Watching VODs During Live Streams? Here’s How To Do It

Have you ever been watching your favorite streamer and wished you could catch up on an old stream *at the same time*? You’re not alone! Watching VODs (Video on Demand) during a live stream is becoming more popular—and for good reason. Maybe you missed yesterday’s stream, or maybe there’s a specific moment you want to relive. Either way, we’ve got you covered.

In this fun and simple guide, we’ll show you how to watch VODs while a live stream is running. Whether you’re on Twitch, YouTube, or somewhere in between, you’ll learn how to juggle both worlds without breaking a sweat—or your internet connection.

Why Would Anyone Watch VODs During a Live Stream?

It sounds a little odd at first. Watching something that already happened *while* something new is happening. But trust us—it makes sense in a lot of situations!

• You joined the stream late and want to see what you missed from earlier.
• You love the content and can’t get enough of it.
• You want to catch a specific moment that everyone in chat keeps talking about.
• You’re multitasking: watching VODs for gameplay tips while hanging out in the live chat.

Now that we’ve got the “why” out of the way—let’s dive into the “how.”

Step-by-Step: How to Watch VODs During a Live Stream

This guide mostly focuses on Twitch (since it’s VOD central), but we’ll also talk a bit about YouTube!

Method 1: Using Two Tabs or Windows

This is the easiest way to do it. You don’t need any fancy tech skills here.

1. Open the live stream in one browser tab or window.
2. Open the streamer’s VOD page in another tab or window.
3. Mute one of them to avoid audio chaos!
4. Resize your windows if you want to see both at once. Or switch tabs depending on what you’re focused on.

Tip: Use the pop-out player on Twitch! Right-click the video > “Popout Player.” Now you can drag it anywhere on your screen.

Image not found in postmeta

Method 2: Twitch Theater Mode + VODs on Mobile

If you’re using a computer to watch the live stream, you could use your phone or tablet for the VOD. Here’s how:

1. Open the live stream in Theater Mode on your computer.
2. On your mobile device, open the Twitch app.
3. Go to the channel’s VOD collection and find what you want to watch.
4. Use earbuds to isolate the mobile device’s audio if you want.

This is a great option if you only have one screen. It’s also nice if you’re lounging on the couch—with a burrito in one hand and your phone in the other.

Method 3: Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Magic

If your browser or device has Picture-in-Picture support, you’re golden.

1. On Chrome or Safari, right-click twice on the video and select “Picture-in-Picture.”
2. This will create a mini window for your VOD or the live stream.
3. Drag it around your screen while keeping your other video open and full-size.

Pro tip: Some Twitch extensions and third-party tools like MultiTwitch and TwitchTheater can help manage windows more smoothly.

Image not found in postmeta

How to Avoid Audio Madness

Let’s talk audio for a second. Watching two streams at once sounds cool—until both are yelling at you.

Here are a few ways to avoid turning into an audio smoothie:

• Mute one of the videos. Choose which one you want to listen to and mute the other.
• Use split-audio tools or headphones. Some streaming software lets you split audio between devices.
• Mute all video audio and just follow chat if you’re looking for fascinating reactions.

Your ears will thank you.

Bonus Tip: Sync the Live Stream and the VOD

This is for advanced users. If you want to compare the past and present in real-time, try syncing them up. Here’s how you can do it (roughly):

1. Hit play on the VOD and pause it at the right timestamp.
2. On the live stream, wait until you hit the same moment or match it with chat timing.
3. Press play on both.

It’s not always perfect, but it’s fun when it works. Especially if something wild is about to happen and you want to relive it with the chat’s reactions in real-time.

Can I Do This On YouTube?

Yes, YouTube has VODs too! It stores past live streams on the channel’s Videos or Live tab. Here’s what to do:

1. Open the current live stream on YouTube.
2. Open a past VOD in another tab or your phone.
3. Use YouTube’s Mini player or mobile playback for easy viewing.

And yes, the same audio rules apply here too. Mute where needed to save your brain cells.

Best Use Cases for VOD Multitasking

Wondering when it’s best to actually try this double-play strategy? Here are some fun scenarios:

• You’re studying a speedrun record while the same game is being streamed live.
• Someone in chat says “OMG remember the October 5th stream?” and you go check it out.
• You’re waiting for the next game to start, and the streamer is AFK. Perfect time for a flashback!
• You’re following a multi-perspective tournament, watching Player A’s VOD while Player B is live.

What to Watch Out For

Before you go diving into VODs mid-stream, keep these things in mind:

• Your internet speed needs to be decent enough to handle two videos.
• Lag and buffering can happen if your PC or phone isn’t up to it.
• Don’t confuse the two. It can be tricky to keep track of what’s “now” and what’s “before.”

You’re Basically a Stream Wizard Now

Congratulations! You now know the art of watching VODs during live streams. It might take a little practice at first, but once you get the hang of it—it’s a game-changer.

Whether you’re doing it to catch up, learn more, or just enjoy every moment, being able to juggle past and present is like having stream superpowers.

So go ahead—get those tabs open, pop out some players, and stream like a multitasking legend.

Image not found in postmeta

And remember: there’s no wrong way to enjoy your favorite content. Just make sure you keep the popcorn coming and maybe… don’t run two horror game streams at once. Unless you like nightmares.

Happy watching!