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Command Prompt

FFmpeg Video Conversion Guide

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This guide shows how to convert any video file to MP4 format using FFmpeg, while keeping the best possible quality and reducing file size. Each command includes a short explanation of what the parameters do.

🎥 FFmpeg — Convert to MP4 using H.264

Explanation: Converts video to MP4 using the H.264 codec with high quality settings.

  • -c:v libx264: Use H.264 video codec
  • -crf 18: Constant Rate Factor (lower = better quality)
  • -preset slow: Slower encoding = better compression
  • -c:a aac: Use AAC audio codec
  • -b:a 192k: Set audio bitrate to 192 kbps
FFmpeg ffmpeg -i input.ext -c:v libx264 -crf 18 -preset slow -c:a aac -b:a 192k output.mp4

🎥 FFmpeg — Convert to MP4 using H.265

Explanation: Converts video to MP4 using the H.265 codec for smaller file size with similar quality.

  • -c:v libx265: Use H.265 video codec
  • -crf 23: Balanced quality and size
  • -preset medium: Medium encoding speed
  • -c:a aac: Use AAC audio codec
  • -b:a 192k: Set audio bitrate to 192 kbps
FFmpeg ffmpeg -i input.ext -c:v libx265 -crf 23 -preset medium -c:a aac -b:a 192k output.mp4

🎥 FFmpeg — Copy Streams Without Re-encoding

Explanation: Copies video and audio streams directly into MP4 without changing codecs.

  • -c copy: Copy both video and audio as-is
FFmpeg ffmpeg -i input.ext -c copy output.mp4

🎥 FFmpeg — Preserve Resolution and Frame Rate

Explanation: Keeps the original video size and frame rate during conversion.

  • -vf "scale=iw:ih": Keep input width and height
  • fps=fps: Keep original frame rate
FFmpeg ffmpeg -i input.ext -c:v libx264 -crf 20 -preset slow -c:a aac -b:a 192k -vf “scale=iw:ih,fps=fps” output.mp4

🎥 FFmpeg — Preserve Metadata

Explanation: Keeps original file metadata like creation date and tags.

  • -map_metadata 0: Copy metadata from input
FFmpeg ffmpeg -i input.ext -map_metadata 0 -c:v libx264 -crf 20 -preset slow -c:a aac -b:a 192k output.mp4