Problem with video conversion to .ts containing multiple videos as programs

[Cedr00m4kv1x]

Hello World! I’m currently running into a serious problem when trying to pack multiple videos and convert that pack to a standalone .ts.
Via FFmpeg, I’m running the following command on a-Shell for iPadOS (on my iPad): ffmpeg -i "checkmate_replay_A40F4193-CC48-4AB7-8E7D-C2A9A250C902.MP4" -i "ScreenRecording_06-22-2026 11-13-44_1.MP4" -i "ScreenRecording_06-22-2026 11-15-42_1.MP4" -i "ScreenRecording_06-22-2026 11-20-31_1.MP4" -i "ScreenRecording_06-22-2026 11-22-49_1.MP4" -i "ScreenRecording_06-22-2026 11-28-53_1.MP4" -i "ScreenRecording_06-22-2026 11-35-26_1.MP4" -i "checkmate_replay_4B90F432-426A-42D6-BC43-DAC766989730.MP4" -filter_complex "[0:v]scale=720:540:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease :flags=bilinear,pad=720:540:-1:-1,scale=352:480:flags=bilinear,crop=336:480:8:0,pa d=352:480:-1:0,colorspace=all=smpte170m[ch1];[1:v]scale=720:540:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease :flags=bilinear,pad=720:540:-1:-1,scale=352:480:flags=bilinear,crop=336:480:8:0,pa d=352:480:-1:0,colorspace=all=smpte170m[ch2];[2:v]scale=720:540:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease :flags=bilinear,pad=720:540:-1:-1,scale=352:480:flags=bilinear,crop=336:480:8:0,pa d=352:480:-1:0,colorspace=all=smpte170m[ch3];[3:v]scale=720:540:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease :flags=bilinear,pad=720:540:-1:-1,scale=352:480:flags=bilinear,crop=336:480:8:0,pa d=352:480:-1:0,colorspace=all=smpte170m[ch4];[4:v]scale=720:540:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease :flags=bilinear,pad=720:540:-1:-1,scale=352:480:flags=bilinear,crop=336:480:8:0,pa d=352:480:-1:0,colorspace=all=smpte170m[ch5];[5:v]scale=720:540:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease :flags=bilinear,pad=720:540:-1:-1,scale=352:480:flags=bilinear,crop=336:480:8:0,pa d=352:480:-1:0,colorspace=all=smpte170m[ch6];[6:v]scale=720:540:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease :flags=bilinear,pad=720:540:-1:-1,scale=352:480:flags=bilinear,crop=336:480:8:0,pa d=352:480:-1:0,colorspace=all=smpte170m[ch7];[7:v]scale=720:540:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease :flags=bilinear,pad=720:540:-1:-1,scale=352:480:flags=bilinear,crop=336:480:8:0,pa d=352:480:-1:0,colorspace=all=smpte170m[ch8]" -map [ch1]? -map 0:a? -map [ch2]? -map 1:a? -map [ch3]? -map 2:a? -map [ch4]? -map 3:a? -map [ch5]? -map 4:a? -map [ch6]? -map 5:a? -map [ch7]? -map 6:a? -map [ch8]? -map 7:a? -r 29.97 -c:v mpeg2video -colorspace smpte170m -pix_fmt yuv420p -aspect:v:0 4:3 -aspect:v:1 4:3 -aspect:v:2 4:3 -aspect:v:3 4:3 -aspect:v:4 4:3 -aspect:v:5 4:3 -aspect:v:6 4:3 -aspect:v:7 4:3 -b:v:0 1376k -minrate:v:0 0 -maxrate:v:0 1720k -b:v:1 1376k -minrate:v:1 0 -maxrate:v:1 1720k -b:v:2 1376k -minrate:v:2 0 -maxrate:v:2 1720k -b:v:3 1376k -minrate:v:3 0 -maxrate:v:3 1720k -b:v:4 1376k -minrate:v:4 0 -maxrate:v:4 1720k -b:v:5 1376k -minrate:v:5 0 -maxrate:v:5 1720k -b:v:6 1376k -minrate:v:6 0 -maxrate:v:6 1720k -b:v:7 1376k -minrate:v:7 0 -maxrate:v:7 1720k -qmin 4 -qmax 29 -g 18 -c:a ac3 -b:a 256k -ar 48000 -program title=001:st=v:0:st=a:0? -program title=002:st=v:1:st=a:1? -program title=003:st=v:2:st=a:2? -program title=004:st=v:3:st=a:3? -program title=005:st=v:4:st=a:4? -program title=006:st=v:5:st=a:5? -program title=007:st=v:6:st=a:6? -program title=008:st=v:7:st=a:7? "TRANSPONDER5A12828402-SDTV-ldish.ts"
The main problem is that FFmpeg thinks program specifications are malformed.
For more information, I’ll send you the output the shell produced to me in front of my eyes


