Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsTo stream videos from a folder continuously, make an ordered FFmpeg concat playlist, loop it, and send the output to the RTMPS URL and stream key for your YouTube event. This works most simply when every file has compatible streams, codecs, and time bases; a mixed folder may need normalization and re-encoding first. FFmpeg can keep sending a stream, but that does not guarantee YouTube will keep a live event available indefinitely.
Before you start
You need FFmpeg installed, an ordered set of video files, a reliable internet connection with enough upload capacity for your chosen output, and a YouTube live event whose ingest URL and stream key or name you can access in Live Control Room. YouTube may provide the URL and stream name separately or together as STREAM_URL/STREAM_NAME; use the values for your event rather than a URL copied from an old tutorial. Keep the key private and do not include it in public commands, screenshots, or logs. YouTube Live Streaming API: LiveStreams.
Build an ordered playlist file
The concat demuxer reads a text file containing one entry for each video. It plays the entries in the order written, so do not rely on whatever order your operating system happens to return when listing a directory.
- Choose the playback order. Create a plain-text file such as
playlist.txtand list the full path or relative path to each video, onefileentry per line. - Quote or escape special paths. Paths with spaces or special characters need correct quoting or escaping for FFmpeg’s playlist syntax. Test the playlist against your actual paths.
- Use the safe-path safeguard deliberately. The concat demuxer’s
safeoption defaults to1and rejects paths it considers unsafe. Only disable it for a playlist you trust and control when necessary; do not make a folder of untrusted paths acceptable just to get past an error.
For example, the playlist structure is:
file 'video-01.mp4'
file 'video-02.mp4'
file 'video-03.mp4'
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Replace these sample names with your own paths. Consult the FFmpeg concat demuxer documentation for playlist syntax and option details.
Check whether the files can be concatenated directly
The concat demuxer is a virtual playlist reader, not a general transcoder. FFmpeg’s documentation says the files need the same streams, codecs, and time bases. A folder containing files with different video or audio streams, codecs, or timing may fail or produce playback problems if you try to stream-copy them unchanged.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Use the concat demuxer when the files have compatible stream layouts, codecs, and time bases and you want to avoid re-encoding.
- Normalize or re-encode first when the inputs differ. FFmpeg’s FAQ recommends the concat filter when re-encoding is needed; the filter lets you convert inputs to compatible formats as part of the process.
- Check durations and stream lengths. The demuxer uses each file’s duration to calculate timestamps for the next file. Inaccurate duration metadata can cause timing artifacts, and streams of unequal length can create gaps.
For a folder of mixed media, inspect representative files and test transitions before leaving a stream unattended. The FFmpeg FAQ on concatenating video files explains the distinction between the demuxer and filter approaches.
Loop the playlist and send it to YouTube
The general workflow is to open the playlist as a concat input, tell FFmpeg to loop the input, pace file playback for live output, encode or copy streams as appropriate, and send the result in a format accepted by YouTube’s ingest endpoint. A typical command uses options such as -stream_loop -1, the concat demuxer, a file-input pacing option, and an FLV output for RTMPS. Treat all paths, codec settings, and endpoint values in examples as placeholders: exact command syntax and option placement depend on your operating system, shell, FFmpeg build, and media. Match the syntax to the FFmpeg version installed and test the command with your own files before using it for a continuous broadcast.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- In YouTube Live Control Room, obtain the ingest URL and stream key or stream name for the event you intend to run.
- Configure FFmpeg to read the concat playlist repeatedly and produce a live-paced output.
- Choose compatible output codecs and settings, then send the output to the event’s RTMPS endpoint.
- Start with a short test and inspect both FFmpeg’s output and YouTube’s stream-health status before relying on the setup.
Do not paste a real stream key into a public tutorial or leave it in a shared log. YouTube’s API documentation describes the URL and stream-name fields and their use: LiveStreams.
Set output quality and monitor stream health
Use YouTube’s current encoder guidance for your codec, resolution, and frame rate rather than treating one bitrate as universal. YouTube lists RTMP/RTMPS ingest, H.264, H.265, or AV1 video, AAC or MP3 audio, constant bitrate (CBR), and frame rates up to 60 fps. It recommends RTMPS for encrypted transport and a two-second keyframe interval that should not exceed four seconds.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
YouTube’s current encoder-settings guidance recommends 10 Mbps for H.264 at 1080p30. That is a recommendation for that codec and output mode, not a minimum for every stream; other resolutions, codecs, and frame rates have different guidance. Your connection also needs reliable upload capacity for the selected output. See YouTube’s encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions for the current table.
- Test with representative movement and audio, not only a static opening frame.
- Watch YouTube’s stream-health messages during the test and while the stream is running.
- If quality drops or the stream is unstable, review the health messages, output configuration, and available upload capacity before increasing the bitrate.
RTMPS is the usual path; HLS is a separate option
For the workflow above, RTMPS is the straightforward choice and is the transport YouTube recommends for encrypted streaming. HLS is a different ingest workflow, not just a flag to add to an RTMPS command. YouTube’s HLS setup calls for HTTPS POST/PUT requests, TS segments, a rolling playlist with no more than five outstanding segments, and segment durations from one to four seconds. YouTube notes that HLS has higher latency than RTMP because it sends segments instead of a continuous stream. See YouTube’s HLS setup instructions.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Troubleshoot common failures
- FFmpeg rejects a playlist path: Check the quoting and escaping in the playlist. If a path is being rejected by the default
safe=1setting, use a trusted, controlled playlist and disable that check only if necessary. - Playback breaks at a file boundary: Compare the files’ stream layouts, codecs, time bases, and durations. Normalize and re-encode incompatible inputs, or use the concat filter rather than expecting stream copy to reconcile them.
- There is a gap or timing artifact between clips: Check duration metadata and whether audio and video streams end at different times. The demuxer uses file durations to calculate subsequent timestamps.
- YouTube does not accept the connection: Verify the event’s current ingest URL and stream key or name in Live Control Room, confirm the configured output is compatible, and keep the key private.
- YouTube reports poor stream health: Check the output bitrate against YouTube’s guidance for the selected codec, resolution, and frame rate, and test whether the connection can sustain that upload rate.
- The process keeps sending but the event is no longer available: FFmpeg output is not a guarantee of indefinite platform-side event availability. Monitor Live Control Room and its status messages rather than assuming that a running process means the event remains live.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you do not want a computer and home connection to run FFmpeg continuously, StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; it loops the videos from the cloud. It is for uploaded video playback, not live camera input, and streams to YouTube only.
- Nothing has to stay powered on at home.
- Each slot streams your upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot rather than quality tiers.
- It automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card, once per account.
Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo pricing for other durations. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stream a folder without creating a playlist file?
The concat-demuxer method described here uses an explicit text playlist so you control the playback order; directory enumeration alone does not define a reliable order.
Does FFmpeg guarantee that YouTube will stay live forever?
No. Continuous FFmpeg output does not guarantee indefinite availability of the YouTube live event; monitor Live Control Room status and stream health.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
