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concat demuxer

How to Loop Multiple Videos with FFmpeg and Nginx RTMP

Use an FFmpeg concat playlist with an infinite loop and real-time pacing, then publish its FLV output to a matching Nginx RTMP application.

By DocumentaryTube Team 5 min read
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To loop several videos into one continuous RTMP stream, put their paths in an FFmpeg concat-demuxer playlist, repeat that playlist with -stream_loop -1, pace file reading with -re, and publish the output to an Nginx RTMP application. The files need compatible stream layouts, codecs and time bases; if they do not, normalize or transcode them first.

What this setup does

FFmpeg reads a text playlist as one ordered input, plays the listed files consecutively and repeats the input indefinitely. It sends an FLV-wrapped RTMP output to an Nginx RTMP server. Nginx must have an application whose name matches the application segment of the publish URL.

The command and configuration below show the pattern, not a tested, universal end-to-end recipe. FFmpeg build options, source files and server setup vary, so check the installed encoders and verify that the chosen output works with your downstream service or player.

1. Create the video playlist

Save a plain-text file named playlist.txt with this exact header on the first line, followed by one file directive per video in the order you want them played:

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ffconcat version 1.0
file 'video1.mp4'
file 'video2.mp4'
file 'video3.mp4'

Keep the video files in the playlist directory and use relative paths where practical. The concat demuxer expects the files to have the same streams, including compatible codecs and time bases. If a file has a different stream layout or properties, normalize or transcode it before relying on the playlist.

The demuxer adjusts timestamps between files, but inaccurate or missing duration information can cause timestamp artifacts. If a file’s stored duration is inaccurate or unavailable, add a duration directive for that file in the playlist using its actual duration.

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2. Configure an Nginx RTMP application

Nginx needs the nginx-rtmp-module built into or added to the NGINX installation. The module project documents a build path that adds the module to NGINX source at configure time. A minimal RTMP configuration shape, adapted from its example, is:

rtmp {
    server {
        listen 1935;
        application live {
            live on;
            allow publish 127.0.0.1;
            deny publish all;
        }
    }
}

Here, Nginx listens on port 1935, and the application name is live. The publish URL must use that same application name. The access rules above allow publishing from localhost only and deny other publishers; they fit the assumption that FFmpeg and Nginx run on the same host. If they run on separate hosts, change the address and publishing policy deliberately rather than opening publishing to everyone.

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3. Start FFmpeg and publish the loop

With Nginx running and the playlist in the current directory, use this representative command:

ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt 
  -c:v libx264 -c:a aac -f flv 
  rtmp://127.0.0.1:1935/live/playlist
  • -re reads the file input at its native frame rate, pacing it like a live source; FFmpeg describes it as equivalent to -readrate 1.
  • -stream_loop -1 repeats the input indefinitely.
  • -f concat selects the concat demuxer, and -i playlist.txt supplies the playlist.
  • -safe 0 permits paths the demuxer’s default safe-path policy would reject. Use it only with a playlist you trust; prefer safe relative paths and the default policy when possible.
  • -c:v libx264 -c:a aac selects video and audio encoders for this example. These are not universal settings: confirm your FFmpeg build includes them and that the output is suitable for your server or downstream player.
  • -f flv wraps the output for RTMP publishing. The final URL’s /live/playlist uses the configured live application and a stream name, here playlist.

FFmpeg options are order-sensitive and generally apply to the next input or output. Keep input options such as -re, -stream_loop and -f concat before -i playlist.txt.

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4. Choose stream copy or transcoding

The sample command transcodes to H.264 and AAC. Transcoding can normalize inputs to chosen output codecs and parameters, but requires encoding work and suitable encoders. To avoid re-encoding, FFmpeg’s special codec value copy passes streams through; for example, -c copy may be appropriate when the sources are compatible and their streams suit the FLV/RTMP output.

Stream copy is not a general fix for mismatched files. The concat demuxer requires the files to have matching streams, and the output format and receiving server must support the copied streams. There is no single choice that fits every playlist; confirm the source properties, installed FFmpeg build and downstream requirements. Neither route has a performance advantage established here by benchmarking.

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5. Troubleshoot common failures

  • FFmpeg rejects the playlist or cannot find a file: Check that ffconcat version 1.0 is exactly the first line, paths are correct relative to the playlist location, and filenames with spaces or special characters are quoted or escaped. Use safe relative paths where possible; only use -safe 0 for trusted playlist content.
  • Files fail at a transition or playback has artifacts: Compare each file’s stream layout, codecs and time bases. Normalize or transcode incompatible inputs. Check duration metadata and add a playlist duration directive when a stored or unavailable duration is inaccurate.
  • FFmpeg reports an encoder error: Check that your installed FFmpeg build includes the selected encoders, or choose compatible encoders available in that build. Confirm that the resulting codecs are supported by the RTMP server and the intended downstream player.
  • The RTMP connection is refused: Confirm Nginx is running, listening on the expected host and port, and configured with the RTMP module and a live application. If FFmpeg runs on another host, 127.0.0.1 points to that FFmpeg host, not the Nginx host.
  • The server rejects publishing: Ensure the URL’s application segment matches the Nginx application name. Check that the configured publish access policy allows the FFmpeg host; the sample permits only localhost.
  • The stream runs too quickly or behaves unlike a live feed: Keep -re before the input option -i playlist.txt so FFmpeg reads the file at native rate.

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