MEncoder (MPlayer's Movie Encoder) is a simple movie encoder, designed to encode MPlayer-playable movies @@ -18,77 +20,72 @@ formats (see below). It can encode with various codecs, like DivX4 (1 or 2 passes), libavcodec, PCM/MP3/VBRMP3 audio. Also has stream copying and video resizing abilities.
- + --
lame binary isn't sufficient. BTW: the less optimization
- you use for lame, the better the quality will be. You can test
- quality by running make test after lame's compiling process
- is over. The resulting number should be less than 30. Don't
- panic if it's 400 or so, you shouldn't heard any audible
- quality decrease. Oh, and if your compiler doesn't even run make test ...
- Well, delete that GCC 2.96.libjpeg and libpng -
- as described in the Installation
- sectionlame binary isn't sufficient. BTW: the less optimization
+ you use for lame, the better the quality will be. You can test
+ quality by running make test after lame's compiling process
+ is over. The resulting number should be less than 30. Don't
+ panic if it's 400 or so, you shouldn't heard any audible
+ quality decrease. Oh, and if your compiler doesn't even run make test ...
+ Well, delete that GCC 2.96.libjpeg and libpng -
+ as described in the Installation
+ sectionYou are ready. As you probably know, other encoding tools need the avifile library installed. MEncoder doesn't need it at all.
- + --
-ofps option (useful when encoding
- 29.97fps VOB to 24fps AVI)-ofps option (useful when encoding
+ 29.97fps VOB to 24fps AVI)Planned features : -
2.4.3.1. Encoding 2 or 3-pass DivX4
+2.4.3.1. Encoding 2 or 3-pass DivX4
-2-pass encoding : the name comes from the fact that this method encodes the file twice. +
2-pass encoding: the name comes from the fact that this method encodes the file twice. The first encoding (dubbed pass) creates some temporary files (*.log) with a size of few megabytes, do not delete them yet (you can delete the AVI). In the second pass, the 2-pass output file is created, using the bitrate data from the temporary files. The resulting @@ -96,83 +93,80 @@ file will have much better image quality. If this is the first time you heard about this, you should consult some guides available on the Net.
This example shows how to encode a DVD to a 2-pass DivX4 AVI. Just two
-commands are needed :
+commands are needed:
rm frameno.avi - remove this file, which
can come from a previous 3-pass encoding (it interferes with current one)
mencoder -dvd 2 -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:more_options
-o movie.avi -pass 1
mencoder -dvd 2 -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:more_options -o movie.avi -pass 2
3-pass encoding : this is an extension of 2-pass encoding, +
3-pass encoding: this is an extension of 2-pass encoding, where the audio encoding takes place in a separate pass. This method enables estimation of recommended video bitrate in order to fit on a CD. Also, the - audio is encoded only once, unlike in 2-pass mode. The schematics :
+ audio is encoded only once, unlike in 2-pass mode. The schematics: --
rm frameno.avi |
- remove conflicting temporary file | -
mencoder <file/DVD> -ovc frameno -o
- frameno.avi |
- First pass : an audio-only avi file will be created, containing
- ONLY the requested audio stream. Don't forget -lameopts, if
- you need to set it. If you were encoding a long movie, MEncoder prints
- the recommended bitrate values for 650Mb, 700Mb, and 800Mb destination
- sizes, after this pass finishes. |
-
mencoder <file/DVD> -oac copy -pass 1
- -ovc divx4 -divx4opts br=<bitrate> |
- Second pass : alias the first pass of DivX4 video encoding. - Optionally specify the video bitrate MEncoder printed at the end of the - previous pass. | -
mencoder <file/DVD> -oac copy -pass 2
- -ovc divx4 -divx4opts br=<bitrate> |
- Third pass : alias the second pass of DivX4 video encoding.
- Optionally specify the video bitrate MEncoder printed at the end of the
- previous pass. In this pass, audio from frameno.avi will be
- inserted into the destination file.. and it's all ready! |
-
rm frameno.avi |
+ remove conflicting temporary file | +
mencoder <file/DVD> -ovc frameno -o
+ frameno.avi |
+ First pass: an audio-only avi file will be created, containing
+ ONLY the requested audio stream. Don't forget -lameopts, if
+ you need to set it. If you were encoding a long movie, MEncoder prints
+ the recommended bitrate values for 650Mb, 700Mb, and 800Mb destination
+ sizes, after this pass finishes. |
+
mencoder <file/DVD> -oac copy -pass 1
+ -ovc divx4 -divx4opts br=<bitrate> |
+ Second pass: alias the first pass of DivX4 video encoding. + Optionally specify the video bitrate MEncoder printed at the end of the + previous pass. | +
mencoder <file/DVD> -oac copy -pass 2
+ -ovc divx4 -divx4opts br=<bitrate> |
+ Third pass: alias the second pass of DivX4 video encoding.
