Batch conversion into a new folder with ffmpeg

Question

I'm trying to batch encode 45 video files, and copy the encoded files into an existing subfolder called "encode"

I've used the suggested code from this question (https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5784661/how-do-you-convert-an-entire-directory-with-ffmpeg) But, I don't know how to capture the original file names (with spaces and punctuation) and use that as the new file name in the new directory.

Here's the code I'm using so far:

for i in *.mp4; do name=`echo "${i%.*}"`; echo $name; ffmpeg -i “$i” -vf "scale='if(gt(a*sar,16/9),640,-1)':'if(gt(a*sar,16/9),-1,360)',pad=640:360:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1" -vcodec libx264 -b:v 1600k -bufsize:v 1600k -r 30000/1001 “encoded/$name.mp4” done It's giving me an "invalid argument" error message when I run it - probably because I haven't specified the names correctly(?)

The ffmpeg code that I'm using does work (I can encode individual file) but I haven't figured out how to batch encode the entire directory.

If anyone can let me know what I'm doing wrong, I would love to know!

Thank you!

Answer 1

The accepted answer in the question you're referring to uses additional unnecessary processes, legacy code, and doesn't prevent globbing or word splitting.

See the second answer which is shorter, simpler, and more efficient:

for f in *.mp4; do ffmpeg -i "$f" <additional options> "encoded/${f%.*}.mp4"; done

Secondly, don't use fancy quotes which will cause errors, so instead of “$varible” use "$variable".

Answer 2

I think you can achieve what you need with my ffmpeg Windows front-end, where you can easily select output destination folder.

https://sourceforge.net/projects/ffmpeg-batch

It adds to ffmpeg a window fashion interface, progress bars and time remaining info, features I always missed when using ffmpeg.

Answer 3

I'm trying to batch encode 45 video files, and copy the encoded files into an existing subfolder called "encode"

Try this: https://github.com/alessandro893/ffmpeg-batch-remux

Answer 4

To convert a file within the same format without the extension saved into file name in batch mode just add ~n to the final input, like so:

for %f in (*.mkv) do ffmpeg -i %f <additional options> %~nf.mp4

If one needs to reformat the codec and wishes to keep the same title and save in the same extension it must be saved into another folder. Start the ffmpeg command from the location of the original files. Navigate to that different folder and copy the entire location from the address bar and paste it exactly as is at the beginning of the output name. For this there must be " " around the whole output address. Replace everything within () with your address, and then remove the ().

for %a in (*.mp4) do ffmpeg -i "%a" <additional options> "(F:\VIDEO\New)\%~na.mp4"