To loop one local video file to YouTube Live with an NVIDIA GPU, use FFmpeg’s h264_nvenc encoder, place -stream_loop -1 before the input, and send the output to YouTube over RTMPS. The command below is an illustrative template, not a tested recipe. Its bitrate and keyframe settings assume 1080p30; adjust them to match your stream.
Command template for a 1080p30 loop
ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -i input.mp4
-c:v h264_nvenc -preset p4
-rc cbr -b:v 14M -maxrate 14M -bufsize 14M
-g 60
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100
-f flv "rtmps://a.rtmp.youtube.com:443/live2/STREAM_KEY"Replace input.mp4 with the path to your video and STREAM_KEY with the key shown for your broadcast in YouTube Live Control Room. Keep the key private: anyone who has it may be able to send a stream to your channel. This example uses YouTube’s 1080p30 H.264 recommended bitrate of 14 Mbps and a 60-frame GOP, which is two seconds at 30 fps. If your source or intended output differs, change the bitrate and GOP accordingly.
Check NVIDIA and FFmpeg support first
h264_nvenc selects NVIDIA’s H.264 hardware encoder. It requires supported NVIDIA hardware and an FFmpeg build that exposes the encoder; no specific GPU model is established as universally required. NVIDIA describes NVENC as a hardware encoder in supported GPUs, separate from the graphics and CUDA cores. See NVIDIA’s NVENC Application Note.
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Check that FFmpeg is installed and available in your terminal with
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List encoders and look for
h264_nvenc:ffmpeg -encoders. -
Inspect the options exposed by your build:
ffmpeg -h encoder=h264_nvenc.
FFmpeg options vary by build and version. For option details, consult the FFmpeg documentation. NVIDIA’s FFmpeg with NVIDIA GPU Hardware Acceleration guide documents the encoder and its settings; it notes that its examples demonstrate file-to-file transcoding, while live broadcasting needs a suitable live source and output destination.
Set bitrate and keyframes for your stream
YouTube’s current published guidance supports RTMP and RTMPS ingest, H.264, H.265 and AV1 video, CBR, frame rates up to 60 fps, a recommended two-second keyframe interval and a maximum interval of four seconds. It recommends RTMPS for encrypted transport. The following H.264 bitrate values are YouTube’s platform recommendations, not independent quality measurements. Pick the row matching your intended resolution and frame rate.
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|---|---|---|
| 720p30 | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p60 | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p30 | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p60 | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1440p30 | 7 Mbps | 21 Mbps |
| 1440p60 | 8 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
| 2160p30 | 11 Mbps | 42 Mbps |
| 2160p60 | 14 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
These figures come from YouTube Help’s live encoder settings, bitrate and resolution guidance, accessed October 3, 2026. Check that page before a broadcast in case YouTube updates its settings.
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Calculate the GOP length
FFmpeg’s -g value is measured in frames, not seconds. For YouTube’s recommended two-second keyframe frequency, use -g 60 at 30 fps or -g 120 at 60 fps. At another frame rate, multiply the frame rate by two; do not exceed a four-second interval based on the current YouTube guidance.
Understand the rate-control and buffer options
-rc cbr selects constant bitrate rate control. -b:v sets the target video bitrate, while -maxrate caps the peak and -bufsize sets the rate-control buffer. The example sets all three bitrate-related values to 14 Mbps and uses a one-second buffer. NVIDIA gives equal values as a CBR example for real-time game and studio broadcasting. Its separate low-latency guidance describes a one-frame buffer, calculated as bitrate divided by frame rate; that is a different buffer choice, so do not combine the two approaches without considering the latency trade-off.
What each part of the command does
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-rereads the file at its native playback rate rather than processing it as fast as possible.Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
-stream_loop -1loops the input indefinitely. Place it before the input it applies to:-i input.mp4. -
-c:v h264_nvencselects NVIDIA H.264 encoding, if available in your GPU and FFmpeg build.Rank #3
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-preset p4selects an NVENC preset. Available choices depend on the installed FFmpeg build and encoder; checkffmpeg -h encoder=h264_nvenc. -
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100encodes audio as AAC at 128 Kbps and 44.1 kHz, matching YouTube’s stated stereo AAC settings. If the file has no audio, this audio mapping may need to be changed.Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
-f flvsets the output container used for this RTMP/RTMPS ingest workflow. -
The RTMPS URL sends the encoded stream to YouTube’s ingest endpoint. Substitute your stream key only at the end of the URL.
Run it and verify the live broadcast
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In YouTube Live Control Room, create or open the broadcast and copy its stream key and ingest details.
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Save the command in a terminal on the computer with the supported NVIDIA GPU, replacing the input path and key. Ensure the computer’s upload connection can sustain the selected video bitrate plus audio and network overhead.
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Run the command and watch FFmpeg’s output for encoder or connection errors.
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Confirm the incoming preview and stream health in Live Control Room before relying on the broadcast for an extended session.
Common problems and fixes
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“Encoder h264_nvenc not found” or unavailable. Run
ffmpeg -encodersandffmpeg -h encoder=h264_nvenc. Confirm the GPU supports NVENC and that the FFmpeg build exposes it before changing unrelated options. -
YouTube does not receive the stream. Recheck the ingest URL and stream key in Live Control Room, make sure the key was not copied with extra characters, and check FFmpeg’s connection output. Keep the key private.
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YouTube flags or rejects the incoming settings. Compare the actual codec, CBR mode, selected resolution and frame rate, bitrate, audio format and keyframe interval with YouTube’s current guidance. Use the bitrate row for the intended output rather than assuming 10 Mbps works for every stream.
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Audio is missing or errors appear around audio options. Check whether the source file contains an audio stream. The template assumes AAC output at 128 Kbps and 44.1 kHz; a silent source may require adjusting the audio mapping.
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The loop repeats awkwardly or has a gap. A single-file loop repeats that file’s audio and video; it does not make separate clips transition seamlessly. Multiple files, playlists and seamless transitions need different input construction, and this command does not validate those workflows.
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The stream stops when the machine or connection fails. This command runs on your own computer and depends on its GPU, driver, FFmpeg build, source file, power and internet connection. The source guidance does not establish that any particular combination will work without checking those specifics.
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Copyright and YouTube channel considerations
Technical acceptance by the ingest server does not establish that you have the right to broadcast the video or its soundtrack. Use material you own or are licensed to stream, and review YouTube’s current policies for copyright and monetization before running a continuous broadcast. Repeating a video does not by itself establish eligibility for monetization or compliance with channel policies.
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