Create a plain-text concat list with one file directive per clip, then pass it to FFmpeg’s concat demuxer. For a continuous prerecorded stream to YouTube over RTMP, pace the file input in real time and loop it indefinitely. This works best when the clips have compatible streams, codecs, and time bases; otherwise, prepare matching files or use a filter-and-re-encode workflow.
Build the concat playlist
Put the clips in a stable location
Keep the video files together in a directory that will remain available for the whole streaming session. Save a plain-text file there as playlist.ffconcat or playlist.txt. A minimal list looks like this:
ffconcat version 1.0
file 'clip-01.mp4'
file 'clip-02.mp4'
file 'clip-03.mp4'The optional first line must be exactly ffconcat version 1.0, with no byte-order mark or extra whitespace, for automatic ffconcat format recognition. If you are unsure whether the header will be recognized, explicitly set the concat input format with -f concat. Quote or escape paths with spaces or special characters. Use absolute paths if FFmpeg may start from a different working directory, and keep those paths unchanged while the process is running. See the FFmpeg concat demuxer documentation for header and path syntax.
Check clip compatibility before going live
The concat demuxer joins media packets; it does not make unlike clips identical. FFmpeg’s documentation says, “All files must have the same streams (same codecs, same time base, etc.).” Check that the clips have matching stream layouts, codecs, and time bases before relying on streamcopy.
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Duration metadata matters too. The demuxer uses reported file durations to construct the joined packet timeline. If a duration is missing or inaccurate, later timestamps may shift, producing artifacts or gaps. Add a duration SECONDS directive after a file entry when that file’s duration cannot be read or is known to be inaccurate, following the syntax in the FFmpeg documentation.
Send a looping playlist to YouTube over RTMP
For compatible clips that can be copied without conversion, use this as a starting command:
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ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.ffconcat
-c copy -f flv 'rtmp://SERVER/STREAM_KEY'Replace the example destination with the RTMP ingestion URL and stream key shown in YouTube Studio. Treat the key as a password: do not publish it in a script, screen capture, or log you share.
-repaces the file input in real time rather than processing it as quickly as possible.-stream_loop -1repeats the input indefinitely.-f concatselects the concat demuxer, while-safe 0permits paths the demuxer would otherwise reject as unsafe.-c copyrequests streamcopy: FFmpeg passes through the encoded streams instead of decoding and re-encoding them.-f flvselects the FLV output container commonly used for RTMP ingest.
This is an illustrative starting command based on documented FFmpeg behavior, not a tested configuration or a guarantee of uninterrupted operation. Check that your installed FFmpeg supports the options, and review its input mapping and output messages. Stream continuity also depends on factors beyond the playlist command, including process and server stability and current YouTube settings. FFmpeg documents the relevant concat behavior in its concat demuxer reference and streamcopy behavior in its command-line documentation.
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Choose streamcopy or re-encoding
| Approach | Use it when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
Concat demuxer with -c copy |
The clips have compatible streams, codecs, and time bases, and their existing encoding is acceptable for the output. | Avoids decoding and encoding, but cannot apply filters or convert mismatched streams. |
| Concat filter with re-encoding | The clips differ in a way that must be reconciled, or you need scaling, overlays, filtering, or codec conversion. | Requires decoding and encoding; prepare for additional processing time and compute demand. |
If streamcopy cannot meet the output requirements, prepare matching files first or use FFmpeg’s concat filter and re-encode. FFmpeg’s concat FAQ describes when to use the filter versus the demuxer; its streamcopy documentation explains why copying cannot perform transformations.
Keep HLS separate from the concat input list
playlist.ffconcat is an FFmpeg input list; it is not a YouTube HLS media playlist. YouTube’s HLS setup instructions describe a separate output workflow with TS segments, a rolling playlist with no more than five outstanding segments, HTTPS POST/PUT, and segment durations of 1–4 seconds. The same page says HLS has higher latency than RTMP. If your workflow requires HLS, follow YouTube Studio’s current ingest URL and encoder requirements rather than sending the concat list as if it were an HLS playlist.
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Troubleshoot common playlist failures
- FFmpeg does not recognize the file as ffconcat: Check that the header is the exact first line, without a byte-order mark or preceding whitespace. Alternatively, specify
-f concatbefore the input. - A clip path cannot be opened: Confirm the process’s working directory and the path spelling. Use a stable absolute path when the process may start elsewhere, and quote or escape paths containing spaces or special characters.
- Clips fail to join cleanly: Compare their stream layouts, codecs, and time bases. Use compatible prepared files with streamcopy, or switch to the concat filter and re-encode if conversion or filtering is needed.
- There are timestamp artifacts or gaps at transitions: Check whether the affected file’s duration is reported correctly. The concat demuxer relies on those durations; add an accurate
duration SECONDSdirective after an entry when its duration cannot be read or is known to be inaccurate. - The RTMP command rejects an option or reports an unexpected output mapping: Check the installed FFmpeg’s supported options and inspect its input and output messages before relying on the command. The example is a starting point, not a universal configuration.
- YouTube does not receive the stream: Verify the current Studio ingestion URL and stream key, and confirm the selected protocol and encoder settings match the workflow. Keep the key private when sharing logs or scripts.
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