clever FFmpeg-GUI, small FFmpeg UI, fully portable, no installation.

[ProWo]

I'm experimenting with ac3_mf encoding.
It looks like the speed variable is too short for large values.

The length of the label is ok, what you see is the ffmpeg command line as it is.

Video Encoding -> Filter & more -> Burn in subitle.
The subrip value does not increase when you click up, it decrease.

Thx, this will be changed.

[Findu]

How about opening a dialog box when closing the app and asking whether to delete previously processed files and/or unprocessed batch files?
I mean, only if there are any!
If you say Yes, the app will do a clear start at next launch.
If you say No, SWF_open.txt and/or BT_open.txt will be created like before.

This new dialog could appear when the app starts instead!

[ProWo]

How about opening a dialog box when closing the app and asking whether to delete previously processed files and/or unprocessed batch files?
I mean, only if there are any!
If you say Yes, the app will do a clear start at next launch.
If you say No, SWF_open.txt and/or BT_open.txt will be created like before.

This new dialog could appear when the app starts instead!

Good idea, I'll work on that.

[ProWo]

@ Findu
Done, check your PM.

[Findu]

@ ProWo

3.4.0.04 Feedback

Video Encoding -> Filter & more -> Burn in subtitle. The subrip value now increase when you click up. Thanks.

New dialog at start/close of the app to delete previously processed files and/or unprocessed batch files.
As I can see, all variants work perfectly. Also when you delete some processed files before opening the app. Very good.
So I'm not sure if just showing this dialog on startup would be enough.

[ProWo]

So I'm not sure if just showing this dialog on startup would be enough.

I think I will leave both as they are, so you can see immediately when you exit the program whether there is anything left to do.

[Findu]

Question:
Can ffplay preview/play the changes you make on the Audio encoding page?
To allows you to control length and pitch, fade in and out, and filters.
Even for pure audio sources.

[ProWo]

Question:
Can ffplay preview/play the changes you make on the Audio encoding page?
To allows you to control length and pitch, fade in and out, and filters.
Even for pure audio sources.

Interesting question.
I would have to install a player that only plays audio in this case.
I will look into this.

[Findu]

The pure audio file could be multiplexed with a tiny, completely black dummy video before previewing with ffplay.

[ProWo]

The pure audio file could be multiplexed with a tiny, completely black dummy video before previewing with ffplay.

No way to use ffplay for an audio preview/pre_list.
FFplay isn't able to handle filter_complex.
So we have to forget this idea.

[videoAI]

@ProWo

//// seems to happen when clicking Join Media Files button ////

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.InvalidOperationException: This operation cannot be performed while an auto-filled column is being resized.
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.PerformLayoutPri vate(Boolean useRowShortcut, Boolean computeVisibleRows, Boolean invalidInAdjustFillingColumns, Boolean repositionEditingControl)
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.SetColumnHeaders HeightInternal(Int32 columnHeadersHeight, Boolean invalidInAdjustFillingColumns)
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeColumn HeadersHeight(Boolean fixedRowHeadersWidth, Boolean fixedColumnsWidth)
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.OnColumnHeadersG lobalAutoSize()
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.set_TopLeftHeade rCell(DataGridViewHeaderCell value)
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.get_TopLeftHeade rCell()
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.OnCellMouseEnter (DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.UpdateMouseEnter edCell(HitTestInfo hti, MouseEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.OnColumnWidthCha nged(DataGridViewColumnEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AdjustFillingCol umns()
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ComputeLayout()
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.PerformLayoutPri vate(Boolean useRowShortcut, Boolean computeVisibleRows, Boolean invalidInAdjustFillingColumns, Boolean repositionEditingControl)
at System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.OnHandleCreated( EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmCreate(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.9300.0 built by: NET481REL1LAST_C
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework64/v4.0.30319/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
clever FFmpeg GUI
Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 3.4.0.03
CodeBase: file:///C:/Portable/PortableApps/CleverFFmpegGUI/clever%20FFmpeg%20GUI.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
Assembly Version: 10.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 14.8.9032.0 built by: NET481REL1
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/v4.0_10.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.9282.0 built by: NET481REL1LAST_C
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Core
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.9297.0 built by: NET481REL1LAST_C
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Core/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Core.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.9256.0 built by: NET481REL1LAST_B
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.9032.0 built by: NET481REL1
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.9032.0 built by: NET481REL1
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.9032.0 built by: NET481REL1
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Runtime.Remoting
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.9214.0 built by: NET481REL1LAST_B
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll
----------------------------------------
PortableSettingsProvider
Assembly Version: 0.2.5.0
Win32 Version: 0.2.5.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Portable/PortableApps/CleverFFmpegGUI/PortableSettingsProvider.DLL
----------------------------------------
System.Xml.Linq
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.9032.0 built by: NET481REL1
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml.Linq/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.Linq.dll
----------------------------------------
Accessibility
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.9032.0 built by: NET481REL1
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Accessibility/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Accessibility.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

