a live audio/video source. It can also convert between arbitrary sample
rates and resize video on the fly with a high quality polyphase filter.
+avconv reads from an arbitrary number of input "files" (which can be regular
+files, pipes, network streams, grabbing devices, etc.), specified by the
+@code{-i} option, and writes to an arbitrary number of output "files", which are
+specified by a plain output filename. Anything found on the command line which
+cannot be interpreted as an option is considered to be an output filename.
+
+Each input or output file can in principle contain any number of streams of
+different types (video/audio/subtitle/attachment/data). Allowed number and/or
+types of streams can be limited by the container format. Selecting, which
+streams from which inputs go into output, is done either automatically or with
+the @code{-map} option (see the Stream selection chapter).
+
+To refer to input files in options, you must use their indices (0-based). E.g.
+the first input file is @code{0}, the second is @code{1} etc. Similarly, streams
+within a file are referred to by their indices. E.g. @code{2:3} refers to the
+fourth stream in the third input file. See also the Stream specifiers chapter.
+
As a general rule, options are applied to the next specified
file. Therefore, order is important, and you can have the same
option on the command line multiple times. Each occurrence is
Exceptions from this rule are the global options (e.g. verbosity level),
which should be specified first.
+Do not mix input and output files -- first specify all input files, then all
+output files. Also do not mix options which belong to different files. All
+options apply ONLY to the next input or output file and are reset between files.
+
@itemize
@item
To set the video bitrate of the output file to 64kbit/s:
@c man end DESCRIPTION
+@chapter Detailed description
+@c man begin DETAILED DESCRIPTION
+
+The transcoding process in @command{avconv} for each output can be described by
+the following diagram:
+
+@example
+ _______ ______________
+| | | |
+| input | demuxer | encoded data | decoder
+| file | ---------> | packets | -----+
+|_______| |______________| |
+ v
+ _________
+ | |
+ | decoded |
+ | frames |
+ |_________|
+ ________ ______________ |
+| | | | |
+| output | <-------- | encoded data | <----+
+| file | muxer | packets | encoder
+|________| |______________|
+
+
+@end example
+
+@command{avconv} calls the libavformat library (containing demuxers) to read
+input files and get packets containing encoded data from them. When there are
+multiple input files, @command{avconv} tries to keep them synchronized by
+tracking lowest timestamp on any active input stream.
+
+Encoded packets are then passed to the decoder (unless streamcopy is selected
+for the stream, see further for a description). The decoder produces
+uncompressed frames (raw video/PCM audio/...) which can be processed further by
+filtering (see next section). After filtering the frames are passed to the
+encoder, which encodes them and outputs encoded packets again. Finally those are
+passed to the muxer, which writes the encoded packets to the output file.
+
+@section Filtering
+Before encoding, @command{avconv} can process raw audio and video frames using
+filters from the libavfilter library. Several chained filters form a filter
+graph. @command{avconv} distinguishes between two types of filtergraphs -
+simple and complex.
+
+@subsection Simple filtergraphs
+Simple filtergraphs are those that have exactly one input and output, both of
+the same type. In the above diagram they can be represented by simply inserting
+an additional step between decoding and encoding:
+
+@example
+ _________ ______________
+| | | |
+| decoded | | encoded data |
+| frames |\ /| packets |
+|_________| \ / |______________|
+ \ __________ /
+ simple \ | | / encoder
+ filtergraph \| filtered |/
+ | frames |
+ |__________|
+
+@end example
+
+Simple filtergraphs are configured with the per-stream @option{-filter} option
+(with @option{-vf} and @option{-af} aliases for video and audio respectively).
+A simple filtergraph for video can look for example like this:
+
+@example
+ _______ _____________ _______ ________
+| | | | | | | |
+| input | ---> | deinterlace | ---> | scale | ---> | output |
+|_______| |_____________| |_______| |________|
+
+@end example
+
+Note that some filters change frame properties but not frame contents. E.g. the
+@code{fps} filter in the example above changes number of frames, but does not
+touch the frame contents. Another example is the @code{setpts} filter, which
+only sets timestamps and otherwise passes the frames unchanged.
+
+@subsection Complex filtergraphs
+Complex filtergraphs are those which cannot be described as simply a linear
+processing chain applied to one stream. This is the case e.g. when the graph has
+more than one input and/or output, or when output stream type is different from
+input. They can be represented with the following diagram:
+
+@example
+ _________
+| |
+| input 0 |\ __________
+|_________| \ | |
+ \ _________ /| output 0 |
+ \ | | / |__________|
+ _________ \| complex | /
+| | | |/
+| input 1 |---->| filter |\
+|_________| | | \ __________
+ /| graph | \ | |
+ / | | \| output 1 |
+ _________ / |_________| |__________|
+| | /
+| input 2 |/
+|_________|
+
+@end example
+
+Complex filtergraphs are configured with the @option{-filter_complex} option.