+ Optionally specify the video bitrate MEncoder printed at the end of the
+ previous pass. In this pass, audio from frameno.avi will be
+ inserted into the destination file.. and it's all ready! |
+
Example for 3-pass encoding :
+Example for 3-pass encoding:
rm frameno.avi - remove this file,
which can come from a previous 3-pass encoding (it interferes with current
one)
mencoder -dvd 2 -ovc frameno
- -o frameno.avi
+ -o frameno.avi
mencoder -dvd 2
-lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:more_options -oac copy -o movie.avi -pass 1
mencoder -dvd 2
-lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:more_options -oac copy -o movie.avi -pass 2
2 or 3-pass encoding using internal libavcodec controler : +
2 or 3-pass encoding using internal libavcodec controller:
Optionally you can use libavcodec's internal 2 or 3-pass mode, it may gives you
better final rate accuracy than using the external, DivX4-inspired 2-pass rate
-controler with libavcodec.
+controler with libavcodec.
rm -f lavc_stats.txt
mencoder -dvd 2 -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:vpass=1 (audio-options) -o movie.avi
-mencoder -dvd 2 -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:vpass=2 (audio-options) -o movie.avirm -f frameno.avi lavc_stats.txt
mencoder -dvd 2 -ovc frameno (audio-options) -o frameno.avi
mencoder -dvd 2 -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:vpass=1 -oac copy -o movie.avi
-mencoder -dvd 2 -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:vpass=2 -oac copy -o movie.aviOften the need to resize movie images' size emerges. Its reasons can be many, examples are decreasing output file size, encoding SVCDs to DivX. Ripped DVDs @@ -185,52 +179,49 @@ mencoder -dvd 2 -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:vpass=2 -oac copy -o movie.avi<
The scaling process is handled by the 'scale' video filter:
-vop scale=X:Y. Its quality can be set with the
- -sws option. If it's not specified, MEncoder will use 0 :
+ -sws option. If it's not specified, MEncoder will use 0:
fast bilinear.
Usage :
+
Usage:
mencoder sample-svcd.mpg -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:more_options -vop scale=640:480 -sws 2 -o output.avi
MEncoder can handle input streams in two ways : encode or +
MEncoder can handle input streams in two ways: encode or copy them. This section is about copying.
-
-ovc copy) : nice stuff can be done :)-ovc copy): nice stuff can be done :)-oac copy) : straightforward.
+ -oac copy): straightforward.
It is possible to take an external audio file (MP3, AC3, Vorbis) and mux it
into the output stream. Use the -audiofile <filename>
option for this.2.4.3.4. Fixing AVIs with broken index or interleaving
+2.4.3.4. Fixing AVIs with broken index or interleaving
Easiest thing. We simply copy the video and audio streams, and
MEncoder generates the index. Of course this cannot fix possible bugs in
the video and/or audio streams. It also fixes files with broken interleaving,
thus the -ni option won't be needed for them anymore.
Command : mencoder -idx input.avi -ovc copy -oac copy -o output.avi
Command: mencoder -idx input.avi -ovc copy -oac copy -o output.avi
2.4.3.5. Encoding with the libavcodec codec family
+2.4.3.5. Encoding with the libavcodec codec family
libavcodec provides simple encoding to a lot of interesting video and audio formats (currently its audio codecs are -unsupported). You can encode to the following codecs :
+unsupported). You can encode to the following codecs: -
The first column contains the codec names that should be passed after the
- vcodec config, like : -lavcopts vcodec=msmpeg4
vcodec config, like: -lavcopts vcodec=msmpeg4
-An example, with MJPEG compression :
+
An example, with MJPEG compression:
mencoder -dvd 2 -o title2.avi -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mjpeg
2.4.3.6. Encoding from multiple input image files (JPEGs or PNGs)
+2.4.3.6. Encoding from multiple input image files (JPEGs or PNGs)
MEncoder is capable of creating movies from one or more JPEG or PNG files. With simple framecopy it can create MJPEG (Motion JPEG) or MPNG (Motion PNG) files.
-Explanation of the process
+Explanation of the process
MEncoder decodes the input image(s) with libjpeg
(when decoding PNGs, it will use libpng).
@@ -267,40 +257,40 @@ unsupported). You can encode to the following codecs :
Examples
+Examples
The explanation of the -mf option can be found below in the
- global Options section and in the manpage.
