h264 codec not found!

[Verlager]

My new camcorder is a PureDigital Flip Ultra that uses 3ivx compression, and that doesn't seem to have widespread Linux support yet. I want to use winff in Zenwalk 5.2 to compress the avi videos to <100 mB as required by youtube.

Problem:

root[rmack]# echo -n "\033]0; Converting VID00001.AVI (1/1)\007"
\033]0; Converting VID00001.AVI (1/1)\007root[rmack]# /usr/bin/ffmpeg -i "/home/rmack/flip_in/VID00001.AVI" -r 29.97 -vcodec h264 -s 640x480 -aspect 4:3 -flags +loop -cmp +chroma -deblockalpha 0 -deblockM -bt 256k -refs 1 -bf 3 -coder 1 -me umh -me_range 16 -subq 7 -partitions +parti4x4+parti8x8+partp8x8+partb8x8 -g 250 -keyint_min 25 -level 30 -qmin 10 -qmax 51 -qcomp 0.6 -trellis 2 -sc_threshold 40 -i_qfactor 0.71 -acodec aac -ab 112k -ar 48000 -ac 2 "/home/rmack/flip_out/VID00001.mp4"
FFmpeg version SVN-r14321, Copyright (c) 2000-2008 Fabrice Bellard, et al.
  configuration: --prefix=/usr --mandir=/usr/man --enable-shared --enable-pthreads --enable-x11grab --enable-liba52 --enable-liba52bin --enable-libfaac --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libtheora --enable-libvorbis --enable-libx264 --enable-libxvid --enable-gpl --enable-postproc --disable-ssse3 --enable-libfaad --enable-libfaadbin --arch=i686 --cpu=i486
  libavutil version: 49.7.0
  libavcodec version: 51.60.0
  libavformat version: 52.17.0
  libavdevice version: 52.0.0
  built on Jul 22 2008 13:11:25, gcc: 4.2.3
[avi @ 0x805d2d0]sample size (1) != block align (1024)
Input #0, avi, from '/home/rmack/flip_in/VID00001.AVI':
  Duration: 00:03:56.57, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2652 kb/s
    Stream #0.0: Video: mpeg4, yuv420p, 640x480 [PAR 1:1 DAR 4:3], 30.00 tb(r)
    Stream #0.1: Audio: adpcm_ms, 44100 Hz, mono, 177 kb/s
Unknown encoder 'h264'

Any ideas?

[disturbed1]

--enable-libx264 That's how your ffmpeg was compiled. So the correct ffmpeg command would include -vcodec libx264 and NOT -vcodec h264. The actual program/codec name is x264, not h264. h264 is the name of the specification for MPEG-4 Part 10, or MPEG-4 AVC

That camera doesn't use 3ivx, perhaps you meant divx? It's just a standard mpeg-4 asp (Divx, xvid) camera, that shoots at 640x480 30fps. Ffmpeg tells you the format of your video.

Stream #0.0: Video: mpeg4, yuv420p, 640x480 [PAR 1:1 DAR 4:3], 30.00 tb(r) 
Stream #0.1: Audio: adpcm_ms, 44100 Hz, mono, 177 kb/s

Standard mpeg-4 asp 640x480 @ 30fps with 44100 mono Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation audio.

[Verlager]

Thank you for the information! You have a good working mind and a keen intellect.

I can barely solve video problems. In this case I simply used ffmpeg from the command line:

ffmpeg -i VID000001.AVI -vcodec=libx264 -acodec libfaac -s 480x360 VID000001.mp4

I wonder if it's possible to add 2-pass encoding and deinterlacing.

[GMaq]

Verlager,

Just edit the preset in WinFF, Select Edit Menu--->Edit Preset--->Select preset you want to use--->Scroll across the preset command line field until you encounter "-vcodec h264" change it to -vcodec libx264 then scroll across until you see "-acodec aac" and change it to -acodec libfaac then click save and your done.

The problem is that the more recent ffmpeg API identifies codecs by their library name not their common name. To continue to use WinFF with a newer ffmpeg you will need to either modify the presets manually as I have shown or go to www.winff.org and download the updated presets.xml file for newer ffmpeg builds and replace the presets.xml file in your /home/username/.winff/ directory.

[Verlager]

Excellent! I shall follow your instructions to the letter. As always, thank you your expertise and assistance.

Now I'm jazzed about going to Crystal Beach in Canandaigua NY to try filming some "underwater" (maybe one foot underwater) video with my Flip Ultra($117) Underwater case ($40). I overpayed for the tripod Action Mount ($15), which I could probably have bought as a plumbing bracket (pic) at Home Depot for <$2.50. It allows attaching of the camcorder to bike/motorcycle handlebars, but it probably needs a little rubber padding to absorb shock and reduce jitter. I will also film my Erie Canal Towpath bicycle excursions for posting on youtube. Then I'm going to sojourn out into the wilderness, planting appleseeds wherever...

[GMaq]

Have fun!

Just don't go over the bars on that bike, that bracket could be nasty!