ffmpeg version n7.0-2875-g991ecfec60 Copyright (c) 2000-2024 the FFmpeg developers
built with Apple clang version 17.0.0 (clang-1700.3.19.1)
configuration: --cc=clang --arch=arm64 --enable-cross-compile --disable-asm --enable-pthreads --enable-videotoolbox --disable-audiotoolbox --enable-openssl --enable-libfreetype --enable-libzimg --enable-network --disable-debug --disable-gpl --disable-nonfree --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libaom --enable-stripping --enable-libass --enable-libkvazaar --enable-libopus
libavutil 59. 39.100 / 59. 39.100
libavcodec 61. 19.100 / 61. 19.100
libavformat 61. 7.100 / 61. 7.100
libavdevice 61. 3.100 / 61. 3.100
libavfilter 10. 4.100 / 10. 4.100
libswscale 8. 3.100 / 8. 3.100
libswresample 5. 3.100 / 5. 3.100
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'checkmate_replay_A40F4193-CC48-4AB7-8E7D-C2A9A250C902.MP4':
Metadata:
major_brand : qt
minor_version : 0
compatible_brands: qt
creation_time : 2026-07-11T00:20:02.000000Z
com.apple.quicktime.creationdate: 2026-06-22T10:34:31-06:00
Duration: 00:00:06.60, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 528 kb/s
Stream #0:0[0x1](und): Video: h264 (High) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(progressive), 540x960, 519 kb/s, 29.70 fps, 30 tbr, 600 tbn (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-07-11T00:20:02.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Video
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
encoder : 'avc1'
Input #1, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'ScreenRecording_06-22-2026 11-13-44_1.MP4':
Metadata:
major_brand : mp42
minor_version : 1
compatible_brands: isommp41mp42
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:13:44.000000Z
Duration: 00:01:36.71, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2007 kb/s
Stream #1:0[0x1](und): Video: hevc (Main) (hvc1 / 0x31637668), yuvj420p(pc, bt709, progressive), 1640x2360, 1968 kb/s, 59.81 fps, 60 tbr, 600 tbn (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:13:44.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Video
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
Stream #1:1[0x2](und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp, 30 kb/s (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:13:44.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Audio
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
Input #2, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'ScreenRecording_06-22-2026 11-15-42_1.MP4':
Metadata:
major_brand : mp42
minor_version : 1
compatible_brands: isommp41mp42
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:15:42.000000Z
Duration: 00:03:28.75, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2103 kb/s
Stream #2:0[0x1](und): Video: hevc (Main) (hvc1 / 0x31637668), yuvj420p(pc, bt709, progressive), 1640x2360, 2065 kb/s, 59.96 fps, 60 tbr, 600 tbn (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:15:42.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Video
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
Stream #2:1[0x2](und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp, 29 kb/s (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:15:42.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Audio
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
Input #3, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'ScreenRecording_06-22-2026 11-20-31_1.MP4':
Metadata:
major_brand : mp42
minor_version : 1
compatible_brands: isommp41mp42
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:20:31.000000Z
Duration: 00:01:56.39, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2022 kb/s
Stream #3:0[0x1](und): Video: hevc (Main) (hvc1 / 0x31637668), yuvj420p(pc, bt709, progressive), 1640x2360, 1981 kb/s, 59.92 fps, 60 tbr, 600 tbn (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:20:31.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Video
