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FFmpeg is | FFmpeg is a collection of software libraries that can record, convert and stream digital audio and video in numerous formats. | ||
FFmpeg includes the [[libavcodec]] audio/video codec library, a decoder/encoder codec-suit that forms the basis of most free and open source software multimedia programs. The FFmpeg project aims to support all popular and less known codec formats and it is closer to that goal than any other (commercial or open source) program or library | |||
FFmpeg also contains [[libavformat]], a library for multimedia container formats and [[libpostproc]] for postprocessing, (and in the future also [[libavfilter]] for video and audio filtering). [[ffplay]] is a simple media player that uses libavcodec and libavformat. | FFmpeg also contains [[libavformat]], a library for multimedia container formats and [[libpostproc]] for postprocessing, (and in the future also [[libavfilter]] for video and audio filtering). [[ffplay]] is a simple media player that uses libavcodec and libavformat. | ||
==About the FFmpeg project== | |||
The name of the project comes from the MPEG video standards group, together with "FF" for "fast forward".[1] | |||
The project was started by Fabrice Bellard (using the pseudonym “Gerard Lantau”), and is now maintained by Michael Niedermayer. Many FFmpeg developers are also part of the MPlayer project, and FFmpeg is hosted at the MPlayer project server. | |||
FFmpeg is developed under Linux, but it can be compiled under most operating systems, including Microsoft Windows. There are no releases. Instead, FFmpeg developers recommend using the latest Subversion snapshot as development maintains a constantly stable trunk. Released under the GNU Lesser General Public License or GNU General Public License (depending on which sub-libraries one would include), FFmpeg is free software. | |||
== FFmpeg Architecture Design == | |||
[[Image:FFmpeg.svg|thumb|left|300px|Diagram showing different applications ([[Video Disk Recorder|VDR]], Mplayer, [[Xine]] and VideoLAN) using FFmpeg]]<br> | |||
<br><br> | |||
== FFmpeg Components == | |||
The FFmpeg project is made of several components: | |||
* ''ffmpeg'' is a command line tool to convert one video file format to another. It also supports grabbing and encoding in real time from a TV card. | |||
* ''ffserver'' is an [[Hypertext Transfer Protocol|HTTP]] ([[Real Time Streaming Protocol|RTSP]] is being developed) multimedia streaming server for live broadcasts. Time shifting of live broadcast is also supported. | |||
* ''ffplay'' is a simple media player based on [[Simple DirectMedia Layer|SDL]] and on the FFmpeg libraries. | |||
* ''[[libavcodec]]'' is a library containing all the FFmpeg audio/video encoders and decoders. Most codecs were developed from scratch to ensure best performance and high code reusability. | |||
* ''libavformat'' is a library containing demuxers and muxers for audio/video container formats. | |||
* ''libavutil'' is a helper library containing routines common to different parts of FFmpeg. | |||
* ''libpostproc'' is a library containing [[video postprocessing]] routines. | |||
* ''libswscale'' is a library containing video [[image scaling]] routines. | |||
==Codecs and formats supported == | |||
The FFmpeg developers have [[reverse engineering|reverse-engineered]] and/or reimplemented, among others: | |||
===Codecs=== | |||
See [[libavcodec]] for more details. | |||
* [[Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding|ATRAC3]]<ref name="svn8747">{{cite web | author = banan | url = http://svn.mplayerhq.hu/ffmpeg/trunk/Changelog?revision=8747&view=marku | title = Changelog | publisher = FFmpeg website | work = FFmpeg trunk SVN | date = [[17 April]] [[2007]] | accessdate = 2007-04-26}}</ref> | |||
* [[H.261]],<ref name="svn8747"/> [[H.263]]<ref name="svn8747"/> and [[h.264/MPEG-4 AVC]]<ref name="svn8747"/> | |||
* [[Indeo]] 2 and 3<ref name="svn8747"/> | |||
* [[QDesign]] Music Codec 2, used by many QuickTime movies prior to QuickTime 7. | |||
* [[Sorenson 3 Codec]] used by many [[QuickTime]] movies | |||
* [[Theora]] (together with [[Vorbis]] makes a base for the .[[ogg]] format) | |||
* [[Truespeech]] | |||
* TXD<ref name="ffdev20070507">{{cite web | author = banan | url = http://lists.mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/ffmpeg-devel/2007-May/028761.html | title = FFmpeg development mailing list | publisher = FFmpeg website | work = FFmpeg development | date = [[7 May]] [[2007]] | accessdate = 2007-06-01}}</ref> | |||
