ffmpeg multiple input (including pipeline) and single output

[z-machine95]

Hello everyone!

I have a problem. I would like to use multiple input for ffmpeg and output a single file mp4 or mkv.
The problem is that the video track is converted with a ffmpeg and x265 (using pipeline) while the other tracks (audio and subs) are taken from the main input source.

The question is, can I do that in one command line? Can I use x265 stdout and use it as ffmpeg input to merge in matroska container with the others tracks from the input file?

some like that in pseudocode:

ffmpeg -audiotracks -subtracks -videotrack - pipe x265 output.mkv

this is a command line I have tried to create:

ffmpeg -i testfull.mkv -map 0:a:0 -c:a:0 ac3 -map 0:s:0 -c:s:0 copy -map 0:v:0 -f yuv4mpegpipe - | x265 --y4m --crf 30 --preset veryfast --input - --output - "H:\Test\output.mkv"

the error is: Coult not write header for output file #0 (incorrect codec parameters ?): Error number -5 occurred

[poisondeathray]

x265 cannot mux into mkv container - at least "vanilla" builds cannot (only raw bitstream output) .

Also you would also need a separate named pipe for each stream, video and audio and I don't think there is a pipe for subs

So you would probably better off doing a batch file (separate command lines, sequential steps), or using ffmpeg alone (libx265 for video)

[z-machine95]

Thank you for reply..

I would like to maintain only one command line.. and x265 is needed only to convert the video track from the input file... ffmpeg is responsible for the mux.
How can I correct this?

should I do ffmpeg -video - | x265 - | ffmpeg -video (stdout x265) -audio -sub output.mkv

if that is the case can you help me with an example?

[poisondeathray]

I don't think you can pipe from x265 to something else

Why do you care if it's 1 or multiple commandlines in a batch ? Functionally it will do what you want

Why not ffmpeg libx265 ? Seems to be a simpler solution for your situation

[z-machine95]

It's simpler to manage one command line instead of multiple in my case...

this is another example:

ffmpeg -i test1.mkv -f yuv4mpegpipe - | x265 --y4m --crf 30 --preset veryfast --input - --output - | ffmpeg -i test1.mkv -map 0:v:0 - -map 0:a:0 -c:a:0 ac3 -map 0:s:0 -c:s:0 copy H:\output.mkv
pause

it complete without error but no mkv is outputted

I have seen that libx265 is A LOT slower than the external x265 build

[poisondeathray]

I have seen that libx265 is A LOT slower than the external x265 build

How did you do the test?

ffmpeg vs. ffmpeg yuv4mpegpipe to x265 is about the same +/- 2-3% within margin of error when testing x64 8bit versions . If you add in the time muxing and separate audio, ffmpeg is a bit faster because it encodes and muxes at the same time, not as a separate step . The longer the video the larger the difference. Also, if you use multiple pipes, each pipe or frameserving stage adds a bit of overhead, each addition makes it a bit slower

[z-machine95]

I have seen that libx265 is A LOT slower than the external x265 build

How did you do the test?

ffmpeg vs. ffmpeg yuv4mpegpipe to x265 is about the same +/- 2-3% within margin of error when testing x64 8bit versions . If you add in the time muxing and separate audio, ffmpeg is a bit faster because it encodes and muxes at the same time, not as a separate step . The longer the video the larger the difference. Also, if you use multiple pipes, each pipe or frameserving stage adds a bit of overhead, each addition makes it a bit slower

I use zeranoe builds with libx265 and ffmpeg and x265 build form x265.eu and there is a lot of difference for me.. same encoding parameters and same inputs... I do not know...

now I have this command line but i get an errore from the matroska muxer

ffmpeg -fflags +genpts -i test1.mkv -f yuv4mpegpipe - | x265 --y4m --crf 30 --preset veryfast --input - --output - | ffmpeg -y -i test1.mkv -i - -map 1:v -c:v copy -map 0:a:0 -c:a:0 ac3 -map 0:s:0 -c:s:0 copy H:\output.mkv

can't write packet with unknow timestamp.. I have tried to use genpts fix but it does not work...

you can confim that ffmpeg libx265 a not slower than external builds? I have just tried and I get at least 2-3 fps slower conversion..

[poisondeathray]

It might be slightly slower when encoding video only. On a 2min mkv input video test 76 vs. 75 FPS . But I wouldn't call it "a low slower" . Again x64 builds, ffmpeg direct vs. ffmpeg yuv4mpegpipe to x265.

Again, I don't think you can pipe x265 to something else. You couldn't do it with x264 either . You could take the output elementary bitstream and then mux it at a separate stage

[z-machine95]

I'm doing my test again.. I will post my results here

[z-machine95]

Actually you are right... The problem was that with libx265 I have tried to use --pmode... But it completely destroys performance... Instead of 6.2 fps I was getting 4.3fps... Now seems that libx265 is actually faster... I'm measuring about 10 sec improvements (on a test video of 1000 frames)... Just deactivating pmode...

Now is much easier to manage the problem... Thank you!