View Full Version : Calling all geeks...
Right then fountain of wisdom otherwise known as the .Org... a problem...
I'm looking to embed videos into a website (ala YouTube and Google Video), and I can do this easily with JW FLV. However, the clients want to record in MPEG4 (raw too), and don't want the hassle of converting before upload (why did I take this job on again?).
So, do any of you know anything like JW FLV that will allow me to playback in a format other than FLV (lets face it, FLV looses a fair bit of quality)? I can handle the conversion to almost any format other than FLV.
Alternatively, do any of you know a way to convert from AVI/MP4 to FLV on a Linux command line (note, it's specific to CLI for a reason)?
Adeally, a free solution without watermarks would be excellent, but I realise that I'm asking for rocking horse poo laid by the golden goose there. :( So I'd welcome solutions that cost, but I'd need opinions from folks that have used them too. That way I can properly evaluate before I turn around & slap the client with a bill (and eat into my own profits).
Cheers in advance. I'm not expecting answers, just hoping. :kiss:
All I can say is good luck, they don't want much do they. ;-)
timwilky
25-09-08, 08:49 AM
how about looking at ffmpeg
SoulKiss
25-09-08, 09:15 AM
Right then fountain of wisdom otherwise known as the .Org... a problem...
I'm looking to embed videos into a website (ala YouTube and Google Video), and I can do this easily with JW FLV. However, the clients want to record in MPEG4 (raw too), and don't want the hassle of converting before upload (why did I take this job on again?).
So, do any of you know anything like JW FLV that will allow me to playback in a format other than FLV (lets face it, FLV looses a fair bit of quality)? I can handle the conversion to almost any format other than FLV.
Alternatively, do any of you know a way to convert from AVI/MP4 to FLV on a Linux command line (note, it's specific to CLI for a reason)?
Adeally, a free solution without watermarks would be excellent, but I realise that I'm asking for rocking horse poo laid by the golden goose there. :( So I'd welcome solutions that cost, but I'd need opinions from folks that have used them too. That way I can properly evaluate before I turn around & slap the client with a bill (and eat into my own profits).
Cheers in advance. I'm not expecting answers, just hoping. :kiss:
VLC is your buddy here :)
When I get a chance to play I will look into it forther - you could start here tho
http://wiki.videolan.org/Flv
timwilky
25-09-08, 09:32 AM
I think the issue with VLC is getting people to install apps/codecs etc. on their windoze platforms. In many corporate environment etc. they like to tie down the desktop and have a limited approved apps.
even doing it as a plugin or applet is likely to cause problems with software installation policies. Most accept flash. Even though many hate it. Especially those 100% flash sites. Perhaps it is easier to convert all output to a single form, than to manage multiple formats
SoulKiss
25-09-08, 09:43 AM
You misunderstand Tim
You can use VLC to transcode to file using the CLI - I even found a page with a PERL script to batch convert.
VLC is great, but its not, as you say, something you should need to have installed to view web content.
The link I posted was instructions on how to stream a file as a FLV stream which any Flash player should be able to connect to - not what Baph wants, but a pointer in the direction and proof that VLC can do FLV
Stop hassling and flaffing. JW FLV will use MP4 files directly if the video was encoded using H.264, so there is no need for conversion or anything if the source was created correctly. And what does you client mean by encoding MPEG4 raw!? The video or audio? MPEG4 part 2 or MPEG4 part 10 (you will want this one for minimum hassle)?
SoulKiss
25-09-08, 10:20 AM
Stop hassling and flaffing. JW FLV will use MP4 files directly if the video was encoded using H.264, so there is no need for conversion or anything if the source was created correctly. And what does you client mean by encoding MPEG4 raw!? The video or audio? MPEG4 part 2 or MPEG4 part 10 (you will want this one for minimum hassle)?
Stop over simplifying............
In the real world, you can guarantee that if 90% of all MP4 files should work, only 10% will.
The keywords in your response are "if the source was created correctly".
If you are looking to automate - like it looks like Baph is, the only way to do this is to assume that every file is not correct, and process them all.
If you believe that you cannot make the system 100% idiot proof (and idiots are VERY clever at finding ways of breaking things) then have the system correct their errors.