* [[VP5]]<ref name="svn8747"/> and [[VP6]]<ref name="svn8747"/> | |||
* [[Vorbis]] | |||
* [[Windows Media Audio]] | |||
* Some [[Windows Media Video]] codecs, including WMV1, WMV2 and WMV3 | |||
The default [[MPEG-4]] codec used by FFmpeg for encoding has the [[FourCC]] of '''FMP4'''. | |||
===Formats=== | |||
* [[Advanced Systems Format|ASF]], and thereby the original version of [[DivX]] | |||
* [[Audio Video Interleave|AVI]] | |||
* [[FLV]] | |||
* [[Matroska]] | |||
* [[MPEG transport stream]] | |||
* TXD<ref name="ffdev20070507"/> | |||
== Legal status == | |||
FFmpeg's legal status varies by country. Some included codecs, (such as Sorenson 3), are claimed by patent owners. Such claims may be enforceable in countries like the United States which recognize [[software patent]]s, but are considered unenforcable or void in countries that do not recognize software patents. Furthermore, many of these codecs are only released under terms that forbid reverse engineering, even for purposes of interoperability. However, these terms of use are forbidden in certain countries. For example, some European Union nations do not recognize software patents and/or have laws expressly allowing reverse engineering for purposes of interoperability.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |publisher=[[Directive on the legal protection of computer programs|Council Directive 91/250/EEC of 14 May 1991 on the legal protection of computer programs]]}}</ref> In any case, many Linux distributions do not include FFmpeg to avoid legal complications.<ref>{{ cite web | title = Information about this on FFmpeg's website | url = http://ffmpeg.mplayerhq.hu/legal.html }}</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== |
Revision as of 05:06, 3 January 2008
FFmpeg is a collection of software libraries that can record, convert and stream digital audio and video in numerous formats.
FFmpeg includes the libavcodec audio/video codec library, a decoder/encoder codec-suit that forms the basis of most free and open source software multimedia programs. The FFmpeg project aims to support all popular and less known codec formats and it is closer to that goal than any other (commercial or open source) program or library
FFmpeg also contains libavformat, a library for multimedia container formats and libpostproc for postprocessing, (and in the future also libavfilter for video and audio filtering). ffplay is a simple media player that uses libavcodec and libavformat.
About the FFmpeg project
The name of the project comes from the MPEG video standards group, together with "FF" for "fast forward".[1]
The project was started by Fabrice Bellard (using the pseudonym “Gerard Lantau”), and is now maintained by Michael Niedermayer. Many FFmpeg developers are also part of the MPlayer project, and FFmpeg is hosted at the MPlayer project server.
FFmpeg is developed under Linux, but it can be compiled under most operating systems, including Microsoft Windows. There are no releases. Instead, FFmpeg developers recommend using the latest Subversion snapshot as development maintains a constantly stable trunk. Released under the GNU Lesser General Public License or GNU General Public License (depending on which sub-libraries one would include), FFmpeg is free software.
FFmpeg Architecture Design
FFmpeg Components
The FFmpeg project is made of several components:
- ffmpeg is a command line tool to convert one video file format to another. It also supports grabbing and encoding in real time from a TV card.
- ffserver is an HTTP (RTSP is being developed) multimedia streaming server for live broadcasts. Time shifting of live broadcast is also supported.
- ffplay is a simple media player based on SDL and on the FFmpeg libraries.
- libavcodec is a library containing all the FFmpeg audio/video encoders and decoders. Most codecs were developed from scratch to ensure best performance and high code reusability.
- libavformat is a library containing demuxers and muxers for audio/video container formats.
- libavutil is a helper library containing routines common to different parts of FFmpeg.
- libpostproc is a library containing video postprocessing routines.
- libswscale is a library containing video image scaling routines.
