Need a recommended FLV to AVI converter

[OM2]

Can someone recommend me an FLV to AVI converter

OK: I've search this website and googled - the problem is that there's too many results

I'd like something light weight + doesn't need installing
Ideally it would be great if it was open source (I've tried searching sourceforge but am not getting any meaningful results)

In the past I've used Super - this is is great! But you need to install it
I'll go for tat if I can't get other suggestions

Thanks


OM

[Baldrick]

ffmpeg,

ffmpeg -i video.flv video.avi

Or I guess you want a window frontend? Then try a gui for ffmpeg like maybe WinFF, installation required but I guess you can install it and then just copy the winff folder to use it somewhere else.

And I guess you have tried FLV Extract to make an avi and mp3 from flv without reconversion.

[jagabo]

VirtualDub with FLV source plugin
or
AviSynth + VirtualDub (AviSynth requires installation)

[OM2]

thank u for both replies
ffmpeg - i'm sure i have this installed and i like using the command line!

virtualdubmod + flv source plugin?
yes: i like hat a lot - this would be my preferred way

thanks!

[jagabo]

virtualdubmod + flv source plugin?
yes: i like hat a lot

You may also need the correct decoders -- FLV1, VP6F, h.264, whatever your FLV file uses.

[OM2]

You may also need the correct decoders -- FLV1, VP6F, h.264, whatever your FLV file uses.

oh...
where do i get those from...?
let me know
thanks

[jagabo]

Try ffdshow. Use its VFW configuration for VirtualDub.

[OM2]

ok... not sure where to start!

virtualvub: i've downloaded latest version
i've downloaded the plugin pack
i've installed ffdshow and chose VFW when installing

i try to load an flv video, but it throw an error comlaining aboout not having the right codec

what am i doing wrong?


virtualdub? virtualdubmod?? whats the difference? i've always used virtualdubmod

ffmpeg
i want to give this a go
i've downloaded
instructions? documentation?
it's written in english - but it just don't male sense!!
why is it soo hard to understand??

i've read in other posts that ffmpeg is *reallY* powerful
i'm intrigued to find out how to use it

ffdshow
i've downloaded and installed
what is it!!!?
launched on its own, it's not clear at all what i can do with it!

should i create another post with all my questions!!?

thanks

[jagabo]

ffdshow:

Start -> All Programs -> ffdshow -> VFW Configuration -> Decoder tab:

Enable (set to libavcodec) H.263+, FLV1, VP6F, h.264.

[Ai Haibara]

VirtualDubMod is a revised version of VirtualDub, which handles some things better than VirtualDub. It's based on a rather old (by now) version of VirtualDub's code, however, and hasn't been updated in some time.

ffmpeg is a command-line tool. If you're not sure how to use it, you might consider using an ffmpeg GUI like WinFF or Avanti.

[jagabo]

Although VirtualDubMod has a few features (multiple audio streams, crude MKV and OGM output support, saving images, etc) that VirtualDub doesn't, it is very outdated and lacks all the new features added to VirtualDub. In particular, it lacks the source filter plugin ability so it can not open FLV files directly.

[OM2]

jagabo: thanks
works now
very happy - i'm used to virtualdubmod (so i assume i'll be ok with virtualdub)

BUT, i get the following error reported:

###########
[!] Video codec "Panasonic DV CODEC" is claiming to be able to decompress
formats that it does not actually support. This can cause the Windows
video codec system to malfunction and may cause applications to crash.
Please remove the errant codec or replace it with an updated version from
the original vendor.
####################

i don't think this is related to the flv (or is it?)
i wasnt aware that there was an update to the panasonic codec?

ALSO: why aren't ALL of the formats set to libavcodec??

let me know
thanks

[OM2]

Although VirtualDubMod has a few features (multiple audio streams, crude MKV and OGM output support, saving images, etc) that VirtualDub doesn't, it is very outdated and lacks all the new features added to VirtualDub. In particular, it lacks the source filter plugin ability so it can not open FLV files directly.

what instances would i need virtualdubmod over virtualdub?
thanks

[OM2]

ffmpeg is a command-line tool. If you're not sure how to use it, you might consider using an ffmpeg GUI like WinFF or Avanti.

i'm intrigued: i'd like to know how to use on command line - is there any advantage in knowing?
or: should i just go with what u say: GUI alternatives?

let me know
thanks

[jagabo]

what instances would i need virtualdubmod over virtualdub?

