ffplayout/docs/output.md

ffplayout supports different types of outputs, let's explain them a bit:

Stream

The streaming output can be used for ever kind of classical streaming. For example for rtmp, srt, rtp etc. Every streaming type, which are supported from ffmpeg should be working

Multiple Outputs:

ffplayout supports multiple outputs in a way, that it can output the same stream to multiple targets with different encoding settings.

For example you want to stream different resolutions, you could apply this output parameters:

    ...

    output_param: >-
        -c:v:0 libx264
        -crf 23
        -x264-params keyint=50:min-keyint=25:scenecut=-1
        -maxrate:0 1300k
        -bufsize:0 2600k
        -preset faster
        -tune zerolatency
        -profile:v Main
        -level 3.1
        -c:a:0 aac
        -ar:0 44100
        -b:a:0 128k
        -flags +global_header
        -f flv rtmp://example.org/live/stream-high
        -s 960x540
        -c:v:1 libx264
        -crf 23
        -x264-params keyint=50:min-keyint=25:scenecut=-1
        -maxrate:1 1000k
        -bufsize:1 1800k
        -preset faster
        -tune zerolatency
        -profile:v Main
        -level 3.1
        -c:a:1 aac
        -ar:1 44100
        -b:a:1 128k
        -flags +global_header
        -f flv rtmp://example.org/live/stream-low        

When you are using the text overlay filter, it will apply to all outputs.

The same works to for HLS output.

If you want to use different resolution, you should apply them in order from biggest to smallest. Use the biggest resolution in config under processing: and the smaller ones in output_params:.

Desktop

In desktop mode you will get your picture on screen. For this you need a desktop system, theoretical all platforms should work here. ffplayout will need for that ffplay.

HLS

In this mode you can output directly to a hls playlist. The nice thing here is, that ffplayout need less resources then in streaming mode.

HLS multiple outputs example:

    ...

    output_param: >-
        -filter_complex [0:v]split=3[v1_out][v2][v3];[v2]scale=w=960:h=540[v2_out];[v3]scale=w=640:h=360[v3_out];[0:a]asplit=3[a1][a2][a3]
        -map [v1_out]
        -map [a1]
        -c:v:0 libx264
        -crf 23
        -x264-params keyint=50:min-keyint=25:scenecut=-1
        -maxrate:0 2000k
        -bufsize:0 3200k
        -preset faster
        -tune zerolatency
        -profile:v Main
        -flags +cgop
        -c:a:0 aac
        -ar:0 44100
        -b:a:0 128k
        -map [v2_out]
        -map [a2]
        -c:v:1 libx264
        -crf 23
        -x264-params keyint=50:min-keyint=25:scenecut=-1
        -maxrate:1 1100k
        -bufsize:1 2200k
        -preset faster
        -tune zerolatency
        -profile:v Main
        -flags +cgop
        -c:a:1 aac
        -ar:1 44100
        -b:a:1 96k
        -map [v3_out]
        -map [a3]
        -c:v:2 libx264
        -crf 23
        -x264-params keyint=50:min-keyint=25:scenecut=-1
        -maxrate:2 800k
        -bufsize:2 1400k
        -preset faster
        -tune zerolatency
        -profile:v Main
        -flags +cgop
        -c:a:2 aac
        -ar:2 44100
        -b:a:2 64k
        -f hls
        -hls_time 6
        -hls_list_size 600
        -hls_flags append_list+delete_segments+omit_endlist+program_date_time
        -hls_segment_filename /var/www/html/live/stream_%v-%d.ts
        -master_pl_name master.m3u8
        -var_stream_map "v:0,a:0,name:720p v:1,a:1,name:540p v:2,a:2,name:360p"
        /var/www/html/live/stream_%v.m3u8        

The using of -filter_complex and mapping is very limited, don't use it in situations other then for splitting the outputs.

Activating Output

To use one of the outputs you need to edit the ffplayout.yml config, here under out set your mode and use the different output options.