Codecs and formats supported
The FFmpeg developers have reverse-engineered and/or reimplemented, among others:
Codecs
See libavcodec for more details.
- ATRAC3<ref name="svn8747">Template:Citation/core{{#if:|}}</ref>
- H.261,<ref name="svn8747"/> H.263<ref name="svn8747"/> and h.264/MPEG-4 AVC<ref name="svn8747"/>
- Indeo 2 and 3<ref name="svn8747"/>
- QDesign Music Codec 2, used by many QuickTime movies prior to QuickTime 7.
- Sorenson 3 Codec used by many QuickTime movies
- Theora (together with Vorbis makes a base for the .ogg format)
- Truespeech
- TXD<ref name="ffdev20070507">Template:Citation/core{{#if:|}}</ref>
- VP5<ref name="svn8747"/> and VP6<ref name="svn8747"/>
- Vorbis
- Windows Media Audio
- Some Windows Media Video codecs, including WMV1, WMV2 and WMV3
The default MPEG-4 codec used by FFmpeg for encoding has the FourCC of FMP4.
Formats
- ASF, and thereby the original version of DivX
- AVI
- FLV
- Matroska
- MPEG transport stream
- TXD<ref name="ffdev20070507"/>
Legal status
FFmpeg's legal status varies by country. Some included codecs, (such as Sorenson 3), are claimed by patent owners. Such claims may be enforceable in countries like the United States which recognize software patents, but are considered unenforcable or void in countries that do not recognize software patents. Furthermore, many of these codecs are only released under terms that forbid reverse engineering, even for purposes of interoperability. However, these terms of use are forbidden in certain countries. For example, some European Union nations do not recognize software patents and/or have laws expressly allowing reverse engineering for purposes of interoperability.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> In any case, many Linux distributions do not include FFmpeg to avoid legal complications.<ref>Template:Citation/core{{#if:|}}</ref>
See also
Other projects and applications that use FFmpeg
- ac3encode (DirectShow AC3 Encoder)
- AtGLas
- avifile
- Avview
- bbplay
- BeOS FFmpeg decoders
- BeOS HybridDivx
- BeSweet
- Chroma Player
- chronictv
- CorePlayer
- D-Volution
- DivXray
- DivXtoDVD
- Dr. Divx
- dvbcut
- DVDFlick
- Easy VOB 2 DivX
- ffdshow
- ffdshow tryouts
- ffmpeg-php
- ffmpeg2theora
- FFMPEG for QT
- ffmpegX for Mac OS X
- ffmpegX Companion
- FFRecord
- fftv
- FFusion, Alternative Codecs for Mac OS X
- FMJ
- Fobs
- FreeJ
- Frogger
- Gallery
- gmerlin
- GOM Player
- GPAC
- GStreamer
- HandBrake
- HTS (Home Theater System)
- Hyperion
- ImTOO DVD Ripper
- Jffmpeg
- Kdenlive
- KFilm
- KMediaFactory
- Konvertor
- KToon
- libquicktime
- LIVES
- LULOP2
- Lynkeos
- mConverter
- MLT Framework
- MobileHackerz
- Mobile Media Converter
- modprismiq
- Motion
- movie thumbnailer
- mp4converter
- mpeg4ip
- MPlayer
- mplayer plug-in
- MythTV
- Network-Integrated Multimedia Middleware (NMM)
- nvrec
- Off The Hook
- OpenH323
- Perian
- PowerCinema for Linux
- PSP Media Player
- PSP Video 9
- PyMedia
- QEmacs
- QStream
- QuickView Pro
- Riva VX
- Replay Converter
- rmovie
- shotdetect
- SkreenKast
- StreamStudio
- SUPER
- TaKa FLV Encoder
- TCVP
- tkcVideo
- Transcode
- TVersity
- V-Player
- VDownloader
- vdr-softdevice
- VeeJay
- VICE
- VideoLAN
- Virtual Choreographer
- ViTooKi
- Vive
- WinFF
- WMA codec for Mac OS X
- Xawdecode
- XBMC (formally known as XBox Media Center)
- XBox Media Player
- xine
- XMFFMPEG
- xvidcap
- YAMP
- Zeta
- ZoneMinder