+Note that this option is global, since a complex filtergraph by its nature
+cannot be unambiguously associated with a single stream or file.
+
+A trivial example of a complex filtergraph is the @code{overlay} filter, which
+has two video inputs and one video output, containing one video overlaid on top
+of the other. Its audio counterpart is the @code{amix} filter.
+
+@section Stream copy
+Stream copy is a mode selected by supplying the @code{copy} parameter to the
+@option{-codec} option. It makes @command{avconv} omit the decoding and encoding
+step for the specified stream, so it does only demuxing and muxing. It is useful
+for changing the container format or modifying container-level metadata. The
+diagram above will in this case simplify to this:
+
+@example
+ _______ ______________ ________
+| | | | | |
+| input | demuxer | encoded data | muxer | output |
+| file | ---------> | packets | -------> | file |
+|_______| |______________| |________|
+
+@end example
+
+Since there is no decoding or encoding, it is very fast and there is no quality
+loss. However it might not work in some cases because of many factors. Applying
+filters is obviously also impossible, since filters work on uncompressed data.
+
+@c man end DETAILED DESCRIPTION
+
@chapter Stream selection
@c man begin STREAM SELECTION
@table @option
@item -f @var{fmt} (@emph{input/output})
-Force format.
+Force input or output file format. The format is normally autodetected for input
+files and guessed from file extension for output files, so this option is not
+needed in most cases.
@item -i @var{filename} (@emph{input})
input file name
@item -y (@emph{global})
-Overwrite output files.
+Overwrite output files without asking.
+
+@item -n (@emph{global})
+Immediately exit when output files already exist.
+
+@item -loop @var{number} (@emph{input})
+Set number of times input stream shall be looped. Loop 0 means no loop,
+loop -1 means infinite loop.
@item -c[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{codec} (@emph{input/output,per-stream})
@itemx -codec[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{codec} (@emph{input/output,per-stream})
libx264, and the 138th audio, which will be encoded with libvorbis.
@item -t @var{duration} (@emph{output})
-Restrict the transcoded/captured video sequence
-to the duration specified in seconds.
-@code{hh:mm:ss[.xxx]} syntax is also supported.
+Stop writing the output after its duration reaches @var{duration}.
+@var{duration} may be a number in seconds, or in @code{hh:mm:ss[.xxx]} form.
@item -fs @var{limit_size} (@emph{output})
Set the file size limit.
@item -ss @var{position} (@emph{input/output})
When used as an input option (before @code{-i}), seeks in this input file to
-@var{position}. When used as an output option (before an output filename),
-decodes but discards input until the timestamps reach @var{position}. This is
-slower, but more accurate.
+@var{position}. Note the in most formats it is not possible to seek exactly, so
+@command{avconv} will seek to the closest seek point before @var{position}.
+When transcoding and @option{-accurate_seek} is enabled (the default), this
+extra segment between the seek point and @var{position} will be decoded and
+discarded. When doing stream copy or when @option{-noaccurate_seek} is used, it
+will be preserved.
+
+When used as an output option (before an output filename), decodes but discards
+input until the timestamps reach @var{position}.
@var{position} may be either in seconds or in @code{hh:mm:ss[.xxx]} form.
@code{[-]hh:mm:ss[.xxx]} syntax is also supported.
The offset is added to the timestamps of the input files.
Specifying a positive offset means that the corresponding
-streams are delayed by 'offset' seconds.
+streams are delayed by @var{offset} seconds.
@item -metadata[:metadata_specifier] @var{key}=@var{value} (@emph{output,per-metadata})
Set a metadata key/value pair.
avconv -i in.avi -metadata title="my title" out.flv
@end example
-To set the language of the second stream:
+To set the language of the first audio stream:
@example
-avconv -i INPUT -metadata:s:1 language=eng OUTPUT
+avconv -i INPUT -metadata:s:a:0 language=eng OUTPUT
@end example
-@item -v @var{number} (@emph{global})
-This option is deprecated and has no effect, use -loglevel
-to set verbosity level.
