For a pre-recorded video sent to YouTube Live with FFmpeg, start with RTMPS, H.264, constant-bitrate rate control, a two-second keyframe interval, and AAC stereo. For an ordinary SDR 1080p30 stream, YouTube recommends 14 Mbps video and 128 kbps audio at 44.1 kHz. This is a grounded starting point—not a universal preset: match resolution, frame rate, encoder capacity, and sustained upload speed to your actual setup.
Recommended starting settings for 1080p30
This illustrative command sends a file to the RTMPS ingest endpoint provided in YouTube Live Control Room. Replace the URL and key placeholder with your own values; treat the key as a password.
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v 14M -maxrate 14M -bufsize 28M
-pix_fmt yuv420p -g 60 -keyint_min 60 -sc_threshold 0
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 -ac 2
-f flv "rtmps://YOUTUBE_INGEST_URL/YOUR_STREAM_KEY"-repaces a file input in real time rather than sending it as fast as FFmpeg can read it. Omit it for a live capture input, which is already arriving in real time.-b:vsets target video bitrate;-maxrateand-bufsizeare part of rate-control behavior. The 28M buffer shown is an example, not a YouTube requirement. Confirm how the selected encoder interprets these options; a target bitrate alone does not prove strict CBR.-g 60and-keyint_min 60illustrate a 60-frame GOP, equal to two seconds at 30 fps.-sc_threshold 0disables scene-cut keyframe insertion in x264, helping maintain the intended interval.libx264andveryfastare illustrative. Your FFmpeg build must include the encoder, and your machine must sustain encoding at the selected resolution and frame rate. Test for encoding lag and dropped frames before relying on it.
The command is a configuration sketch, not a tested guarantee. FFmpeg documentation covers command options and file pacing, while YouTube publishes its ingest recommendations in its encoder settings guide and command-line documentation.
Choose bitrate for the actual resolution and frame rate
Do not use the 1080p30 value automatically for a different output. YouTube’s current H.264 recommendations include these combinations:
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| Output | Recommended H.264 video bitrate |
|---|---|
| 1080p30 | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p60 | 17 Mbps |
| 720p30 | 8 Mbps |
| 720p60 | 8 Mbps |
These are YouTube ingest recommendations, not guarantees of playback quality or connection stability. The YouTube settings page also gives minimum values and additional resolutions; consult its table for a format not listed here. YouTube transcodes live streams into multiple output formats.
Use a bitrate your upstream connection can sustain continuously. YouTube recommends keeping total outgoing bitrate within upload capacity and leaving 20% headroom. This is especially important on shared connections, where other traffic can consume capacity. Test upload speed rather than inferring it from advertised download speed. See YouTube’s streaming tips.
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Set keyframes, codec, audio, and picture format
Keyframe interval
YouTube recommends a keyframe every two seconds and says not to exceed four seconds. For fixed-frame-rate output, calculate the initial GOP as frame rate multiplied by two: at 30 fps, use 60 frames; at 60 fps, use 120 frames. Verify actual keyframe behavior for your chosen encoder rather than assuming the command options are honored identically by every encoder.
Codec and transport
YouTube lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 for RTMP/RTMPS ingestion, up to 60 fps, and recommends RTMPS. H.264 is used in the example for a broadly applicable setup, but the right choice depends on the FFmpeg encoder available and YouTube’s current guidance. HDR and some alternate-codec workflows may call for HLS; HLS sends segments and therefore has higher latency. Check YouTube’s HLS setup guidance before choosing it.
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Audio and image format
- YouTube lists AAC or MP3 audio. AAC is required for 5.1 audio over RTMP/RTMPS.
- For stereo, YouTube recommends 128 kbps at 44.1 kHz; for 5.1, it recommends 384 kbps and 48 kHz.
- Its advanced guidance recommends square pixels, progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame, and Rec. 709 for SDR.
The sample command is stereo SDR and sets sample rate and channel count explicitly. If your source uses a different frame rate, audio layout, color space, or HDR, configure the output accordingly instead of copying the example unchanged.
Prepare FFmpeg for continuous operation
Handle temporary output failures
FFmpeg’s RTMP FIFO muxer documentation includes an example that attempts recovery after certain temporary output failures using -attempt_recovery 1 and -recovery_wait_time 1. Recovery is an attempt, not a guarantee: it cannot cover every network outage, input failure, process crash, credential problem, or YouTube interruption. Review the FFmpeg full documentation for the FIFO muxer and encoder-specific options.
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Supervise the process
For an unattended stream, run FFmpeg under a process supervisor, keep logs, and configure alerts so a stopped process or repeated reconnects are noticed. A reconnect mechanism does not replace supervision. Keep the stream key out of public scripts, screenshots, logs, and source-control repositories; regenerate it in YouTube if it is exposed.
Test with a representative stream
- Confirm that the input plays correctly and the FFmpeg build includes the encoder and protocol you plan to use.
- Run a test at the intended resolution, frame rate, audio layout, and motion level. Confirm the machine encodes in real time.
- Check YouTube Live Control Room’s stream health and messages, and watch FFmpeg logs for errors, encoding lag, or dropped frames.
- Test the connection while normal household or office traffic is present. Reduce bitrate or improve network capacity if sustained upload headroom is insufficient.
Plan for archives and long runs
YouTube’s encoder setup instructions say streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. That statement describes automatic archive behavior; it does not establish a general maximum live-stream duration. If you need a recording from a longer run, make a separate local recording or confirm YouTube’s current behavior and archive requirements. See YouTube’s encoder setup instructions.
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Troubleshooting common FFmpeg live-stream problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or change |
|---|---|---|
| Stream health reports unstable bitrate or dropped frames | Insufficient sustained upload capacity, shared-network congestion, or bitrate spikes | Measure upload capacity during representative use, preserve YouTube’s recommended 20% headroom, and lower the stream bitrate if necessary. |
| FFmpeg falls behind or reports encoding lag | The selected encoder preset or output format exceeds the machine’s real-time capacity | Test the target resolution and frame rate; choose a faster supported preset or a lower output format the machine can sustain. |
| FFmpeg rejects an encoder or protocol | The installed build lacks the selected encoder or protocol support | Check the build’s available encoders and protocol support, then select an available option compatible with YouTube. |
| Video appears choppy or keyframes are too far apart | GOP settings do not correspond to output frame rate, or encoder behavior differs from expectations | Set the interval based on frame rate (two seconds is the recommendation), then inspect actual output keyframes. |
| Output stops after a disconnect | FIFO recovery cannot resolve the particular failure, or FFmpeg/input/process has stopped | Inspect FFmpeg logs and input health; use process supervision and alerts, and verify credentials and network stability. |
| Authentication or ingest connection fails | Incorrect ingest URL/key, exposed or revoked key, or unsupported transport configuration | Copy the current ingest details from YouTube Live Control Room, protect the key, and verify RTMPS support in the FFmpeg build. |
Copyright and YouTube live-stream rules
FFmpeg settings cannot establish that you have rights to the video or audio you stream. Use content you own or are licensed to broadcast, including music and footage, and check YouTube’s current live-stream and copyright requirements before starting. A technically healthy stream can still face platform restrictions if its content or account does not meet YouTube’s rules.
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Quick Recap
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