To stream a playlist with subtitles permanently visible, use FFmpeg’s subtitles filter to render the timed text into each video frame, then send the encoded output to the RTMPS server URL and stream key from YouTube Live Control Room. Prepare a compatible playlist first, verify that your FFmpeg build includes libass, and test the complete stream before relying on it.
Burned-in subtitles versus YouTube live captions
Burned-in subtitles become pixels in the picture: every viewer sees them, and viewers cannot turn them off or select a different caption track. FFmpeg describes its subtitles filter as drawing subtitles on top of the input video using the libass library. FFmpeg subtitles filter documentation
This is different from YouTube live captions, which use a separate caption delivery path. YouTube documents captions embedded in the video as EIA 608/CEA 708, or captions delivered through supported software over HTTP. Those approaches are for viewers who need a caption track rather than text permanently composited into the image. YouTube Help: Use automatic captioning
Prepare and check the playlist
Make a concat list
For files FFmpeg can concatenate as a virtual input, create a UTF-8 text file named playlist.txt with one entry per line, in playback order:
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file 'part-01.mp4'
file 'part-02.mp4'
file 'part-03.mp4'
Use paths relative to the list file or absolute paths. If a filename contains an apostrophe or unusual characters, account for the concat file’s quoting rules rather than assuming shell-quoting rules apply. Keep the list and media files accessible to the FFmpeg process.
Check stream compatibility and timing
The concat demuxer reads packets from files in order; it does not make incompatible files identical. Matching codecs, stream layouts, dimensions, frame rates, sample rates, and channel layouts makes a more predictable sequence. Check each source with ffprobe, for example:
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ffprobe -v error -show_streams -show_format -of json part-01.mp4
Repeat for the other files and compare the video and audio streams. FFmpeg’s concat documentation warns that timestamp adjustments can create gaps when streams do not have exactly the same duration. Different source lengths or timestamp bases can therefore cause pauses, jumps, or audio/video discontinuities at file boundaries. FFmpeg concat demuxer documentation
Check your subtitles
Make sure the subtitle file covers the intended parts of the playlist and its timestamps match the video timeline being fed to the filter. A single SRT file supplied to the filter is interpreted against the concatenated input timeline; subtitles authored separately for each source may need to be combined or retimed so they appear at the correct points. Check the first and last subtitle cues and several transitions in a local preview.
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For non-UTF-8 subtitle text, the filter has a charenc option. For a subtitle track embedded in a media file, use the filter’s subtitle-stream index option to choose the intended track. The filter also supports fontsdir for additional fonts and force_style for styling overrides. If the video’s aspect ratio was changed, the original_size option can be important for correct font scaling. Consult the options for your installed build in the FFmpeg subtitles filter documentation.
Confirm FFmpeg has the subtitles filter
The subtitles filter needs an FFmpeg build configured with --enable-libass, as well as libavcodec and libavformat support for converting the subtitle file to ASS. Builds differ, so check the one you will actually use:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Run
ffmpeg -filtersand look for thesubtitlesfilter. - Run
ffmpeg -h filter=subtitlesto inspect its available options. - If the filter is missing, install or build an FFmpeg version with libass enabled, then repeat both checks.
FFmpeg’s online documentation is regenerated for the newest revision; the documentation index recommends checking local documentation for older versions. Use your local help output if an option shown online is absent. FFmpeg documentation index
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Set up the YouTube Live stream
- In YouTube Studio, open Live Control Room and create or open the stream you intend to use.
- Copy the stream server URL and stream key shown for that stream. Treat the key like a password: do not publish it, share it in screenshots, or paste a real key into a public command or script.
