You generally cannot change a running FFmpeg concat-demuxer playlist by editing its text file: FFmpeg’s documentation describes reading the listed files in sequence, not reloading edits during playback. To switch videos while keeping the publishing process open, put playlist selection in a separate scheduler or producer that feeds FFmpeg one continuous media stream. That is an engineering pattern, not a guaranteed YouTube-specific procedure; test it with your files and current setup.
Can you edit an FFmpeg playlist while it is running?
Not reliably with the concat demuxer. Its script is an input list that FFmpeg reads to present files sequentially. The documentation does not specify that a running process detects changes made to that already-open list, so editing the file is not a dependable live-switch control.
A playlist prepared before launch works for a fixed sequence. If you need to choose or replace videos during a broadcast, separate that changing decision from the process that publishes the output.
Choose the approach that fits your playlist
Fixed sequence: concat demuxer
Use the concat demuxer when the sequence is known in advance and the files are compatible. Create a text file such as playlist.txt with one file entry per line:
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file '/path/to/video1.mp4'
file '/path/to/video2.mp4'Then pass it to FFmpeg as an input:
ffmpeg -re -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt -c copy -f flv rtmp://YOUR_INGEST_URL/YOUR_STREAM_KEYThis is an illustrative command, not a universal YouTube ingest recipe. Replace the destination with the current ingest address and stream key shown for your broadcast, and confirm that the options, container, codecs, and media suit your installed FFmpeg build and destination. The -re option reads input at its native rate; -c copy avoids re-encoding, but works only when the streams can be muxed as supplied.
Changing selection: scheduler feeding a continuous input
Keep FFmpeg responsible for publishing, and put selection upstream. A scheduler or producer chooses the next video and supplies FFmpeg with a continuous media stream. The publisher process can then remain open while the producer changes what it feeds. This is an architecture pattern inferred from FFmpeg’s input/output pipeline, not an official live-reload feature or a ready-made command.
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Before relying on it, validate how the producer transitions between files, whether timestamps remain continuous, and whether audio and video streams stay compatible. Your scheduler must handle the actual media and output workflow; merely changing a concat script does not provide that control.
Different source files: normalize or re-encode
Concat-demuxer inputs need matching streams, codecs, and time bases. FFmpeg warns that all files must have the same streams, including the same codecs and time base. Timestamp adjustment uses file durations, so incorrect duration information can create artifacts.
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If the videos differ in codec, time base, dimensions, or audio/video layout, do not assume stream copy will reconcile them. Normalize the inputs first or use a filter and re-encoding workflow suited to the files. FFmpeg’s guidance distinguishes the concat filter, useful when re-encoding is needed, from the concat demuxer, often used to avoid re-encoding; the concat protocol is for formats that support file-level concatenation.
What stream copy and FIFO can—and cannot—do
-c copy saves processing, not incompatibility
Stream copy bypasses decoding and encoding, so it cannot apply filters. It may also fail if the output container needs information absent from the source. Use it only when your inputs and output are compatible; it is not a way to make unlike videos seamless.
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FIFO buffers output; it does not change the input playlist
FFmpeg’s FIFO muxer separates encoding and muxing with a queue and offers configurable handling for certain output problems. It does not select another video, watch a playlist file for edits, or reload an input. Treat it as an output-side buffering and recovery mechanism, not a dynamic playlist solution.
Test the transition before relying on it
- Check the installed build. Online FFmpeg documentation follows the newest revision. If your installed version is older, consult its local documentation and verify that the relevant options exist.
- Inspect every source. Compare stream layout, codecs, time bases, dimensions, and audio. Use matching files for a stream-copy workflow; otherwise plan to normalize or re-encode.
- Verify durations and timestamps. Confirm that the durations used for concat timestamp adjustment are accurate and listen or watch across transitions for gaps, overlaps, or artifacts.
- Exercise the scheduler. Test changing selection while the producer and publisher are running. Confirm that it supplies continuous compatible media rather than expecting FFmpeg to reload a playlist file.
- Validate the destination behavior separately. Test the actual ingest and broadcast workflow with the current platform settings. The FFmpeg references here do not establish whether a particular reconnect or input-switch strategy preserves a YouTube live event or uninterrupted viewer playback.
Common problems and fixes
- Editing the list has no effect: the running concat demuxer is not documented to detect edits. Use a scheduler upstream, or stop and relaunch with a revised fixed playlist.
- Concat errors or broken transitions: compare streams and time bases across files; correct duration information and normalize incompatible sources.
- Stream copy fails: check whether codecs and streams can be muxed into the selected output. If not, use an appropriate filter/re-encode workflow rather than
-c copy. - Audio or video jumps at a transition: inspect input durations and timestamps, then test normalized media or a workflow that re-encodes across transitions.
- A FIFO option does not switch videos: FIFO addresses output queueing and certain output errors; move playlist selection to the input side.
- The YouTube broadcast reconnects or playback is interrupted: the cited FFmpeg material cannot establish how YouTube will treat a specific switch. Check current YouTube Live guidance and test the chosen setup; do not assume that keeping the FFmpeg process open guarantees an uninterrupted event.
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