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
Stream #3:1[0x2](und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp, 32 kb/s (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:20:31.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Audio
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
Input #4, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'ScreenRecording_06-22-2026 11-22-49_1.MP4':
Metadata:
major_brand : mp42
minor_version : 1
compatible_brands: isommp41mp42
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:22:49.000000Z
Duration: 00:05:39.71, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 1995 kb/s
Stream #4:0[0x1](und): Video: hevc (Main) (hvc1 / 0x31637668), yuvj420p(pc, bt709, progressive), 1640x2360, 1952 kb/s, 60 fps, 60 tbr, 600 tbn (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:22:49.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Video
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
Stream #4:1[0x2](und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp, 34 kb/s (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:22:49.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Audio
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
Input #5, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'ScreenRecording_06-22-2026 11-28-53_1.MP4':
Metadata:
major_brand : mp42
minor_version : 1
compatible_brands: isommp41mp42
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:28:53.000000Z
Duration: 00:02:48.14, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2153 kb/s
Stream #5:0[0x1](und): Video: hevc (Main) (hvc1 / 0x31637668), yuvj420p(pc, bt709, progressive), 1640x2360, 2102 kb/s, 59.87 fps, 60 tbr, 600 tbn (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:28:53.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Video
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
Stream #5:1[0x2](und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp, 42 kb/s (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:28:53.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Audio
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
Input #6, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'ScreenRecording_06-22-2026 11-35-26_1.MP4':
Metadata:
major_brand : mp42
minor_version : 1
compatible_brands: isommp41mp42
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:35:26.000000Z
Duration: 00:01:35.21, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2592 kb/s
Stream #6:0[0x1](und): Video: hevc (Main) (hvc1 / 0x31637668), yuvj420p(pc, bt709, progressive), 1640x2360, 2532 kb/s, 59.76 fps, 60 tbr, 600 tbn (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:35:26.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Video
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
Stream #6:1[0x2](und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp, 50 kb/s (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T17:35:26.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Audio
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
Input #7, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'checkmate_replay_4B90F432-426A-42D6-BC43-DAC766989730.MP4':
Metadata:
major_brand : mp42
minor_version : 1
compatible_brands: isommp41mp42
creation_time : 2026-06-22T18:26:33.000000Z
Duration: 00:00:06.60, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 524 kb/s
Stream #7:0[0x1](und): Video: h264 (High) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(progressive), 540x960, 520 kb/s, 30 fps, 30 tbr, 600 tbn (default)
Metadata:
creation_time : 2026-06-22T18:26:33.000000Z
handler_name : Core Media Video
vendor_id : [0][0][0][0]
File 'TRANSPONDER5A12828402-SDTV-ldish.ts' already exists. Overwrite? [y/N] y
[out#0/mpegts @ 0x1334c1440] Error parsing program specification title=001:st=v:0:st=a:0?
Error opening output file TRANSPONDER5A12828402-SDTV-ldish.ts.
Error opening output files: Invalid argument



