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What you need
- FFmpeg built with the input and output formats and encoders you plan to use.
- Nginx built with the
nginx-rtmp-moduleand configured with an RTMP application. - Video files that the concat demuxer can read and that have compatible stream layouts, codecs, and time bases.
- A trusted playlist file and a publishing URL whose application name matches the Nginx configuration.
This setup publishes to an RTMP server you control. If your goal is to broadcast to YouTube, the RTMP destination must instead be the ingest URL and stream key provided by YouTube; Nginx is optional as a relay in that arrangement.
1. Create an ordered concat playlist
In a text file named playlist.txt, list each file in playback order. The first line must be exactly ffconcat version 1.0 so FFmpeg can recognize the format automatically:
ffconcat version 1.0
file 'video1.mp4'
file 'video2.mp4'
file 'video3.mp4'Relative paths are simplest when the videos are beside the playlist. Otherwise, use paths that comply with the concat demuxer’s safety rules. Quoting and escaping may be needed for spaces or special characters. The concat demuxer requires all files to have the same streams, including matching codecs and time bases; it is not a general-purpose way to join arbitrary media.
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When a duration needs correction
The concat demuxer uses file duration information to adjust timestamps between files. Inaccurate or unavailable duration estimates can cause timestamp artifacts. Add a duration directive after a file entry when you need to override its stored or estimated duration, using the duration value appropriate to that file.
2. Configure an Nginx RTMP application
In Nginx’s configuration, enable an RTMP server and define an application named live. This example listens on port 1935 and permits publishing only from the same machine:
rtmp {
server {
listen 1935;
application live {
live on;
allow publish 127.0.0.1;
deny publish all;
}
}
}The configuration assumes FFmpeg and Nginx run on the same host. If they are on different hosts, change the publishing address and access policy deliberately; do not leave publishing open to untrusted clients. The RTMP URL format is rtmp://host/app/name, so the URL’s application component must match the configured application. The example above uses live.
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The nginx-rtmp-module project documents adding the module to NGINX source at configure time. Follow its setup instructions for the NGINX build you use; this configuration block alone does not install the module.
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With Nginx and FFmpeg on the same host, a representative command is:
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/playlistReplace the destination with your server’s address and the configured application and stream name. The codec choices are examples, not universal requirements. Confirm that your FFmpeg build has the selected encoders and that the resulting streams are suitable for your RTMP/FLV destination.
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-rereads file input at its native frame rate, equivalent to-readrate 1, so FFmpeg does not send the playlist as fast as it can read it.-stream_loop -1repeats the input indefinitely.-f concatselects the concat demuxer for the playlist.-safe 0relaxes the concat demuxer’s path checks. Use it only for a playlist you trust; the default issafe=1.-i playlist.txtsupplies the playlist as input.-f flvselects the FLV output format used by this RTMP publishing pattern.
FFmpeg options are order-sensitive: input options generally need to appear before the input they affect, while output options go before the output URL. Keep -re, -stream_loop, and the concat input options before -i playlist.txt.
Choose stream copy or transcoding
| Approach | Example | When it fits | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream copy | -c copy |
Use when the source streams are compatible with one another and with the RTMP/FLV output. | Avoids re-encoding, but provides no conversion if codecs or stream properties are unsuitable. |
| Transcode | -c:v libx264 -c:a aac |
Use selected encoders to produce an output format your server or downstream player accepts. | Requires encoding work; whether the chosen codecs and settings are suitable depends on the files and system. |
For example, you can replace the codec options in the command with -c copy only when the inputs and destination support that unchanged output. If files have different stream layouts or incompatible codec or time-base properties, normalize or transcode them first. The example is a synthesis of documented options, not a verified end-to-end recipe, and no performance comparison is implied.
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Troubleshooting
FFmpeg rejects a playlist path
The concat demuxer defaults to safe paths and rejects some absolute paths, protocol paths, or names outside its portable safe format. Prefer relative paths that meet the default rules. For a trusted playlist that needs otherwise rejected paths, use -safe 0 before -i playlist.txt; do not use that setting with an untrusted playlist.
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The loop fails at a file boundary or shows timestamp artifacts
Check that every file has the same streams, codecs, and time bases as required by the concat demuxer. Also check duration metadata: inaccurate estimates can affect timestamp adjustment. Normalize incompatible files, or add an appropriate duration directive where a file’s duration is missing or inaccurate.
FFmpeg reports an unknown encoder
The installed FFmpeg build may not include the encoder named in the command. Check available encoders in that build and choose an available encoder compatible with your intended output, or use stream copy if the source streams already meet the destination’s requirements.
Nginx refuses the publish connection
Verify that the RTMP module is present, Nginx is listening on the expected port, and the RTMP application name in the URL matches the application block. If FFmpeg and Nginx run on different hosts, check the address and the publishing access rules as well.
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Playback is too fast or not paced like a live feed
Confirm that -re appears before the playlist input. It paces file reading at the input’s native rate; it does not convert the video to a different frame rate.
Costs and practical limits
The command-line workflow uses FFmpeg and an Nginx RTMP server; if you host that server remotely, hosting is a separate deployment choice. The setup also depends on the machine or server running FFmpeg staying available while the feed is active. It provides control over the playlist and encoding path, but requires you to maintain the software, compatible media inputs, and publishing configuration.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your destination is YouTube and you would rather not keep a computer running, StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. There is no home computer or connection to keep on, and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. Videos stream as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot. The first day is free with no card required. Monthly is $9.99 per month. UPI and cards are available in India; card checkout is available worldwide. See StreamNeo or its plan details. To try the free day, create a StreamNeo account.
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