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1. Prepare a playlist in the order you want to broadcast
Create a plain-text file named playlist.txt in UTF-8. Put one entry per line, with paths to the clips in playback order:
file 'clip-01.mp4'
file 'clip-02.mp4'
file 'clip-03.mp4'Keep the playlist and video files together for these relative paths, or use full paths if they are stored elsewhere. The concat demuxer reads entries in order. With -safe 0, FFmpeg permits paths that its safe-path policy might otherwise reject; use that option only with a playlist you trust, and keep its entries local.
The concat demuxer joins packets from the listed files. FFmpeg’s documentation says, “All files must have the same streams (same codecs, same time base, etc.).” Duration information also matters: inaccurate or missing durations can cause timing gaps or artifacts. See the FFmpeg concat demuxer documentation.
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2. Choose stream copy or re-encoding
Try stream copy only when the files match
If every clip has compatible streams—including codecs, time bases, resolution, and stream layout—try replacing the encoding options with -c copy. Stream copy avoids another encode and uses less processing power, but it has strict compatibility requirements; mismatches can make concatenation fail or create artifacts.
ffmpeg -re -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt -c copy -f flv 'rtmps://SERVER/STREAM_KEY'Use this variant only if the copied video and audio are accepted by the YouTube ingest configuration you selected. If the inputs differ, use a common encoded output instead.
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Re-encode mismatched clips to one output profile
This illustrative template encodes H.264 video and AAC audio, formats commonly used for live ingest:
ffmpeg -re -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt -c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v 8M -maxrate 8M -bufsize 16M -g 60 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -f flv 'rtmps://SERVER/STREAM_KEY'Replace SERVER/STREAM_KEY with the RTMPS server URL and stream key shown for your stream in YouTube Studio. Treat the key like a password: do not post it in screenshots, public logs, or examples. The example’s 8 Mbps video rate corresponds to YouTube’s H.264 recommendation for 720p30; it is not a universal bitrate. For H.264 at 1080p30, YouTube recommends 14 Mbps. Set output dimensions, frame rate, and bitrate for your intended quality and ensure your upload connection can sustain the rate. -g 60 is a two-second GOP only at 30 fps; set GOP length to about twice the frame rate for a two-second keyframe interval. YouTube recommends a two-second keyframe frequency and says it should not exceed four seconds. Its encoder guidance also recommends CBR, 44.1 kHz stereo audio, and 128 kbps stereo audio. Check the current YouTube live encoder settings for your selected resolution, frame rate, codec, and protocol.
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In the command, -re paces file input in real time, -f concat selects the concat demuxer, and -f flv sets the output container used by this RTMP-style command. The encoding options use CPU; -preset veryfast is a speed-versus-compression choice, not a guarantee that a given machine can encode smoothly. FFmpeg’s options, build, and source files can affect the exact command.
The concat demuxer is different from FFmpeg’s concat filter: the demuxer joins packets and suits compatible streams, while the filter works on decoded streams and can support other concatenation workflows, usually with re-encoding. For alternatives and format considerations, see the FFmpeg FAQ.
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3. Configure YouTube Live and start FFmpeg
- In YouTube Studio: open the Live Control Room and create or select a stream. Copy that stream’s current server URL and stream key into the command. YouTube’s encoder setup guide describes the setup flow.
- Run the command: start FFmpeg from the directory containing
playlist.txt, or provide the playlist’s full path. Watch FFmpeg’s output for errors and confirm that it is sending to the intended destination. - Check YouTube’s preview and stream health: wait for the incoming preview, inspect stream-health indicators, and select Go live in the control room when ready.
- End the broadcast: stop FFmpeg’s sending process, then end the stream in YouTube Studio. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; do not assume an indefinitely running stream will be archived.
YouTube recommends RTMPS for encrypted ingest. Its guidance also documents HLS for cases such as HDR or codecs unsupported by RTMP; that requires protocol-specific setup rather than simply reusing this RTMP/FLV command. Test privately, unlisted, or in another controlled setup and monitor stream health before an important public broadcast.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.4. Repeat the playlist only if you need a loop
The command shown plays the listed files once. To repeat them, place -stream_loop -1 before the concat input, as in this illustrative pattern:
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ffmpeg -stream_loop -1 -re -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.txt -c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v 8M -maxrate 8M -bufsize 16M -g 60 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -f flv 'rtmps://SERVER/STREAM_KEY'Confirm that your installed FFmpeg build accepts this option arrangement, then inspect transitions at file boundaries before relying on it for a long broadcast. Do not assume repeat transitions will be seamless.
5. Troubleshoot common failures
- FFmpeg exits at the first clip: check that every playlist line begins with
file, paths resolve from the working directory, filenames are spelled exactly, and quotes are balanced. - Clips fail to join or playback artifacts appear: compare codecs, time bases, resolution, and stream layout. Try stream copy only for compatible inputs; otherwise re-encode to a common profile. Check that files report reliable durations, since incorrect duration information can cause artifacts.
- Timing gaps or jumps at boundaries: inspect playlist paths and duration metadata, then test transitions locally. The concat demuxer advances timestamps using each file’s duration, so duration problems can affect timing.
- YouTube shows no preview: verify that the command uses the current server URL and stream key for the selected stream. Check FFmpeg’s output and YouTube’s stream-health status; do not expose the key while troubleshooting publicly.
- The broadcast buffers or drops frames: check whether the upload connection can sustain the selected video bitrate and whether the encoder can maintain the chosen frame rate. Lower the output bitrate or resolution if needed, and test again while monitoring stream health.
- The command rejects an option or behaves differently: confirm the installed FFmpeg version and build support the requested options and encoder. Input streams and YouTube account settings can also affect the exact invocation.
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