[Findu]

>> The pure audio file could be multiplexed with a tiny, completely black dummy video before previewing with ffplay.
> No way to use ffplay for an audio preview/pre_list.
FFplay isn't able to handle filter_complex.
So we have to forget this idea.

Too bad. But thank you for researching this.

[ProWo]

Error message...

This operation cannot be performed while an auto-filled column is being resized. ???
There is no code in my app to resize a column in the join grid.
Did you do this manually?

[Findu]

When you multiplex, all selectet streams get cleared from the grid. Which is most of the time good.
But how about an option to disable this?
"Keep streams after muxing"
If set, it will also uncheck "Delete file after muxing" and vice versa.

So there is no need to close and reopen the Multiplex page to get back previously muxed streams.

[Attachment 86736 - Click to enlarge]

[videoAI]

no ..

Error message...

This operation cannot be performed while an auto-filled column is being resized. ???
There is no code in my app to resize a column in the join grid.
Did you do this manually?

[videoAI]

@ProWo

This App introduces similar errors intermittently .. during regular usage ..

- A while back, I tried using this app for the 1st time, it asked for my FFMPEG folder, after selecting it,
the app crashed with an error !!, and wouldn't run again until I deleted both config files in the app folder and tried again.

- The next few weeks, I kept updating and trying to use this app. I still don't know why I even bothered, And wasted my time.
using this app was a huge waste of time, and a nightmare in some instances. Let me elaborate:
I use Lossless Cut on a daily basis, and I am very satisfied with it. but it does not do crop/pad/convert.
I figured I could try this app for these actions.
1st I tried crop .. bad idea .. crop required virtualdub2 (ffplay were not an option back then), which i didn't have or wished to install.
portable ?? ..ya right.
Next I tried Padding .. big mistake .. this app messes all your video stream other parameters like Profile, FPS, etc. even if you didn't ask it
to change them. ended up with a file I can't merge with its other identical half.
The nightmare continued with all the other features I tried from changing FPS to Audio frequency changes. etc.
The amount of issues I faced were mind boggling. too many to list here.

- A few days ago, I tried to fix an mp4 file with a seek problem, ended up with a screen saying, there is an error in the file, do you wish to continue.
you can't abort or cancel out of that action, pressing continue will repeat the error message 10,000 times or till you kill the task in windows.

- Yesterday, I thought to myself, maybe you have been too harsh in assessing this App. Come on .. give it one more shot.
I opened the App, and pressed on the merge button. Guess what .. yep .. another error and miserable crash. (sent to Dev .. still pending)

keep in mind that this app was supposed to be a shell on top of FFMPEG [which is a very stable software].

Examples of things to try to duplicate some of the issues/ errors/ bugs/ navigation problems:

- If you click version>update once; it says "up to date", press it few more time, it will not show status anymore.

- When there is an update, pressing the update button on the update form gives a error occasionally and App will not reload itself.

- App uses new terminology that I have never seen used anywhere through my 45 years as a computer engineer and a software developer.
terms like Placebo (a medical term) but unclear how it applies in a drop down selection, other terms like LUT needs an explanation.
we are not all 'Rocket Scientists' .. I take that back .. maybe a few of us are

- Keep in mind that this app doesn't have a help or tutorial sections. pressing 'Info & Help' on the main page brings you here, a support thread,
instead of a tutorial page.

- Hovering above a dropdown describes the function of dropdown in general, not the items listed in it (ex; Placebo)

- Users of this app keep asking for clarification of the difference between 'fix frame rate' and 'change frame rate'.

Hint: combine both functions into one feature, say .. 'modify Frame rate' and within this new feature add both fix/change and explain the
difference between them clearly.

@ProWo .. if you wish I can continue .. but .. there are only 24 hours in a day.

no ..

Error message...

This operation cannot be performed while an auto-filled column is being resized. ???
There is no code in my app to resize a column in the join grid.
Did you do this manually?

[ProWo]

1000 errors & bugs

I'm sorry if you've had such negative experiences with my app.
I use it every day and cannot confirm your statements.

