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Use FFmpeg’s tee muxer to send the same encoded audio and video to YouTube’s primary and backup ingest URLs at the same time. Get both addresses—and the matching stream name—from the settings for your actual YouTube stream, then map the streams explicitly in FFmpeg. Dual delivery sends content to both ingest endpoints; it does not by itself guarantee seamless failover for viewers.
Get the correct primary and backup URLs from YouTube
YouTube provides separate primary and backup addresses for each live stream. Its LiveStreams resource exposes these as cdn.ingestionInfo.ingestionAddress and cdn.ingestionInfo.backupIngestionAddress. For RTMPS, use the distinct rtmpsIngestionAddress and rtmpsBackupIngestionAddress fields. The resource also supplies streamName, the stream key used with the ingest address. YouTube LiveStreams API documentation explains these fields.
Use the values for your own channel and stream, not a generic URL copied from an example. Depending on the encoder interface, YouTube’s URL and stream name may be entered separately or combined as STREAM_URL/STREAM_NAME. In the command below, each destination uses the combined form; if your provided value already includes the stream name, do not append it a second time.
Send both destinations with FFmpeg’s tee muxer
The tee muxer sends one encoded output to multiple destinations. Because tee does not select streams automatically, explicitly map the video and audio you want to send. Replace the placeholders with the matching primary and backup URLs and stream names shown by YouTube:
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ffmpeg -re -i INPUT
-map 0:v -map 0:a
-c:v libx264 -c:a aac
-f tee
'[f=flv]PRIMARY_URL/STREAM_NAME|[f=flv]BACKUP_URL/STREAM_NAME'INPUTis the local media input.-rereads it at its native rate rather than as fast as possible.-map 0:v -map 0:aselects video and audio streams from the first input. If the input does not contain audio, remove the audio map and audio encoder option; if it contains multiple tracks, select the intended stream explicitly.-c:v libx264 -c:a aacencodes the selected streams using H.264 video and AAC audio. Confirm your FFmpeg build includes those encoders.-f teeselects the multi-destination muxer. Each[f=flv]marks that destination as FLV, the container used for RTMP output.- The pipe character separates tee destinations. The single quotes protect the tee expression in common Unix shells; check quoting and URL characters for your shell and installed FFmpeg version.
This is a schematic example, not a command verified against a live channel. The placeholders must be replaced, and the installed FFmpeg build must support the chosen encoders and muxer. See the FFmpeg tee muxer documentation for output syntax and options.
Choose what happens if one destination fails
By default, tee uses onfail=abort: a failed output can cause the process to abort. You can instead mark an output to ignore its failure, for example [f=flv:onfail=ignore]BACKUP_URL/STREAM_NAME. That changes FFmpeg’s process behavior so the other output may continue; it does not restore the failed destination or establish viewer-side failover.
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FFmpeg also documents FIFO processing for isolating outputs with different latency or reliability and supporting recovery. FIFO adds configuration choices, so test it with the installed FFmpeg version and your actual destinations before relying on it. Neither onfail=ignore nor FIFO proves that YouTube viewers will see uninterrupted playback when an ingest path fails.
Use RTMP or RTMPS addresses that match
Use the primary and backup addresses for the same protocol. Do not turn an RTMP address into an RTMPS address by changing only rtmp to rtmps; obtain the protocol-specific addresses from YouTube. YouTube recommends RTMPS for ordinary user content and describes it as RTMP carried through an SSL connection. Its RTMPS ingestion guide specifies a valid RTMPS endpoint and path, port 443, and the server hostname in the TLS SNI handshake.
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For RTMPS, put the RTMPS primary and backup URLs into the same tee pattern, keeping the hostname and path YouTube supplied. The FFmpeg build and network must support the TLS connection and SNI requirements. If the connection fails, check that you have not mixed RTMP and RTMPS fields or altered the endpoint.
Set encoder parameters and protect the stream key
YouTube’s general RTMP/RTMPS encoder guidance recommends H.264 video, AAC or MP3 audio, constant bitrate, and a two-second keyframe interval; the interval should not exceed four seconds. Set resolution and bitrate for the source and available upload bandwidth rather than treating one bitrate as suitable for every stream. See YouTube’s encoder settings guidance for its current recommendations.
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The example uses libx264 and AAC, but does not set a bitrate or keyframe interval because those depend on your content, target resolution, and connection. Add appropriate encoder options before the tee output when needed, and verify the resulting stream in YouTube’s preview.
A stream key is a password-like credential. Keep it out of public commands, screenshots, logs, and tutorials. If you share a command for troubleshooting, replace the full stream name/key and any private URL details with placeholders. YouTube’s live stream settings guidance covers stream URLs and keys.
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Test both ingest paths and viewer behavior
- Start the stream and check its preview in YouTube Live Control Room. Confirm that audio and video are present and that the event is behaving as expected.
- Verify that FFmpeg is writing to both tee destinations, and inspect its output for connection or muxing errors.
- Test the failure behavior you intend to use. YouTube advises testing backup encoder failover by stopping the primary encoder; for this dual-destination setup, perform an equivalent end-to-end test and check what viewers actually see.
- Do not assume that sending identical content to the backup ingestion address automatically switches viewers over without interruption. Test the event before depending on the arrangement.
YouTube’s streaming tips recommend previewing and testing failover. Simultaneous backup ingestion is supported, but the documentation does not guarantee seamless viewer-side failover for this particular FFmpeg configuration.
Troubleshoot common failures
- FFmpeg reports that no streams were selected: tee does not infer stream selection. Add explicit maps such as
-map 0:v -map 0:a, adjusting them if the input lacks audio or has multiple tracks. - One destination fails and FFmpeg exits: tee’s default failure handling is
abort. Decide whether that is appropriate or whether to configureonfail=ignorefor the relevant output; then test how the remaining destination behaves. - RTMPS cannot connect: check that you used YouTube’s RTMPS-specific primary and backup URLs, retained the supplied endpoint and path, and that the connection can use port 443 and the correct TLS hostname/SNI.
- YouTube receives video but not audio, or the stream is rejected: confirm the selected input streams, encoder support, codec choices, and YouTube’s recommended settings. Check the Live Control Room preview rather than assuming a successful FFmpeg process means the event is correct.
- The backup is receiving data but viewers do not switch smoothly: dual ingest alone is not a viewer-side continuity guarantee. Test the actual event and failover behavior instead of inferring it from FFmpeg’s output.
- The command breaks after replacing the placeholders: check for accidental duplicate stream names, shell quoting problems, and URL characters that need handling in the installed FFmpeg version.
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