Read your incoming RTMP stream and a transparent image in FFmpeg, composite the image with the overlay filter, then encode and send the result to YouTube Live. You can run FFmpeg as a separately supervised process or launch it from nginx-rtmp with exec_push. The command below is a starting pattern, not a tested, universal recipe: adapt it to your FFmpeg build, input, frame rate, and YouTube stream settings.
What you need before you start
- An nginx-rtmp application receiving the source stream, with a local RTMP URL reachable by FFmpeg.
- A transparent logo or other static image file that the FFmpeg process can read. PNG is the format shown in FFmpeg’s filter documentation.
- FFmpeg with the
overlayfilter and the encoders you plan to use, such aslibx264and AAC. Confirm availability in the installed build. - The current YouTube ingest server and stream key from your YouTube live-stream setup. Keep the key private.
- Enough CPU capacity to encode the composited video, plus upload bandwidth for the chosen output bitrate.
Compositing changes video frames, so the video cannot simply be passed through with -c:v copy; it must be encoded. Audio can potentially be copied only when its codec and stream parameters are accepted by YouTube. Otherwise, encode it to a compatible format.
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Run FFmpeg as a separate process
This layout publishes the source to nginx-rtmp, has FFmpeg read that local stream, and sends the processed result directly to YouTube. FFmpeg’s filter reference explains that the first input is the main video and the second input is placed over it. The official example positions a transparent PNG near a corner. FFmpeg filter documentation
Starting command pattern
ffmpeg
-i 'rtmp://127.0.0.1:1935/live/STREAM'
-loop 1 -i '/path/to/logo.png'
-filter_complex '[0:v][1:v]overlay=10:10[v]'
-map '[v]' -map '0:a?'
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -tune zerolatency
-pix_fmt yuv420p -g 60
-c:a aac -b:a 128k
-f flv 'rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/STREAM_KEY'Replace the local input URL, image path, overlay coordinates, frame rate/GOP, encoding options, destination URL, and stream key for your environment. Obtain the destination details from your current YouTube stream setup rather than relying on a copied example URL or key.
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The example’s -g 60 corresponds to a two-second GOP only at 30 frames per second. At another frame rate, set the GOP to approximately twice that frame rate to meet the two-second interval, then verify the actual output. The example uses -loop 1 for the still image; image demuxer behavior can vary, so check ffmpeg -h demuxer=image2 or the installed manual and test the command with a short recording before a live broadcast.
Position and timestamp details
In overlay=10:10, the first value is the horizontal position and the second is vertical. Change them to move the image, and choose an asset size that remains legible at the output resolution without covering important content. The filter accepts expressions for positioning; its documentation includes an example for placing a transparent PNG ten pixels from the lower-left corner. If the main and overlay inputs begin with different timestamps, FFmpeg suggests considering setpts=PTS-STARTPTS; test timestamp alignment against the actual live input. FFmpeg filter documentation
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Choose how nginx and FFmpeg work together
Separate, supervised FFmpeg process
Run FFmpeg independently, for example under a service manager, and point it at the local nginx-rtmp stream. This makes its restart policy and logs separate from nginx’s. Store the YouTube key in a suitably protected service configuration or secret mechanism rather than a public script or shell history.
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The nginx-rtmp module documents exec_push as launching a command for each published stream. It supports $app and $name substitutions and is intended for jobs such as FFmpeg transcoding and republishing; the child process is terminated when publishing stops. Use the full FFmpeg binary path where practical, check the nginx process environment and file permissions, and verify the resulting configuration with nginx -t and a controlled stream. nginx normally clears the environment, which can affect executable lookup through PATH. nginx-rtmp directives
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Because the command is configured in nginx, quote paths and filter expressions for the syntax used by the actual installation. Protect any key embedded in process arguments or configuration from other users on the host. Directive behavior can differ between forks and packaged builds, so check the module version installed on your server.
Use nginx as a relay after FFmpeg
If FFmpeg publishes its composited output into a second nginx-rtmp application, that application can forward the stream with the push directive. push relays a published stream to a remote server; it does not add the overlay. The related push_reconnect directive configures the reconnection delay after a disconnect. Confirm the destination URL against the current YouTube stream setup. nginx-rtmp directives
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A module issue contains a 2016 user-discussion example of a YouTube relay, but it is not current YouTube setup guidance. Treat it only as an illustration of the relay pattern. nginx-rtmp issue #781
Match the output to YouTube’s ingest settings
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| H.264 output profile | YouTube recommended bitrate range |
|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5–14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 6–17 Mbps |
| 720p at 30 fps | 3–8 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 3–8 Mbps |
These are YouTube’s published recommendations accessed in 2026, not a guarantee that every connection or encode will be healthy. Select the bitrate for your resolution and frame rate, allow sufficient upload headroom, and match the encoder behavior to YouTube’s current profile guidance. The sample command does not set a video bitrate, so add the appropriate rate-control options for your selected profile. YouTube recommends pre-event testing with similar motion and audio and monitoring stream health. Settings can change; check the official page before a production broadcast.
Test and troubleshoot before going live
- Confirm the image path is readable by the user running FFmpeg and that the installed FFmpeg includes the required filter and encoders.
- Run a short local test using the same input, image, resolution, frame rate, and encoding options. Verify that the image stays present, correctly positioned, and transparent where intended.
- Check FFmpeg logs and CPU use, then inspect for dropped frames, audio continuity, and timestamp problems.
- Test the YouTube ingest with the actual stream configuration and watch YouTube’s stream-health indicators before relying on it for an event.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or change |
|---|---|---|
| FFmpeg cannot open the logo | Wrong path or insufficient permissions for the FFmpeg user. | Check the exact path, file readability, and the service user’s access. |
overlay or encoder is unavailable |
The installed FFmpeg build lacks the filter or requested encoder. | Inspect the build’s available filters and encoders; install or select a build that includes the needed components. |
| The still image disappears or the command ends | Still-image looping/end-of-file behavior differs by demuxer or build. | Verify -loop 1 with the installed image2 demuxer help/manual and reproduce with a short recording. |
| Overlay appears late, early, or not at all | Input timestamp mismatch, incorrect mapping, or wrong image dimensions/placement. | Check filter input order and mappings; inspect timestamps and test whether resetting input timestamps with setpts=PTS-STARTPTS is appropriate. |
| Frames drop or encoding falls behind | Insufficient CPU headroom for live re-encoding, or output settings exceed capacity. | Monitor CPU and FFmpeg logs; reduce output load or use a machine with adequate encoding capacity. |
| YouTube reports unstable stream or rejects the output | Bitrate, keyframe interval, codec, protocol, or audio settings do not match the current ingest guidance. | Compare actual output with YouTube’s current recommendations and use the current server/key shown in stream setup. |
| FFmpeg cannot start from nginx | Binary lookup, quoting, environment, or file permissions differ under the nginx process. | Use the full binary path, check nginx’s runtime user/environment and command quoting, and validate with nginx -t. |
Never expose the YouTube stream key in screenshots, public examples, world-readable configuration, or shell history. If it is accidentally disclosed, replace it through YouTube’s stream settings.
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