Use FFmpeg’s concat demuxer to play a text playlist of story videos in order, and add -stream_loop -1 to repeat it indefinitely. The files need compatible streams, codecs, and time bases; FFmpeg must read them at real-time speed with -re; and the output must use an ingest URL and stream key from YouTube Live Control Room.
What FFmpeg concat does—and what it needs
The concat demuxer reads a plain-text script and presents its listed files as one sequential input. The playlist order is the playback order. With -stream_loop -1, FFmpeg repeats that input indefinitely; with -re, it reads the file input at its native frame rate rather than sending it as fast as the machine can process it.
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The demuxer is not a general-purpose fixer for mismatched files. FFmpeg’s documentation says, “All files must have the same streams (same codecs, same time base, etc.).” Duration metadata matters too: the demuxer uses each file’s duration to calculate timestamps for the next one, so inaccurate durations can produce timestamp problems, gaps, or other discontinuities.
This workflow is for prerecorded videos sent as a live broadcast, not a camera feed. You need an FFmpeg build with the demuxer and encoders your inputs and output require, a stable upload connection, and permission to livestream on the YouTube channel you plan to use. Encoder availability varies by platform and build; check your installed build before relying on a particular encoder.
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Prepare and check the story videos
Build the playlist in playback order
Create a text file such as playlist.txt in the directory containing the story videos:
ffconcat version 1.0
file 'story-01.mp4'
file 'story-02.mp4'
file 'story-03.mp4'The optional first line identifies the script using FFmpeg’s concat format. Each file line gives a path to one input. Paths containing spaces or special characters need correct quoting or escaping; relative paths are generally easier to manage when the playlist and videos are in the same directory.
The example command below uses -safe 0, which relaxes concat’s path safety checks. Use it only with a playlist and file paths you trust. If FFmpeg reports unsafe paths, use safe relative paths where possible, or retain -safe 0 only for a trusted local playlist.
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Inspect each file with FFprobe, which is commonly distributed with FFmpeg. Compare the number and order of streams, codecs, time bases, frame rates, resolutions, audio sample rates and channel layouts, and duration metadata. The concat demuxer expects matching stream structure and compatible parameters; differences can cause the join to fail or behave badly.
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If the files do not match, normalize them before the broadcast or use FFmpeg’s concat filter and re-encode. The filter is the appropriate route when re-encoding is needed, but it requires a filter graph suited to the actual files; there is no single universal graph for every mix of video and audio formats. Stream copy can reduce CPU use when inputs already match and the resulting codecs, timestamps, and container are accepted by YouTube, but verify those conditions rather than assuming -c copy will work.
Set the YouTube Live ingest details
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Open YouTube Studio and go to the channel’s Live Control Room. Create or select the live stream using the controls available to your channel.
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Copy the RTMPS ingest URL and stream key shown for that stream. These are account- and stream-specific values; do not substitute a guessed URL or key.
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Keep the key secret. Do not publish it in screenshots, logs, shared scripts, or command examples. The shell-variable format in the command below helps keep the literal key out of the command text, but environment variables are not a substitute for careful access control on a shared machine.
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RTMPS is the straightforward option for conventional H.264/AAC live ingestion. YouTube also describes HLS as an alternative for HDR or codecs unsupported by RTMP, but HLS requires correctly configured HTTPS delivery, playlists, segments, formats, and segment durations, and has greater latency. Do not switch to HLS without implementing those requirements.
Choose compatible live encoding settings
YouTube’s currently listed RTMP/RTMPS guidance supports H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 video up to 60 fps; it recommends CBR video bitrate, AAC or MP3 audio, and a keyframe interval of two seconds, not exceeding four seconds. These are recommendations, not a guarantee that a particular source or connection will produce a good stream.
