Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTo loop a local video forever and publish it from a Contabo VPS, run FFmpeg with -stream_loop -1 before the file’s -i option, and use -re so FFmpeg reads the file at its native frame rate. You also need a valid RTMP or RTMPS publishing address from the service receiving the stream; a Contabo VPS running FFmpeg is not, by itself, an RTMP server.
What you need before starting
- A Contabo VPS with FFmpeg available in its operating system.
- A video file on the VPS, at a path you can supply to FFmpeg.
- A publishing endpoint and stream key from the service that will receive the stream, or a separately configured RTMP server you operate.
- Credentials and permission to stream the media. A technically successful stream does not grant rights to music, footage, or other content in the video.
The command below is a template based on FFmpeg’s documented options, not a tested command. The required URL format, accepted codecs, and stream-key placement depend on the receiving service.
Publish a looping video to an RTMP endpoint
- Place the video on the VPS. Note its full path, for example
/path/to/video.mp4. Replace that example with your actual file path. - Get the destination URL. Copy the publishing address and key from your receiving service. An RTMP URL generally identifies a server and may contain an application and a stream or playpath. Use the exact URL format the destination provides; do not assume every service expects the key in the same position.
- Run FFmpeg with the loop option before the input.
ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -i /path/to/video.mp4 -c:v libx264 -c:a aac -f flv 'rtmp://RTMP_SERVER/APP/STREAM_KEY'Replace the file path and quoted publishing URL. Keep
-stream_loop -1before the corresponding-i;-1requests infinite looping. The-reinput option reads the file at its native frame rate, which is appropriate when publishing a file in real time rather than sending it as quickly as the VPS can process it. - Check the FFmpeg output and destination. Look for connection or encoding errors in the terminal, then check the receiving service’s live preview or status. A successful connection does not guarantee that the destination accepts the selected codecs or that the video is being presented as intended.
Choose between transcoding and stream copy
Use the example’s encoding when conversion is needed
The template encodes video as H.264 using libx264, encodes audio as AAC, and packages the output as FLV. This is an example configuration, not a guarantee that every destination accepts it. Encoding requires the VPS to decode and re-encode the media; the available processing capacity and resulting performance depend on the VPS, source file, and encoding settings. No benchmark for a particular Contabo plan is established here.
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Consider stream copy only when the formats are compatible
If the source streams already match what the destination accepts, replacing the video and audio encoders with -c copy can avoid decoding and re-encoding. Compatibility depends on the source codecs, container, and destination requirements. Since no particular file or endpoint is specified, stream copy cannot be assumed to work; if it fails or the destination rejects the stream, use compatible encoding settings instead.
Make the process survive an SSH disconnect
A command running in an ordinary interactive SSH session may stop when that session ends. If the stream must keep running after you disconnect, run FFmpeg under a persistent process manager or service configured for your VPS operating system. The correct installation steps, manager, and restart policy depend on the distribution and setup, which are not specified here.
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Decide what should happen after a VPS reboot or an FFmpeg failure. A persistent process manager can keep a process detached from the SSH session; a service with an appropriate restart policy can also be configured to start or restart it. Verify the behavior on your own VPS rather than assuming that simply closing the terminal or rebooting will preserve the stream.
Understand the Contabo firewall and RTMP ports
The required firewall configuration depends on which direction the stream travels. Contabo’s firewall documentation says, “All inbound traffic is blocked from the moment a firewall is activated; the customer decides what is allowed in.” The network-level firewall applies rules to assigned instances, supports TCP, UDP, and ICMP rules, and leaves outbound traffic unrestricted.
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If FFmpeg publishes outward to another service
For a VPS that only initiates an outbound publishing connection, you generally do not need to open an inbound RTMP port in the Contabo firewall. The receiving service must be reachable, and the VPS’s own operating-system firewall or network setup must not block the outbound connection.
If the VPS receives RTMP connections
If you want clients or another encoder to connect to an RTMP server hosted on the VPS, you must configure and run that server separately. Allow its actual listening port and protocol in the Contabo firewall and check the guest operating system’s firewall as well. Do not open an inbound port merely because FFmpeg is publishing to a server elsewhere.
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RTMP or RTMPS?
Use the transport supported by your destination. RTMPS is RTMP over a secure SSL connection. The example uses an rtmp:// address only to illustrate the command structure; if the destination gives you an rtmps:// address, follow its instructions and confirm that your FFmpeg build and destination support it.
Troubleshooting common failures
- FFmpeg exits or says it cannot open the input: confirm the file exists at the path provided, that the FFmpeg process can read it, and that the input option refers to the intended file.
- The stream plays once and stops: make sure
-stream_loop -1appears before the matching-i. The option applies to an input, so its position matters. - The stream runs too fast or is not paced like playback: use
-reas an input option when publishing the file at its native frame rate. - FFmpeg cannot connect: check the server address, application and key format against the receiving service’s instructions, along with network reachability and credentials. Do not substitute a guessed endpoint.
- The connection works but the receiver rejects or cannot play the stream: verify its accepted container and audio/video codecs. The sample uses H.264, AAC, and FLV; compatibility is destination-specific. Try stream copy only if the source and destination formats are known to match.
- It stops after you close SSH: start it under a persistent process manager or service suitable for your VPS operating system, then verify that the process remains active after disconnecting.
- Inbound clients cannot reach an RTMP server on the VPS: verify that the RTMP server is actually configured and listening, then check both the Contabo network firewall and the guest operating system’s firewall for the correct inbound rule.
Keep the stream running without managing a VPS process
If your goal is to keep a pre-recorded YouTube channel live rather than manage FFmpeg on a server, StreamNeo runs uploaded videos from the cloud: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not need to stay on. Each slot supports one always-on stream, looping and playlists, and automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. Videos stream as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; there are no quality tiers. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. The monthly option is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for YouTube and uploaded videos, not camera-based streaming.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does FFmpeg’s online documentation necessarily match the FFmpeg version installed on my VPS?
No. FFmpeg says its online command-line documentation is regenerated nightly for the newest revision; an installed package may be a different version.
Can I use the same stream key in FFmpeg and StreamNeo?
A YouTube stream key is supplied by YouTube, but configure each service using the connection instructions it provides. StreamNeo uses the YouTube key you add to your account.
Quick Recap
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