October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

How to Keep FFmpeg Playing a Radio Playlist After One File Ends

Add -stream_loop -1 before the playlist input to make FFmpeg repeat a compatible concat playlist indefinitely.
Length4 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Use FFmpeg’s concat demuxer to play local audio files in sequence, then add -stream_loop -1 before the playlist’s -i option to repeat the playlist indefinitely. Add -re when sending local files to a real-time stream so FFmpeg reads them at their natural pace.

Loop a local playlist indefinitely

Create a text file named playlist.txt with the tracks in the order you want them played:

ffconcat version 1.0
file 'track-01.mp3'
file 'track-02.mp3'
file 'track-03.mp3'

Then use the playlist as a concat-demuxer input and set the input loop count to -1, which means infinite looping:

ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -f concat -i playlist.txt 
  -vn -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 128k -f mp3 OUTPUT

Replace OUTPUT with the destination and output format your radio server requires. This is a starting template, not a guarantee that a particular server accepts MP3 output in this form. The server’s endpoint, mount, authentication, accepted codec and container, and your FFmpeg build determine the correct output settings.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter
  • Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
  • Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
  • Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
  • Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
  • 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.

Keep the loop option with its input

-stream_loop is an input option: put it before the -i it applies to. Here it applies to playlist.txt, so FFmpeg repeats the concatenated playlist after it reaches the end. The concat demuxer reads each listed file in sequence and adjusts timestamps so the next file follows the preceding one.

Choose the playlist path mode

With a playlist in a simple relative-path layout, omit -safe 0 and leave the concat demuxer’s default safe mode enabled. If you need absolute paths or paths that safe mode rejects, add -safe 0 before the input:

Rank #2
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter
  • 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
  • 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
  • Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
  • 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
  • What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt 
  -vn -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 128k -f mp3 OUTPUT

Use -safe 0 only with a playlist you control and trust; it permits paths that the default safe mode rejects.

Make sure the tracks are compatible

The concat demuxer has a strict input requirement: “All files must have the same streams (same codecs, same time base, etc.).” Files with different stream layouts, codecs, or timing parameters may fail or transition badly.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter
  • Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
  • Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
  • Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
  • Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
  • What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.

If the files do not match

First normalize or transcode the tracks so they have a consistent stream layout and compatible parameters. When your workflow needs re-encoding to concatenate incompatible files, FFmpeg’s concat filter is the relevant option. The concat demuxer is intended for file-level concatenation without re-encoding when the inputs are suitable; the concat protocol is a separate file-level approach that works only for formats that support it.

If transitions have gaps or artifacts

The demuxer uses each file’s duration to determine the next file’s timestamps. Incorrect or unknown duration information can therefore cause gaps or artifacts at transitions. Check the reported durations and, where necessary, use the concat script’s duration directive to override a file’s stored duration.

Rank #4
Sale
UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray
  • Dual Converters, Infinite Potential:Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
  • Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
  • Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
  • Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
  • Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Send the playlist to a real-time radio output

The -re option reads the input at its native rate, equivalent to -readrate 1. That pacing is useful when local files feed a real-time output; it does not create the playlist, repeat it, or reconnect to a server. Configure the output side for the actual radio service rather than assuming the example’s MP3 settings will work everywhere.

Network reconnection is a separate concern. Options such as reconnect and reconnect_at_eof apply to supported network protocol inputs. They may help recover network-source failures, but they do not restart a finite local playlist. Conversely, -stream_loop -1 repeats local input but does not repair a dropped network connection.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display
  • 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
  • Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
  • Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
  • HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
  • What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.

Troubleshoot when playback stops or skips

  • FFmpeg rejects a playlist path: Check that each entry points to a readable file. Keep simple relative paths under safe mode, or use -safe 0 only for a trusted playlist that needs paths safe mode rejects.
  • A track fails or a transition is broken: Confirm the listed files have the same stream count and compatible codecs and time bases. Normalize or transcode files that differ.
  • There is a gap or artifact at a track boundary: Inspect file durations; incorrect or unknown durations affect the timestamps assigned to following files. Override a duration in the playlist when appropriate.
  • The playlist ends instead of repeating: Verify that -stream_loop -1 appears before the playlist’s -i, not after it.
  • The server disconnects even though the playlist loops: Treat this as an output or network problem, not local EOF. Check the service’s endpoint, credentials, accepted format, and supported reconnect behavior separately.

Or let it run in the cloud

If your goal is a 24/7 YouTube stream of uploaded recordings rather than a radio-server output, StreamNeo is a cloud option: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It loops uploaded videos from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. Each slot streams the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card; monthly billing is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for YouTube and uploaded videos, not a camera feed or radio-server destination. See StreamNeo or start the free day.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How To Create Custom Stickers & Shoutouts In Monster Hunter WildsMonster Hunter WildsBlog20min
  2. How to Get XL Gogoat in Pokemon Legends Z-A (An Extra-Large Gogoat)Pokemon Legends Z-ABlog20min
  3. How to Get Rotting Lightbringer in Diablo 4Diablo 4Blog17min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.