On Raspberry Pi OS, install FFmpeg from a terminal with sudo apt update followed by sudo apt install ffmpeg. That installs the software; it does not configure or start a YouTube Live broadcast. You will also need a media source, YouTube’s stream URL and key, compatible encoder settings, and enough upload capacity.
Install FFmpeg on Raspberry Pi OS
- Open a terminal on the Raspberry Pi, or connect to it using SSH or Raspberry Pi Connect if remote access is already set up. Raspberry Pi OS can use Wi-Fi or Ethernet for network access; either can work if the connection is stable and has sufficient upload capacity. See Raspberry Pi remote access documentation.
- Refresh APT’s package lists:
sudo apt update
Raspberry Pi’s Raspberry Pi OS documentation describes this as refreshing the local package list. - Install FFmpeg:
sudo apt install ffmpeg
This is the installation command given in Raspberry Pi’s camera software documentation. - Check that the executable runs:
ffmpeg -version
To inspect the encoders and protocols included in your installed build, runffmpeg -encodersandffmpeg -protocols. These are practical checks; capabilities can vary by package build, and the install command does not guarantee a particular encoder or protocol is present.
Raspberry Pi OS is Debian-based. The current Raspberry Pi OS information lists a Debian Trixie-based release dated 15 September 2026, but a Pi already in use may run an older release. The APT commands above do not require assuming a particular release.
What else a YouTube live stream needs
FFmpeg is the encoder in this workflow, not the video source or the YouTube broadcast setup. You need an input FFmpeg can read, a YouTube ingest URL and stream key, settings the Pi can encode, and an internet connection that can sustain the outgoing bitrate. YouTube treats configuring the encoder and starting the stream as separate steps in its live encoder setup instructions.
Choose an input
A camera is needed only if you want to broadcast camera footage. FFmpeg can also work with another available video source; the correct input options depend on that source and the FFmpeg build. Installing FFmpeg does not require a camera.
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Get the YouTube stream details
In YouTube Studio, open the live stream setup and copy the stream URL and stream key into the encoder configuration. Treat the key like a password: do not publish it in a script, screenshot, or public example. YouTube’s setup guide covers entering the URL and key and starting the encoder.
If this is your first time enabling live streaming on a channel, YouTube says activation can take up to 24 hours. Check that access is enabled before planning a broadcast.
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Set encoder values to YouTube’s ingest guidance
YouTube’s live encoder settings guidance lists RTMP/RTMPS ingest, H.264, H.265 (HEVC) and AV1 video codecs, frame rates up to 60 fps, AAC or MP3 audio, and constant bitrate (CBR) encoding. It recommends RTMPS, a two-second keyframe interval, and says not to exceed four seconds. For 5.1 audio over RTMP/RTMPS, YouTube says only AAC is supported.
For H.264, YouTube’s recommended bitrates are:
| Output | Recommended video bitrate |
|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 17 Mbps |
These are YouTube ingest recommendations, not performance guarantees for a Raspberry Pi. The Pi model, input, cooling, installed FFmpeg build, and network all affect whether a particular setup can encode and deliver the selected output. A generic package installation command does not establish hardware-encoding support or guarantee 1080p60.
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Match the target to the Pi and connection
- Check that the required encoder and protocol appear in your local FFmpeg build.
- Use a resolution and frame rate the Pi can encode continuously, not just briefly.
- Check upload capacity with a speed test and leave room for bitrate variation and other network use. YouTube recommends testing upload bitrate.
- If the Pi or connection cannot sustain the target, reduce resolution, frame rate, or bitrate and test again.
Do not assume Ethernet is mandatory: a stable Wi-Fi connection may be suitable. The relevant test is whether the available connection sustains the selected upload bitrate during a representative stream.
Test before broadcasting
- Run a pre-event test using the same source, audio, resolution, frame rate, and network you expect to use live.
- Start the encoder and check the YouTube Live Control Room for detected settings and stream health. YouTube says it automatically detects encoder settings and transcodes live streams into multiple output formats.
- Watch for dropped frames, encoding overload, audio problems, or warnings in stream health. If the stream is unstable, lower the output target and test again.
YouTube explicitly advises: “Make sure to test before you start your live stream.” A command tailored to every Pi cannot be given responsibly without knowing the Pi model, input device, OS image, and FFmpeg build; verify those details before using a model-specific capture or encoding command.
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Troubleshooting
Unable to locate package ffmpegor package lists fail: confirm the Pi has working network access, rerunsudo apt update, and review any APT repository or DNS errors shown in the terminal.ffmpeg: command not foundafter installation: check whether the install completed successfully withsudo apt install ffmpeg, then tryffmpeg -versionagain.- An encoder or protocol is unavailable: inspect
ffmpeg -encodersandffmpeg -protocols. The installed package build may not include the capability your planned command requires. - YouTube does not receive the stream: verify the stream URL and key in YouTube Studio, confirm the key has not been mistyped or exposed, and check that the selected ingest protocol is supported by the local build.
- Stream health shows instability or the Pi struggles to encode: check CPU and thermal conditions, then reduce resolution or frame rate and run another representative test. The YouTube bitrate figures are targets for ingest, not proof the Pi can encode them.
- First stream setup is unavailable: if live streaming was just enabled for the first time, allow for YouTube’s stated activation period, which can be up to 24 hours.
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