You can loop a prerecorded playlist into a YouTube Live stream with FFmpeg’s concat demuxer: put the clip paths in a text manifest, then feed that manifest to FFmpeg with -stream_loop -1 and a YouTube RTMP or RTMPS destination. This works best when every clip has matching streams, codecs and time bases. If they do not, normalize them first or use a filter-based concat workflow that re-encodes.
What the concat demuxer does—and what it does not
FFmpeg’s concat demuxer reads a text manifest and presents the listed files’ packets as one input, adjusting timestamps so each file follows the previous one. It does not generally convert mismatched media into a compatible stream. FFmpeg’s documentation says, “All files must have the same streams (same codecs, same time base, etc.).” FFmpeg concat demuxer documentation
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For a compatible playlist, the demuxer can join clips without re-encoding. To loop that input, use -stream_loop -1 among the options for the playlist input. The output still needs encoder settings suitable for YouTube Live; copying packets is only an option when the files and output requirements are compatible.
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Put the clips and a plain-text file named
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file 'clip-01.mp4' file 'clip-02.mp4' file 'clip-03.mp4' -
Use paths relative to the manifest’s working directory where practical. Quote or escape paths containing spaces or special characters. The demuxer applies safe path handling by default;
-safe 0permits paths it would otherwise reject. Use that option only with a manifest and paths you trust. -
Check that the clips have matching streams, codecs and time bases. Differences in resolution, pixel format, audio presence, codec parameters or stream layout can cause errors or transition problems. Unequal audio and video durations, or incorrect file durations, can also create timestamp gaps or artifacts. Use
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The manifest approach is not a general-purpose format converter. If the clips do not match, preprocess them into a common profile, or use a concat filter that explicitly converts differing properties. FFmpeg’s FAQ distinguishes the demuxer’s use when avoiding re-encoding from the filter approach when re-encoding is needed. FFmpeg FAQ: joining video files
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Choose a YouTube-compatible output
Use the RTMP or RTMPS server URL and stream key shown for your event in YouTube Live Control Room. YouTube recommends RTMP or RTMPS, constant bitrate (CBR), and keyframes every two seconds, with four seconds as the maximum interval. Select codec, resolution, frame rate and bitrate together; consult YouTube’s live encoder settings for the current recommendations.
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For H.264, YouTube’s current settings page lists 5 Mbps at 1080p30, and 6 Mbps minimum / 17 Mbps recommended at 1080p60. At 4K (2160p30), it lists 14 Mbps minimum and 42 Mbps recommended. These values apply to those specific resolution and frame-rate rows, not every stream. Set the GOP length in frames to match a two-second keyframe interval—for example, 60 frames at 30 fps. Confirm the current table and your encoder settings before going live.
The following is a starting pattern for transcoding a 30 fps playlist to H.264 video and AAC audio. The 5 Mbps video bitrate is illustrative for the 1080p30 row, not a universal recommendation; change resolution, frame rate, bitrate and GOP length to match your media and the applicable YouTube settings. Replace the destination with the RTMP or RTMPS URL and stream key from Live Control Room.
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ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v 5000k -maxrate 5000k -bufsize 10000k
-pix_fmt yuv420p -g 60 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100
-f flv 'rtmp://SERVER/STREAM/KEY'-rereads file input at its native rate, which is appropriate when using prerecorded media to simulate a live source. It does not fix media incompatibilities or guarantee reliability.-stream_loop -1asks FFmpeg to loop the playlist input indefinitely.-f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txtselects the concat demuxer and reads the manifest. Omit-safe 0if the manifest uses paths accepted by the default safe mode.-c:v libx264and-c:a aactranscode the video and audio. The example’s-g 60gives a two-second GOP at 30 fps; recalculate for another frame rate.-f flvis the output container used here for the RTMP feed. The example assumes an FFmpeg build with the selected encoders; checkffmpeg -h fullor the local build if an option is unsupported.
Keep the stream key private. YouTube describes it as a password that tells the encoder where to send the feed. YouTube Help: stream keys
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In Live Control Room, create or select an event and retrieve its server URL and stream key. YouTube recommends automatic resolution and frame-rate detection by default; a custom stream key can be used for manual settings.
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Start with an unlisted test. Include moving video and audio, check stream health, and review warnings before making the event public. YouTube’s live streaming tips recommend testing the actual setup and monitoring the connection.
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Measure upload capacity from the machine and network that will run FFmpeg. YouTube recommends leaving 20% headroom above the total outgoing bitrate; a headline internet-plan speed is not a substitute for checking the host’s real connection. YouTube streaming tips
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For unattended operation, run FFmpeg under process supervision configured to restart it after a crash or host restart. Keep a local recording if the footage matters. These are operational safeguards rather than features provided automatically by the concat demuxer.
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Plan around YouTube’s 12-hour archive limit
An always-on live feed and a dependable YouTube archive are separate concerns. Streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived, but YouTube warns: “If your stream exceeds 12 hours, it may not be captured at all.” If an archive matters, save a local recording and consider ending and restarting sessions before they exceed 12 hours. YouTube Help: archive live streams
Troubleshoot common failures
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or change |
|---|---|---|
| Concat reports mismatched streams or fails when opening a clip | Files differ in streams, codecs, time bases, or other parameters, or a path is invalid. | Inspect each file with ffprobe; correct manifest paths and normalize mismatched clips before streaming, or use a concat filter workflow. |
| Audio or video jumps at a clip boundary | Unequal stream lengths, inaccurate durations, or incompatible media parameters can disrupt timestamps. | Check clip durations and stream layouts. Test transitions locally; correct the media or preprocess it to a consistent profile. |
| YouTube reports poor stream health or buffering | Outgoing bitrate may exceed the host’s usable upload capacity, or encoder settings may not suit the selected resolution and frame rate. | Check YouTube’s current encoder table, measure the actual connection, and leave the recommended 20% upload headroom. |
| FFmpeg rejects an option or encoder | The installed FFmpeg version or build may not support the option or encoder used in the example. | Check ffmpeg -h full and the available encoders; adjust the command to the local build. |
| The feed stops after a process or host failure | FFmpeg does not, by itself, supervise and relaunch its own process after every failure. | Configure an external process supervisor to restart FFmpeg and the host as needed; test recovery before depending on unattended operation. |
| A live session has no YouTube archive | The session exceeded 12 hours, which YouTube says may mean it is not captured at all. | Keep a local recording and, when archive availability matters, plan shorter sessions. |
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