Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesCreate a plain-text concat list with one file directive per clip, then pass it to FFmpeg’s concat demuxer. For a continuous prerecorded stream over RTMP, pace the files in real time, loop the input, and send it to the YouTube ingest URL and stream key from YouTube Studio. This method depends on compatible media streams and accurate duration metadata; it is not a guarantee of uninterrupted broadcasting.
What the FFmpeg concat playlist does
The concat demuxer reads a text script listing media files and presents them to FFmpeg as one input. It can join compatible files without decoding and re-encoding their media. For a prerecorded YouTube Live stream, FFmpeg can pace that input in real time and send it to YouTube using RTMP.
This is different from a YouTube HLS media playlist. HLS is a segmented delivery workflow with its own encoder, playlist, and segment requirements; an FFmpeg concat script is not an HLS playlist.
Prepare the files and playlist
Check the clips
The concat demuxer expects the files to have the same streams, codecs, and time bases, as the FFmpeg concat demuxer documentation explains. A mismatch can prevent concatenation or cause playback problems. If clips need scaling, overlays, filters, or codec conversion, streamcopy is not enough; use a filter-and-re-encode workflow instead.
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Duration metadata matters, too. The demuxer uses reported durations to place later file timestamps. Incorrect or missing duration information can create artifacts or gaps. If a duration cannot be read or is known to be inaccurate, add a duration SECONDS directive immediately after that file’s file entry.
Write the concat script
Save a plain-text file such as playlist.ffconcat beside the clips:
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ffconcat version 1.0
file 'clip-01.mp4'
file 'clip-02.mp4'
file 'clip-03.mp4'The optional first line must be exactly ffconcat version 1.0, with no byte-order mark or extra whitespace, to trigger automatic format recognition. If you are unsure, specify the input format with -f concat as in the command below. Quote or escape paths that contain spaces or special characters. Use absolute paths if the process may start from a different working directory, and keep the paths stable for as long as the stream runs. See the FFmpeg documentation for concat syntax and paths.
Send the playlist to YouTube over RTMP
-
In YouTube Studio, get the current stream’s RTMP ingest URL and stream key. Replace the destination in the example with the URL and key for that stream.
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Run FFmpeg with the playlist path and destination:
ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.ffconcat -c copy -f flv 'rtmp://SERVER/STREAM_KEY' -
Check FFmpeg’s output for successful input mapping and output connection, then check YouTube Studio for the incoming stream. Do not publish the command with a live stream key or expose it in logs you share.
In this example, -re paces file input in real time, -stream_loop -1 repeats the input indefinitely, -f concat selects the concat demuxer, -safe 0 permits paths beyond the demuxer’s default safe subset, -c copy requests streamcopy, and -f flv selects the RTMP-compatible FLV output container. This is an illustrative starting command, not a tested recipe or assurance of uninterrupted operation. Option support and stream mapping can vary with the installed FFmpeg build; check its reported output. The relevant behavior is described in the concat documentation and FFmpeg streamcopy documentation.
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Choose streamcopy or re-encoding
| Approach | Use it when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
Concat demuxer with -c copy |
Clips already have compatible streams, codecs, and time bases, and their encoded media can be sent as-is. | Avoids decoding and re-encoding, but cannot apply filters or fix incompatible media. Output constraints must accept the copied streams. |
| Concat filter and re-encode | Clips differ in format or require scaling, overlays, filtering, or codec conversion. | Enables transformations, but requires decoding and encoding. Choose this route when streamcopy cannot produce suitable output. |
FFmpeg’s concat FAQ recommends the concat filter when re-encoding is required and the demuxer when concatenating without re-encoding is appropriate. If streamcopy fails, inspect the input streams and decide whether to prepare matching files or re-encode them into a compatible format.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep RTMP and HLS workflows separate
The command above is an RTMP-style example. YouTube’s HLS setup instructions describe a separate workflow: TS segments, a rolling playlist with no more than five outstanding segments, HTTPS POST/PUT, and segment durations of 1–4 seconds. YouTube states that HLS has higher latency than RTMP. If you use HLS, follow the current Studio URL and its HLS encoder requirements; do not send the concat script as though it were the HLS media playlist.
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Troubleshoot common failures
- FFmpeg does not recognize the playlist: check that the file is plain text and, if relying on automatic recognition, that its first line is exactly
ffconcat version 1.0with no byte-order mark or leading whitespace. Otherwise, force the demuxer with-f concat. - A clip path cannot be opened: verify the working directory and spelling, quote or escape spaces and special characters, and use stable absolute paths for long-running jobs.
-safe 0permits otherwise restricted paths, so use it only with playlist contents you trust. - Playback glitches or timestamp gaps appear at clip boundaries: compare the files’ streams, codecs, and time bases, and inspect their duration metadata. Add a
durationdirective after entries whose reported duration is missing or inaccurate, or prepare compatible clips. -c copycannot produce the needed output: streamcopy cannot filter or transform media. Prepare compatible inputs or use the concat filter and re-encode.- YouTube does not show an incoming stream: confirm the RTMP destination and stream key in YouTube Studio, then check FFmpeg’s connection and output messages. Protect the key if you share logs or scripts.
- The broadcast stops unexpectedly: looping the input does not guarantee end-to-end availability. The process, server, network connection, stream key configuration, and YouTube settings all affect continuity; check each layer and restart or reconnect as needed.
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