Use FFmpeg’s concat demuxer when your video files have matching streams and you want to play them in sequence, often without re-encoding. Use the concat filter when clips need filtering, normalization, or re-encoding. In either case, the FFmpeg playlist is only the file-sequencing stage: you still need to send a YouTube-compatible live feed to the stream URL and key from YouTube Live Control Room.
Choose the right FFmpeg concat method
| Method | Use it when | Main constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Concat demuxer | Files have matching stream layouts and codecs, and you want FFmpeg to read them one after another. Often paired with stream copy. | Files need matching streams, including codecs and time bases. Incorrect or unavailable duration metadata can cause timestamp gaps or artifacts. FFmpeg documentation |
| Concat filter | Clips need filtering, normalization, or re-encoding into a common output. | Requires decoding and encoding; stream copy cannot apply filters. FFmpeg FAQ and FFmpeg documentation |
| Concat protocol | A format supports file-level concatenation, such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2 program stream, or DV. | Format-dependent; it is not the general-purpose choice for a playlist of arbitrary video files. FFmpeg FAQ |
For a playlist of ordinary video files, the practical choice is usually between the demuxer and filter. Do not assume the demuxer can seamlessly join arbitrary files with different resolutions, time bases, codecs, or numbers of audio and video streams.
Make a concat demuxer playlist
1. Create the text file
Save a plain-text file such as playlist.txt alongside the videos. List each file in playback order:
ffconcat version 1.0
file 'segment-01.mp4'
file 'segment-02.mp4'
file 'segment-03.mp4'For automatic format recognition, ffconcat version 1.0 must be the exact first line, with no leading spaces or byte-order mark. Paths containing spaces or special characters must be escaped or quoted according to FFmpeg’s concat script syntax. See FFmpeg’s concat demuxer documentation.
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2. Check that the inputs are compatible
The demuxer presents packets from each listed file in sequence and adjusts timestamps so the first file starts at zero and later files follow the preceding file’s duration. FFmpeg requires all files to have the same streams, including codecs and time bases. The timestamp adjustment is global: if streams within a file have unequal lengths, gaps can result. If a file’s stored duration is inaccurate or unavailable, a duration directive can override it, but an inaccurate override can itself create artifacts. FFmpeg documentation.
3. Test a stream-copy output
For compatible inputs, this command illustrates the demuxer and stream-copy path:
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ffmpeg -f concat -i playlist.txt -c copy joined-output.mkvThis produces a file, not a live YouTube feed. The output container must support the streams being copied. Because -c copy does not decode and re-encode, it cannot apply filters or change encoding settings. If the output needs a different YouTube-facing codec, bitrate, frame rate, or other encoding property, use an encode workflow instead. FFmpeg documentation on stream copy.
When to use the concat filter instead
Use the concat filter if the clips need to be filtered or normalized, or if you must re-encode them to consistent output settings. FFmpeg’s FAQ recommends the filter when re-encoding is required. FFmpeg FAQ.
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A filter workflow uses multiple -i inputs, a -filter_complex graph with the concat filter, maps for the resulting video and audio labels, and explicit encoding and muxing options. The exact graph depends on how many clips you have and which audio and video streams each contains, so there is no safe universal copy-and-paste command without knowing those layouts. First inspect the inputs, decide which streams should be included, and make the output streams consistent before sending it to YouTube.
Configure the resulting feed for YouTube Live
After sequencing the clips, configure FFmpeg or another encoder to send a live feed to YouTube. YouTube’s RTMP/RTMPS ingest recommendations vary with codec, resolution, and frame rate; the following are the key settings to account for:
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- Video codec: YouTube lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 for live ingest, up to 60 fps.
- Keyframes: YouTube recommends a two-second keyframe interval and says not to exceed four seconds.
- Bitrate mode: Use constant bitrate (CBR). Match the bitrate to the selected codec, resolution, and frame rate. For example, YouTube’s current H.264 table lists 5 Mbps minimum and 14 Mbps recommended for 1080p at 30 fps.
- Audio: YouTube lists AAC or MP3. For stereo, its advanced audio recommendation is 44.1 kHz and 128 Kbps; 5.1 over RTMP/RTMPS is supported only with AAC, with 48 kHz and 384 Kbps recommended.
- Transport: YouTube recommends RTMPS, the encrypted form of RTMP.
These are YouTube recommendations, not FFmpeg defaults. Check YouTube’s current live encoder settings table for the row that matches your actual codec, resolution, and frame rate before configuring the encoder.
Get the stream URL and key
- Open YouTube Live Control Room and retrieve the Stream URL and stream key for the broadcast, following YouTube’s live stream settings instructions.
- Configure the encoder to send to that URL using the key. The key functions like a password for the stream: keep it private and do not put it in a public playlist, command example, or other shared material.
- Start the encoder and check the incoming preview and stream status in Live Control Room before making the broadcast public.
Common problems and fixes
- FFmpeg reports incompatible streams: The files do not share the streams, codecs, or time bases required by the demuxer. Inspect the inputs and use a filter/transcode workflow to produce consistent streams.
- Jumps, gaps, or artifacts at clip boundaries: Check the files’ duration metadata and stream lengths. The demuxer uses durations to place later timestamps; correct inaccurate duration metadata or prepare the clips through a consistent re-encode.
- The playlist is not recognized automatically: Make sure
ffconcat version 1.0is exactly the first line, without leading spaces or a byte-order mark. - Paths fail for filenames with spaces or special characters: Escape or quote the paths using the concat script’s syntax, and verify that the paths resolve from the directory where FFmpeg runs.
- The output does not meet YouTube ingest settings: Stream copy preserves encoded packets and cannot change them. Encode rather than copy when you need different codec, bitrate, keyframe timing, or other feed settings.
- YouTube does not receive the broadcast: Confirm that the encoder uses the Stream URL and matching stream key from Live Control Room, and that the key has not been exposed or mistyped.
Run the playlist yourself or let it run in the cloud
With FFmpeg, your own computer must run the playlist and maintain the connection for as long as you want the live feed to continue. YouTube also requires the content and rights you broadcast to comply with its rules: use material you have permission to stream, and review YouTube’s policies on copyright and reused content before broadcasting a playlist.
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