Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11To loop a playlist of local videos into a YouTube live stream with FFmpeg, put the clips in an ordered concat-demuxer text file, then use -stream_loop -1 to repeat it and -re to read file input at live-like speed. A typical RTMP command uses -c copy only when the clips have compatible streams; otherwise, prepare matching files or use a filter and re-encode.
1. Build the playlist file
Create a plain-text file such as playlist.txt beside the videos. Add one file line for each clip, in the order you want them played:
file 'clip1.mp4'
file 'clip2.mp4'
file 'clip3.mp4'Paths are interpreted in relation to the working directory when they are relative. For automatic concat-script recognition, the optional first line is ffconcat version 1.0. It must be exactly as shown at the very start of the file, with no leading spaces or byte-order mark. See the FFmpeg demuxers documentation for script syntax and path escaping when filenames contain spaces or special characters.
The example command below uses -safe 0 to allow paths beyond the concat demuxer’s restricted safe default. Use it only with a playlist and filenames you control. With the default safe setting, paths must be relative and use a restricted portable character set.
#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.
2. Send the playlist to YouTube over RTMP
Replace the placeholder with the RTMP URL and stream key supplied by your YouTube Live setup:
ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt -c copy -f flv 'rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/YOUR-STREAM-KEY'This is a command pattern, not a guarantee that arbitrary clips will work unchanged. Get the ingest URL and key from YouTube Live Control Room, and keep the key private: anyone who obtains it may be able to send a stream to your channel.
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.
What each option does
-rereads file input at its native frame rate—equivalent to-readrate 1—so FFmpeg sends the prerecorded material at live-like speed rather than consuming the files as fast as possible. The FFmpeg command-line documentation warns against applying low read rates to live capture or network inputs because that can cause packet loss.-stream_loop -1repeats the input indefinitely; FFmpeg defines-1as infinite looping.-f concatselects the concat demuxer for the playlist input.-safe 0relaxes the demuxer’s path safety check, so use it only with trusted playlist contents and paths.-i playlist.txtsupplies the playlist as the input.-c copycopies the input streams without re-encoding. It does not convert codecs, dimensions, or stream layouts to make clips match.-f flvselects FLV output for this RTMP-style example. The output endpoint and stream key must match the protocol and settings selected in YouTube Live.
3. Check whether stream copy is suitable
The concat demuxer presents files one after another and adjusts timestamps so later files follow earlier ones. FFmpeg requires the files to have the same streams, including matching codecs and time bases. If one clip has a different stream layout or incompatible encoding properties, -c copy will not fix it; prepare compatible files or choose a workflow that re-encodes.
Duration metadata matters too. The duration of a file determines the timestamps assigned to the next one, so inaccurate duration information can cause artifacts. The concat demuxer supports a duration directive to override a stored duration when you know the correct value. Timestamp adjustment is global, and FFmpeg cautions that gaps can result if streams do not have exactly the same length.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →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.
Before starting a long broadcast, inspect the clips’ streams and durations, then test the transitions and the end-to-start loop. This article does not establish compatibility for any particular set of files.
Choose the concat approach that fits the files
| Approach | Use it when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
Concat demuxer with -c copy |
The files meet the demuxer’s same-stream requirements and you want to avoid re-encoding. | It preserves streams as-is; it will not normalize incompatible clips. |
| Concat filter with re-encoding | The clips need to be made into a uniform output or re-encoding is otherwise required. | Encoding is required, but it gives you a way to create a consistent output rather than relying on unchanged source streams. |
The FFmpeg Project’s FAQ distinguishes the two: its concat demuxer can avoid re-encoding where file-level concatenation is unsupported, while the concat filter is the choice when re-encoding is needed.
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
4. Keep RTMP and HLS requirements separate
The command above outputs FLV to an RTMP-style endpoint. Do not add HLS-specific settings to it by default. YouTube’s HLS setup guidance applies when HLS ingestion is selected: it specifies 1–4 second segment durations, TS segments, a rolling playlist with no more than five outstanding segments, HTTPS POST/PUT, and no byte-range support. YouTube also notes that HLS has higher latency than RTMP because it sends segments rather than a continuous stream. Confirm the selected protocol in Live Control Room before applying protocol-specific requirements.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.5. Common problems and fixes
- FFmpeg rejects a playlist path: Check that the file exists, the working directory is what you expect, and entries are quoted or escaped correctly. Use
-safe 0only for paths you trust; otherwise, use relative paths allowed by the safe default. - A clip fails at a transition or the loop boundary: Check that every file has the same stream layout, codecs, and time bases. Normalize incompatible inputs or use the concat filter with re-encoding.
- There is a gap or timestamp artifact between clips: Check duration metadata and whether streams within each file have matching lengths. Where appropriate, provide an accurate
durationdirective in the concat script. - The stream does not appear in YouTube: Verify that the command uses the endpoint and key for the protocol selected in Live Control Room, and that the key was copied correctly. Never publish the key in a public playlist or command transcript.
- HLS settings do not fit the command: The example is RTMP-style, not HLS. Select the intended protocol in YouTube Live and use the requirements for that protocol rather than mixing them.
6. Copyright and YouTube channel considerations
Having permission to stream a video is separate from whether its codecs and timestamps work with FFmpeg. Use only material you have the rights to broadcast, including music and any third-party footage. A continuous prerecorded stream does not by itself establish compliance with YouTube’s rules for a channel or its monetization; review the applicable YouTube policies for your account and content before broadcasting.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →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.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you do not want a computer at home to keep FFmpeg running, 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, and go live. Nothing has to stay powered on at home; StreamNeo loops the upload from the cloud, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. It accepts uploads as made up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, without re-encoding or quality tiers. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month.
Quick Recap
Start your free StreamNeo day.
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.
