The Tool Desk
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How the overlay pipeline works
FFmpeg takes the live feed as its main video input and a transparent image—typically a PNG—as the overlay input. Its filter documentation describes the first input as the main video and the second as the image placed over it. The filter’s coordinates set the image position. FFmpeg must encode the composited video; -c:v copy cannot preserve an overlay because the video frames have changed.
The usual flow is: publish a source to nginx-rtmp, let FFmpeg read that local RTMP stream and apply the overlay, then send the processed stream to YouTube’s current ingest server using the stream key from your YouTube live setup. The image must be readable by the user running FFmpeg, and the server needs enough CPU capacity for real-time video encoding.
Start with this FFmpeg command pattern
This example uses an incoming local RTMP stream, loops a logo image, places it near the top-left corner, and sends the result to a YouTube RTMP ingest address:
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ffmpeg
-i 'rtmp://127.0.0.1:1935/live/STREAM'
-loop 1 -i '/path/to/logo.png'
-filter_complex '[0:v][1:v]overlay=10:10[v]'
-map '[v]' -map '0:a?'
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -tune zerolatency
-pix_fmt yuv420p -g 60
-c:a aac -b:a 128k
-f flv 'rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/STREAM_KEY'Replace the local RTMP URL, image path, output destination, stream key, frame rate, keyframe interval, and encoding settings for your installation. YouTube’s live setup supplies the current server URL and stream key; do not assume the example address is the right destination for every account or configuration. Keep the key private.
Position, size, and timestamp behavior
overlay=10:10 places the image 10 pixels from the left and 10 pixels from the top. Change the x and y expressions to place it elsewhere. A transparent PNG allows the picture beneath it to show through. Check the image at the output resolution so it remains legible without covering important documentary footage, captions, or other essential content.
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If the inputs begin with different timestamps, FFmpeg advises considering setpts=PTS-STARTPTS in the filter graph. Live-source timing varies, so check audio/video synchronization and test with your own stream. The example uses -loop 1 to keep the still image available, but behavior can depend on the installed FFmpeg build and image demuxer. Verify the option with ffmpeg -h demuxer=image2 or the local manual before relying on it.
Match the encode to YouTube’s current guidance
YouTube recommends RTMPS, a secure extension to RTMP. Its live encoder guidance, accessed in 2026, lists RTMP/RTMPS ingest, H.264, H.265, or AV1 video, up to 60 fps, CBR, AAC or MP3 audio, a recommended two-second keyframe interval, and a four-second maximum. Check YouTube’s encoder settings before a production broadcast because platform recommendations can change.
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| H.264 output profile | YouTube recommended bitrate range (2026 page) |
|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5–14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 6–17 Mbps |
| 720p at 30 fps | 3–8 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 3–8 Mbps |
These are YouTube’s listed recommendations, not a guarantee of the bitrate your connection or encoder can sustain. Choose a rate for the resolution and frame rate you actually send, leave adequate upload headroom, and monitor stream health. The command’s -g 60 corresponds to a two-second GOP only at 30 fps; adjust the GOP to match the frame rate and current keyframe recommendation. Set a video bitrate and any other profile details to match the selected output—this pattern intentionally leaves them to be configured rather than claiming one value fits all.
The example uses libx264 and AAC, but your FFmpeg build must include the requested encoder and filters. Audio is mapped only if present with 0:a?; AAC is encoded here. Audio can be copied only if its codec and parameters are acceptable to the destination. Confirm your actual encoder options with the installed FFmpeg build.
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Choose how FFmpeg is started
Run FFmpeg as a separate managed process
In this arrangement, your source publishes to nginx-rtmp and a separately supervised FFmpeg process reads the local stream, overlays the image, and publishes directly to YouTube. A system service can give the process its own restart policy and logs. It can also keep the YouTube key out of nginx configuration if you manage the secret separately. Make sure the service account can read the logo and run the FFmpeg binary.
Start FFmpeg with nginx-rtmp exec_push
The nginx-rtmp module documents exec_push as a command run for each published stream. It supports the $app and $name substitutions and is described as useful for FFmpeg transcoding and republishing. The child process is terminated when publishing stops. Confirm the directive exists in your installed module or fork before using it.
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Use the full path to the FFmpeg binary where practical, and check the nginx process environment and filesystem permissions. The module documentation notes that nginx normally clears its environment, which can make relying on PATH unreliable. Commands placed in nginx configuration are process arguments: quote paths and filter expressions for the actual command syntax, protect the stream key, and run nginx -t before reloading configuration. Consult the nginx-rtmp directive documentation for the behavior supported by your installed version.
Use nginx push only as a relay
The nginx-rtmp push directive publishes a stream to a remote server; it does not composite an image. If FFmpeg sends its processed output to another nginx-rtmp application, that application’s push can relay the stream onward. The module’s push_reconnect directive configures the delay before trying to reconnect after a disconnect.
A 2016 module issue shows an example of pushing to YouTube, but it is a historical user discussion, not current YouTube ingest guidance. Use the server URL and key in your current YouTube live setup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Test the setup before going live
- Check the installation. Confirm FFmpeg is executable and includes the selected video encoder, audio encoder, and overlay filter. Verify the image path and read permissions for the FFmpeg process.
- Verify still-image looping. Check
-loop 1againstffmpeg -h demuxer=image2or your installed manual. Builds and demuxer behavior can differ. - Validate configuration. If using nginx directives, run
nginx -tafter changes. Verify that the command’s quoting, substitutions, and binary path work in nginx’s actual process environment. - Run a controlled stream test. Test with a short local recording or a controlled live source before your event. Check that the overlay appears at the intended position, audio remains continuous and synchronized, and the output frame rate and resolution are correct.
- Watch resource use and YouTube health. Check CPU headroom, dropped frames, FFmpeg and nginx logs, and YouTube’s stream-health indicators. YouTube recommends pre-event testing with similar audio and motion and monitoring stream health.
- Protect the stream key. Do not expose it in public examples, screenshots, shell history, or world-readable configuration. Rotate it in YouTube if it is disclosed.
Troubleshoot common failures
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| FFmpeg cannot open the logo | Incorrect path, permissions, or image format issue | Check the path as seen by the FFmpeg process and confirm its user can read the file. |
| The logo appears briefly or vanishes | The still-image input is not being looped as expected | Verify -loop 1 for the installed image2 demuxer and build; test locally. |
| FFmpeg exits as soon as the source stops | The source publishing session ended | For exec_push, this is consistent with the documented behavior: the child is terminated when publishing stops. Check the source and process lifecycle. |
| No stream reaches YouTube | Wrong ingest URL or key, incompatible output, or network/encoder error | Use the current YouTube stream setup values, inspect FFmpeg logs, and compare output settings with YouTube’s current guidance. |
| Video stutters or frames drop | Insufficient encoding CPU or upload headroom, or unsuitable bitrate/settings | Inspect server CPU and dropped-frame logs; reduce output demands or select settings appropriate to available capacity. |
| Audio is absent or rejected | No input audio stream, incompatible copied audio, or audio mapping/encoding issue | Check whether the source contains audio and review FFmpeg’s stream mapping. Encode compatible audio, as the example does with AAC, when copying is unsuitable. |
| nginx cannot find FFmpeg or read the image | nginx environment or filesystem permissions differ from your shell | Use an absolute binary path and verify execution and file-read access as the nginx worker user. |
| Audio and video drift or the output starts oddly | Input timestamps differ | Inspect source timestamps and test the filter graph with setpts=PTS-STARTPTS where appropriate. |
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