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Use FFmpeg’s concat demuxer to play a text-file list of videos in order, loop that list, and send the output to YouTube Live. This works best when every file has matching streams, codecs, and time bases. If the files differ, normalize and re-encode them with FFmpeg’s concat filter instead.
What the file list does—and what it does not do
An FFmpeg concat list is a script that tells FFmpeg which media files to read, and in what order. It is not a YouTube playlist: FFmpeg combines the listed files into one continuous outgoing stream. You still need a YouTube Live ingest destination and stream key from YouTube Live Control Room.
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Prepare the concat list
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Create a plain-text file named, for example,
playlist.ffconcat. Its first line must be exactlyffconcat version 1.0, with no leading spaces or byte-order mark. Add onefileline per video, in playback order:Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.ffconcat version 1.0 file 'video-01.mp4' file 'video-02.mp4' file 'video-03.mp4' -
Save the list in an encoding compatible with FFmpeg’s documented extended-ASCII script format when using the explicit header. Put paths relative to the list file or provide full paths. For paths containing spaces or special characters, quote or escape them as the concat syntax requires; check the resulting script if a path is not recognized.
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Keep the files available at those paths for the entire run. The
-safe 0option in the example below permits paths that FFmpeg’s default safe-path checks may reject; use it only with a list you trust.
Check whether the files are compatible
The concat demuxer is for sequentially reading compatible media, not for fixing differences between videos. FFmpeg’s documentation says, “All files must have the same streams (same codecs, same time base, etc.).” Compare the video and audio streams before relying on a demuxer-only workflow.
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- Check stream layout: Make sure each file has the same kinds and number of streams—for example, video plus stereo audio in each file.
- Check codecs and time bases: Differences can prevent clean concatenation or produce unwanted output. Matching container extensions alone do not establish compatibility.
- Check durations: The demuxer uses duration information to adjust timestamps so each file follows the previous one. Inaccurate or estimated durations, or streams of unequal length within a file, can lead to gaps or artifacts. If duration metadata is missing or wrong, FFmpeg supports
durationdirectives in the concat script; confirm the correct values rather than guessing.
Loop the list and send it to YouTube Live
In YouTube Live Control Room, obtain the current ingest URL and stream key for the broadcast. Replace the endpoint and key in the command below with those exact values. Keep the key private: anyone who has it may be able to send video to your stream.
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-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v 4500k -maxrate 4500k -bufsize 9000k
-r 30 -g 60 -keyint_min 60 -sc_threshold 0
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100
-f flv 'rtmps://YOUR_INGEST_ENDPOINT/YOUR_STREAM_KEY'This is an illustrative configuration, not a tested command or a universal preset. -re paces file input in real time, and -stream_loop -1 requests endless looping. Confirm both options are available in your installed FFmpeg build and check its help or documentation for exact option behavior. The sample uses H.264 video, AAC audio, and a 30 fps output. At 30 fps, a GOP of 60 frames gives a two-second keyframe interval. If you change frame rate, adjust the GOP to preserve the intended interval.
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The sample’s 4,500 kbps video bitrate is only an example. Choose the output bitrate for the codec, resolution, and frame rate you actually send, and make sure your upload connection can sustain it. YouTube’s current encoder-settings guidance recommends CBR and a two-second keyframe interval, with keyframes no more than four seconds apart. It supports RTMP/RTMPS ingest and recommends RTMPS for encrypted ingest. Check the current YouTube live encoder settings rather than applying a bitrate from one configuration to another.
For context, YouTube’s page, accessed 2026-10-03, lists H.264 at 1080p30 with a 5 Mbps minimum and 14 Mbps recommended setting, and H.264 at 720p30 with a 3 Mbps minimum and 8 Mbps recommended setting. These are YouTube recommendations, not measured guarantees; use the applicable row for your actual output. YouTube also advises testing upload speed and monitoring stream health.
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When to use the concat filter instead
If the files do not share compatible streams, codecs, and time bases—or you need a normalized output—use FFmpeg’s concat filter and re-encode. Normalize frame size, frame rate, pixel format, and audio layout as part of that workflow. The filter gives you control to convert unlike sources into a consistent output, but re-encoding uses more compute and can affect quality depending on the chosen settings. See the FFmpeg FAQ on concatenating media.
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Use the demuxer when the inputs already match and avoiding re-encoding is useful. Use the filter when conversion is needed; do not expect the demuxer to reconcile unlike files automatically. The FFmpeg concat demuxer documentation covers list syntax, compatibility requirements, and duration directives.
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Troubleshooting a continuous stream
- A file is not found: Check the path relative to the concat list, spelling, quoting, and access permissions. Confirm that the file exists where FFmpeg is running.
- Files fail to join or playback breaks at a boundary: Compare stream layouts, codecs, and time bases first. If they differ, normalize and re-encode with the concat filter.
- There is a gap or an artifact between files: Check duration metadata and whether audio and video streams have different lengths. Correct missing or inaccurate durations with appropriate
durationdirectives. - YouTube reports an encoder or stream-health problem: Verify the ingest protocol and output settings against YouTube’s current guidance, confirm your upload connection can sustain the selected bitrate, and monitor stream health in Live Control Room.
- YouTube receives no stream: Recheck the ingest destination and stream key copied from Live Control Room. Ensure the key has not been mistyped or exposed, and that FFmpeg is still running without an input or network error.
- The stream stops after the list ends: Confirm
-stream_loop -1is present in the installed command and supported by your FFmpeg build. Check the process output for an error that caused FFmpeg to exit.
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