I'm writing a script to stream webcam video / audio to http or rtmp using ffmpeg. I managed to get the capture devices right and have them output to mp4 file, streaming to UDP also seems to work but I want to go with TCP. For some reason ffmpeg always complains about the connection and is unable to access the address.

This instantly gives the error "connection refused". I understand I need to add the parameter "-listen 1" for http to work, I did so but now the error then becomes "cannot assign requested address". Some articles suggested using ffserver but that command doesn't exist, I take it the normal ffmpeg command acts as that now? Firewall settings and port forwarding in the router are configured and shouldn't be the problem.

You are using ffmpeg to push the video stream. The destination must be already active and listening for that to work. It seems ffmpeg is unable to reach the destination so you get the error message.

Tcp requires a two-way connection to be established and remain active. Udp does not since it merely sends out the stream.

You can check what you are doing with:

In first terminal.
In second terminal.
I don't have a web cam so I streamed a file

Thanks, seems I missed that part: I was used to the idea I just stream to an open port whenever ffmpeg is running, then any viewer can connect and disconnect freely at any time. There are http streams that work like that, you can access an URL anytime from your browser to view the stream.

That's kinda why I wanted TCP especially; Was hoping I could get the video playing from Firefox. FF doesn't support UDP though, I can only view it from VLC and similar which is okay too in the end.