Combining Videos into One with FFmpeg: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you looking for ways to combine multiple video files into a single, cohesive file using FFmpeg? This process is often referred to as concatenation or merging videos together. In this article, we'll explore the steps involved in combining your video files using FFmpeg and provide some tips on how to achieve the desired output.

Before we dive into the process, it's essential to understand the basics of FFmpeg and its capabilities. FFmpeg is a powerful, open-source command-line tool used for processing video and audio files. It allows you to perform various tasks such as converting file formats, resizing videos, adding filters, and much more.

In our case, we'll be focusing on combining multiple video files into one using the concatenate option provided by FFmpeg. This option enables you to merge multiple input files into a single output file. To achieve this, you need to specify the input files, set the output file name, and configure the required settings.

For instance, let's say you have several video files named 'video1.mp4', 'video2.mp4', 'video3.mp4', etc., which you want to combine into a single file called 'output.mp4'. You can use the following command:

ffmpeg -f concat -i input.txt -c copy output.mp4

In this example, 'input.txt' is a text file that contains the list of input files with their corresponding timestamps. The '-f concat' option specifies the input format as concatenation, and the '-c copy' option tells FFmpeg to copy the original video stream without re-encoding it.

Now, let's talk about slicing up your videos into smaller chunks to achieve the desired output. If you have a 24 fps video and want to create a 10-minute timelapse, you can set the framerate to 0.03636 (24 FPS / 660) where 10 minutes from 110 hours is 660.

Assuming you've captured all your videos into separate files, you'll need to slice them up into smaller chunks based on the desired length of your output file. For instance, if you want to create a 2-minute timelapse, you can set the framerate to 0.05 (24 FPS / 480), where 2 minutes from 10 minutes is 480.

To achieve this using FFmpeg, you can use the following command:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -r 0.05 -c:v libx264 -crf 18 output.mp4

In this example, '-i input.mp4' specifies the input file, '-r 0.05' sets the framerate to 0.05, and '-c:v libx264' sets the video codec to H.264. The '-crf 18' option controls the quality of the output file.

By following these steps, you can successfully combine your multiple video files into a single, cohesive file using FFmpeg. This process is not only useful for creating timelapses but also for merging multiple video clips together to create a single story.

In conclusion, combining videos into one with FFmpeg requires careful planning and configuration. By understanding the basics of FFmpeg and its capabilities, you can achieve the desired output and create stunning video content. Whether you're looking to create a timelapse or merge multiple video clips together, FFmpeg provides a powerful solution for all your video processing needs.

Ffmpeg combine videos into one