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Use FFmpeg’s concat demuxer when your videos have matching stream layouts and you want FFmpeg to play them in sequence—often without re-encoding. Use the concat filter when clips need filtering, normalization, or re-encoding. The playlist file only joins media inside FFmpeg; it is not a YouTube playlist URL or HLS manifest. To broadcast the result, configure FFmpeg separately with the stream URL and key from YouTube Live Control Room.
Choose the right FFmpeg concat method
| Method | Use it when | Main constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Concat demuxer | Inputs have matching streams and codecs, and you want to read them sequentially. It can often use stream copy. | Files must have the same streams, including codecs and time bases. Inaccurate duration metadata can cause timestamp gaps or artifacts. FFmpeg concat documentation |
| Concat filter | You need to filter, normalize, or re-encode the clips into a common output. | Requires decoding and encoding; stream copy cannot apply filters. FFmpeg’s FAQ recommends the filter when re-encoding is required. |
| Concat protocol | A specific format supports file-level concatenation. | Format-dependent; FFmpeg gives MPEG-1, MPEG-2 program stream, and DV as examples. It is not the general playlist method. FFmpeg’s FAQ |
Do not assume the demuxer will seamlessly join arbitrary files with different codecs, resolutions, time bases, or numbers of audio and video streams. Inspect the inputs first. If they differ, prepare consistent outputs with a filter and encoding workflow.
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Check the videos before creating the playlist
For a stream-copy playlist, verify that every file has compatible stream layouts, codecs, and time bases. Also check that the video and audio tracks are present as expected and that their durations are accurate. FFmpeg applies timestamps globally: it starts the first file at zero and places each later file after the preceding file’s duration. Streams of unequal length can therefore leave gaps. The concat demuxer documentation explains these requirements and timestamp behavior.
If a file’s stored duration is inaccurate or unavailable, the playlist can specify a duration directive. That value affects timestamp offsets, so an incorrect override can itself create artifacts. Check the actual media duration before adding one.
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Make a concat demuxer playlist
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Create a plain-text file named
playlist.txtin the directory where you will run FFmpeg. For automatic format recognition, its first line must be exactlyffconcat version 1.0—with no extra spaces or byte-order mark. -
List the files in playback order, one
filedirective per line:ffconcat version 1.0 file 'segment-01.mp4' file 'segment-02.mp4' file 'segment-03.mp4' -
Save the file and run the demuxer. This example joins compatible inputs into a Matroska file without re-encoding:
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Use paths relative to the playlist or provide full paths. Quote or escape filenames containing spaces or special characters according to the concat script syntax. The output container must support the streams being copied. This example demonstrates concatenation; it is not, by itself, a YouTube Live command.
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What stream copy does—and does not do
-c copy copies encoded packets without decoding and re-encoding. It is efficient when the source streams already match the required output, but it cannot change codecs, apply filters, or correct incompatible input properties. If YouTube-facing encoding settings require a different codec, bitrate, resolution, frame rate, or keyframe interval, use an encoding pipeline instead. See FFmpeg’s stream-copy and filtering documentation.
Use the concat filter when clips need processing
The filter workflow supplies each clip as an input, connects the appropriate video and audio streams to a concat filter in -filter_complex, maps the filter’s output labels, and then encodes and muxes the result. The exact graph depends on the number of clips and which streams each contains; do not copy a command that assumes unverified input indices or that every file has both audio and video.
Choose this route when clips need normalization or filtering before they can share an output format, or when the YouTube encoder settings cannot be met by copying the existing packets. FFmpeg’s concat FAQ identifies the concat filter as the appropriate operation when re-encoding is needed.
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Once FFmpeg can produce the intended video and audio, configure the live encoder for YouTube’s ingest requirements. YouTube’s current live encoder guidance varies by codec, resolution, and frame rate; these are recommendations, not FFmpeg defaults.
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- Video codec: YouTube lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 for RTMP/RTMPS live ingest, up to 60 fps.
- Keyframes: YouTube recommends a two-second keyframe interval and says not to exceed four seconds.
- Rate control: Use constant bitrate (CBR); select a bitrate for the chosen codec, resolution, and frame rate.
- Audio: AAC or MP3 is supported. For stereo, YouTube’s advanced recommendation is 44.1 kHz at 128 Kbps. For 5.1 over RTMP/RTMPS, only AAC is supported; the recommendation is 48 kHz at 384 Kbps.
- Transport: YouTube recommends RTMPS, the encrypted form of RTMP.
As one specific reference point, YouTube’s table lists H.264 at 1080p and 30 fps with a 5 Mbps minimum and 14 Mbps recommended bitrate. Other combinations have different guidance; consult the live settings table rather than extending this example to other resolutions or frame rates.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Connect FFmpeg to your live event
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In YouTube Live Control Room, obtain the stream URL and stream key for the event. YouTube describes the key as working like the stream’s password and address in its live stream settings guide.
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Configure your FFmpeg output to use that URL and key, along with the codec, bitrate, keyframe, and audio settings appropriate to your chosen stream. The exact command depends on your inputs and output format; the concat command above only creates a joined file.
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Keep the key private. Do not put it in a public playlist file, post it in a public command, or share a command containing the key.
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Start the encoder and check the event in Live Control Room to confirm that YouTube is receiving the feed before starting or managing the broadcast.
Troubleshoot common playlist and ingest problems
Files fail to concatenate or the output has glitches
- Likely cause: The inputs do not have matching streams, codecs, or time bases, or one file’s duration is inaccurate.
- Fix: Inspect the files, correct any justified duration override, or use the concat filter and encode consistent output streams.
The playlist is not recognized automatically
- Likely cause: The required header is not the exact first line, or a byte-order mark or extra whitespace precedes it.
- Fix: Make
ffconcat version 1.0the literal first line, with no leading characters or extra spaces.
FFmpeg cannot find a listed file
- Likely cause: A relative path is being resolved from a different location than expected, or a filename with spaces or special characters is not quoted or escaped correctly.
- Fix: Use a path appropriate to the playlist and working directory, then quote or escape special characters in the concat script.
YouTube does not accept or smoothly receive the feed
- Likely cause: The encoder settings do not match the selected ingest configuration, or the stream URL/key is incorrect.
- Fix: Recheck the event’s URL and key in Live Control Room, then verify codec, CBR bitrate, keyframe interval, frame rate, and audio settings against YouTube’s current encoder guidance.
A filter or normalization step has no effect
- Likely cause: The command uses
-c copy, which bypasses decoding and filtering. - Fix: Use a filter-and-encode pipeline instead of stream copy. FFmpeg documents the distinction.
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