To add a static logo or other image to an Nginx RTMP stream, have FFmpeg read the incoming RTMP feed and the image, combine them with its overlay filter, encode the composited video, and publish the result to YouTube using the ingest URL and stream key shown in your YouTube live setup. The command below is a starting pattern, not a tested, universal recipe: check your FFmpeg build, local RTMP address, image-loop behavior, and YouTube settings before broadcasting.
How the overlay pipeline works
Nginx-RTMP receives the original stream; FFmpeg reads that stream along with a static image, composites the image over the video, then sends the processed output to YouTube. The FFmpeg filter reference explains that the first input is the main video and the second is placed over it. A transparent PNG works well for a logo because transparent areas leave the picture visible. FFmpeg Filters Documentation
Because the video frames change when the overlay is composited, the output video must be encoded. -c:v copy cannot preserve an overlay. Audio can sometimes be copied, but only if its codec and parameters are accepted by YouTube; the example encodes it as AAC instead.
Prepare the image and stream settings
- Use an image file that the account running FFmpeg can read. Check its dimensions, transparency, and legibility at the output resolution.
- Choose a position that does not obscure important game action, subtitles, or other on-screen information. The example uses a fixed position ten pixels from the top and left.
- Confirm the local RTMP input URL and application name in your Nginx-RTMP configuration, and obtain the current ingest URL and stream key from YouTube’s live setup. Do not publish or expose the key.
- Make sure FFmpeg includes the
overlayfilter and the encoder you plan to use, such aslibx264. Check the installed binary and its logs rather than assuming every package or build has the same options.
Run FFmpeg as a separate process
For a straightforward setup, publish your source to Nginx-RTMP, then run FFmpeg separately to pull that local stream, add the image, and send the result directly to YouTube. Replace every example address, path, key, and encoding value with the settings for your installation.
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ffmpeg
-i 'rtmp://127.0.0.1:1935/live/STREAM'
-loop 1 -i '/path/to/logo.png'
-filter_complex '[0:v][1:v]overlay=10:10[v]'
-map '[v]' -map '0:a?'
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -tune zerolatency
-pix_fmt yuv420p -g 60
-c:a aac -b:a 128k
-f flv 'rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/STREAM_KEY'- Replace
rtmp://127.0.0.1:1935/live/STREAMwith the local Nginx-RTMP URL for the incoming publish. - Replace
/path/to/logo.pngwith the readable image path. The example uses-loop 1to keep a still-image input available, but looping and end-of-file behavior can vary by demuxer or build. Checkffmpeg -h demuxer=image2or the installed manual, then test locally. - Adjust
overlay=10:10to set the image’s x/y position. For a transparent logo positioned ten pixels from the lower-left corner, FFmpeg documents an expression-based example; consult the filter reference for supported expressions. If input timestamps do not align, FFmpeg advises consideringsetpts=PTS-STARTPTS; verify timestamp behavior against your live source. - Set the frame rate, video bitrate, audio options, and GOP for your stream profile. In this example,
-g 60corresponds to a two-second keyframe interval only when output is 30 fps. - Replace the destination with the ingest URL and stream key from your current YouTube live setup. YouTube recommends RTMPS, a secure extension to RTMP; use the currently provided destination and verify the platform’s settings before a production broadcast. YouTube live encoder guidance
Keep the stream key private. Avoid placing it in screenshots, public examples, shell history, or configuration readable by other users. If you run FFmpeg as a service, manage the key and logs so they are not exposed to unintended users.
Choose bitrate, frame rate, and keyframes for YouTube
YouTube’s live encoder guidance currently lists RTMP/RTMPS ingest; H.264, H.265, or AV1 video; up to 60 fps; constant bitrate (CBR); AAC or MP3 audio; and a recommended two-second keyframe interval, with a four-second maximum. It recommends RTMPS. These platform recommendations can change, so check the official page again before a broadcast. The ranges below are YouTube’s H.264 recommendations as shown on the page accessed in 2026:
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| Output profile | YouTube H.264 recommended video bitrate |
|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5–14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 6–17 Mbps |
| 720p at 30 fps | 3–8 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 3–8 Mbps |
Choose a point within the relevant range based on resolution, frame rate, encoding behavior, and stable available upload bandwidth. Set a two-second GOP in frames: for example, 60 frames at 30 fps or 120 at 60 fps. The sample command’s -g 60 is not a two-second interval at every frame rate. If you change output frame rate, recalculate and verify the keyframe interval. Configure CBR as appropriate for your encoder and inspect the actual output; the sample command is intentionally a starting point, not a complete profile for every stream.
