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To loop a playlist of local video files into YouTube Live, put the files in a concat-demuxer playlist, read that playlist at real-time speed, loop it indefinitely, and send FFmpeg’s output to the current RTMPS address and stream key shown in YouTube Live Control Room. The concat demuxer works best when every file has compatible streams; it does not guarantee an uninterrupted broadcast if your computer, upload connection, or YouTube ingest fails.
What the concat demuxer does—and what it does not
FFmpeg’s concat demuxer presents listed files as one virtual input: it shifts timestamps so the first file begins at zero and each following file begins where the previous one ends. Add -stream_loop -1 to repeat that input indefinitely, and -re to read files at their native rate instead of as fast as the computer can process them.
The demuxer is not a media normalizer. The FFmpeg documentation says, “All files must have the same streams (same codecs, same time base, etc.).” Differences in stream layout or inaccurate durations can cause transition artifacts or gaps. The workflow also depends on the local FFmpeg process and a working upload connection, so looping the input alone does not make the broadcast failure-proof.
Prepare and check the playlist
Create the concat script
Make a plain-text file such as playlist.txt, with one file directive per line in playback order:
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file 'clip-01.mp4'
file 'clip-02.mp4'
file 'clip-03.mp4'Paths are resolved relative to FFmpeg’s working directory unless you use absolute paths. Quote or escape paths containing spaces or special characters. If you want FFmpeg to recognize the script automatically, the optional first line must be exactly ffconcat version 1.0, with no byte-order mark or extra spaces. Otherwise, the command below explicitly selects the concat demuxer with -f concat.
Check file compatibility and duration
- Compare the files’ stream counts, codecs, time bases, and durations before putting them on air.
- If duration information is missing or inaccurate, the concat demuxer’s
durationdirective can provide it. Incorrect duration metadata affects the timestamps assigned to later files. - If clips have incompatible streams or need filters or normalization, re-encode them into a consistent format or use the concat filter. The demuxer can avoid re-encoding when inputs are compatible; the filter is the more suitable route when re-encoding is needed.
Build the FFmpeg command for YouTube Live
This illustrative template encodes 30 fps H.264 video with stereo AAC audio. It is not a universal preset or a verified configuration for every input, machine, connection, or channel:
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ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1
-f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -tune zerolatency
-b:v 5M -maxrate 5M -bufsize 10M
-g 60 -keyint_min 60 -sc_threshold 0
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100
-f flv 'rtmps://YOUR_INGEST_ADDRESS/YOUR_STREAM_KEY'- Set input pacing and looping. Keep
-reand-stream_loop -1before the input. The first reads the file input at its native rate; the second repeats it indefinitely. - Select the playlist.
-f concat -i playlist.txtexplicitly identifies the concat script as the input format. - Review path safety.
-safe 0permits paths outside the concat demuxer’s safe-path subset. Use it only with a playlist you control; omit it if your paths do not require it. - Choose output encoding. The example uses the H.264 encoder, a 5 Mbps target and maximum rate, a 10 Mbps buffer, and AAC audio at 128 Kbps and 44.1 kHz. Choose video settings to match your desired output and YouTube’s current guidance.
- Set keyframes to match frame rate. The example’s GOP of 60 frames is two seconds at 30 fps. If you change the output frame rate, adjust the keyframe interval accordingly.
- Insert the current ingest details. Replace the example address and key with the current RTMPS ingestion endpoint and stream key shown in YouTube Live Control Room. Do not share or publish the key.
Stream copying with -c copy can avoid decode-and-encode work and preserve the encoded streams, but it cannot apply filters and may not meet the destination’s requirements. Use it only after confirming source compatibility with the selected ingest path. Encoding the output gives you control over codec, bitrate, frame rate, and keyframes.
Match the output to YouTube’s ingest guidance
YouTube’s current encoder guidance lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, or AV1 video; AAC or MP3 audio; constant-bitrate (CBR) encoding; and frame rates up to 60 fps. It recommends a two-second keyframe interval and says not to exceed four seconds. For encrypted ingest, YouTube recommends RTMPS.
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| H.264 output example | Minimum bitrate | Recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
These are YouTube Help’s listed values, accessed in 2026; check the current guidance before a production stream because settings can change. The example command’s 5 Mbps setting is not the listed recommended bitrate for 1080p30. Choose the row for your intended resolution and frame rate, and make sure your upload connection can sustain the selected stream bitrate. YouTube also recommends a preflight test using representative audio and motion, followed by monitoring stream health during the broadcast. Stereo audio guidance lists 44.1 kHz and 128 Kbps as recommended values.
YouTube supports RTMP, including RTMPS, as well as HLS and DASH ingest types. The channel-specific address and stream name are not universal: retrieve the current values in Live Control Room or through the applicable API resource.
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Troubleshoot playlist and live-ingest problems
- The playlist will not open: Check the working directory, file paths, quoting, and escaping. If relying on automatic script recognition, verify the exact
ffconcat version 1.0header; otherwise, use-f concat. - There are gaps or artifacts at transitions: Check stream counts, codecs, time bases, and clip durations. Incorrect duration information shifts the next file’s timestamps. Normalize or re-encode incompatible inputs, or use the concat filter when re-encoding is required.
- FFmpeg races through the files: Put
-rebefore the input option and input. It reads at the native rate;-stream_loop -1separately controls repetition. - YouTube reports stream-health problems: Check for an audio track, supported codecs, bitrate, frame rate, and keyframe cadence. YouTube’s health information can flag low or high bitrate, unsupported codecs, frame-rate mismatch, and ingestion starvation.
- The files play locally but the live stream does not: Confirm that the output codec and container fit the selected ingest protocol, that the endpoint and key are current, and that upload capacity is sufficient. Run a preflight test with representative audio and motion.
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