What I can advise you is the following:
Delete your current clever FFmpeg-GUI folder (not the target folder).
Download the latest beta and unzip it into a new folder.
Delete the following files in the target folder (if they exist):
BT_open.txt
SWT_open.txt
Start clever-FFmpeg-GUI.

If you find any errors, describe them in detail and post them here.
But if you can't get along with the app, don't use it anymore.

PS. placebo is a FFmpeg preset for x264(avc) and x265(hevc) encoders.
The name was chosen by the FFmpeg developers.

[ProWo]

When you multiplex, all selectet streams get cleared from the grid. Which is most of the time good.
But how about an option to disable this?
"Keep streams after muxing"

Can be done. Will work on this.

[ProWo]

Newest beta (v3.4.0.04), online now.
(Changelog will follow in the next full release).

[Findu]

@ ProWo

3.4.0.04 Feedback

Good idea to use "Remove muxed streams" and it works as expected. Thank you!

---

You get error messages when ffprobe.exe and fflpay.exe does not exist.
Maybe the same check as for a missing ffmpeg.exe would be good?

[ProWo]

You get error messages when ffprobe.exe and fflpay.exe does not exist.
Maybe the same check as for a missing ffmpeg.exe would be good?

I'll add this checks and a check for a missing saved target folder too.

[edwardwoeful]

Starting from 3.3.9 it seems audio delay in Multiplex is broken. Here is the table of what I set in "AD" and what I actually get after multiplexing:

SET GET
-50 -59
-100 -159
-170 -299
-200 -359

Version 3.3.8 and previous worked correctly. I've tried the latest beta, still broken.

[ProWo]

Starting from 3.3.9 it seems audio delay in Multiplex is broken. Here is the table of what I set in "AD" and what I actually get after multiplexing:

SET GET
-50 -59
-100 -159
-170 -299
-200 -359

Version 3.3.8 and previous worked correctly. I've tried the latest beta, still broken.

AD means actual delay (from source).
The desired audio delay is set in the delay field.
Could you make a screenshot from the multiplex grid where you got the values above, repeating the same operation?

[edwardwoeful]

AD means actual delay (from source).
The desired audio delay is set in the delay field.
Could you make a screenshot from the multiplex grid where you got the values above, repeating the same operation?

Oh, I really meant "Delay". Of course I can. Here are the screenshot. This is what I set:

Ant here is what I get after multiplexing:

[Attachment 86801 - Click to enlarge]

It started with version 3.3.9. Version 3.3.8 and below worked perfectly. One more thing to mention. It seems to work perfectly with positive delays, like +200ms or +50ms, but it's broken when it comes to the negative delays like -170ms or -85ms.

[ProWo]

You must give me other two values from this movie:
Video offset (top right in video encoding grid) and audio offset (top right in audio encoding, with the audiostream selected, you would change the delay).

[edwardwoeful]

Here they are.
Audio encoding grid:


[Attachment 86806 - Click to enlarge]

Video encoding grid:


[Attachment 86805 - Click to enlarge]

[ProWo]

Thx, will investigate on this and come back to you.

[ProWo]

@ewardwoeful

I have sent you a new test version.
Read your PM.

[edwardwoeful]

@ewardwoeful

I have sent you a new test version.
Read your PM.

I've just tried 4 different files with 5 different audio delays each, positive and negative ones, everything worked like a charm for me.

Thank you for your great tool and for fixing the issue!

[ProWo]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 02, 2025 release version 3.4.1.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added:
Presets for change length and pitch with audio file only.
Attachment recognition with mjpeg as video.
cleverNorm max gain option.
Possibility to delete unused processed files and batch tasks at program start and close.
Unused files list at app start and end.
Checks for missing ffmpeg files and for missing target folder.

Fixed:
Bug with update routine.
Bug with cut_help screen missing on cut start.
Bug with missing file deletion if video sample encoding is aborted.
Bug with video preview and encoding using LUT's.
Bug with wrong attachment button behavior in mux section.
Bug with attachments extraction (mjpeg, png).
Bug in audio length & pitch custom calculator.
Bug with setting negative audiodelay, if related source stream has positive delay (thx to edwardwoeful for the hint).

Changed:
Cut help screen formatting.
Clear selected streams (instead of Del_PS and Del_BS) in mux section (without touching the files).
Selection control direction when setting subtitle to burn in.
Remove muxed streams from mux grid.
Only one check for update admitted now.

Removed:
clevernorm option from downmix options.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Special thanks to Findu for continuous testing.