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FFmpeg plays videos in the order they appear in a concat playlist, not automatically in filename order. To stream them alphabetically, create a text playlist with one video per line in the intended order, then use FFmpeg’s concat demuxer as the input. The playlist—not the folder’s directory order—determines playback.
1. Put the videos in the order you want them played
Create a plain-text file such as playlist.txt. Add one file directive per video, with the path to that video. FFmpeg processes the entries from top to bottom.
ffconcat version 1.0
file 'clip-001.mp4'
file 'clip-002.mp4'
file 'clip-010.mp4'The ffconcat version 1.0 header is optional. If you include it and want FFmpeg to recognize the format automatically, it must be the exact first line, with no leading spaces or byte-order mark. The playlist is a text script: quote or escape paths as needed when names contain spaces or special characters. See the FFmpeg concat demuxer documentation.
Make alphabetical order explicit
If alphabetical filename order is your goal, sort the filenames first and write the playlist in that order. Do not rely on whichever order a file browser or script happens to return. Zero-padded numbers help make ordinary alphabetical sorting match numeric sequence: clip-001, clip-002, clip-010. Names such as clip-1, clip-2, and clip-10 may sort differently than intended. Inspect the final playlist before starting the stream.
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2. Check whether the files can be concatenated without re-encoding
The concat demuxer expects the files to have the same streams, including codecs and time bases. A representative stream-copy command is:
ffmpeg -re -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt -c copy -f flv 'YOUTUBE_INGEST_URL/YOUR_STREAM_KEY'This is a command pattern, not a guaranteed command for every system or set of files. Replace the destination with the stream URL and key for your YouTube stream, and verify the output format and protocol for your setup. -re reads the file input at its native rate rather than sending it as fast as possible. -c copy avoids re-encoding, but works only when the input streams are compatible with one another and the selected output.
When stream copy is unsuitable
If the clips have different codecs, stream layouts, or time bases, do not assume -c copy will resolve the mismatch. Transcoding to a consistent video and audio profile may be necessary. The appropriate encoding options depend on the source files and desired output; there is no single exact transcoding command that can be guaranteed without knowing those details.
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FFmpeg adjusts timestamps across the concatenated files. Differences in clip lengths can produce gaps, while inaccurate stored duration—for example, in a truncated file—can cause artifacts. The concat demuxer supports a duration directive to override a file’s stored duration when appropriate. Consult the concat documentation before using it.
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3. Get the YouTube destination and configure the output
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Open YouTube Live Control Room for the stream you intend to use and obtain its stream URL and stream key. YouTube’s encoder setup explains that the encoder needs both values: Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder.
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Keep the stream key private; YouTube describes it as the stream’s password. Enter the URL and key as the FFmpeg output destination, following the requirements for the selected ingest protocol.
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Confirm the output codec, container, frame rate, bitrate, and keyframe interval for the stream. YouTube’s encoder recommendations cover RTMP/RTMPS ingest, H.264, H.265 (HEVC), or AV1 video, up to 60 fps, AAC or MP3 audio, and constant bitrate encoding. YouTube recommends a two-second keyframe interval that should not exceed four seconds. Bitrate recommendations vary by codec, resolution, and frame rate, so use the applicable row in YouTube’s current guidance rather than treating one bitrate as universal: YouTube live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions.
YouTube recommends RTMPS, the encrypted extension of RTMP. Match the destination URL and output format to the values and requirements shown for your stream in Live Control Room. FFmpeg’s output mapping can also affect which input streams are sent and their output order; do not assume stream-copy options or mapping will be correct when files have different layouts. See the FFmpeg advanced options documentation.
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5. Troubleshoot ordering, gaps, and ingest problems
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Clips play in the wrong sequence: the playlist’s line order controls playback. Reorder the
filedirectives explicitly; do not rely on directory enumeration. Check whether unpadded numbers are sorting lexically rather than numerically. -
FFmpeg does not recognize the playlist format: if using the optional header, ensure
ffconcat version 1.0is the exact first line, with no preceding spaces or byte-order mark. Check that each path is correctly quoted or escaped. -
The concat input fails or stream copy is rejected: compare the files’ streams, codecs, and time bases. If they are incompatible, use a consistent transcode profile instead of assuming
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There are gaps or timestamp artifacts between clips: check stored durations and whether any file is truncated. When a stored duration is inaccurate, the concat demuxer’s
durationdirective can override it. -
YouTube does not accept the stream: recheck the stream URL and key in Live Control Room, the output protocol and format, and the encoder settings for your chosen codec, resolution, and frame rate. Confirm the keyframe interval and bitrate against YouTube’s current recommendations.
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