Converting Videos Howto – FFMPEG

This video tutorial will explain how to losslessly convert any video file format, including quicktime .mov, flash .flv files, open source .ogv, .mp4, .wmv, .asf and more. I show you how to install ffmpeg, check the formats and codecs available to you, convert a file to a new format (windows media and .asf in this example) without any loss in quality during the decoding and encoding process, and create and run a script file that will enable you to run a batch conversion on any number of files at the same time. Anyone who has tried to convert multimedia files in Windows knows how challenging it can be. There are a ton of different programs out there to do it, but most of them either leave a watermark in your video, lower the resolution of your video, or both, unless you pay hundreds of dollars. ffmpeg can do this for you quickly, conveniently, and completely free – and can even be used in Windows! This video was created for Ubuntu, but will work for most Linux distributions, and the code you learn here to convert a file can be applied to the Windows version as well, though Windows’ scripting language is different so you will need to adjust the batch conversion script. For more quick video tips, check out www.linuxhaxor.net, and for all these and lots more fun stuff, take a look at my site http Note: Yes, if you use a lossy codec, there will be loss in transcoding, but the difference is imperceptible with ffmpeg, unlike other programs. Sorry for being imprecise.

25 Comments »

  1. Comment by StrainPesteHotare — January 12, 2010 @ 9:22 pm

    if you would watch more of her’s tutorials you would see that they are pretty good and handy. Sure she’s a good looking lady too, but let’s be fare,so if you have something to protest than do it according to the posted video and not because she’s good looking or other things that has nothing to do with the video.Actually I’ve stumbled on hers videos looking for debian technical information, and I’ve clicked on one of her’s videos hoping to get just that, and no other reason really.

  2. Comment by Unclesamslair — January 20, 2010 @ 6:07 am

    I’m sorry, people like us may find this easy, but without a nice little GUI, the average consumer may not find this easy.

  3. Comment by spamsam99 — January 21, 2010 @ 1:58 pm

    Nice tutorial Nixie, can you tell us how you got so familiar with Linux, are you self taught or at school? I have never tried Linux, please recomend a study path – and how long would it take?

  4. Comment by fukkalukka — January 23, 2010 @ 7:23 am

    morons like you will never understand the power of linux

  5. Comment by loperaja — January 23, 2010 @ 8:18 pm

    great tutorial! its good to see a beautiful girl like you talking about the almighty linux

  6. Comment by BriBlade — January 25, 2010 @ 1:10 am

    Sorry dude…you just have way too much time on your hands. The fact that people like Linux is because it is more of a hobby than an easier way to do things. Don’t get me wrong, i think Linux is powerful, just not practical in for easy tasks. Other than CS majors, who has time to memorize F@%&$@ code? Get a life!!!

  7. Comment by NousChristou — January 25, 2010 @ 11:14 pm

    Absolutely fantastic! A gorgeous girl who actually knows how to geek out on a fantastic OS! Go ahead and complain, those who have spent $200+ for an inferior OS, but Linux is the shtick!

  8. Comment by longlove4u — February 4, 2010 @ 5:02 pm

    Spot on Bro…
    This is a rear find…

  9. Comment by knappydanny — February 5, 2010 @ 3:35 pm

    anyone know if it will do .mts files or other AVCHD files ?

  10. Comment by wyciskTV — February 6, 2010 @ 8:56 pm

    A big question to you Nixie: does Kdenlive handle H.264 files? Thanks for advising.

  11. Comment by Virimpa — February 7, 2010 @ 5:22 pm

    Post on other tubes and talk nerdy!

    You might get a lot of views :P

  12. Comment by NeptuneBBC — February 11, 2010 @ 9:13 pm

    What does the wmav2 mean??

  13. Comment by starshiptrooper02 — February 18, 2010 @ 5:56 am

    Thanks for the ffmpeg tutorial with an attractive voice and some nice eye candy to boot. Go you!

  14. Comment by BigAndTall666 — February 20, 2010 @ 7:26 am

    Just beautiful, nothing but!!! :-)

  15. Comment by rahulmehta241 — February 24, 2010 @ 10:38 am

    I need to watermark my videos using ffmpeg,but I cannot find vhook

  16. Comment by biakumo — February 25, 2010 @ 3:19 pm

    you can use avidemux, It’s a simple software like virtualdub for windows

  17. Comment by MegaMano69 — March 2, 2010 @ 12:09 pm

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  18. Comment by saivert — March 4, 2010 @ 5:07 am

    @StrainPesteHotare to be truthful, if more girls like her existed then this wouldn’t be such a big deal to a lot of people. Personally I don’t care who talk about tech as long as they do it in a easy to understand manner and has a soothing voice.
    I watch Tekzilla and Hak5 sometimes too and Hak5 also got a girl on the show. you horny boys will grow up some day I hope. ;)

  19. Comment by IIxR4YxR4YxII — April 4, 2010 @ 4:03 am

    i never knew beauty
    could come in such a smart woman

  20. Comment by whatnameisavailablee — April 6, 2010 @ 4:01 pm

    great video

    But, what is a container?

  21. Comment by whatnameisavailablee — April 6, 2010 @ 4:01 pm

    great video

    But, what is a container?

  22. Comment by davidoso100 — April 7, 2010 @ 9:57 pm

    that girl more beautiful, clever and sexy that you’re a kiss from Spain, I love you

  23. Comment by snake1250 — April 9, 2010 @ 2:06 am

    I think your hot and all but How is this easier than windows? seriously.

  24. Comment by pokebombing — April 14, 2010 @ 2:41 am

    What if I have the Ubuntu 9.10 Netbook remix?

  25. Comment by worldpolite — April 14, 2010 @ 8:54 am

    huumm you have spams in your videos, you will need to use fire fox.

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