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Skillsffmpeg-python-integration-reference

ffmpeg-python-integration-reference

Coding & development

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Updated 10-15 23:41

About this skill

Python-FFmpeg Integration Reference

Use this skill when Python code is constructing FFmpeg commands, filters, ASS subtitles, or raw-frame pipes and the risk is a type, unit, color, or stream-mapping bug. This SKILL is a lean orchestrator; detailed tables and full code examples live in references/python-ffmpeg-reference.md.

When to Use

  • ffmpeg-python stream graphs and filter arguments
  • Python subprocess calls to FFmpeg
  • drawtext, ASS/SSA, karaoke, and animated caption parameter mapping
  • RGB/BGR/ASS color conversion bugs
  • Seconds vs centiseconds vs milliseconds confusion
  • Raw frame pipe I/O with NumPy/OpenCV
  • Range/type validation before command execution

Critical Rules

  1. Validate types before passing parameters. fontsize and crf are integers; bitrates are strings with units such as 5M or 192k; FFmpeg expressions are strings.
  2. Quote FFmpeg expressions in Python. Use x="(w-tw)/2", not Python variables named w or tw.
  3. Handle audio explicitly. In ffmpeg-python, a video filter chain usually drops audio unless you map input_file.audio into the output.
  4. Know the color context. FFmpeg drawtext colors are RGB/named strings; OpenCV arrays are BGR; ASS colors are &HAABBGGRR.
  5. Know the time context. FFmpeg filters use seconds; ASS karaoke tags use centiseconds; ASS animation tags use milliseconds.

Quick Reference

FFmpeg / ASS parameter Python type Format / range Common failure
-crf int or str H.264/H.265 0-51 passing 18.5
-b:v, -b:a str 5M, 1000k, 192k raw integer without unit
fontsize int practical 12-200 passing '24'
fontcolor str white, #FFFFFF, 0xFFFFFF RGB tuple/list
ASS colour str &HAABBGGRR using RGB byte order
x, y, alpha, enable str for expressions '(w-tw)/2, between(t,1,5) unquoted expression

Core Workflow

  1. Probe the input or metadata source so you know width, height, fps, duration, and stream availability.
  2. Choose the integration layer: ffmpeg-python for command graphs, subprocess for full CLI parity and pipes, PyAV for frame-level library access.
  3. Normalize color and time units at the Python boundary.
  4. Validate parameters and ranges before building a command.
  5. Map audio/subtitle streams intentionally.
  6. Run on a short sample first; capture stderr for actionable FFmpeg errors.

Reference Map

  • references/python-ffmpeg-reference.md - Full preserved reference: color conversion functions, ASS style structures, karaoke/animation helpers, drawtext parameter tables, ffmpeg-python examples, subprocess pipe patterns, pitfalls, validation helpers, full working examples.

Related Skills

  • ffmpeg-opencv-integration - OpenCV/NumPy frame pipelines and BGR/RGB handoff
  • ffmpeg-pyav-integration - PyAV frame-level API patterns
  • ffmpeg-captions-subtitles - Subtitle extraction, burn-in, and styling
  • ffmpeg-animation-timing-reference - Timing units, readability, easing, and sync