Using FFmpeg to programmatically slice and splice video

My wife has a research project in which she needs to analyze brief (8-second) segments of hundreds of much longer videos. My goal was to take the videos (~30 minutes each) and cut out only the relevant sections and splice them together, including a static marker between each segment. This should allow her and her colleagues to analyze the videos quickly and using precise time-points (instead of using a slider in a video player to locate and estimate time-points). I’ve posted my notes from this process below for my own reference, and in case it should prove useful to anyone else.

To my knowledge, the best tool for the job is FFmpeg, an open source video tool. Continue reading Using FFmpeg to programmatically slice and splice video

Embedded FLV video players: Flowplayer and JW Player

Over the past several months, I have worked with both Flowplayer and JW Player as embedded FLV video players.

Why wouldn’t you just upload your videos to YouTube and use their embedded player? That’s a pretty fair question, as I think YouTube provides:

  • An excellent player that your users are already familiar with
  • A variety of options to control the appearance (e.g. you can disable related videos)
  • High-availability bandwidth

Of course there are several drawbacks:

  • Limits on length and file size
  • Critical infrastructure is no longer in your control
  • Their logo appears on your site
  • Progressive download only (no streaming)

Let’s take a look at both Flowplayer and JW Player:
Continue reading Embedded FLV video players: Flowplayer and JW Player