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You can loop a playlist into a YouTube Live broadcast with FFmpeg by putting compatible media files in a concat-demuxer list, looping that input, and sending the output to YouTube’s ingest server with your stream key. The command can repeat the playlist indefinitely, but it cannot keep a computer, network, or failed FFmpeg process alive: test the stream and arrange recovery separately if you need it to run unattended.
What you need before you start
- A current FFmpeg build with the video and audio encoders you plan to use. Check available encoders with
ffmpeg -encoders. - Video files with compatible stream layouts and parameters. A concat-demuxer playlist is most reliable when the files share compatible streams, codecs, time bases, and parameters.
- A sustained internet upload connection with headroom above your chosen stream bitrate. A speed-test peak is not a dependable target bitrate.
- A YouTube channel that can create a live stream, plus its server URL and stream key from YouTube Studio.
- Enough local storage for your media library. An external drive is optional; the required capacity depends on the size of your files.
Use a private or unlisted test broadcast before relying on the setup. YouTube’s encoder setup guidance covers connecting an encoder and managing a live stream.
Get the YouTube ingest URL and protect your stream key
- In YouTube Studio, open Create → Go Live and create or schedule an encoder stream.
- Copy the server URL and stream key shown for that stream.
- Keep the key private. YouTube describes stream keys as “like your YouTube stream’s password and address.” Do not publish it in a script, screenshot, or source-control repository. If it is exposed, reset it in Live Control Room and replace it in your FFmpeg setup. See YouTube’s live-stream settings documentation.
Prefer RTMPS when it is available. YouTube recommends it as the secure extension of RTMP; it encrypts the connection through to YouTube’s servers. Use the ingest URL YouTube provides rather than guessing a server address.
Prepare the rotating playlist
Create the concat list
In a working directory, create playlist.txt with one media file per line:
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ffconcat version 1.0
file 'video-01.mp4'
file 'video-02.mp4'
file 'video-03.mp4'Use paths relative to the playlist where practical. FFmpeg’s concat demuxer defaults to safe path checks; its safe option is enabled by default and rejects unsafe paths or directives. If you use absolute paths or other forms outside the safe subset, review the FFmpeg formats documentation. Disable safety checks only for a list you trust.
Check the files and transitions
The concat demuxer joins media streams; it does not make different source formats uniform. Mismatched resolutions, codecs, stream layouts, or parameters can cause failures or bad transitions. Normalize the files to a consistent format before streaming, or use a filter-and-re-encode workflow. FFmpeg distinguishes the concat demuxer from the concat filter in its FAQ; the filter is appropriate when you need to re-encode and standardize inputs.
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Audio-only tracks and still images need additional mapping or generated video/audio options. The command below expects playlist entries that already provide compatible video and audio streams; it will not create missing streams automatically.
Choose YouTube-compatible output settings
The example command below encodes H.264 video and AAC audio. Select the resolution, frame rate, and bitrate based on the source material and your sustained upload capacity. YouTube’s current encoder guidance recommends constant bitrate (CBR), a two-second keyframe interval, and not exceeding four seconds between keyframes. Its bitrate table lists different values by codec and resolution: for 1080p at 30 fps, the H.264 recommendation is 10 Mbps, while the AV1 or H.265 range is 3–8 Mbps. Do not treat one codec’s figure as another codec’s target. See YouTube’s encoder settings and bitrate table.
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- Keyframes: at 30 fps, a two-second GOP is 60 frames; at 60 fps, it is 120 frames. The sample uses
-g 60at 30 fps. - Audio: YouTube recommends 128 kbps for stereo AAC; the sample uses that bitrate and a 44.1 kHz sample rate.
- Bandwidth: the sample’s 4,500 kbps video rate is illustrative, not a universal setting or YouTube recommendation. Adjust it for your resolution, frame rate, motion, and real connection headroom.
- Compute: encoding consumes CPU or GPU resources depending on your FFmpeg build and selected encoder. If you cannot sustain real-time encoding, reduce the workload or use a compatible stream-copy workflow.
