installation problems

[Finnytribe]

Hello,

I'm currently trying to install ffmpegX . The problem is installing the mencoder and mplayer binaries and the mpeg2enc binary. When I locate the ffmpegX folder in the Applications Support Library, it's empty--and so I can't install anything. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Case]

1/ Log in with a user account that has admin privileges.
2/ Download the binaries. Leave them on the desktop (or in your download folder).
3/ Launch ffmpegX. In the Installer window, use the Locate buttons to point to the downloaded files (unzipped).
4/ Enter (non-blank) user account password. Install.
5/ ffmpegX will do its installation thing, including copying the binaries to /Library/Application Support/ffmpegX/ .
6/ Verify that the installation went well. You may delete or archive the original downloaded binaries now.

Note: There are several Library directories on Mac OS X. ffmpegX will not use the Library folder in your home directory ( /Users/username/Library/Application Support/ ), but in the Library directory in the root of the boot volume.

[Garbuglio]

I too have run into installation problems with ffmpegx 0.0.9y. I have used ffmpegx before successfully on other machines.
On my Mac Pro running 10.5.6 (I am the system and network administrator), the installation of the binaries kept failing, giving this error:

##sh: -c: line 0: unexpected EOF while looking for matching `''
sh: -c: line 1: syntax error: unexpected end of file

The original failure left zero files at /Library/Application Support/ffmpegx/

I was able to place the mencoder and mplayer files there manually, but the installer still gives the same error, with a checkmark only over the mpeg2enc.intel file. I suspect this file of corruption, but have downloaded it several times, and still get the error.



Suggestions welcome.

[Case]

Do not put mpeg2enc (or any ffmpegX binary) manually in Application Support, as the installer will modify the file (permissions, executable bit) before/while copying. Also, it must copy to a different location, not onto itself.

unexpected EOF while looking for matching `''
Usually means that there is an apostrophe or quote character where it shouldn't be: in a volume name, folder name, or in the password.

[Garbuglio]

Thanks. Job done.

This is the second time I've stubbed my toe on "forbidden" characters in passphrases, trying to make them more resistant to passphrase cracking programs.

So, thanks particularly for explaining the error message.

[Case]

trying to make them more resistant to passphrase cracking programs.

Making passwords more resistant to passphrase cracking programs is a good thing in general. But if you do not enable remote access, then the computer user account is pretty safe from network access. If someone has physical access to your Mac, then there are ways to log in without needing the password.
Passphrase cracking programs tend to use dictionaries. Just don't use a dictionary word, or (nick)names, or dates. I see no need to make it more complicated than that.
If you find a way to memorize a random string of letters and numbers, by associating the characters with things you remember well, then that would be a good password. Generate ~10 such passwords and pick the one that is best for you.

[billf]

Hi.
First time on here, so thanks in advance for all your help.

I have followed these instructions as I have also experienced installation problems with ffmpegx.

It is installing the binaries that seem to be the problem.

On the components self-installer dialogue I visited the mencoder and mplayer urls, downloaded them onto my desktop, unzipped them and then pointed to them via the locate button. They appear on the desktop as plain text with zero kb on disk (when looking at properties) and the name of: ffmpegXbinaries20060307. Is this right?

The main problem, though, seems to be the mpeg2enc. When I visit the url that is suggested on the self-installer it opens a web page of unreadable (by me) code. I have tried copying this and saving it as a plain text and then pointing the locate button to it.

I then enter my login code and all appears to start correctly but nothing works. I drag vob files or video_TS files into source format and no preview is available and it says no video and no audio under the FROM dialogue.

This seems to be the perfect programme for my needs so I would love to get it to work.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Bill (forum virgin - please be gentle)

[Case]

It is installing the binaries that seem to be the problem.

mencoder and mplayer can be downloaded together from ffmpegXbinaries20060307.zip . The archive should be 14.4 MB (15,119,081 bytes), and expand unzipped to mencoder (15.9 MB or 16,655,780 bytes) and mplayer (15.1 MB or 15,869,784 bytes). These two files should have the Unix Executable File icon.

mpeg2enc is hosted on a server that does not give the proper MIME type with it. Not a big problem if you option-click (alt-click) the link, so that it downloads immediately to your default download location, without trying to recognize the file first. It will look like a text document, but the installer will change that to a Unix Executable File when copying/installing. The file size should be 492 KB (501,480 bytes).

Without all the binaries, some functions should still work, such as recognizing source files that do not require mplayer, and conversions using ffmpeg presets.

[billf]

Thank you, so much.

Hours of trying to work it out by myself followed by 2 mins following your instructions.

It's the alt - click stuff that really helped.

Thanks again.

[hotlips]

the KEY info with regard to the Control-Click (Alt-Click) instruction is that the Saved file is a .txt file. I kept thinking that the .txt wasn't correct until you explained that it would be converted in the installation.

thanks.