mencoder/static ffmeg

**mcgill.carpenter** · December 20th, 2013

Is there a way to use mencoder to make a mkv a mpg? I also have static ffmpeg but can't remember how to use it. I'm running 11.04 without internet. So right now I'm using mencoder to make a mkv an avi then making it mpg. Just want to cut out the extra step.

**ajgreeny** · December 20th, 2013

Use avconv now instead of ffmpeg (unless you have compiled your own ffmpeg or have the static version) with command

Code:

avconv -i file.mkv -vcodec mpeg2video -q 5  -ab 128k file.mpg

If using static ffmpeg you need to run command from the folder where the ffmpeg is sitting

Code:

./ffmpeg -i file.mkv -vcodec mpeg2video -sameq -ab 128k outfile.mpg

Don't forget the ./ before ffmpeg at the start or the static version will not run.

**mcgill.carpenter** · December 21st, 2013

Will the second command work if I replace that mp4 with mkv?

**ajgreeny** · December 21st, 2013

Originally Posted by mcgill.carpenter

Will the second command work if I replace that mp4 with mkv?

Yes, it should. Sorry about that typo; I've edited and corrected it now. I quickly copied that command from one I used a few days ago but forgot to edit it to fit your question.

**mcgill.carpenter** · December 21st, 2013

Hmm. It says in red. Option 'sameq' was removed. If you are looking for an option to preserve the quality (which is not what -sameq was for), use -qscale 0 or an equivalent quality factor option.
Failed to set value '1' for option 'sameq' : Invalid argument
Error parsing global options: Invalid argument

I've no idea what this means. Unless I'm just suppose to replace it with -qscale 0.

**FakeOutdoorsman** · December 22nd, 2013

Originally Posted by mcgill.carpenter

Is there a way to use mencoder to make a mkv a mpg? I also have static ffmpeg but can't remember how to use it. I'm running 11.04 without internet. So right now I'm using mencoder to make a mkv an avi then making it mpg. Just want to cut out the extra step.

Code:

./ffmpeg -i input.mkv -codec:v mpeg2video -codec:a mp2 -qscale:v 2 -b:a 192k -ac 2 output.mpg

"-qscale:v 2" should suffice for this encoder. Anything lower may cause many "buffer underflow" messages in the console output. "-qscale:v 2" may show the messages as well, but you can probably ignore them.

Originally Posted by ajgreeny

If using static ffmpeg you need to run command from the folder where the ffmpeg is sitting

Code:

./ffmpeg -i file.mkv -vcodec mpeg2video -sameq -ab 128k outfile.mpg

Don't forget the ./ before ffmpeg at the start or the static version will not run.

Again, -sameq does not mean "same quality" and has been removed from ffmpeg (you must have missed my previous response to your -sameq recommendation). This option should not be used in 99% of cases.