Use FFmpeg’s concat demuxer to play a text file of videos in order, loop that list, and send the output to a YouTube Live ingest URL. This works best when the videos have matching streams, codecs, and time bases. If they do not, normalize and re-encode them with FFmpeg’s concat filter instead.
What the file list does—and what it does not do
An FFmpeg concat list is a plain-text script describing files to read sequentially. It is not a YouTube playlist: FFmpeg reads the videos and produces one continuous outgoing stream. To broadcast that output, you also need a YouTube Live ingest destination and stream key from YouTube Live Control Room.
Prepare the video list
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Create a plain-text file in the order you want the videos to play, for example
playlist.ffconcat:ffconcat version 1.0 file 'video-01.mp4' file 'video-02.mp4' file 'video-03.mp4'The header must be the exact first line, with no leading spaces or byte-order mark. When using this header, save the file in an encoding compatible with FFmpeg’s documented extended-ASCII script format. The concat demuxer’s
filedirective accepts paths; escape spaces and special characters with backslashes or quote paths appropriately. Check the resulting paths against your operating system and shell.What’s actually slowing this PC down?
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Use paths that FFmpeg can access. Relative paths are resolved in relation to the process’s working directory, so run the command from the expected directory or use full paths.
Check whether the files are compatible
The concat demuxer does not reconcile arbitrary differences between videos. FFmpeg’s documentation states, “All files must have the same streams (same codecs, same time base, etc.).” Check that the files have matching stream layouts, codecs, and time bases before relying on demuxer concatenation. Differences in stream lengths can also leave gaps as FFmpeg adjusts timestamps to place one file after another.
Duration metadata matters: incorrect or estimated durations can produce timestamp artifacts in later segments. If a file’s duration is missing or inaccurate, add an appropriate duration directive to the list, using the actual duration in seconds. Do not guess; verify the value for that file.
Loop the list and send it to YouTube
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In YouTube Live Control Room, create or select the live stream and copy the ingest destination and stream key shown for it. The exact endpoint depends on YouTube’s interface and your stream configuration. Keep the key private: anyone who obtains it may be able to send video to your stream.
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Install an FFmpeg build that includes the required input and output support, then adapt this illustrative command to your files, frame rate, destination, and stream key:
ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.ffconcat -c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v 4500k -maxrate 4500k -bufsize 9000k -r 30 -g 60 -keyint_min 60 -sc_threshold 0 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 -f flv 'rtmps://YOUR_INGEST_ENDPOINT/YOUR_STREAM_KEY'This is an example configuration, not a tested command or a universal preset. Replace the example path and placeholder RTMPS destination with the values appropriate to your setup. Confirm that your FFmpeg build supports the options and that the shell quoting is correct. The command uses
-reto read file input at approximately real time and-stream_loop -1to repeat the concat input indefinitely.The sample assumes 30 fps: a GOP size of 60 frames (
-g 60) corresponds to a two-second keyframe interval. If you change the output frame rate, adjust the GOP size to retain the intended interval. Choose video bitrate and other encoder settings for the actual output resolution, frame rate, and codec rather than treating the sample values as recommendations for every stream. -
Start the command and check YouTube Live Control Room for stream health and incoming video. Leave the FFmpeg process running while you want the broadcast to continue; stopping it ends the outgoing feed.
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Set encoder values for the actual stream
YouTube’s live encoder guidance supports RTMP/RTMPS ingest, H.264, H.265, and AV1 video up to 60 fps, and AAC or MP3 audio. It recommends constant bitrate (CBR), a two-second keyframe interval, and a maximum interval of four seconds; it recommends RTMPS for encrypted ingest. Verify current recommendations on YouTube’s live encoder settings page, since bitrate depends on the codec, resolution, and frame rate.
For context, YouTube’s page lists H.264 at 1080p30 with a 5 Mbps minimum and 14 Mbps recommended setting, and H.264 at 720p30 with a 3 Mbps minimum and 8 Mbps recommended. These are YouTube recommendations, current as accessed October 3, 2026—not measured outcomes or values to apply to other configurations. Test that your upload connection can sustain the chosen rate and monitor YouTube’s stream-health indicators.
When to use the concat filter instead
If source files have different codecs, stream layouts, time bases, frame sizes, frame rates, pixel formats, or audio layouts, use FFmpeg’s concat filter in a workflow that normalizes and re-encodes the output. The filter is the appropriate path when the sources need conversion; the demuxer is preferable when files already meet its compatibility requirements and avoiding re-encoding is useful.
| Approach | Best fit | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Concat demuxer | Inputs already have matching streams, codecs, and time bases. | Can avoid re-encoding, but mismatched inputs and inaccurate duration metadata can cause failures, gaps, or timestamp artifacts. |
| Concat filter with re-encoding | Inputs need a consistent output format or have incompatible properties. | Requires encoding work and a deliberate choice of normalized video and audio settings. |
FFmpeg’s FAQ describes the concat filter for cases where re-encoding is needed: FFmpeg FAQ: joining video files. Follow the filter’s input requirements and explicitly make the files’ output dimensions, frame rates, pixel formats, and audio layouts consistent.
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Troubleshoot common failures
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FFmpeg rejects the list or cannot find a file: Check that the first line is exactly
ffconcat version 1.0, that there is no byte-order mark before it, and that each path is valid from the command’s working directory. Recheck quoting and escaping for spaces or special characters. -
The join fails or the picture/audio changes unexpectedly: Compare each file’s stream layout, codecs, and time bases. If they do not match, use a concat-filter workflow with normalized output instead of expecting the demuxer to convert them.
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There are gaps or timestamp artifacts between segments: Inspect the duration metadata, especially for files whose duration is missing or inaccurate. Supply correct duration directives where needed and check whether audio and video lengths differ between files.
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YouTube reports a stream issue or receives no video: Confirm the configured ingest destination and stream key, the selected RTMPS/RTMP protocol, and encoder settings against YouTube’s current guidance. Check stream health in Live Control Room and make sure the upload connection can sustain the configured bitrate.
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The stream looks unstable after changing resolution or frame rate: Re-select bitrate using YouTube’s table for the new codec, resolution, and frame rate, and recalculate the GOP size so keyframes remain about two seconds apart.
YouTube rights and live-stream eligibility
Having permission to use the files is separate from getting a technically healthy broadcast. Before looping videos, confirm that you have the rights needed for the video, music, and other material in them, and review YouTube’s applicable live-streaming and copyright rules. A working FFmpeg command does not establish that the content is authorized or eligible for monetization. Repeatedly broadcasting existing videos does not by itself guarantee monetization; YouTube’s channel policies and review determine eligibility.
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