He,s absolutely right you know and I think I may be able to offer some help as well, just need to know first whether the vieos, are VHS or Betamax ?.....
Ill get me coat.............................................. .............................:D
how about looking at ffmpeg
http://wiki.videolan.org/Flv
Combined, I could kiss you both!! :kiss:
Just the ticket, use ffmpeg with VLC to stream, then point JW FLV at the stream VLC is offering. Might get a little processor intensive with loads of users wanting different streams, but I'll cross that bridge when I build it. :(
For the processor power, the client can foot the bill for a better server. :D
EDIT: Stewie, modern day equivalent, but Betamax. :lol:
timwilky
25-09-08, 01:40 PM
Steady on Baph. I am all for a manly slap on the back. But anything friendlier is a bit too... southern?
Steady on Baph. I am all for a manly slap on the back. But anything friendlier is a bit too... southern?
Somehow, I knew you'd react that way; which only makes it more fun.
Wait until the next rideout in your area....:smt026 :kiss:
wyrdness
25-09-08, 02:47 PM
Stop hassling and flaffing. JW FLV will use MP4 files directly if the video was encoded using H.264, so there is no need for conversion or anything if the source was created correctly. And what does you client mean by encoding MPEG4 raw!? The video or audio? MPEG4 part 2 or MPEG4 part 10 (you will want this one for minimum hassle)?
Raf is right. You really ought to be looking at H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) which JW FLV should play directly, as Flash 9 supports H.264 decoding. H.264 will also give you better quality at lower bitrates than other codecs. It's the codec of choice for serious applications. We use it here at Sky for our HD broadcasts.
See a demo here (using a different flash video player)
http://www.weberdesignlabs.com/blog_files/HDVideoPlayer/hdVideoPlayer.html
Edit: It would be worth your while reading this page too:
http://www.jeroenwijering.com/?item=FLV_Video_Compression
SoulKiss
25-09-08, 02:59 PM
As I commented, that assumes you have complete control over the incoming files and can be 100% sure that they match the spec EXACTLY
If you are letting users or the public upload videofiles, then its no guarantee they will match - their kit will probably say mp4 on it so they assume that all m4's are the same and as you said upload mp4, and thats what they did then its your problem and not because they got rubbish kit.
Been dealing with users long enough that if you assume that are all as dumb as hell then you only get pleasant surprises.
You really ought to be looking at H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) which JW FLV should play directly, as Flash 9 supports H.264 decoding.
You're dead right, I should be looking at H.264, and had this very conversation with the client last night. Unfortunately, the spec for now is "use the format we provide, and we don't know what that format is, however, it won't change."
But there is scope for growth of the project to allow the average joe to upload - this could mean they upload anything from H.264 though to CCR601, and I want the initial design to be flexible enough to not cause issues later. That means transcoding on the fly.
At least I'm in a position to turn around & say "well, do it my way & pay £x, or I can do it your way & you can pay 5 times the amount."
EDIT:....
Edit: It would be worth your while reading this page too:
http://www.jeroenwijering.com/?item=FLV_Video_Compression
Interesting about the FLV Metadata... I'll bear that in mind especially. :) Thanks.
andywilson460
25-09-08, 07:51 PM
The way I would do it is to install FFMPEG on the linux box which is a command line tool (as requested) and can then do your conversion on the fly. I would suggest setting up a system that polls a folder (watch folder) which then automatically takes the input file - transcodes to xxx (we use FLVs as it has very high codec penetration - was working with Adobe guys a few weeks ago and they were saying about how many devices they now have the codecs on - bloody hundreds of millions - and people do expect that online now)
You will need to think carefully about the naming conventions that are appended to the original name, and how that is then queried into the page - I am assuming that you have a backend to support this.
Hope that helps - I can give you other software that we use in a large video-based organisation
andywilson460
25-09-08, 07:57 PM
Just re-read the post about .h264 - its great as it works on iphone etc.. it is just making sure it works in the majority of users browsers....
FFMPEG (with the right codecs added) will transcode to pretty much anything
Agree with the h264 as part of the flash 9 wrapper - and they have something like a 80% conversion rate of users over 6 months (if memory serves me)
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