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For YouTube Live, set bitrate and keyframe interval in the encoder that creates the video—not in MediaMTX’s normal forwarding configuration. Use CBR, choose YouTube’s recommended bitrate for your codec, resolution and frame rate, set a 2-second keyframe interval (never more than 4 seconds), and forward the resulting stream to the current YouTube RTMPS URL and stream key. Include both audio and video.
Where to set bitrate and keyframes
MediaMTX acts as a live media server and proxy: it routes streams between protocols and can forward a stream to another server. In the usual setup, the encoder produces the video and audio, and MediaMTX forwards them to YouTube. Configure bitrate, codec, rate control and keyframe interval in that upstream encoder—such as OBS—not in a global MediaMTX YouTube setting.
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The current MediaMTX configuration reference is for v1.21.1. It includes source-specific Raspberry Pi camera options such as rpiCameraBitrate and rpiCameraIDRPeriod, but these apply to that camera source; they are not settings for every forwarded stream.
YouTube encoder settings
YouTube’s current encoder guidance for RTMP/RTMPS lists H.264, H.265 (HEVC) or AV1 video, up to 60 fps, CBR, and AAC or MP3 audio. It recommends RTMPS, which encrypts traffic in transit. For HDR over RTMP(S), YouTube recommends H.265; AV1 is not supported for HDR. Check YouTube’s encoder settings and live-streaming requirements for updates.
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Recommended video bitrate
Choose the row matching the outgoing stream’s resolution and frame rate, then use the column for its video codec. Figures below are YouTube’s recommended targets in Mbps; they are not universal settings for every stream.
| Resolution and frame rate | AV1 or H.265 | H.264 |
|---|---|---|
| 2160p at 60 fps | 35 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| 2160p at 30 fps | 30 Mbps | 42 Mbps |
| 1440p at 60 fps | 24 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
| 1440p at 30 fps | 15 Mbps | 21 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 12 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 10 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p at 30 fps | 6 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
YouTube also lists minimums, which are not recommended targets. For example, at 1080p60 the minimum is 4 Mbps for AV1/H.265 and 6 Mbps for H.264; at 1080p30 it is 4 Mbps for AV1/H.265 and 5 Mbps for H.264. Use the recommended target only if your encoder and stable upload connection can sustain it. If they cannot, lower the output resolution or frame rate, or choose a lower supported bitrate and test it. YouTube advises choosing a quality your connection can reliably send, testing before going live and monitoring stream health.
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Keyframe interval
Set the encoder’s keyframe frequency to 2 seconds. YouTube recommends that interval and says not to exceed 4 seconds. The control may be labelled “keyframe interval,” “keyframe frequency” or “GOP length,” depending on the encoder. If it asks for frames rather than seconds, calculate the interval using the output frame rate: for example, 60 frames at 30 fps or 120 frames at 60 fps gives a 2-second interval.
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Send both an audio track and a video track, even if the audio is silence. MediaMTX warns that YouTube requires both and silently rejects video-only streams. For RTMP/RTMPS, YouTube lists AAC or MP3 audio.
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Configure MediaMTX to forward to YouTube
MediaMTX documents a YouTube destination under a path’s forward list. Its example uses an RTMPS destination and places the stream key after #:
paths:
mypath:
forward:
- dest: rtmps://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2#streamKey- Open YouTube Live Control Room and retrieve the current ingest URL and stream key for the event or stream you are setting up. The URL in MediaMTX’s example is not guaranteed to remain current.
- In your MediaMTX configuration, add the current RTMPS destination to the relevant path’s
forwardlist, following the documented structure above. - Keep the stream key secret. Do not publish it, put it in screenshots, or share a configuration containing it.
- Publish from your encoder to MediaMTX, then confirm that MediaMTX is forwarding the stream to YouTube.
MediaMTX documents OBS as an RTMP or WebRTC client and recommends RTMP for the OBS-to-MediaMTX publishing leg. That is separate from the downstream MediaMTX-to-YouTube forward. If you also need encryption on the local/upstream leg, MediaMTX documents RTMPS support with TLS configuration requirements. See the MediaMTX OBS publishing instructions and MediaMTX forwarding instructions.
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Preflight checklist
- Identify the encoder’s actual output codec, resolution and frame rate.
- Set rate control to CBR and select the bitrate target for that combination from YouTube’s table.
- Set a 2-second keyframe interval; keep it at or below YouTube’s 4-second maximum.
- Verify that both audio and video tracks are present, and that RTMP/RTMPS audio uses AAC or MP3.
- Use the current YouTube ingest URL and stream key in MediaMTX’s forward destination, with RTMPS.
- Run a private or otherwise controlled test with representative audio and video movement. Check YouTube’s stream health and messages before the event.
YouTube’s guidance is practical: “Make sure to test before you start your live stream. Tests should include audio and movement in the video similar to what you’ll be doing in the stream.”
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- YouTube does not detect the stream: Confirm the ingest URL and key are current and correctly entered. Check that the stream key has not been exposed or replaced in Live Control Room.
- The stream is rejected or does not appear correctly: Confirm both audio and video tracks are present. A video-only stream is silently rejected by YouTube.
- Stream health reports connection or quality problems: Check that the encoder is using a supported codec and RTMP/RTMPS, CBR, and a bitrate appropriate for its codec, resolution and frame rate. If the connection cannot sustain the target, lower the output resolution or frame rate, or select a lower supported bitrate and test again.
- Keyframe-related warning: Set the interval to 2 seconds and make sure it does not exceed 4 seconds. Check the encoder’s own setting; changing MediaMTX’s forwarding destination will not set the upstream encoder’s keyframe cadence.
- OBS can publish to MediaMTX, but YouTube receives nothing: Check the separate downstream MediaMTX forward path, including the current RTMPS URL and key. Do not treat the OBS-to-MediaMTX connection as proof that the YouTube forward is configured correctly.
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- ⭐【Multi-protocol and Multi-platform Compatibility】- Fully compatible with streaming protocols such as HTTP, RTSP, RTMP(S), SRT, HLS(M3U8), MP4, Multicast(UDP, RTP, PTL), ONVIF, FLV, WebRTC, TRTC, ICECAST, it can simultaneously output 4 video streams with different protocols and push them to live streaming platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Vimeo with one click. Simultaneous live streaming across multiple platforms can be achieved without additional equipment.
- ⭐【Highly Customizable Settings to Meet Individual Needs】- It supports adding static text, scrolling captions, brand logos, and timestamps. Users can freely adjust core parameters such as video resolution, frame rate, and bitrate, and also perform personalized editing functions such as video cropping, rotation, flipping, and mirroring. It supports dual input of HDMI embedded audio and line-in audio, with adjustable sound quality, making your live stream content more distinctive and allowing you to create a unique brand live stream style.
- ⭐【Stable and Efficient Transmission, Easy Operation】- Employing HDMI to Ethernet core connection technology, it ensures stable and reliable network transmission with low latency and no lag, adapting to various network environments. Equipped with an intuitive user interface and detailed instruction manual, no professional technical background is required; setup can be completed quickly after connecting the device. It is also compatible with multiple terminals such as computers and mobile phones for management, and the video stream status can be viewed in real time via a URL.
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