9.3 KiB
FFmpeg Streaming & Live Video
Complete guide to HLS/DASH streaming, live streaming platforms, and adaptive bitrate encoding.
HLS (HTTP Live Streaming)
Basic HLS Stream
Generate playlist for on-demand streaming.
# Simple HLS with default settings
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -c:a aac \
-f hls -hls_time 6 -hls_playlist_type vod \
-hls_segment_filename "segment_%03d.ts" \
playlist.m3u8
Key parameters:
-hls_time- Segment duration (seconds, default 2)-hls_playlist_type-vod(on-demand) orevent(live)-hls_segment_filename- Naming pattern for segments
Optimized HLS
Better quality and compatibility.
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -preset fast -crf 22 \
-g 48 -sc_threshold 0 \
-c:a aac -b:a 128k \
-f hls -hls_time 6 -hls_playlist_type vod \
-hls_segment_filename "segment_%03d.ts" \
playlist.m3u8
Parameters explained:
-g 48- Keyframe every 48 frames (2s @ 24fps)-sc_threshold 0- Disable scene detection (consistent segments)
Multi-Bitrate HLS (Adaptive)
Create multiple quality levels for adaptive streaming.
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
-map 0:v -map 0:a -map 0:v -map 0:a -map 0:v -map 0:a \
-c:v libx264 -crf 22 -c:a aac -b:a 128k \
-b:v:0 800k -s:v:0 640x360 -maxrate:v:0 856k -bufsize:v:0 1200k \
-b:v:1 1400k -s:v:1 842x480 -maxrate:v:1 1498k -bufsize:v:1 2100k \
-b:v:2 2800k -s:v:2 1280x720 -maxrate:v:2 2996k -bufsize:v:2 4200k \
-var_stream_map "v:0,a:0 v:1,a:1 v:2,a:2" \
-master_pl_name master.m3u8 \
-f hls -hls_time 6 -hls_list_size 0 \
-hls_segment_filename "stream_%v/segment_%03d.ts" \
stream_%v/playlist.m3u8
Creates:
master.m3u8- Master playlist (entry point)stream_0/playlist.m3u8- 360p streamstream_1/playlist.m3u8- 480p streamstream_2/playlist.m3u8- 720p stream
HLS with Encryption
Protect content with AES-128 encryption.
# Generate encryption key
openssl rand 16 > enc.key
echo "enc.key" > enc.keyinfo
echo "enc.key" >> enc.keyinfo
openssl rand -hex 16 >> enc.keyinfo
# Encode with encryption
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -c:a aac \
-f hls -hls_time 6 \
-hls_key_info_file enc.keyinfo \
-hls_segment_filename "segment_%03d.ts" \
playlist.m3u8
DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming)
Basic DASH
MPEG-DASH format for adaptive streaming.
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -c:a aac \
-f dash -seg_duration 6 \
-use_template 1 -use_timeline 1 \
manifest.mpd
Multi-Bitrate DASH
Multiple quality levels.
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
-map 0:v -map 0:a -map 0:v -map 0:a \
-c:v libx264 -c:a aac \
-b:v:0 800k -s:v:0 640x360 \
-b:v:1 1400k -s:v:1 1280x720 \
-b:a:0 128k -b:a:1 128k \
-f dash -seg_duration 6 \
-use_template 1 -use_timeline 1 \
manifest.mpd
RTMP Live Streaming
Stream to Twitch
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -maxrate 3000k -bufsize 6000k \
-pix_fmt yuv420p -g 50 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 \
-f flv rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app/STREAM_KEY
Stream to YouTube
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -maxrate 2500k -bufsize 5000k \
-pix_fmt yuv420p -g 60 -c:a aac -b:a 128k \
-f flv rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/STREAM_KEY
Stream to Facebook
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -maxrate 4000k -bufsize 8000k \
-pix_fmt yuv420p -g 60 -c:a aac -b:a 128k \
-f flv rtmps://live-api-s.facebook.com:443/rtmp/STREAM_KEY
Custom RTMP Server
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -tune zerolatency \
-maxrate 2500k -bufsize 5000k \
-pix_fmt yuv420p -g 50 \
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 \
-f flv rtmp://your-server.com/live/stream-key
Screen Capture + Stream
Linux (X11)
ffmpeg -f x11grab -s 1920x1080 -framerate 30 -i :0.0 \
-f pulse -ac 2 -i default \
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -tune zerolatency \
-maxrate 2500k -bufsize 5000k -pix_fmt yuv420p \
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 \
-f flv rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app/STREAM_KEY
macOS (AVFoundation)
# List devices
ffmpeg -f avfoundation -list_devices true -i ""
# Capture and stream
ffmpeg -f avfoundation -framerate 30 -i "1:0" \
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -tune zerolatency \
-maxrate 2500k -bufsize 5000k -pix_fmt yuv420p \
-c:a aac -b:a 128k \
-f flv rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app/STREAM_KEY
Windows (DirectShow)
ffmpeg -f dshow -i video="screen-capture-recorder":audio="Stereo Mix" \
-c:v libx264 -preset ultrafast -tune zerolatency \
-maxrate 750k -bufsize 3000k \
-f flv rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app/STREAM_KEY
Thumbnail Generation
Single Thumbnail
Extract frame at specific time.
