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Use FFprobe to read a file’s video codec and frame-rate fields, or open it in VLC and choose Tools > Codec Information. Check the video stream rather than relying on the filename or an “MP4” label: MP4 is a container, not a video codec. This preflight check helps you prepare a recording, but it cannot guarantee that a particular live encoder or looping setup will accept it.
Check the file with FFprobe
FFprobe is FFmpeg’s command-line tool for inspecting multimedia files. The command below reports the codec name and two frame-rate fields for the first video stream in an MP4:
ffprobe -v error -select_streams v:0 -show_entries stream=codec_name,r_frame_rate,avg_frame_rate -of default=noprint_wrappers=1 input.mp4- Install FFmpeg, which includes FFprobe, if it is not already available on your computer.
- Open a terminal or command prompt and replace
input.mp4with the path to your file. For a filename containing spaces, use quotes, such as"my recording.mp4". - Run the command. The output should contain
codec_name,r_frame_rateandavg_frame_rate.
The v:0 selector means the first video stream. This is useful when a file contains multiple streams, and it excludes audio from the selected result. To inspect all streams and their fields in JSON, run:
ffprobe -v error -show_streams -of json input.mp4To include container-level information as well as stream information, add -show_format. FFprobe documents these options and output formats in its official documentation.
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Check the file in VLC
- Open the video in VLC.
- Select Tools > Codec Information.
- Read the video stream details shown in the information window.
VLC documents this menu route for identifying codecs, but notes that it may not provide enough detail in some cases. If you need fuller specifications, try MediaInfo. Menu names can vary by operating system or VLC version. See VLC’s documentation.
Understand the codec and frame-rate fields
Container versus video codec
MP4 describes a container: a file format that can hold video, audio and other data. It does not identify the video codec inside. The codec_name field identifies the coded video format; values can include h264 or hevc, depending on the file. Inspect the video stream itself rather than inferring its codec from the extension. If audio compatibility matters too, inspect the audio stream separately.
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Read both frame-rate values
FFprobe reports r_frame_rate and avg_frame_rate as distinct fields. Keep their rational values when noting them: 30000/1001 is approximately 29.97 frames per second, and rounding it to 30 can conceal a difference that matters when matching a source or project rate. Do not assume the two fields are interchangeable.
If either value is 0/0, N/A or blank, or if the values differ, do not choose one as definitive without checking further. Try MediaInfo or inspect frame-level data with FFprobe’s -show_frames option; that produces substantially more output.
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Use the inspection to prepare for YouTube
YouTube’s upload-encoding guidance recommends uploading content at the frame rate at which it was recorded. It lists 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 and 60 fps as common rates while allowing other rates. It also recommends deinterlacing interlaced content before upload; its example converts 1080i60 to 1080p30. These are upload recommendations, not a guarantee that a particular live encoder, input method or loop-stream configuration will work.
For its stated upload settings, YouTube recommends an MP4 container and H.264 video, along with progressive scan, High Profile, two consecutive B frames, a closed GOP, CABAC, variable bitrate and 4:2:0 chroma subsampling. These are platform recommendations, not universal acceptance requirements for every workflow. Consult YouTube’s recommended upload encoding settings for the full guidance.
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YouTube’s published 1080p bitrate recommendations
| Video type | Frame rate category | Recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| SDR | Standard (24, 25 or 30 fps) | 8 Mbps |
| SDR | High (48, 50 or 60 fps) | 12 Mbps |
| HDR | Standard (24, 25 or 30 fps) | 10 Mbps |
| HDR | High (48, 50 or 60 fps) | 15 Mbps |
These are YouTube Help’s recommendations for 1080p, accessed in 2026—not independent performance measurements or guarantees. Check the current guidance for settings at other resolutions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose an inspection method
| Method | How you use it | What it provides |
|---|---|---|
| FFprobe | Run a command in a terminal | Precise, repeatable field output; supports selecting streams and structured output such as JSON. |
| VLC | Open Codec Information from the Tools menu | A quick graphical check; VLC notes that some codec details may not be sufficiently complete. |
| MediaInfo | Open the file in the application | A fallback for fuller specifications when VLC’s displayed information is not enough. |
The documentation establishes these tools’ functions, not a controlled comparison of their usability or installation experience across operating systems.
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What the check does—and does not—tell you
- It can tell you what codec and frame-rate fields a file’s streams report, helping you spot details to account for before a loop stream.
- It does not prove that a live encoder, streaming input method, or looping service accepts that file or will keep a broadcast running.
- It does not establish that you have the rights to stream the recording. Check that you have permission for the video and audio, and follow YouTube’s applicable copyright rules.
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