FFmpeg Commands

The Commands is a powerful feature that allows you to execute ffmpeg commands on files. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Commands what options they offer and how to work with them.

The Command

The Command represents a command to be executed, including its status, parameters, and associated input and output files.

Command Execution Modes

You can configure FetchMedia to execute a single ffmpeg command or a sequence of multiple commands.

• Single Command: FetchMedia executes the command, saves the output, and makes the resulting files available for download via the command endpoint.

• Multiple Commands: FetchMedia executes the commands sequentially in the order provided. The results are saved to the output files, which can then be downloaded via the command endpoint. You can also pass a single command in this field.

Advanced Workflows: Multi-Pass Encoding

Sending multiple commands enables advanced techniques like 2-pass and 3-pass encoding. These methods analyze video data in stages to achieve the highest possible quality for a specific file size or bitrate. While this takes longer than single-pass encoding, it ensures optimal bitrate allocation.

• 2-Pass: The industry standard for achieving precise file size targets.

• 3-Pass: Adds an initial CRF (Constant Rate Factor) analysis to determine the ideal average bitrate before the standard 2-pass encode. This method is used by services like Netflix to ensure top-tier quality.

Input and Output Files

Input and output files for commands are handled by the File endpoints. When you create a command, you provide the input files as URLs or fm_ids. The output files are specified by their desired names. When the command is executed, the output files are created as Files and can be accessed through the Get File endpoint using their id.