To loop a prerecorded video on YouTube Live from a Raspberry Pi, create a YouTube stream, then run FFmpeg with -stream_loop -1 before the input file and send the result to YouTube’s ingest URL and stream key. Use RTMPS when YouTube offers it, test the exact file and Pi before relying on a long broadcast, and keep the stream key private.
What you need before you start
- A Raspberry Pi with FFmpeg installed and an internet connection whose upload capacity can sustain your chosen stream settings.
- A prerecorded video file. This guide loops a file; it does not use a camera.
- A YouTube channel with access to YouTube Studio’s live-streaming workflow.
- The server URL and stream key for the YouTube stream. Treat the key like a password: anyone who has it may be able to send video to your channel.
FFmpeg options and available codecs vary by installed build. Check yours with ffmpeg -version and confirm the installed documentation before depending on a command from elsewhere.
Create the YouTube Live stream
- In YouTube Studio, select Create → Go Live, then create or select a stream.
- Copy the server URL and stream key shown for the stream. Prefer the RTMPS server URL when available; YouTube recommends RTMPS as the secure extension of RTMP. YouTube’s encoder settings.
- Keep the stream key private. You will place it in FFmpeg’s destination URL; do not publish the complete command with a real key in a public post or screenshot.
- When you start the encoder, check the preview and stream-health information in Live Control Room. For scheduled streams, follow the Studio workflow to start the broadcast after the encoder preview is ready. YouTube’s live-streaming workflow.
Prepare the video and choose stream-copy or re-encoding
Try stream-copy first when the file is compatible
Stream-copy sends the existing audio and video streams without encoding them again. It can greatly reduce the Pi’s processing work, but it does not convert incompatible codecs, pixel formats, timestamps, or audio tracks into suitable output. FFmpeg documents -c copy as stream copy; encoding, such as -c:v libx264, is a different operation. FFmpeg documentation.
Re-encode only when the input needs it
If the file cannot be sent suitably as-is, re-encode to a codec and bitrate accepted by YouTube. Re-encoding gives you control over output resolution and bitrate but increases CPU demand; a Raspberry Pi’s capacity depends on its model, the chosen settings, and the source. The available official Raspberry Pi camera documentation does not establish a performance guarantee for FFmpeg file streaming across Pi models. Test on the board you will use rather than assuming a particular resolution or frame rate will run continuously. Raspberry Pi camera documentation.
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Run FFmpeg to loop the file
For a compatible file, this command shape loops indefinitely, reads at the file’s normal media rate, and sends the streams to YouTube in an FLV output container:
ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -i "input.mp4"
-c:v copy -c:a copy -f flv "<YouTube RTMPS ingest URL>/<STREAM_KEY>"- Replace
input.mp4with the path to your video. - Replace the destination placeholder with the RTMPS server URL and stream key YouTube gives you. Keep the key private.
- Run the command in a terminal on the Pi.
-stream_loop -1belongs before the corresponding-iand means repeat the input indefinitely.-repaces file reading in real time instead of allowing FFmpeg to send the file as fast as it can read it. - Watch the YouTube preview and stream-health indicators before treating the broadcast as live and healthy.
This is a starting point, not a universally valid command. If FFmpeg reports unsupported codecs, timestamps, or output errors, inspect the file and try a suitable re-encode rather than repeatedly restarting the same incompatible stream. The exact options and codec availability depend on your FFmpeg build. FFmpeg documentation.
Set resolution, bitrate, keyframes, and audio
YouTube’s encoder guidance lists H.264, H.265 (HEVC), or AV1 video for RTMP/RTMPS ingest, frame rates up to 60 fps, constant-bitrate encoding, and a recommended keyframe interval of two seconds that should not exceed four seconds. It lists AAC or MP3 audio and 128 kbps for stereo AAC/MP3. Use settings supported by your source, FFmpeg build, and Pi; these platform recommendations do not guarantee a specific board or network can sustain them. YouTube encoder settings.
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YouTube’s published H.264 bitrate figures, accessed in 2026, are platform recommendations rather than a promise of performance:
| Output | Minimum bitrate | Recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
These H.264 figures are from YouTube’s encoder guidance. If you re-encode, choose a bitrate your measured upload connection can sustain with headroom, then test the actual stream. YouTube recommends checking connection speed and testing with representative motion and sound. YouTube encoder settings.
Test the loop before leaving it unattended
- Start with the exact Pi, source file, network, and output settings intended for the broadcast.
- Confirm YouTube receives the encoder feed and that its preview shows both moving video and audible sound.
- Watch stream-health indicators and correct warnings before relying on the stream.
- Let the test run long enough to confirm that the video repeats as intended and that the Pi and network remain stable.
YouTube states that streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. That statement does not establish the same archive outcome for broadcasts longer than 12 hours, so check current channel behavior and plan the lifecycle of a longer broadcast accordingly. YouTube’s live-streaming workflow.
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Troubleshooting common failures
FFmpeg rejects the output or YouTube does not show a usable preview
The source may contain streams or timestamps that do not suit the selected output. Check FFmpeg’s error output and inspect the file; stream-copy does not fix incompatibility. Try a supported re-encode and test again.
The Pi cannot keep up after re-encoding
Encoding adds processing work, and performance varies by Pi model and output settings. Reduce resolution or frame rate, choose a more conservative bitrate, or use a compatible source that can be stream-copied. Verify the result on the exact board rather than relying on a general model assumption.
The stream starts but health is poor or it drops
Check measured upload capacity against the selected bitrate and look for network interruptions. Lower the output bitrate or resolution, test again with representative video and audio, and monitor Live Control Room.
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The file plays too quickly or the loop does not repeat
Confirm -re and -stream_loop -1 are before the input’s -i, and check that you are pointing at the intended file. Verify option behavior against the installed FFmpeg version with ffmpeg -version and its documentation.
The broadcast does not appear to end or archive as expected
YouTube’s automatic archive statement applies to streams under 12 hours, not necessarily longer ones. Check the current behavior shown for your channel and manage long-running broadcasts accordingly. YouTube’s live-streaming workflow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does -stream_loop -1 loop the file forever?
Yes. It requests indefinite repetition of that input; put it before the matching -i option.
Can I loop a camera feed with this command?
No. This workflow loops a prerecorded file. A camera input requires a separate capture setup.
Quick Recap
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