Convertion problems

[M_2008]

Hello,

I have switched from win to mac and don't really know how to convert videos. It was easy using Super for WinXP, now I have to learn how video conversion works with programm for osx.

Trying to use ffmpegX 0.0.9x (registered version) to convert videos (e.g. flv) to other formats (e.g. mp.4). I installed the binaries and read the ffmpeg-help, but: Most possibilities to convert do not work (make files of 0 kb). Some result in video-files without sound (e.g.: Codec type mismatch for mapping #1.1 -> #0.0), some in seperate video- and audio-files. Conversion of mac-video-files like .mp4 or .m4v always result in files without sound. Which type of file can be converted by which codec? Is there some kind of a help for that?

Thanks a lot for your help.
Michael

[Case]

1/ FLV and MP4 are both container formats. Both files can have one of several different video codecs and one of several audio codecs. If it turns out the issue is the codec, then this forum needs to know which codecs. So please be specific. E.g. From FLV (VP6 320x240, MP3 22050 Hz stereo) to MP4 (H.264 320x240, AAC 48000 Hz stereo).

2/ If you output file is 0 KB, then others may be able to help if the get to see the Process Information log (accessible by clicking the blue "i" in the ffmpegX Progress window). This log contains information on what ffmpegX was doing/trying to do, as well as any error messages. This is often vital troubleshooting information for other forum users, in order to suggest a fix or workaround.

3/ If your output file has no audio, then again the Process Information log may hold clues on what went wrong.

4/ A "Codec type mismatch for mapping" error can happen when you're using a ffmpeg preset and your source file doesn't have video as the first stream and audio as the second stream. If it is a case of inverted streams (audio first, video second), then the mapping error can be resolved by checking the "Invert mapping" checkbox in the audio tab.
However, a "Codec type mismatch for mapping #1.1 -> #0.0" error implies ffmpegX is trying to map the secondary stream from a secondary file (#1.1) to the first stream of the first output file (#0.0). I don't think the GUI allows for such settings...

5/ Many presets come in multiple flavors, e.g. an ffmpeg preset and a mencoder preset for MP4. If one doesn't work, do try the other. ffmpegX is a program made up from several command line tools, so select the best working tool at your disposal.

6/ Some presets have an option (in the Options tab) to select a specific decoder for your source file. Sometimes one decoder works better than the other. Of special note is the option to use QuickTime as a decoder. In order to use that, make sure QuickTime has the working Components for your video. (That is, as long as QuickTime Player won't play your file, there is no use in trying to make ffmpegX use QuickTime for decoding.) Helpful QuickTime Components to install include Perian and the MPEG-2 Playback Component.

7/ The external binaries have aged a bit; they're from 2006-03. Things that mplayer couldn't decode then, could limit what ffmpegX can do now, for presets that invoke mplayer (such as the mencoder presets).

[M_2008]

Thank you very much, your answer was a great help for me!

"Invert Map" (Audio) solved many problems, and by regarding the progress-infos I found out, that some codecs refuse to work if you use the presets and the video size of origin and result differs. Now it works!

I still have a question concerning m4v-files. Converting them to avi (ffmpeg as well as mencoder) the result is not very good, the movements are not fluent, und coversion to mpeg leads to a lack of synchronisation of sound and movie. What codec should I use best to convert a m4v-file in a file I can share with windows-users? (I've got Perian and the Quick-time-mpeg-tool).

Thank you!
Michael