-
@item -target @var{type} (@emph{output})
-Specify target file type ("vcd", "svcd", "dvd", "dv", "dv50", "pal-vcd",
-"ntsc-svcd", ... ). All the format options (bitrate, codecs,
-buffer sizes) are then set automatically. You can just type:
+Specify target file type (@code{vcd}, @code{svcd}, @code{dvd}, @code{dv},
+@code{dv50}). @var{type} may be prefixed with @code{pal-}, @code{ntsc-} or
+@code{film-} to use the corresponding standard. All the format options
+(bitrate, codecs, buffer sizes) are then set automatically. You can just type:
@example
avconv -i myfile.avi -target vcd /tmp/vcd.mpg
@end example
@item -dframes @var{number} (@emph{output})
-Set the number of data frames to record. This is an alias for @code{-frames:d}.
+Set the number of data frames to record. This is an obsolete alias for
+@code{-frames:d}, which you should use instead.
@item -frames[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{framecount} (@emph{output,per-stream})
Stop writing to the stream after @var{framecount} frames.
Use fixed quality scale (VBR). The meaning of @var{q} is
codec-dependent.
-@item -filter[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{filter_graph}
+@item -filter[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{filter_graph} (@emph{output,per-stream})
@var{filter_graph} is a description of the filter graph to apply to
the stream. Use @code{-filters} to show all the available filters
(including also sources and sinks).
+See also the @option{-filter_complex} option if you want to create filter graphs
+with multiple inputs and/or outputs.
+
+@item -filter_script[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{filename} (@emph{output,per-stream})
+This option is similar to @option{-filter}, the only difference is that its
+argument is the name of the file from which a filtergraph description is to be
+read.
+
+@item -pre[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{preset_name} (@emph{output,per-stream})
+Specify the preset for matching stream(s).
+
+@item -stats (@emph{global})
+Print encoding progress/statistics. On by default.
+
+@item -attach @var{filename} (@emph{output})
+Add an attachment to the output file. This is supported by a few formats
+like Matroska for e.g. fonts used in rendering subtitles. Attachments
+are implemented as a specific type of stream, so this option will add
+a new stream to the file. It is then possible to use per-stream options
+on this stream in the usual way. Attachment streams created with this
+option will be created after all the other streams (i.e. those created
+with @code{-map} or automatic mappings).
+
+Note that for Matroska you also have to set the mimetype metadata tag:
+@example
+avconv -i INPUT -attach DejaVuSans.ttf -metadata:s:2 mimetype=application/x-truetype-font out.mkv
+@end example
+(assuming that the attachment stream will be third in the output file).
+
+@item -dump_attachment[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{filename} (@emph{input,per-stream})
+Extract the matching attachment stream into a file named @var{filename}. If
+@var{filename} is empty, then the value of the @code{filename} metadata tag
+will be used.
+
+E.g. to extract the first attachment to a file named 'out.ttf':
+@example
+avconv -dump_attachment:t:0 out.ttf INPUT
+@end example
+To extract all attachments to files determined by the @code{filename} tag:
+@example
+avconv -dump_attachment:t "" INPUT
+@end example
+
+Technical note -- attachments are implemented as codec extradata, so this
+option can actually be used to extract extradata from any stream, not just
+attachments.
+
+@item -noautorotate
+Disable automatically rotating video based on file metadata.
+
@end table
@section Video Options
@table @option
@item -vframes @var{number} (@emph{output})
-Set the number of video frames to record. This is an alias for @code{-frames:v}.
+Set the number of video frames to record. This is an obsolete alias for
+@code{-frames:v}, which you should use instead.
@item -r[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{fps} (@emph{input/output,per-stream})
-Set frame rate (Hz value, fraction or abbreviation), (default = 25).
+Set frame rate (Hz value, fraction or abbreviation).
+
+As an input option, ignore any timestamps stored in the file and instead
+generate timestamps assuming constant frame rate @var{fps}.
+
+As an output option, duplicate or drop input frames to achieve constant output
+frame rate @var{fps} (note that this actually causes the @code{fps} filter to be
+inserted to the end of the corresponding filtergraph).
+
@item -s[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{size} (@emph{input/output,per-stream})
-Set frame size. The format is @samp{wxh} (avserver default = 160x128, avconv default = same as source).
-The following abbreviations are recognized:
+Set frame size.
+
+As an input option, this is a shortcut for the @option{video_size} private
+option, recognized by some demuxers for which the frame size is either not
+stored in the file or is configurable -- e.g. raw video or video grabbers.
+
+As an output option, this inserts the @code{scale} video filter to the
+@emph{end} of the corresponding filtergraph. Please use the @code{scale} filter
+directly to insert it at the beginning or some other place.