Let Nginx-RTMP start FFmpeg on publish
Instead of supervising FFmpeg as its own service, you can configure Nginx-RTMP’s exec_push in the application receiving the source. The module documentation says it runs a command for each published stream, supports $app and $name substitutions, and can be used for FFmpeg transcoding and republishing. The child process is terminated when publishing stops. nginx-rtmp directives
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This is a lifecycle choice, not a different compositing method: the FFmpeg command still needs to read the source, apply the overlay, encode the video, and publish to YouTube. Use the full FFmpeg binary path where practical, confirm the Nginx process can execute it and read the image, and inspect logs and restart behavior. Nginx normally clears its environment, which may affect executable lookup through PATH. Commands in configuration are process arguments; quote paths and filter expressions for the syntax of your installation, then validate configuration with nginx -t and test on a controlled stream. The directive wiki describes module behavior, but packaged builds and forks can differ, so verify against the version actually installed.
When an Nginx relay is involved
If FFmpeg sends the processed stream to another Nginx-RTMP application, that output application can use the push directive to publish it to a remote server. push forwards a stream; it does not add the image. The module documents push_reconnect as the delay used when reconnecting after a disconnect. Confirm the destination address and key from your current YouTube stream setup rather than relying on old examples.
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A historical module issue shows a YouTube push example, but it is a user discussion from 2016, not current YouTube ingest guidance. Treat it only as an illustration of relay structure. nginx-rtmp issue #781
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- Run a short controlled test with the same resolution, frame rate, audio, and motion you expect to broadcast. YouTube recommends pre-event testing with similar content and monitoring stream health. YouTube live encoder guidance
- Check FFmpeg output for missing image files, unavailable filters or encoders, RTMP connection errors, timestamp warnings, and dropped frames.
- Confirm the logo appears in the intended position, the picture is not cropped unexpectedly, and audio remains continuous.
- Watch CPU use and available upload bandwidth while encoding. Re-encoding video takes processing capacity; leave headroom for the chosen resolution and frame rate.
- Confirm YouTube receives the stream and reports healthy status before relying on it for a longer broadcast.
Troubleshooting common overlay failures
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or change |
|---|---|---|
| FFmpeg cannot open the logo | The path is wrong, permissions prevent reading, or the service user sees a different filesystem location. | Check the exact path and confirm the user running FFmpeg can read the image. |
| The image appears briefly or disappears | The still-image input is not being looped as expected by the installed demuxer/build. | Verify -loop 1 using the local image2 demuxer help or manual, then test a short run. |
| No overlay or filter error | The FFmpeg build may lack the filter, the filter graph may be malformed, or input streams may differ from expectations. | Check the installed FFmpeg filter list and logs; verify the two input indexes and filter expression. |
| Video reaches YouTube but is rejected or unhealthy | The output settings, ingest address, key, or connection may not match the current live setup. | Recheck YouTube’s ingest details and current encoder guidance, including codec, bitrate, CBR, frame rate, and keyframe interval. |
| Audio is missing or incompatible | The source may not contain audio, or its stream format may not be accepted downstream. | The optional map 0:a? permits no audio stream; for audio that must be compatible, encode to an accepted format such as AAC and check logs. |
| FFmpeg stops when the source disconnects | The input ended or Nginx-RTMP terminated a managed child after publishing stopped. | Check process logs and supervision or reconnect behavior. If relying on module directives, confirm them for your installed version. |
| Frames drop or the stream becomes unstable under load | The server may lack CPU capacity for the selected encode, or upload bandwidth may be insufficient or inconsistent. | Monitor CPU, dropped frames, and network capacity during a representative test; adjust the output profile to available resources. |
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