Use FFmpeg’s concat demuxer to play a text-file list of videos in order, and add -stream_loop -1 to repeat that list. This schedules playback order—not a broadcast’s calendar start time. Create or schedule the YouTube event in Live Control Room, then send FFmpeg’s output to the event’s stream URL and key.
What the playlist file controls—and what it does not
An FFmpeg concat playlist is a text script listing media files in sequence. FFmpeg reads the entries as one continuous input, so the order in the file determines playback order. The playlist does not set a start time, create a YouTube event, or schedule a broadcast on a calendar. Use YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room for those tasks.
- Playlist order: the file’s sequence of
fileentries. - Repeat behavior: FFmpeg’s
-stream_loop -1option. - Broadcast scheduling: the event and go-live controls in YouTube Live Control Room.
Build the concat playlist
-
Create a plain-text file named, for example,
playlist.ffconcat. Make the first line exactlyffconcat version 1.0. It must be the first line, without a byte-order mark, for automatic format recognition. -
Add one
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ffconcat version 1.0 file 'video-01.mp4' file 'video-02.mp4' file 'video-03.mp4' -
Save the file where FFmpeg can access it. Relative paths are interpreted in relation to the working directory from which FFmpeg runs. Quote paths containing spaces or special characters using concat demuxer syntax; verify that every path resolves correctly.
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Keep the default path-safety behavior in mind: the concat demuxer’s
safeoption defaults to1, which restricts accepted paths. The example command below uses-safe 0to allow broader path forms; only do this for a playlist you trust.
Every file should have compatible streams: the same stream layout, codecs, and time bases, among other properties. FFmpeg’s concat documentation states, “All files must have the same streams (same codecs, same time base, etc.).” Mismatches or inaccurate duration information can cause errors, gaps, or artifacts. Test the actual files in your FFmpeg build rather than assuming transitions will be seamless.
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Configure YouTube Live and get the ingest details
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In YouTube Studio, open Live Control Room and create a live stream or schedule an event. Follow YouTube’s current encoder workflow for the event.
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Copy the stream URL and stream key shown for that stream. The destination must use the URL and key YouTube provides; do not reuse a sample URL or expose the key publicly.
-
Choose the resolution, frame rate, and bitrate appropriate for your source files and YouTube’s current settings. YouTube recommends constant bitrate (CBR), a two-second keyframe frequency, and says not to exceed four seconds. It also recommends upload capacity with 20% headroom. These are YouTube’s guidance, not guarantees that a particular connection or file set will work.
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Start the encoder feed and check the incoming preview for video, audio, and acceptable stream health. For a scheduled event, follow the Live Control Room go-live flow after confirming the preview. YouTube’s encoder guidance says, “Make sure to test before you start your live stream.”
Run the repeating FFmpeg stream
This is a template, not a universal copy-paste command. Replace the placeholders with your actual bitrate, buffer size, keyframe interval, ingest hostname, and private stream key; check that the selected encoders are available in your FFmpeg build.
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ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -f concat -safe 0 -i playlist.ffconcat
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v <video-bitrate> -maxrate <video-bitrate>
-bufsize <buffer-size> -g <keyframe-interval>
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100
-f flv 'rtmps://<youtube-ingest>/<stream-key>'-rereads the input at its native rate rather than sending the media as fast as the machine can process it.-stream_loop -1repeats the playlist indefinitely. Put it before the playlist input; FFmpeg options generally apply to the next input or output.-f concat -i playlist.ffconcatselects the concat demuxer and its input file.-c:v libx264and-c:a aacencode video and audio for the output. Encoder availability depends on the installed FFmpeg build. The sample bitrate and audio settings are starting placeholders/settings, not a recommendation for every resolution, frame rate, or source.-gsets the video GOP/keyframe interval. Configure it to match YouTube’s current guidance and the frame rate; a two-second interval means twice the frame rate in frames.-f flvselects the output container used in this RTMP(S) style ingest template. Confirm the destination protocol and URL in Live Control Room.
Choose a bitrate that suits the output resolution and frame rate while remaining comfortably below reliable upload capacity. The exact dimensions, audio layout, frame rate, and bitrate depend on your source media and YouTube’s current encoder recommendations. The command above re-encodes; if all files have matching streams and a stream-copy output is suitable for your ingest, copying can reduce processing, but it is not a safe assumption for mixed files or every live setup.
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When to normalize files or use the concat filter
Use the concat demuxer for compatible files
The demuxer is appropriate when the clips’ streams and timing are compatible and you want FFmpeg to sequence their packets as one input. Validate all files and the full loop before the scheduled broadcast. Timestamp adjustment can create gaps when stream lengths differ and duration data is inaccurate.
Normalize incompatible clips before streaming
If clips differ in codecs, time bases, stream layout, dimensions, frame rate, or audio format, convert them to a consistent set of properties before using the demuxer. Check the output files, not just the conversion command, and test the playlist again.
Use the concat filter when processing or re-encoding is needed
When inputs need different processing or must be re-encoded into a common format, FFmpeg’s concat filter is generally the more suitable approach. It requires filter-graph and encoding configuration and uses more CPU than simply sequencing compatible packet streams. FFmpeg’s FAQ recommends the concat filter when re-encoding is needed.
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Preflight checks and troubleshooting
- FFmpeg rejects the playlist or cannot find a file: confirm the exact first-line header, absence of a byte-order mark, working directory, filenames, quoting, and path restrictions. Use
-safe 0only if you trust the playlist. - Concat errors, missing audio/video, or artifacts at a boundary: compare the files’ codecs, time bases, and stream layout; confirm duration information is accurate. Normalize incompatible inputs or use the concat filter with re-encoding.
- The stream ends instead of looping: confirm
-stream_loop -1appears before-i playlist.ffconcatand that the FFmpeg process is still running. - YouTube receives no signal: check the stream URL, key, output protocol, network access, and FFmpeg’s error output. Copy the destination details from the correct Live Control Room event; keep the key private.
- Preview is missing audio or video, or stream health is poor: inspect the chosen streams and encoder output, test the complete playlist, and verify upload capacity with YouTube’s recommended 20% headroom.
- Encoder not found: the installed FFmpeg build may not include the requested encoder. Check available encoders and choose a supported one, adjusting the command as needed.
- Scheduled event is not public yet: sending the encoder feed and scheduling the event are separate tasks. Confirm preview, then use the event’s Live Control Room controls to go live; follow YouTube’s end-stream directions when ending the broadcast.
Before the event, test the full ordered playlist and loop, confirm audio and video in preview, and check stream health. YouTube’s dashboard labels and encoder requirements can change, so use its current Live Control Room instructions for the event.
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