- * The packet data belongs to the demuxer and is invalid after the next call to
- * av_read_frame(). The user must free the packet with av_free_packet() before
- * calling av_read_frame() again or closing the file.
+ * If AVPacket.buf is set on the returned packet, then the packet is
+ * allocated dynamically and the user may keep it indefinitely.
+ * Otherwise, if AVPacket.buf is NULL, the packet data is backed by a
+ * static storage somewhere inside the demuxer and the packet is only valid
+ * until the next av_read_frame() call or closing the file. If the caller
+ * requires a longer lifetime, av_dup_packet() will make an av_malloc()ed copy
+ * of it.
+ * In both cases, the packet must be freed with av_free_packet() when it is no
+ * longer needed.