+
+The format is @samp{wxh} (default - same as source). The following
+abbreviations are recognized:
@table @samp
@item sqcif
128x96
1280x720
@item hd1080
1920x1080
+@item 2kdci
+2048x1080
+@item 4kdci
+4096x2160
+@item uhd2160
+3840x2160
+@item uhd4320
+7680x4320
@end table
@item -aspect[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{aspect} (@emph{output,per-stream})
@item -vn (@emph{output})
Disable video recording.
-@item -bt @var{tolerance}
-Set video bitrate tolerance (in bits, default 4000k).
-Has a minimum value of: (target_bitrate/target_framerate).
-In 1-pass mode, bitrate tolerance specifies how far ratecontrol is
-willing to deviate from the target average bitrate value. This is
-not related to min/max bitrate. Lowering tolerance too much has
-an adverse effect on quality.
-@item -maxrate @var{bitrate}
-Set max video bitrate (in bit/s).
-Requires -bufsize to be set.
-@item -minrate @var{bitrate}
-Set min video bitrate (in bit/s).
-Most useful in setting up a CBR encode:
-@example
-avconv -i myfile.avi -b 4000k -minrate 4000k -maxrate 4000k -bufsize 1835k out.m2v
-@end example
-It is of little use elsewise.
-@item -bufsize @var{size}
-Set video buffer verifier buffer size (in bits).
+
@item -vcodec @var{codec} (@emph{output})
Set the video codec. This is an alias for @code{-codec:v}.
-@item -same_quant
-Use same quantizer as source (implies VBR).
-
-Note that this is NOT SAME QUALITY. Do not use this option unless you know you
-need it.
-@item -pass @var{n}
+@item -pass[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{n} (@emph{output,per-stream})
Select the pass number (1 or 2). It is used to do two-pass
video encoding. The statistics of the video are recorded in the first
pass into a log file (see also the option -passlogfile),
avconv -i foo.mov -c:v libxvid -pass 1 -an -f rawvideo -y /dev/null
@end example
-@item -passlogfile @var{prefix} (@emph{global})
+@item -passlogfile[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{prefix} (@emph{output,per-stream})
Set two-pass log file name prefix to @var{prefix}, the default file name
prefix is ``av2pass''. The complete file name will be
@file{PREFIX-N.log}, where N is a number specific to the output
pixel formats.
@item -sws_flags @var{flags} (@emph{input/output})
Set SwScaler flags.
-@item -g @var{gop_size}
-Set the group of pictures size.
@item -vdt @var{n}
Discard threshold.
-@item -qmin @var{q}
-minimum video quantizer scale (VBR)
-@item -qmax @var{q}
-maximum video quantizer scale (VBR)
-@item -qdiff @var{q}
-maximum difference between the quantizer scales (VBR)
-@item -qblur @var{blur}
-video quantizer scale blur (VBR) (range 0.0 - 1.0)
-@item -qcomp @var{compression}
-video quantizer scale compression (VBR) (default 0.5).
-Constant of ratecontrol equation. Recommended range for default rc_eq: 0.0-1.0
-
-@item -lmin @var{lambda}
-minimum video lagrange factor (VBR)
-@item -lmax @var{lambda}
-max video lagrange factor (VBR)
-@item -mblmin @var{lambda}
-minimum macroblock quantizer scale (VBR)
-@item -mblmax @var{lambda}
-maximum macroblock quantizer scale (VBR)
-
-These four options (lmin, lmax, mblmin, mblmax) use 'lambda' units,
-but you may use the QP2LAMBDA constant to easily convert from 'q' units:
-@example
-avconv -i src.ext -lmax 21*QP2LAMBDA dst.ext
-@end example
-
-@item -rc_init_cplx @var{complexity}
-initial complexity for single pass encoding
-@item -b_qfactor @var{factor}
-qp factor between P- and B-frames
-@item -i_qfactor @var{factor}
-qp factor between P- and I-frames
-@item -b_qoffset @var{offset}
-qp offset between P- and B-frames
-@item -i_qoffset @var{offset}
-qp offset between P- and I-frames
-@item -rc_eq @var{equation}
-Set rate control equation (see section "Expression Evaluation")
-(default = @code{tex^qComp}).
-
-When computing the rate control equation expression, besides the
-standard functions defined in the section "Expression Evaluation", the
-following functions are available:
-@table @var
-@item bits2qp(bits)
-@item qp2bits(qp)
-@end table
-
-and the following constants are available:
-@table @var
-@item iTex
-@item pTex
-@item tex
-@item mv
-@item fCode
-@item iCount
-@item mcVar
-@item var
-@item isI
-@item isP
-@item isB
-@item avgQP
-@item qComp
-@item avgIITex
-@item avgPITex
-@item avgPPTex
-@item avgBPTex
-@item avgTex
-@end table
@item -rc_override[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{override} (@emph{output,per-stream})
rate control override for specific intervals
-@item -me_method @var{method}
-Set motion estimation method to @var{method}.