Start FFmpeg and send the stream
Replace the placeholder destination with the RTMPS server URL and stream key copied from YouTube. Treat the following as a starting example, not a universal tested recipe:
ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v 4500k -maxrate 4500k -bufsize 9000k
-r 30 -g 60 -pix_fmt yuv420p
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100
-f flv 'rtmps://SERVER-URL/STREAM-KEY'-rereads the file input at its normal playback speed.-stream_loop -1repeats the specified input indefinitely, as documented in the FFmpeg command documentation.-f concatselects the concat demuxer.-safe 0allows paths beyond the default safe subset; omit it when your relative paths work with the default safety checks.-c:v libx264and-c:a aacre-encode video and audio to common output codecs rather than assuming all playlist files can be joined unchanged.-f flvformats the output for the ingest connection. The destination combines the server URL and key as provided for your stream.
For stream copy, substitute -c:v copy -c:a copy only if every input has compatible streams and parameters that the concat demuxer and YouTube accept. Test with the actual playlist; otherwise normalize or re-encode the files.
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Verify the broadcast before leaving it unattended
- Run FFmpeg and watch its output for input errors, encoder exits, network errors, and dropped frames.
- Wait for the incoming preview in YouTube Live Control Room. Check both picture and sound, and review stream health.
- Start or confirm the broadcast according to the stream’s auto-start and auto-stop settings.
- Run a private or unlisted test and check that playback transitions correctly between playlist entries.
- Monitor the live stream after launch. YouTube’s streaming tips recommend testing the encoder, preview, stream quality, and failover where applicable.
What “24/7” requires beyond a looping command
-stream_loop -1 repeats an input; it does not supervise FFmpeg or provide power backup, internet failover, or guaranteed uninterrupted YouTube delivery. A local setup depends on the computer staying on, sufficient power and network service, readable media files, a running FFmpeg process, and YouTube ingest availability.
A service manager or watchdog can restart a failed process, but configure and test it separately. A restart may interrupt playback or require a new ingest session. If uninterrupted delivery is important, plan and test appropriate process, network, and power recovery rather than assuming an infinite loop provides it. YouTube recommends checking upload speed and selecting a bitrate the connection can sustain.
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Copyright, reused content, and archive limits
Only stream video and audio you have the rights or permissions to use. A playlist repeating around the clock does not grant permission to use copyrighted recordings, and a live broadcast can still be subject to YouTube’s copyright enforcement and monetization policies. Review YouTube’s current rules for your material and channel before streaming.
YouTube states that streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. That statement does not establish that an uninterrupted 24-hour stream will be archived in full. If you need a retained copy, record locally and check YouTube’s current long-stream archive behavior rather than relying on a full-day archive.
Common problems and fixes
- FFmpeg rejects a playlist path: use safe relative paths first. If an absolute path is necessary, review the concat demuxer’s safe-path rules and only then consider
-safe 0for a trusted list. - The stream fails at a file boundary: check that entries have compatible codecs, stream layouts, time bases, and parameters. Normalize the files or use a filter/re-encode workflow, then test every transition.
- YouTube shows no incoming preview: verify that the server URL and key came from the intended Live Control Room stream, that the key has not been reset, and that FFmpeg is still running. Keep the key private while checking it.
- Video or audio is missing: the sample expects both in each input. Add explicit mapping or generate the missing stream for audio-only or image sources; do not expect the concat example to create it.
- Encoding falls behind or drops frames: check host CPU/GPU load and sustained upload capacity. Reduce the encoding workload or bitrate as appropriate, while keeping settings compatible with YouTube’s current guidance.
- The stream stops after a process or connection failure: the loop flag does not restart FFmpeg or restore connectivity. Inspect logs, restart the process or connection as needed, and test any watchdog or failover configuration separately.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want the playlist to keep running without keeping a home computer on, StreamNeo is a cloud service for looping uploaded videos as a YouTube live stream. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It keeps the stream running from the cloud and automatically recovers if YouTube drops it.
- Nothing needs to stay powered on at home.
- Every quality up to 4K 60fps streams as uploaded, at one flat price per slot; there are no quality tiers or re-encoding.
- Automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card required; one free day is available per account.
- Monthly: $9.99 per month.
See StreamNeo for details, or start your free first day.
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