# At 5 seconds
ffmpeg -ss 00:00:05 -i input.mp4 -vframes 1 -vf scale=320:-1 thumb.jpg
# At 10% duration
ffmpeg -ss $(ffprobe -v error -show_entries format=duration \
-of default=noprint_wrappers=1:nokey=1 input.mp4 | \
awk '{print $1*0.1}') -i input.mp4 -vframes 1 thumb.jpg
Multiple Thumbnails
Generate thumbnails at intervals.
# One per minute
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf fps=1/60,scale=320:-1 thumb_%03d.jpg
# One per 10 seconds
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf fps=1/10,scale=320:-1 thumb_%03d.jpg
# First 10 frames
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vframes 10 -vf scale=320:-1 thumb_%02d.jpg
Thumbnail Sprite Sheet
Create single image with multiple thumbnails.
# Generate frames
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf fps=1/10,scale=160:90 frames/thumb_%03d.jpg
# Combine into sprite (requires ImageMagick)
montage frames/thumb_*.jpg -tile 5x -geometry +0+0 sprite.jpg
Preview Generation
Video Preview (Trailer)
Extract multiple short clips.
# Extract 3 segments
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
-ss 00:00:30 -t 00:00:10 -c copy segment1.mp4
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
-ss 00:05:00 -t 00:00:10 -c copy segment2.mp4
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
-ss 00:10:00 -t 00:00:10 -c copy segment3.mp4
# Concatenate segments
echo "file 'segment1.mp4'" > concat.txt
echo "file 'segment2.mp4'" >> concat.txt
echo "file 'segment3.mp4'" >> concat.txt
ffmpeg -f concat -safe 0 -i concat.txt -c copy preview.mp4
Fast Preview (Low Quality)
Quick preview for review.
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
-vf scale=640:-1 \
-c:v libx264 -preset ultrafast -crf 28 \
-c:a aac -b:a 64k \
preview.mp4
Streaming Parameters
Important RTMP Parameters
Real-time reading:
-re- Read input at native frame rate
Low latency:
-tune zerolatency- Optimize for minimal latency-preset ultrafastorveryfast- Fast encoding
Keyframes:
-g 50- Keyframe interval (GOP size)- Recommended: 2 seconds (fps * 2)
Rate control:
-maxrate- Maximum bitrate (e.g., 3000k)-bufsize- Buffer size (typically 2x maxrate)
Compatibility:
-pix_fmt yuv420p- Compatible pixel format
Bitrate Recommendations
1080p 60fps:
- 4500-6000 kbps video
- 160 kbps audio
1080p 30fps:
- 3000-4500 kbps video
- 128 kbps audio
720p 60fps:
- 2500-4000 kbps video
- 128 kbps audio
720p 30fps:
- 1500-2500 kbps video
- 128 kbps audio
480p:
- 500-1000 kbps video
- 128 kbps audio
UDP/RTP Streaming
UDP Stream
Simple network streaming.
# Sender
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 -c copy -f mpegts udp://192.168.1.100:1234
# Receiver
ffplay udp://192.168.1.100:1234
RTP Stream
Real-Time Protocol for low latency.
# Audio only
ffmpeg -re -i audio.mp3 -c:a libopus -f rtp rtp://192.168.1.100:5004
# Video + audio
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -preset ultrafast \
-c:a aac -f rtp rtp://192.168.1.100:5004
Multicast Stream
Stream to multiple receivers.
# Sender (multicast address)
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 -c copy -f mpegts udp://239.255.0.1:1234
# Receiver
ffplay udp://239.255.0.1:1234
Advanced Streaming
Hardware-Accelerated Streaming
Use GPU for faster encoding.
# NVIDIA NVENC
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 \
-c:v h264_nvenc -preset fast -maxrate 3000k -bufsize 6000k \
-c:a aac -b:a 128k \
-f flv rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app/STREAM_KEY
# Intel QSV
ffmpeg -re -hwaccel qsv -i input.mp4 \
-c:v h264_qsv -preset fast -maxrate 3000k -bufsize 6000k \
-c:a aac -b:a 128k \
-f flv rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app/STREAM_KEY
Stream with Overlay
Add graphics during stream.
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 -i logo.png \
-filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]overlay=10:10" \
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -maxrate 3000k \
-c:a copy \
-f flv rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app/STREAM_KEY
Loop Stream
Continuously loop video for 24/7 stream.
ffmpeg -stream_loop -1 -re -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -maxrate 2500k \
-c:a aac -b:a 128k \
-f flv rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app/STREAM_KEY
Troubleshooting
Buffering Issues
# Reduce buffer size
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 -maxrate 2000k -bufsize 2000k -c:v libx264 -f flv rtmp://...
# Use faster preset
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 -preset ultrafast -c:v libx264 -f flv rtmp://...
Audio/Video Desync
# Force constant frame rate
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 -r 30 -c:v libx264 -f flv rtmp://...
# Use -vsync 1
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 -vsync 1 -c:v libx264 -f flv rtmp://...
Connection Drops
# Increase timeout
ffmpeg -timeout 5000000 -re -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -f flv rtmp://...
# Reconnect on failure (use wrapper script)
while true; do
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -f flv rtmp://...
sleep 5
done