-Available methods are (from lowest to best quality):
-@table @samp
-@item zero
-Try just the (0, 0) vector.
-@item phods
-@item log
-@item x1
-@item hex
-@item umh
-@item epzs
-(default method)
-@item full
-exhaustive search (slow and marginally better than epzs)
-@end table
-
-@item -er @var{n}
-Set error resilience to @var{n}.
-@table @samp
-@item 1
-FF_ER_CAREFUL (default)
-@item 2
-FF_ER_COMPLIANT
-@item 3
-FF_ER_AGGRESSIVE
-@item 4
-FF_ER_VERY_AGGRESSIVE
-@end table
-@item -ec @var{bit_mask}
-Set error concealment to @var{bit_mask}. @var{bit_mask} is a bit mask of
-the following values:
-@table @samp
-@item 1
-FF_EC_GUESS_MVS (default = enabled)
-@item 2
-FF_EC_DEBLOCK (default = enabled)
-@end table
-
-@item -bf @var{frames}
-Use 'frames' B-frames (supported for MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4).
-@item -mbd @var{mode}
-macroblock decision
-@table @samp
-@item 0
-FF_MB_DECISION_SIMPLE: Use mb_cmp (cannot change it yet in avconv).
-@item 1
-FF_MB_DECISION_BITS: Choose the one which needs the fewest bits.
-@item 2
-FF_MB_DECISION_RD: rate distortion
-@end table
-
-@item -bug @var{param}
-Work around encoder bugs that are not auto-detected.
-@item -strict @var{strictness}
-How strictly to follow the standards.
-
-@item -deinterlace
-Deinterlace pictures.
@item -vstats
Dump video coding statistics to @file{vstats_HHMMSS.log}.
@item -vstats_file @var{file}
This option can be useful to ensure that a seek point is present at a
chapter mark or any other designated place in the output file.
The timestamps must be specified in ascending order.
+
+@item -copyinkf[:@var{stream_specifier}] (@emph{output,per-stream})
+When doing stream copy, copy also non-key frames found at the
+beginning.
+
+@item -hwaccel[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{hwaccel} (@emph{input,per-stream})
+Use hardware acceleration to decode the matching stream(s). The allowed values
+of @var{hwaccel} are:
+@table @option
+@item none
+Do not use any hardware acceleration (the default).
+
+@item auto
+Automatically select the hardware acceleration method.
+
+@item vda
+Use Apple VDA hardware acceleration.
+
+@item vdpau
+Use VDPAU (Video Decode and Presentation API for Unix) hardware acceleration.
+
+@item dxva2
+Use DXVA2 (DirectX Video Acceleration) hardware acceleration.
+
+@item qsv
+Use the Intel QuickSync Video acceleration for video transcoding.
+
+Unlike most other values, this option does not enable accelerated decoding (that
+is used automatically whenever a qsv decoder is selected), but accelerated
+transcoding, without copying the frames into the system memory.
+
+For it to work, both the decoder and the encoder must support QSV acceleration
+and no filters must be used.
+@end table
+
+This option has no effect if the selected hwaccel is not available or not
+supported by the chosen decoder.
+
+Note that most acceleration methods are intended for playback and will not be
+faster than software decoding on modern CPUs. Additionally, @command{avconv}
+will usually need to copy the decoded frames from the GPU memory into the system
+memory, resulting in further performance loss. This option is thus mainly
+useful for testing.
+
+@item -hwaccel_device[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{hwaccel_device} (@emph{input,per-stream})
+Select a device to use for hardware acceleration.
+
+This option only makes sense when the @option{-hwaccel} option is also
+specified. Its exact meaning depends on the specific hardware acceleration
+method chosen.
+
+@table @option
+@item vdpau
+For VDPAU, this option specifies the X11 display/screen to use. If this option
+is not specified, the value of the @var{DISPLAY} environment variable is used
+
+@item dxva2
+For DXVA2, this option should contain the number of the display adapter to use.
+If this option is not specified, the default adapter is used.
+
+@item qsv
+For QSV, this option corresponds to the values of MFX_IMPL_* . Allowed values
+are:
+@table @option
+@item auto
+@item sw
+@item hw
+@item auto_any
+@item hw_any
+@item hw2
+@item hw3
+@item hw4
+@end table
+@end table
+
+@item -hwaccels
+List all hardware acceleration methods supported in this build of avconv.
