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To stream a folder of prerecorded videos to YouTube Live with FFmpeg, make a text playlist in playback order, use FFmpeg’s concat demuxer to read and loop it, pace the file input in real time, encode to a YouTube-compatible profile, and send the feed to YouTube’s ingest URL with your stream key. This works best when the files have matching streams and codecs; mixed files may need to be normalized first.
Before you start
- Install an FFmpeg build that includes the encoders you plan to use, such as
libx264and AAC. Available encoders depend on your build and hardware. - Have a YouTube channel eligible for live streaming. YouTube says first-time live activation can take up to 24 hours.
- Check the files and the computer’s upload capacity. The computer and FFmpeg process must remain running, and the network must sustain the stream while it is live.
- Get the current ingest URL and stream key from YouTube Live Control Room. A stream key is a credential that directs and authorizes the feed; keep it private. An owner or manager can reset it if compromised.
Prepare the folder playlist
Create a plain-text file named playlist.txt in the folder containing the videos. Put the files in the order you want them to play:
ffconcat version 1.0
file 'video-01.mp4'
file 'video-02.mp4'
file 'video-03.mp4'The first line must be exactly ffconcat version 1.0 for FFmpeg to recognize the format automatically. Use relative filenames made from portable characters where possible. The concat demuxer uses safe paths by default; avoid disabling that protection just to accommodate awkward filenames.
Check that the files are compatible
The concat demuxer joins files sequentially; it is not a general-purpose converter. Its simple playlist method expects the same streams, codecs, and time bases in each file. Differences such as one video having no audio, different codecs, or incompatible stream layouts can cause errors or bad output. Normalize the files into a consistent set before using the playlist if their properties differ.
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FFmpeg adjusts timestamps using each file’s duration. A damaged, truncated, or incorrectly probed file can therefore affect transitions or timing. If playback jumps, stalls, or develops artifacts at a boundary, inspect that file and verify its duration before blaming the loop option.
Choose output settings YouTube can sustain
YouTube’s current live-encoder guidance supports RTMP or RTMPS ingest, CBR rate control, H.264, H.265/HEVC, or AV1 video, frame rates up to 60 fps, and a recommended two-second keyframe interval (no more than four seconds). Check YouTube’s live encoder settings and bitrate table before configuring a stream, since recommendations can change.
| H.264 output profile | YouTube recommended video bitrate |
|---|---|
| 720p30 | 8 Mbps |
| 720p60 | 6 Mbps |
| 1080p30 | 10 Mbps |
| 1080p60 | 14 Mbps |
These are YouTube’s recommendations for H.264, not guarantees that a particular connection or computer can sustain them. Run an upload speed test and choose a profile that leaves room for network variation. Match the output resolution and frame rate to the source material and the stream’s purpose; higher settings need more upload capacity and encoding resources. The FFmpeg example below uses 6 Mbps and 30 fps as editable values, not a universal YouTube preset.
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For a two-second GOP, set the keyframe interval in frames to twice the frame rate: for example, 60 frames at 30 fps or 120 frames at 60 fps. Verify that the encoder’s rate-control and GOP options behave as intended in your installed FFmpeg build.
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From the directory containing playlist.txt and the videos, use a command shaped like this. Replace the destination with the server URL and stream key shown for your event, and adjust frame rate, bitrate, GOP, and audio settings to match your source and chosen profile.
ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -f concat -i playlist.txt
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v 6000k -maxrate 6000k -bufsize 12000k
-r 30 -g 60 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -f flv
"rtmps://YOUTUBE_INGEST_URL/STREAM_KEY"-rereads file input at its native rate (equivalent to-readrate 1) so FFmpeg does not race through the playlist faster than real time.-stream_loop -1repeats the playlist indefinitely. These are input options, so they appear before-i.-f concatselects the playlist demuxer. With simple relative paths, leave its safe-path default enabled.-b:v,-maxrate, and-bufsizeconfigure video rate control; confirm the selected encoder is actually using the intended CBR behavior.-r 30sets a 30 fps output and-g 60sets a 60-frame GOP, or two seconds at 30 fps. For 60 fps, a two-second GOP is 120 frames.-c:a aac -b:a 128kselects AAC audio at 128 kbps. Change this if your source or chosen profile calls for different audio settings.-f flvsets the output container commonly used for RTMP/RTMPS ingest.
