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To play several videos in sequence from an EC2 instance to YouTube Live, put their paths in a text file using FFmpeg’s concat demuxer, then use that file as FFmpeg’s input. This works most simply when the clips have matching streams, codecs, and time bases. Use YouTube’s current stream URL and key, and choose output settings for your codec, resolution, and frame rate.
What this method does—and its limits
The concat demuxer reads a playlist text file and processes the listed media files sequentially. It is suitable when the files have compatible stream layouts, codecs, and time bases; FFmpeg’s documentation does not describe it as a general-purpose editor or guarantee gapless transitions. Files with differing properties may need to be normalized or transcoded first. FFmpeg documentation
The workflow below assumes you have an EC2 instance with FFmpeg installed, local or mounted access to the video files, and permission to stream from your YouTube channel. The command is a configurable skeleton, not a tested, one-size-fits-all production command. The right instance size and encoding load depend on the media, number of streams, and whether you copy or encode the video.
Prepare the playlist file
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Place the clips where the EC2 process can read them, and note their full paths.
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Create a UTF-8 text file such as
/path/to/playlist.txtwith onefiledirective per video:file '/path/to/video-01.mp4' file '/path/to/video-02.mp4' file '/path/to/video-03.mp4' -
Keep the order in the file the order in which you want clips to play. Check that paths are correct and that the files are readable by the account running FFmpeg.
FFmpeg’s concat demuxer has path-safety checks. The example below uses -safe 0, which permits paths it would otherwise reject as unsafe. Use that option only when the playlist and paths are controlled by you; do not feed it an untrusted playlist. FFmpeg concat demuxer documentation
Get the YouTube ingest URL and stream key
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Open YouTube Live Control Room and select the stream’s encoder settings.
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Copy the server URL and stream key shown for that stream. Use the exact values YouTube provides; do not assume a URL from another setup applies to yours.
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Prefer the RTMPS URL when it is available and supported by your FFmpeg build and workflow. YouTube recommends RTMPS because it encrypts the connection to Google’s servers. YouTube RTMPS setup
Treat the stream key like a password: keep it out of public scripts, screenshots, and shared logs. YouTube documents resetting the key if it is compromised. Manage live stream settings
Configure and start FFmpeg
Store the ingest URL and stream key in shell variables or another protected configuration mechanism rather than writing the secret directly into a command you may later share. For example, after setting those variables securely, the command shape is:
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ffmpeg -re -f concat -safe 0 -i /path/to/playlist.txt
-c:v libx264 -c:a aac
-f flv "$YOUTUBE_INGEST_URL/$YOUTUBE_STREAM_KEY"This illustrative command does not set a bitrate, frame size, frame rate, keyframe interval, audio policy, or encoder preset. Those must be selected for your files and intended stream. It also assumes an FFmpeg build with the required encoder and protocol support. If the files do not have matching stream properties, normalize them first rather than assuming that listing them together will make them compatible.
Choose output settings for YouTube
YouTube’s current RTMP/RTMPS encoder guidance lists H.264, H.265 (HEVC), and AV1; frame rates up to 60 fps; CBR bitrate encoding; AAC or MP3 audio; and a recommended two-second keyframe interval, not exceeding four seconds. Set the bitrate using YouTube’s table row for the exact codec, resolution, and frame rate you choose. For example, YouTube lists H.264 at 1080p30 as 5 Mbps minimum and 14 Mbps recommended. These are YouTube recommendations, not a promise that your EC2 instance or network can sustain the stream. Check the current table before configuring a stream. YouTube live encoder settings
Stream copy or re-encode?
Stream copy can reduce encoding work when the input streams already meet the target and concat compatibility requirements. Re-encoding can help bring different sources to a common output, but consumes compute and requires appropriate encoder settings. Neither approach removes the need to check the input streams and output against YouTube’s requirements. FFmpeg concat documentation
Check EC2 capacity and YouTube stream health
YouTube recommends upload capacity with 20% headroom over the combined bitrate of the primary and backup streams. For an EC2 workflow, validate sustained outbound throughput and encoder load using the actual media and settings. Instance needs vary with resolution, codec, encoding preset, stream count, and whether the job re-encodes; the information available here does not establish a particular EC2 instance type. YouTube streaming tips
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Start the encoder and monitor the stream in Live Control Room. Confirm that YouTube detects the incoming feed and that its stream-health messages do not indicate a configuration or delivery problem. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; do not assume that statement guarantees archiving behavior for longer streams. Check the current Live Control Room behavior for your planned duration. Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common problems and fixes
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A clip fails or the transition has timestamp artifacts: Check that the playlist paths are valid and that the clips have compatible streams, codecs, and time bases. FFmpeg notes that durations are used to adjust timestamps between files; inaccurate durations can cause artifacts. Normalize incompatible media or correct duration information before trying again. FFmpeg documentation
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YouTube does not detect or accept the feed: Verify the exact server URL and key in Live Control Room, the selected protocol, FFmpeg’s protocol support, and the output codec and bitrate. Review YouTube’s stream-health messages, and do not expose the key while sharing logs. YouTube stream settings · Encoder settings
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The stream buffers or drops: Compare the configured total bitrate with sustained outbound capacity, including YouTube’s recommended 20% margin over combined primary and backup bitrate. Check EC2 network throughput and encoder load under the actual workload. YouTube streaming tips
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A path is rejected: Review the concat demuxer’s safe-path rules. Only use
-safe 0when every playlist entry is trusted and controlled by you.
Keep the stream compliant and plan its duration
Only stream videos you have the rights to use, including any music, images, and other material they contain. Check YouTube’s live-stream policies and your channel’s status before scheduling a long broadcast. The encoder setup guidance says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; for a longer run, confirm current behavior in Live Control Room rather than relying on an archive assumption. YouTube encoder setup
The concat playlist described here is a sequential input. The documentation cited does not establish that FFmpeg will automatically refresh a playlist file when you add new entries while the process is running, nor does it establish infinite looping from this command. If you need either behavior, verify the chosen workflow separately and test it before relying on it for a scheduled broadcast.
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