When you need multiple audio tracks. When you want to make outdated MKV and OGM files. When you want to quickly snapshot a few sample frames. When you have a progressive MPEG 2 video marked with 3:2 pulldown flags (VirtualDub performs the pulldown giving interlaced frames, VirtualDubMod doesn't -- although the latter can lead to A/V sync problems). When you have an interlaced YV12 source that needs processing (VirtualDub handles the chroma channels of interlaced YV12 incorrectly).

[OM2]

jagabo: did u write virtualdub urself?
thanks for the expert answers - that really helps
i can't think y i would ever need virtualdubmod anymore

question: is virtualdub being developed and updated (unlike virtualdubmod)?

[jagabo]

The author of VirtualDub comes out with new releases quite often. Several times a year.

[Ai Haibara]

i'm intrigued: i'd like to know how to use on command line - is there any advantage in knowing?
or: should i just go with what u say: GUI alternatives?

Since you're just starting out, you might want to start with the Avanti GUI. I believe it also doesn't need installing (but you'll need to supply it with a version of ffmpeg, too). Also, I think it shows you what command-line it's going to use, so you can do some research. Unfortunately, I don't know offhand of any good references for ffmpeg command-line use - I usually just use a GUI.

BUT, i get the following error reported:

###########
[!] Video codec "Panasonic DV CODEC" is claiming to be able to decompress
formats that it does not actually support. This can cause the Windows
video codec system to malfunction and may cause applications to crash.
Please remove the errant codec or replace it with an updated version from
the original vendor.
####################

i don't think this is related to the flv (or is it?)
i wasnt aware that there was an update to the panasonic codec?

Do you really need that codec installed? Here's what Phaeron (VirtualDub's creator) has to say about the Panasonic DV codec
(from this page in the VirtualDub forums):

The Panasonic DV CODEC is a Video for Windows video codec. What GSpot is showing is a DirectShow filter graph. Video for Windows and DirectShow are two different video processing APIs, but DirectShow can use VFW video codecs. Because Motion JPEG drivers for DirectShow are commonly registered with a higher priority than the generic VFW adapter, DirectShow apps will see the filters you have shown, but VFW-based applications will only see the Panasonic driver. So VirtualDub and GSPOT are both showing the correct codecs here.

As for the warning from VirtualDub, the Panasonic DV codec driver has a dumb bug in it where every time it is asked if it can decode a video stream, it says "yes!" without even checking if the video is DV. Thus, you can get into goofy situations where programs will crash because the Panasonic driver volunteers itself to decode MPEG-4 and Cinepak videos and then promptly blows up. Like GSPOT, most video players use DirectShow and thus will end up with proper MJPEG drivers rather than the Panasonic codec. However, other applications that happen to use Video for Windows may malfunction; don't be surprised if Windows Explorer fails to build thumbnails for some videos.

VirtualDub itself has a workaround for this problem, so it won't be affected by this -- as the warning implies, it can identify and bypass codecs that lie about their format support.

ALSO: why aren't ALL of the formats set to libavcodec??

Because ffdshow is still a work-in-progress, and everything may not necessarily work right -or even with each other. Plus, some might not want everything enabled (especially if they already have a codec handling something ffdshow does installed), or if they want to have ffdshow handle it a different way (for example, you can tell ffdshow to have the Xvid .dll(s) from the Xvid codec handle Xvid, rather than libavcodec.

Besides, not everything is handled by libavcodec, anyway.

If you want, you can keep both VirtualDubMod and VirtualDub around - they won't conflict with each other, as long as you keep both in different folders.

[lordsmurf]

See http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8437&postcount=10

[jagabo]

Missed the Panasonic DV codec question. Get rid of it and use Cedocida instead if you need a VFW DV codec.