Tag Archives: FFmpeg

(FFmpeg) How to convert FLAC to mp3?

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is another free audio codec and container that is known for it’s lossless audio quality. Oddly enough, FLAC is also maintained and developed by the xiph.org foundation. Other than FLACs inconvenience of player support, audiophiles consider FLAC to be one of the best formats for it’s Hi-Res audio. Although this […]

(FFmpeg) How to convert ogg to mp3?

ogg is an open container format by the xiph.org foundation with no restrictions of software patents. ogg does have a higher quality of audio at smaller file sizes but not commonly supported on physical devices natively (MP3 players, iPhone, etc).  Fortunately, ogg to mp3 is a standard and easy conversion. With audio to audio conversions […]

(FFmpeg) How to extract audio from a video?

At times, you may have a video that you wish to extract the audio from. This is easily done by simply converting the video into an audio format. For example: A new argument -vn (no video) is used to ensure the encoded mp3 is only an audio file. FFMPEG is smart enough that this argument […]

(FFmpeg) How to convert an entire directory/folder?

Before getting into learning how to use all the amazing and powerful filters, let’s learn one more useful trick; converting an entire directory. Whether it’s to convert an entire folder or apply a filter to multiple files, cycling through files is bound to come up in any workflow.   In the example below, this one-liner will […]

What is map in FFmpeg? Map explained

The -map functionality is an advanced feature that allows the user to select specific input audio or video that is sent to the output. In addition, virtual streams can be created to apply complex manipulations which can be accessed with -map.  Normally, a map isn’t required to set an output as the result audio and […]

(FFmpeg) How to use filter_complex without losing video quality?

This is one of the most asked questions on google about FFMPEG and for a good reason, by default automatic compression is added depending on the filter. This is usually done to perform the filter quicker as the higher the quality, the longer the command completion time.  Compression can be avoided using recommended codecs and […]

(FFmpeg) How to chain multiple filters ?

As you use FFMPEG one command might get the job done but at times applying multiple filters to a video is needed. It is possible to apply one filter at a time constantly referencing the last output file but ideally, chains are used to efficiently apply multiple filters. There are two types of filter chaining […]

(FFmpeg) How to mix additional audio in an mp4?

Adding an additional audio source on top of the audio already in a video can be accomplished with the amix filter. This might be useful for adding background music to a commentary video as seen in the example below: A common issue that comes up with amix is the volume of one input over powers […]

(FFmpeg) How to use filters (-vf/-af vs -filter_complex)?

Converting between one file format to another is extremely useful and might be all that’s needed for your use of FFMPEG but where the real fun begins is in the filters. Filters are used to manipulate audio and video with the libavfilter library. A filter might result in a single change to an input file […]

How to install FFmpeg on Linux?

On Ubuntu or Debian based linux operating systems using apt-get installed makes installation of FFMPEG is easy: This will install the latest FFMPEG package but some linux users will want to install from source. FFMPEG requires compilation and installation of various codecs and libraries not bundled with FFMPEG source code. Linux users who want to […]