| Setting | YouTube guidance | How to apply it |
|---|---|---|
| Video codec | H.264, H.265/HEVC, or AV1 for RTMP/RTMPS, up to 60 fps | The example uses H.264 via libx264; your FFmpeg build must include it. |
| Video rate control | CBR recommended | The example sets a target and maximum bitrate with a matching buffer-size convention. Select a rate your upstream connection can sustain. |
| H.264 at 1080p/30 fps | 10 Mbps recommended | Use as a reference point for this resolution and frame rate, not as a universal requirement. |
| H.264 at 1080p/60 fps | 17 Mbps recommended | Use as a reference point for this resolution and frame rate, not as a universal requirement. |
| Keyframes | Recommended every 2 seconds; do not exceed 4 seconds | At 30 fps, a 60-frame GOP is two seconds. |
| Stereo audio | 128 Kbps at 44.1 kHz recommended | The example sets AAC stereo at those values. |
The example’s 5 Mbps video rate is a conservative starting template, not the listed YouTube recommendation for 1080p H.264. Choose bitrate, resolution, and frame rate together: the connection’s sustained upstream capacity must cover the video rate plus audio and network overhead. A 60-frame GOP is a two-second interval only at 30 fps; if you change the output frame rate, adjust the GOP to preserve the intended interval.
Start the continuous livestream
Set the two environment variables to the exact RTMPS URL and stream key copied from Live Control Room. Keep the key private. For a shell that supports the syntax below, then run this illustrative command from the directory containing playlist.txt:
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export YOUTUBE_RTMPS_URL='YOUR_RTMPS_INGEST_URL'
export YOUTUBE_STREAM_KEY='YOUR_STREAM_KEY'
ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v 5M -maxrate 5M -bufsize 10M
-g 60 -keyint_min 60 -sc_threshold 0
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 -ac 2
-f flv "$YOUTUBE_RTMPS_URL/$YOUTUBE_STREAM_KEY"This is a starting template, not a tested universal command. It assumes a 30 fps output, an FFmpeg build containing libx264 and AAC encoding, and inputs that the concat demuxer can read as one compatible sequence. Both -re and -stream_loop -1 are input options, so they must appear before the playlist’s -i. The command re-encodes video and audio; adjust the rate and GOP for the selected output settings and the upload connection. Some encoders or ingest setups take the URL and stream name/key as separate fields, so follow the format expected by your setup.
Before relying on a long broadcast, test with representative story videos, including their quiet sections, loud sections, motion, and transitions. Check that playback starts in the intended order, the audio is present and synchronized, and YouTube reports a healthy incoming stream. Keep an eye on the output and YouTube’s stream-health indicators during the broadcast.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot playlist, boundary, and ingest failures
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FFmpeg cannot find a playlist entry: Check the working directory, relative paths, spelling, filename case where relevant, and quoting for spaces or special characters. Confirm that every listed file exists and is readable.
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FFmpeg stops or glitches at a file boundary: Use FFprobe to compare stream count and order, codec, time base, frame rate, resolution, audio sample rate, and channel layout across inputs. Check that duration metadata is reliable. Normalize incompatible inputs or use the concat filter and re-encode.
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FFmpeg reports an unsafe path: Prefer safe relative paths in the playlist. For a trusted local playlist only,
-safe 0relaxes the check; do not use that relaxation with an untrusted file list. -
YouTube does not receive the stream: Re-copy the RTMPS URL and key from Live Control Room, check that they correspond to the selected stream, and confirm that the output codec, keyframe interval, and bitrate suit its configured ingest settings. YouTube notes that RTMPS SSL errors can require the correct
rtmpsURL and, in some cases, port 443. -
The stream is unstable or drops frames: Check whether the upstream connection can sustain the chosen video rate plus audio and overhead, and whether the machine can encode at the selected resolution and frame rate. Reduce the output load or bitrate if needed, then test stream health again.
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The playlist plays too quickly rather than like a broadcast: Confirm
-reis before-i playlist.txt. It paces file input at native frame rate.
Check copyright and channel eligibility
A video being prerecorded does not make it exempt from YouTube’s copyright or livestream rules. Use stories, music, images, and other material you own or have permission to broadcast; review YouTube’s current channel-specific livestream controls and restrictions before starting. Eligibility, duration limits, archive behavior, and channel controls can vary, and the ingest guidance alone does not establish what applies to an individual channel.
Repeatedly looping a playlist also does not by itself establish that a channel complies with YouTube’s monetization or reused-content policies. Review the current YouTube policies that apply to your channel and content, and do not assume that technical acceptance of a live stream grants rights to the material or guarantees monetization.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want a continuous YouTube stream without keeping an FFmpeg computer running at home, StreamNeo is the cloud alternative: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. It streams the uploaded file as made, up to 4K 60 fps, at one flat price per slot; it does not re-encode or offer quality tiers. It can automatically recover if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for YouTube livestreams of uploaded videos, not camera broadcasting. See StreamNeo, then start the free day.
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