Yes, OBS Studio can create .m3u8 streams directly, but it depends on whether you are streaming locally to your computer’s storage or broadcasting live to a remote viewer or server.
Here is how OBS handles .m3u8 depending on what you want to do:
Option 1: Generate .m3u8 Files Locally on Your PC
If you want OBS to output .m3u8 playlist files and .ts video chunks to a folder on your local computer (which you can then host on a web server or load into VLC/TiviMate):
Go to Settings \rightarrow Output in OBS
Change Output Mode to Advanced.
Select the Recording tab.
Set Type to Custom Output (FFmpeg).
Set Container Format to hls.
In Muxer Settings, enter:
hls_time=4 hls_playlist_type=event
Click Start Recording. OBS will write output.m3u8 and .ts chunk files directly to your chosen file destination.
Option 2: Live Streaming to an .m3u8 Endpoint
OBS does not natively stream directly via HLS (.m3u8) over a standard network link in its default “Stream” tab.
Instead, OBS uses the RTMP or SRT protocols to send live video. To stream live to a set-top box using an .m3u8 URL:
- OBS sends RTMP/SRT \rightarrow pushed from your PC to a media server.
- The Media Server (such as AWS Elemental, Bunny.net, Restream, or a self-hosted NGINX/MediaMTX server) receives the RTMP feed from OBS.
- The Server generates the .m3u8 URL \rightarrow you copy this URL and paste it into TiviMate, VLC, or IPTVX on your set-top box.
Comparison: Direct File Output vs. Live Streaming
| How OBS Handles It | Ideal For | |
|---|---|---|
| Local FFmpeg Output | Writes .m3u8 & .ts files straight to disk | Saving local HLS recordings or hosting files via local web server |
| RTMP to Media Server | Streams live RTMP feed; server converts it to .m3u8 | 24/7 live TV streams, set-top box delivery, or broadcast feeds |