+
@end table
@section Audio Options
@table @option
@item -aframes @var{number} (@emph{output})
-Set the number of audio frames to record. This is an alias for @code{-frames:a}.
+Set the number of audio frames to record. This is an obsolete alias for
+@code{-frames:a}, which you should use instead.
@item -ar[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{freq} (@emph{input/output,per-stream})
Set the audio sampling frequency. For output streams it is set by
default to the frequency of the corresponding input stream. For input
@item -acodec @var{codec} (@emph{input/output})
Set the audio codec. This is an alias for @code{-codec:a}.
@item -sample_fmt[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{sample_fmt} (@emph{output,per-stream})
-Set the audio sample format. Use @code{-help sample_fmts} to get a list
+Set the audio sample format. Use @code{-sample_fmts} to get a list
of supported sample formats.
+@item -af @var{filter_graph} (@emph{output})
+@var{filter_graph} is a description of the filter graph to apply to
+the input audio.
+Use the option "-filters" to show all the available filters (including
+also sources and sinks). This is an alias for @code{-filter:a}.
@end table
@section Advanced Audio options:
@table @option
@item -atag @var{fourcc/tag} (@emph{output})
Force audio tag/fourcc. This is an alias for @code{-tag:a}.
-@item -audio_service_type @var{type}
-Set the type of service that the audio stream contains.
-@table @option
-@item ma
-Main Audio Service (default)
-@item ef
-Effects
-@item vi
-Visually Impaired
-@item hi
-Hearing Impaired
-@item di
-Dialogue
-@item co
-Commentary
-@item em
-Emergency
-@item vo
-Voice Over
-@item ka
-Karaoke
-@end table
@end table
@section Subtitle options:
Disable subtitle recording.
@end table
-@section Audio/Video grab options
-
-@table @option
-@item -isync (@emph{global})
-Synchronize read on input.
-@end table
-
@section Advanced options
@table @option
-@item -map [-]@var{input_file_id}[:@var{stream_specifier}][,@var{sync_file_id}[:@var{stream_specifier}]] (@emph{output})
+@item -map [-]@var{input_file_id}[:@var{stream_specifier}][,@var{sync_file_id}[:@var{stream_specifier}]] | @var{[linklabel]} (@emph{output})
Designate one or more input streams as a source for the output file. Each input
stream is identified by the input file index @var{input_file_id} and
A @code{-} character before the stream identifier creates a "negative" mapping.
It disables matching streams from already created mappings.
+An alternative @var{[linklabel]} form will map outputs from complex filter
+graphs (see the @option{-filter_complex} option) to the output file.
+@var{linklabel} must correspond to a defined output link label in the graph.
+
For example, to map ALL streams from the first input file to output
@example
avconv -i INPUT -map 0 output
avconv -i INPUT -map 0 -map -0:a:1 OUTPUT
@end example
+To pick the English audio stream:
+@example
+avconv -i INPUT -map 0:m:language:eng OUTPUT
+@end example
+
Note that using this option disables the default mappings for this output file.
-@item -map_metadata[:@var{metadata_type}][:@var{index}] @var{infile}[:@var{metadata_type}][:@var{index}] (@emph{output,per-metadata})
+@item -map_metadata[:@var{metadata_spec_out}] @var{infile}[:@var{metadata_spec_in}] (@emph{output,per-metadata})
Set metadata information of the next output file from @var{infile}. Note that
those are file indices (zero-based), not filenames.
-Optional @var{metadata_type} parameters specify, which metadata to copy - (g)lobal
-(i.e. metadata that applies to the whole file), per-(s)tream, per-(c)hapter or
-per-(p)rogram. All metadata specifiers other than global must be followed by the
-stream/chapter/program index. If metadata specifier is omitted, it defaults to
-global.
+Optional @var{metadata_spec_in/out} parameters specify, which metadata to copy.
+A metadata specifier can have the following forms:
+@table @option
+@item @var{g}
+global metadata, i.e. metadata that applies to the whole file
+
+@item @var{s}[:@var{stream_spec}]
+per-stream metadata. @var{stream_spec} is a stream specifier as described
+in the @ref{Stream specifiers} chapter. In an input metadata specifier, the first
+matching stream is copied from. In an output metadata specifier, all matching
+streams are copied to.
+
+@item @var{c}:@var{chapter_index}
+per-chapter metadata. @var{chapter_index} is the zero-based chapter index.
+
+@item @var{p}:@var{program_index}
+per-program metadata. @var{program_index} is the zero-based program index.
+@end table
+If metadata specifier is omitted, it defaults to global.