- Choose resolution and frame rate to match your sources and reliable upload capacity. YouTube’s current encoder guidance supports H.264, H.265/HEVC, or AV1 video, AAC or MP3 audio, and up to 60 fps. For an H.264 stream, its recommended ingest bitrates include:
| Output | YouTube recommended H.264 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’s recommended H.264 ingest bitrates for the listed resolutions and frame rates, not a guarantee of picture quality or a substitute for testing your upload. YouTube recommends CBR, a two-second keyframe interval (not over four seconds), RTMPS for encrypted transport where supported, and an upload-speed test. Check the current YouTube encoder settings and bitrates before configuring a live event; platform guidance can change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Burn subtitles in and send the stream
This example shows the stages, not a universal command. It assumes an FFmpeg build with libass and the libx264 and AAC encoders, compatible inputs, and an SRT file timed to the concatenated playlist. Replace the URL and key placeholders with the values from Live Control Room; do not include a real key when sharing the command.
ffmpeg -re -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt -vf "subtitles=filename=subtitles.srt" -c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v 8M -maxrate 8M -bufsize 16M -r 30 -g 60 -keyint_min 60 -sc_threshold 0 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 -f flv "rtmps://YOUR_SERVER_URL/YOUR_STREAM_KEY"
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In this illustrative setup, -re reads the playlist at its native rate rather than sending it as fast as the machine can process it; -vf burns the SRT subtitles into the video; and the output is encoded as H.264 video and AAC audio before being sent using the RTMPS URL. The example’s 8 Mbps video bitrate is suited to YouTube’s listed H.264 recommendation for 720p at 30 or 60 fps; it is not the recommended setting for 1080p. Change the output bitrate, frame rate, and keyframe interval together to match the selected resolution, source, YouTube guidance, and connection capacity. A two-second keyframe interval at 30 fps corresponds to 60 frames.
FFmpeg options and quoting vary by operating system and build. If your input does not contain audio, add a silent audio source or adjust the output mapping and audio settings; if inputs have multiple audio or video streams, specify the desired streams explicitly. Embedded subtitles, unusual encodings, font requirements, and source timing may also need different filter options. Check the command’s local filter help and verify the resulting picture and sound instead of assuming this example fits every input.
Looping the playlist
The concat demuxer lists files once; it does not automatically repeat the playlist forever. Do not mistake FFmpeg’s documented video loop filter example—which repeats a frame—for a complete playlist loop. A playlist-level repeat strategy depends on the input and installed FFmpeg version. Choose one supported by your build, then test what happens at the end of the list, including whether the stream exits, restarts cleanly, and preserves timestamps and audio. Avoid launching an unverified restart loop directly against a live stream: reconnect behavior and YouTube’s response need to be checked in a short test first.
Test the stream and go live
- Run the command and wait for YouTube Live Control Room to show the incoming preview.
- Inspect stream health and confirm that the subtitles are legible, synchronized, and present at the correct playlist transitions. Listen for audio gaps or clipping.
- Test with representative motion and sound, and verify the selected resolution and frame rate in the preview.
- For a scheduled stream, click “Go live” in Live Control Room when the preview and health indicators are ready. Starting FFmpeg sends the encoder feed; it may not, by itself, publish a scheduled event.
- When finished, stop FFmpeg and end the stream in Live Control Room as appropriate. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; do not assume a longer stream will be archived. YouTube Help: Create a live stream with an encoder
YouTube’s guidance is direct: “Make sure to test before you start your live stream.” Monitor stream health during the event as well. YouTube encoder settings
Troubleshooting
- “No such filter: subtitles.” The FFmpeg build may lack libass support. Check
ffmpeg -filtersandffmpeg -h filter=subtitles; use a build configured with--enable-libass. - Subtitles are missing, garbled, or use the wrong font. Confirm the subtitle path, text encoding, and timeline; use
charencfor non-UTF-8 input andfontsdirwhere needed. Check filter options in the local help output. - Subtitles appear at the wrong time after a file change. The cues may be timed for an individual file rather than the concatenated timeline. Retiming or combining the subtitle cues may be necessary; preview each transition.
- There are gaps or jumps between playlist items. Compare stream layouts and durations with
ffprobe. The concat demuxer can produce timestamp gaps if streams do not have exactly matching lengths; normalize or otherwise prepare incompatible sources and test the boundaries. - YouTube does not show an incoming feed. Recheck the stream URL and key in Live Control Room, the RTMPS output, encoder logs, and network access. Never expose the key while debugging publicly.
- The stream health warning reports insufficient bandwidth. Check upload speed and stability, then reduce output resolution, frame rate, or bitrate to a supported combination. Keep the keyframe interval within YouTube’s guidance.
- The preview arrives but the event is not public. Check the event’s scheduled state and use Live Control Room’s “Go live” control when required.
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