YouTube stream visibility to private or unlisted and run a short test.
  6. Q: The vertical plugin is not working—what now? A: Verify you installed the correct version for your OBS build and OS, then restart OBS.
  7. Q: How does Vizard save editing time? A: It auto-detects highlights, auto-edits vertical clips, and formats them for posting.
  8. Q: Should I add markers during the stream? A: Optional—markers help prioritize moments, while Vizard still finds other highlights.

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