By default, global metadata is copied from the first input file,
per-stream and per-chapter metadata is copied along with streams/chapters. These
@example
avconv -i in.ogg -map_metadata 0:s:0 out.mp3
@end example
+
+To do the reverse, i.e. copy global metadata to all audio streams:
+@example
+avconv -i in.mkv -map_metadata:s:a 0:g out.mkv
+@end example
+Note that simple @code{0} would work as well in this example, since global
+metadata is assumed by default.
+
@item -map_chapters @var{input_file_index} (@emph{output})
Copy chapters from input file with index @var{input_file_index} to the next
output file. If no chapter mapping is specified, then chapters are copied from
@item -timelimit @var{duration} (@emph{global})
Exit after avconv has been running for @var{duration} seconds.
@item -dump (@emph{global})
-Dump each input packet.
+Dump each input packet to stderr.
@item -hex (@emph{global})
When dumping packets, also dump the payload.
-@item -ps @var{size}
-Set RTP payload size in bytes.
@item -re (@emph{input})
-Read input at native frame rate. Mainly used to simulate a grab device.
-@item -threads @var{count}
-Thread count.
+Read input at native frame rate. Mainly used to simulate a grab device
+or live input stream (e.g. when reading from a file). Should not be used
+with actual grab devices or live input streams (where it can cause packet
+loss).
@item -vsync @var{parameter}
Video sync method.
@table @option
-@item 0
+@item passthrough
Each frame is passed with its timestamp from the demuxer to the muxer.
-@item 1
+@item cfr
Frames will be duplicated and dropped to achieve exactly the requested
constant framerate.
-@item 2
+@item vfr
Frames are passed through with their timestamp or dropped so as to
prevent 2 frames from having the same timestamp.
-@item -1
+@item auto
Chooses between 1 and 2 depending on muxer capabilities. This is the
default method.
@end table
the parameter is the maximum samples per second by which the audio is changed.
-async 1 is a special case where only the start of the audio stream is corrected
without any later correction.
+This option has been deprecated. Use the @code{asyncts} audio filter instead.
@item -copyts
Copy timestamps from input to output.
@item -copytb
Copy input stream time base from input to output when stream copying.
-@item -shortest
+@item -shortest (@emph{output})
Finish encoding when the shortest input stream ends.
@item -dts_delta_threshold
Timestamp discontinuity delta threshold.
@end example
@item -bsf[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{bitstream_filters} (@emph{output,per-stream})
-Set bitstream filters for matching streams. @var{bistream_filters} is
+Set bitstream filters for matching streams. @var{bitstream_filters} is
a comma-separated list of bitstream filters. Use the @code{-bsfs} option
to get the list of bitstream filters.
@example
-avconv -i h264.mp4 -c:v copy -vbsf h264_mp4toannexb -an out.h264
+avconv -i h264.mp4 -c:v copy -bsf:v h264_mp4toannexb -an out.h264
@end example
@example
-avconv -i file.mov -an -vn -sbsf mov2textsub -c:s copy -f rawvideo sub.txt
+avconv -i file.mov -an -vn -bsf:s mov2textsub -c:s copy -f rawvideo sub.txt
@end example
-@item -tag[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{codec_tag} (@emph{output,per-stream})
+@item -tag[:@var{stream_specifier}] @var{codec_tag} (@emph{input/output,per-stream})
Force a tag/fourcc for matching streams.
+
+@item -filter_complex @var{filtergraph} (@emph{global})
+Define a complex filter graph, i.e. one with arbitrary number of inputs and/or
+outputs. For simple graphs -- those with one input and one output of the same
+type -- see the @option{-filter} options. @var{filtergraph} is a description of
+the filter graph, as described in @ref{Filtergraph syntax}.
+
+Input link labels must refer to input streams using the
+@code{[file_index:stream_specifier]} syntax (i.e. the same as @option{-map}
+uses). If @var{stream_specifier} matches multiple streams, the first one will be
+used. An unlabeled input will be connected to the first unused input stream of
+the matching type.
+
+Output link labels are referred to with @option{-map}. Unlabeled outputs are
+added to the first output file.
+
+Note that with this option it is possible to use only lavfi sources without
+normal input files.
+
+For example, to overlay an image over video
+@example
+avconv -i video.mkv -i image.png -filter_complex '[0:v][1:v]overlay[out]' -map
+'[out]' out.mkv
+@end example
+Here @code{[0:v]} refers to the first video stream in the first input file,
+which is linked to the first (main) input of the overlay filter. Similarly the
+first video stream in the second input is linked to the second (overlay) input
+of overlay.
