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1) Introduction
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---------------
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ffmpeg is a hyper fast realtime audio/video encoder, a streaming
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server and a generic audio and video file converter.
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It can grab from a standard Video4Linux video source and convert it
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into several file formats based on DCT/motion compensation
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encoding. Sound is compressed in MPEG audio layer 2 or using an AC3
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compatible stream.
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What makes ffmpeg interesting ?
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- Innovative streaming technology : multiformat, real time encoding,
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simple configuration.
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- Simple and efficient video encoder: outputs MPEG1, H263, Real
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Video(tm), MPEG4, DIVX and MJPEG compatible bitstreams using the
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same encoder core.
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- Real time encoding (25 fps in 352x288 on a K6 500) using the
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video4linux API.
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- Generates I and P frames, which means it is far better than a MJPEG
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encoder.
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- Hyper fast MPEG audio layer 2 compression (50 times faster than
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realtime on a K6 500).
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- Hyper fast AC3 compatible encoder.
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- simple and very small portable C source code, easy to understand and
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to modify. It be may the smallest decent MPEG encoder :-)
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- optional non real time higher quality encoding (different motion
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estimators available).
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- Audio and Video decoders are in development.
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ffmpeg is made of two programs:
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* ffmpeg: soft VCR which encodes in real time to several formats. It
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can also encode from any supported input file format to any input
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supported format.
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* ffserver: high performance live broadcast streaming server based on
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the ffmpeg core encoders.
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2) Documentation
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----------------
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* Read doc/ffmpeg.txt and doc/ffserver.txt to learn the basic features.
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* Read doc/TODO to know what are the know bugs and missing features.
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* Read doc/README.dev if you want to contribute or use the codec or
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format libraries.
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3) Licensing:
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------------
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* See the file COPYING. ffmpeg and the associated library EXCEPT
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liba52 are licensed under the Lesser GNU General Public
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License. liba52 is distributed under the GNU General Public License.
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* This code should be patent free since it is very simple. I took care
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to use the same video encoder/decoder core for all formats to show
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that they really are mostly the same.
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Fabrice Bellard.
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