I think the error is really absurd because of the following reasons
1) I had run a similar command like this however with four videos, and it worked.
2) Videos #1 (0) and #8 (7), mentioned in the command above, have no audio, however, I think, the command is so engineered it must clear any confusion caused by assuming audio streams are removed from the list because they are absent, which will break its structural functionality, or something…
Likewise, I’ll send you herein the input videos I’m using for such conversion.

Could you help me clarify this issue, please, and propose some workarounds that help solve, or at least neutralize the problem? I’ll thank your answer.
Greetings,
Cedric

[hello_hello]

I got distracted and now I've run out of time, but TSMuxer wouldn't open any of the ScreenRecording files, however MKVToolNix would. According to MediaInfo the checkmate files are 30fps and the rest are 60fps, so that's what I set the frames rates to when remuxing the files. Once they were remuxed as MKVs TSMuxer would open them so hopefully ffmpeg will. If the frame rates aren't correct you can try remuxing the MP4s again with the correct rate.

[ProWo]

[out#0/mpegts @ 0x1334c1440] Error parsing program specification title=001t=v:0t=a:0?
Error opening output file TRANSPONDER5A12828402-SDTV-ldish.ts.
Error opening output files: Invalid argument

The correct syntax is

-program title=001:st=v=0:st=a=0?

not

-program title=001:st=v:0:st=a:0?

[Cedr00m4kv1x]

Hello. I corrected the code, and it worked not with the checkmate replay videos. I tried to do so with those videos, and the encoder is still stubborn:


[Parsed_colorspace_5 @ 0x128e0fa80] Unsupported input primaries 2 (unknown)
[fc#0 @ 0x106432580] Error while filtering: Invalid argument
[fc#0 @ 0x106432580] Task finished with error code: -22 (Invalid argument)
[fc#0 @ 0x106432580] Terminating thread with return code -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:0/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b0300] Could not open encoder before EOF
[vost#0:0/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b0300] Task finished with error code: -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:0/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b0300] Terminating thread with return code -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:1/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b2a00] Could not open encoder before EOF
[vost#0:1/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b2a00] Task finished with error code: -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:1/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b2a00] Terminating thread with return code -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:3/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b3300] Could not open encoder before EOF
[vost#0:3/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b3300] Task finished with error code: -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:3/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b3300] Terminating thread with return code -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:5/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b2100] Could not open encoder before EOF
[vost#0:5/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b2100] Task finished with error code: -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:5/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b2100] Terminating thread with return code -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:7/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b2700] Could not open encoder before EOF
[vost#0:13/mpeg2video @ 0x124341e00] Could not open encoder before EOF
[vost#0:7/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b2700] Task finished with error code: -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:7/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b2700] Terminating thread with return code -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:9/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b0f00] Could not open encoder before EOF
[vost#0:11/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b1800] Could not open encoder before EOF
[vost#0:11/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b1800] Task finished with error code: -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:11/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b1800] Terminating thread with return code -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:13/mpeg2video @ 0x124341e00] Task finished with error code: -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:13/mpeg2video @ 0x124341e00] Terminating thread with return code -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:9/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b0f00] Task finished with error code: -22 (Invalid argument)
[vost#0:9/mpeg2video @ 0x1778b0f00] Terminating thread with return code -22 (Invalid argument)
[out#0/mpegts @ 0x1779bb240] Nothing was written into output file, because at least one of its streams received no packets.
frame= 0 fps=0.0 q=0.0 Lq=0.0 q=0.0 q=0.0 q=0.0 q=0.0 q=0.0 q=0.0 size= 0KiB time=N/A bitrate=N/A speed=N/A
Conversion failed!


However, at the moment I tried to do so with other videos, for some reason it worked seamlessly. The videos could have different framerate values, discarding that reason as a problem; it’s rather, supposedly, because of unrecognized colorspace.
Please look at the dump Media Info generated to me regarding one of the checkmate replay video files… wait, are you serious MediaInfo?

[Attachment 92996 - Click to enlarge]
I think because it’s employing no explicit colorspace at all, the issue could come from there.
May you explain to me, please, why the commands aren’t working well with the two checkmate replay videos, beyond because of the unsupported colorspace mode? Thanks for the answer.

[ProWo]

Hello. I corrected the code, and it worked not with the checkmate replay videos.
[Parsed_colorspace_5 @ 0x128e0fa80] Unsupported input primaries 2 (unknown)

This two videos are missing colorspace infomation, so the CS conversion cant work.
You can write this missing colorspace information (without recoding) with clever FFmpeg-GUI.
Start it, drag your first checkmate mp4 into, click Lossless changes, check the change colorspace checkbox, set all like in the picture and click change.


[Attachment 92999 - Click to enlarge]

Repeat this with the 2nd checkmate mp4.
The new created mp4's should pass the CS conversion.