+
+Assuming there is only one video stream in each input file, we can omit input
+labels, so the above is equivalent to
+@example
+avconv -i video.mkv -i image.png -filter_complex 'overlay[out]' -map
+'[out]' out.mkv
+@end example
+
+Furthermore we can omit the output label and the single output from the filter
+graph will be added to the output file automatically, so we can simply write
+@example
+avconv -i video.mkv -i image.png -filter_complex 'overlay' out.mkv
+@end example
+
+To generate 5 seconds of pure red video using lavfi @code{color} source:
+@example
+avconv -filter_complex 'color=red' -t 5 out.mkv
+@end example
+
+@item -filter_complex_script @var{filename} (@emph{global})
+This option is similar to @option{-filter_complex}, the only difference is that
+its argument is the name of the file from which a complex filtergraph
+description is to be read.
+
+@item -accurate_seek (@emph{input})
+This option enables or disables accurate seeking in input files with the
+@option{-ss} option. It is enabled by default, so seeking is accurate when
+transcoding. Use @option{-noaccurate_seek} to disable it, which may be useful
+e.g. when copying some streams and transcoding the others.
+
+@item -max_muxing_queue_size @var{packets} (@emph{output,per-stream})
+When transcoding audio and/or video streams, avconv will not begin writing into
+the output until it has one packet for each such stream. While waiting for that
+to happen, packets for other streams are buffered. This option sets the size of
+this buffer, in packets, for the matching output stream.
+
+The default value of this option should be high enough for most uses, so only
+touch this option if you are sure that you need it.
+
@end table
@c man end OPTIONS
@item
If your computer is not fast enough, you can speed up the
compression at the expense of the compression ratio. You can use
-'-me zero' to speed up motion estimation, and '-intra' to disable
+'-me zero' to speed up motion estimation, and '-g 0' to disable
motion estimation completely (you have only I-frames, which means it
is about as good as JPEG compression).
@chapter Examples
@c man begin EXAMPLES
+@section Preset files
+
+A preset file contains a sequence of @var{option=value} pairs, one for
+each line, specifying a sequence of options which can be specified also on
+the command line. Lines starting with the hash ('#') character are ignored and
+are used to provide comments. Empty lines are also ignored. Check the
+@file{presets} directory in the Libav source tree for examples.
+
+Preset files are specified with the @code{pre} option, this option takes a
+preset name as input. Avconv searches for a file named @var{preset_name}.avpreset in
+the directories @file{$AVCONV_DATADIR} (if set), and @file{$HOME/.avconv}, and in
+the data directory defined at configuration time (usually @file{$PREFIX/share/avconv})
+in that order. For example, if the argument is @code{libx264-max}, it will
+search for the file @file{libx264-max.avpreset}.
+
@section Video and Audio grabbing
If you specify the input format and device then avconv can grab video
etc. Images will be rescaled to fit the new WxH values.
If you want to extract just a limited number of frames, you can use the
-above command in combination with the -vframes or -t option, or in
-combination with -ss to start extracting from a certain point in time.
+above command in combination with the @code{-frames:v} or @code{-t} option,
+or in combination with -ss to start extracting from a certain point in time.
For creating a video from many images:
@example
You can put many streams of the same type in the output:
@example
-avconv -i test1.avi -i test2.avi -map 0.3 -map 0.2 -map 0.1 -map 0.0 -c copy test12.nut
+avconv -i test1.avi -i test2.avi -map 1:1 -map 1:0 -map 0:1 -map 0:0 -c copy -y test12.nut
+@end example
+
+The resulting output file @file{test12.nut} will contain the first four streams
+from the input files in reverse order.
+
+@item
+To force CBR video output:
+@example
+avconv -i myfile.avi -b 4000k -minrate 4000k -maxrate 4000k -bufsize 1835k out.m2v
@end example
-The resulting output file @file{test12.avi} will contain first four streams from
-the input file in reverse order.
+@item
+The four options lmin, lmax, mblmin and mblmax use 'lambda' units,
+but you may use the QP2LAMBDA constant to easily convert from 'q' units:
+@example
+avconv -i src.ext -lmax 21*QP2LAMBDA dst.ext
+@end example
@end itemize
@c man end EXAMPLES
@include eval.texi
+@include decoders.texi
@include encoders.texi
@include demuxers.texi
@include muxers.texi
@settitle avconv video converter
@c man begin SEEALSO
-avplay(1), avprobe(1), avserver(1) and the Libav HTML documentation
+avplay(1), avprobe(1) and the Libav HTML documentation
@c man end
@c man begin AUTHORS
projects / ffmpeg / blobdiff