Creating a DivX4 file from all the JPEG files in the current dir :
+
Creating a DivX4 file from all the JPEG files in the current dir:
mencoder \*.jpg -mf on:w=800:h=600:fps=25 -ovc divx4 -o
output.avi
Creating a DivX4 file from some JPEG files in the current dir :
+
Creating a DivX4 file from some JPEG files in the current dir:
mencoder frame001.jpg,frame002.jpg -mf on:w=800:h=600:fps=25 -ovc divx4 -o
output.avi
Creating a Motion JPEG (MJPEG) file from all the JPEG files in the current dir :
+
Creating a Motion JPEG (MJPEG) file from all the JPEG files in the current dir:
mencoder \*.jpg -mf on:w=800:h=600:fps=25 -ovc copy
-o output.avi
Creating an uncompressed file from all the PNG files in the current dir :
+
Creating an uncompressed file from all the PNG files in the current dir:
mencoder \*.png -mf on:w=800:h=600:fps=25:type=png -ovc raw -o
output.avi
Creating a Motion PNG (MPNG) file from all the PNG files in the current dir :
+
Creating a Motion PNG (MPNG) file from all the PNG files in the current dir:
mencoder \*.png -mf on:w=800:h=600:fps=25:type=png -ovc copy
-o output.avi
mencoder [options] [input file] [options] ...
mencoder [options] [input file] [options] ...
NOTE : for all available options, read the manpage !
+NOTE: for all available options, read the man page!
As MEncoder is built on the same codebase as MPlayer, there @@ -312,12 +302,12 @@ unsupported). You can encode to the following codecs :
| -ss time | -start encoding from the given time (can start only from keyframes !) + | start encoding from the given time (can start only from keyframes!) |
| -endpos time | -stop encoding at the given time. See the manpage for examples ! + | stop encoding at the given time. See the man page for examples! |
| -divx4opts | If encoding to DivX4, you can specify its parameters here, like:-divx4opts br=1800:deinterlace:key=250- Common options: (for full list, check the manpage!) + Common options: (for full list, check the man page!) help - get help br=<value> - specify bitrate in kbit <4-16000> or bit <16001-24000000> q=<value> - quality (1-fastest, 5-best - default 5) @@ -379,7 +369,7 @@ unsupported). You can encode to the following codecs : | -lavcopts | If encoding with libavcodec, you can specify its parameters here, like:-lavcopts vcodec=msmpeg4:vbitrate=1800:vhq:keyint=250- Common options: (for full list, check the manpage!) + Common options: (for full list, check the man page!) help - get help vcodec=<value> - select videocodec (for the full list, see the libavcodec section above) vbitrate=<value> - specify bitrate in kbit <4-16000> or bit <16001-24000000> @@ -392,7 +382,7 @@ unsupported). You can encode to the following codecs : | If encoding to MP3 with libmp3lame, you can specify its parameters here, like:-lameopts q=3-lameopts br=192:cbr- Common options: (for full list, check the manpage!) + Common options: (for full list, check the man page!) help - get help cbr - select CBR MP3 (default is VBR) br=<value> - specify bitrate in kbit <0-1024> (this is for CBR only!) @@ -402,33 +392,33 @@ unsupported). You can encode to the following codecs : |
Using MEncoder is the easiest thing on Earth. See the following :
+Using MEncoder is the easiest thing on Earth. See the following:
-Encoding from DVD, title 2 :
+
Encoding from DVD, title 2:
mencoder -dvd 2 -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:more_options -o title2.avi
The same, but with libavcodec family, MJPEG compression :
+
The same, but with libavcodec family, MJPEG compression:
mencoder -dvd 2 -lavcopts vcodec=mjpeg:more_options -ffourcc mjpg -o title2.avi
Encoding from DVD, title 2, with rescaling :
+
Encoding from DVD, title 2, with rescaling:
mencoder -dvd 2 -vop scale=640:480 -sws 2 -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:more_options -o title2.avi
Encoding from HTTP :
+
Encoding from HTTP:
mencoder http://mplayer.hq/example.avi -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:more_options -o example.avi
Encoding from a pipe :
+
Encoding from a pipe:
rar p test-SVCD.rar | mencoder -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:more_options -ofps 24 -pass 1 -- -
Encoding multiple *.vob files :
+
Encoding multiple *.vob files:
cat *.vob | mencoder <options> -
Encoding from tuner (for tuner options see the TV input section !) :
+
Encoding from tuner (for tuner options see the TV input section!):
mencoder -tv on:driver=v4l:width=640:height=480 <options>
For all available options, check the MEncoder man page ! +
For all available options, check the MEncoder man page!
- +