The sample is illustrative, not tested, and may need changes for your FFmpeg build, shell, input files, or YouTube event. Keep the real stream key out of public scripts, screenshots, and logs. If you use absolute paths or filenames that the safe mode rejects, prefer renaming files or using simple relative paths rather than casually disabling path safety.
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Connect FFmpeg to a YouTube Live event
- In YouTube Studio, select Create → Go Live, then create or schedule the event. The precise controls can vary with account eligibility and Studio updates.
- In Live Control Room, copy the server URL and stream key. Use them as the output destination in the FFmpeg command; do not share the key.
- Start FFmpeg and wait for the YouTube preview to appear. Check that the image and audio are correct before proceeding.
- When you are ready, click Go live in Live Control Room if the event is scheduled or awaiting confirmation.
YouTube’s live stream creation guide covers setup and scheduling. Its encoder guidance recommends testing with representative movement and audio, then monitoring stream health and messages while live.
Test the loop and monitor the broadcast
- Run a private or unlisted test if appropriate for your channel, using the actual audio and representative scene changes.
- Watch the Live Control Room preview for black frames, missing audio, stutters, or unexpected aspect ratio changes.
- Check stream-health messages and confirm your upload connection can sustain the selected bitrate. If health degrades, lower the bitrate or resolution and test again.
- Verify a playlist transition, not just the opening minutes. A file with incompatible streams or a bad duration may only cause trouble when FFmpeg reaches it.
Plan around YouTube’s event and archive limits
An infinite FFmpeg input loop does not mean YouTube will treat a single event as an endless broadcast. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived when ended; its cited guidance does not promise one uninterrupted event can run forever or that an archive will be indefinite. Plan controlled restarts if you need a continuous channel, and check the current YouTube guidance for event behavior before relying on a long-running stream.
For repeated unattended playout, the DIY method also depends on the local computer, FFmpeg process, and internet connection staying available. A cloud service is an alternative when you do not want those dependencies at home.
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Common problems and fixes
FFmpeg rejects the playlist or a filename
Confirm the first line is exactly ffconcat version 1.0, the playlist syntax is valid, and each referenced path resolves from FFmpeg’s working directory. Try simple relative filenames; quote or escape names with spaces or special characters. Keep safe-path handling enabled where practical.
The stream fails when it reaches a particular video
Check whether that file has the same audio/video streams, codecs, and time bases as the others. Normalize incompatible files to a consistent format and replace the playlist entry. Also inspect the file for truncation or incorrect duration metadata, which can affect concat timestamp adjustment.
YouTube does not show a preview
Check that FFmpeg is running without an output error, that the destination uses the current server URL, and that the stream key is correct and belongs to the event. If a key may have been exposed, an owner or manager can reset it in Live Control Room.
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The preview is choppy or stream health is poor
Run an upload speed test, lower the video bitrate or output resolution, and retest. A source file’s high resolution does not require streaming it at that resolution. Also consider whether the computer can encode the selected codec and frame rate consistently.
Playback races ahead or the loop does not repeat
Ensure -re and -stream_loop -1 appear before the playlist’s -i. The former paces file reading; the latter repeats the input. They solve different problems.
The live event stops despite the infinite loop
The loop only repeats FFmpeg’s input. It cannot prevent a computer shutdown, process failure, network outage, or YouTube event limit. For a local setup, monitor the process and plan event restarts; for unattended operation, consider cloud playout.
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is a YouTube-only cloud service for looping uploaded videos. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It runs without a computer or home connection staying on, supports uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card.
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Copyright and channel policy checks
Using FFmpeg to relay prerecorded video does not give you rights to that video, music, or other material. Before streaming, confirm you have permission to use every component, including background music and any clips embedded in a recording. YouTube may restrict or remove streams that violate rights or platform policies. Repeating content also does not itself establish eligibility for monetization; review YouTube’s current channel monetization policies and make sure the channel’s content meets them.
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