Quick answer

How do you stream a pre-recorded video as live?

To run a pre-recorded live stream, upload a finished video, choose the platforms you want to reach, pick a start time, and let cloud servers broadcast the file as a live event. Viewers can join at the same time, see the live player, and chat while you keep full control over the recorded content.

Start a simulive stream See the setup steps

Before you schedule

What you need for a polished simulive event

The best pre-recorded live streams feel live because the event is prepared carefully in advance. These are the pieces to check before you publish.

1. A finished video file

Record, edit, and export your session before the event. MP4 is the simplest choice, but common formats like MOV, MKV, and AVI are supported.

2. Streaming access on your destination

For YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, LinkedIn, or RTMP, make sure the destination account is allowed to live stream before the scheduled start time.

3. Rights-cleared audio and visuals

Use content you created, own, or are licensed to stream. This matters most for music, podcasts, coaching clips, church services, and event replays.

4. A cloud workflow instead of a local encoder

After upload, the broadcast runs from cloud servers. Your computer does not need to stay on, and you do not need to maintain an OBS scene during the event.

No OBS required

Stream a recorded video live without keeping your computer on

A manual simulive setup usually means an encoder, a stable local connection, and someone nearby if the stream needs attention. A browser-based cloud workflow keeps the setup lighter.

Manual OBS setup

  • A computer or VPS must stay online for the whole stream
  • You configure scenes, sources, encoders, and stream keys yourself
  • Local power, internet, and hardware issues can interrupt the event
  • Restarts and monitoring are handled by you or your team

Cloud simulive workflow

  • Upload once, then let cloud servers broadcast at the start time
  • Schedule YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, LinkedIn, or RTMP from the browser
  • Your computer can stay off after the video upload is complete
  • Reusable event templates make repeated broadcasts faster to launch

How It Works

Launch a pre recorded live stream in three simple steps

1

Drag & Drop Your Video

Any MP4, MOV, MKV or AVI. No re-encoding required. We store it securely in the cloud.

2

Pick a Date & Time

One click on the calendar instantly creates the live event on every platform you select, time-zone smart.

3

Relax & Engage

We stream flawlessly from our servers while you focus on chat. You can close your laptop, nothing runs on your side.

Why Pre Recorded Live

Get the reach of a live event without the pressure of performing live. Perfect your content in advance while still giving viewers a scheduled moment to join, chat and watch together.

Control & Polish

Unlimited retakes for a “TV-ready” show

Add lower-thirds, intros, outros, captions

No on-camera nerves or awkward silences

Reliability & Peace of Mind

Cloud broadcasting after your upload is complete

Less dependent on your local internet or computer during the event

A calmer workflow for teams that cannot risk on-camera mistakes

Time Freedom & Reach

Air at the perfect hour for every time-zone

Multistream to 5 destinations at once

Schedule weeks of content in one sitting

Popular use cases

Where simulive works best

Pre-recorded live streaming is strongest when the content should be polished, timed, and interactive, but the presenter does not need to be on camera in real time.

Webinars and launches

Record the perfect demo, schedule it for your audience, and keep your team focused on chat, questions, and follow-up.

Courses and workshops

Turn lessons into scheduled live sessions so students start together and still get a consistent, edited presentation.

Church services and community events

Publish a prepared service, replay, message, or announcement at the right local time without needing a full live production team.

Podcasts and interviews

Premiere edited conversations as live events so viewers can gather, comment, and share the moment as it happens.

Product demos

Remove demo-day risk by streaming a polished recording while sales or support teams answer questions live.

Replays and evergreen events

Reuse your strongest videos as scheduled live events for new time zones, seasonal promotions, and recurring audiences.

Simple, Honest Pricing

One powerful plan. No hidden limits, cancel anytime.

Save 25%
$16/mo

per stream, billed yearly

$16 per month billed yearly or $19 month to month

Unlimited scheduled streams in Full HD
Up to 6 hour video length per event
Multistream to 5 platforms or custom RTMP
100 GB included storage (expandable)
Live playlist edits & reusable templates
Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Simulive

What is a pre-recorded live stream?
A pre-recorded live stream, also called simulive, is a scheduled broadcast where a finished video is streamed as a live event. Viewers join at the same time, see a live player, and can chat while the content plays from the cloud.
What is the maximum video length?
Each scheduled event can run up to 6 hours, which works well for webinars, product demos, long-form classes, online services, launches, and virtual conferences.
Do I need OBS or any extra software?
No. You upload the finished file in your browser, schedule the stream, and the broadcast runs from cloud servers after upload.
Can I multistream to several platforms at once?
Yes. You can stream to YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, LinkedIn, or a custom RTMP endpoint, including multiple destinations at the same time depending on your setup.
What happens if my internet goes down during the event?
Once the upload is complete and the cloud broadcast has started, the stream does not depend on your local internet connection or computer staying on.
Will my viewers know the stream is pre-recorded?
Platforms present the event through the live player. Whether you tell viewers the content was recorded in advance depends on your event format and audience expectations.
Can I schedule a YouTube pre-recorded live stream?
Yes. Prepare your video, make sure your YouTube channel can live stream, connect your destination or stream key, choose the start time, and let the cloud workflow broadcast the video as a live event.

Go Live Without the Stress

Perfect content, zero panic. Your audience is waiting.

Get Started