path: root/DOCS/mencoder.1

.\" MEncoder (C) 2000-2002 Arpad Gereoffy <sendmail@to.mplayer-users>
.\" This manpage was/is done by Gabucino
.\"
.TH MEncoder 1
.SH NAME
mencoder \- Movie Encoder for Linux
.SH SYNOPSIS
.B mencoder
.RB [ \-vcd\ <track\ number> ]
.RB [ \-dvd\ <titleid> ]
.RB [ \-chapter\ <chapterid> ]
.RB [ \-dvdangle\ <angleid> ]
.RB [ \-dvdkey\ <key> ]
.RB [ \-nobps ]
.RB [ \-aid\ <id> ]
.RB [ \-vid\ <id> ]
.RB [ \-pp\ <quality> ]
.RB [ \-vc\ <video\ codec\ name> ]
.RB [ \-ac\ <audio\ codec\ name> ]
.RB [ \-vfm\ <video\ codec\ family> ]
.RB [ \-afm\ <audio\ codec\ family> ]
.RB [ \-include\ <configfile> ]
.RB [ \-mc\ seconds/5f ]
.RB [ \-v ]
.RB [ \-mp3file\ <filename> ]
.RB [ \-ac3file\ <filename> ]
.RB [ \-ovc\ <video\ codec\ name> ]
.RB [ \-oac\ <audio\ codec\ name> ]
.RB [ \-nosound ]
.RB [ \-mf\ <multifile\ options> ]
.RB [ \-divx4opts\ <codec\ options> ]
.RB [ \-lavcopts\ <codec\ options> ]
.RB [ \-lameopts\ <codec\ options> ]
.RB [ \-pass\ <1/2> ]
.RB [ \-passlogfile\ <filename> ]
.RB [ \-ofps\ <fps> ]
.RB [ \-o\ <filename> ]
.RB [ \-frames\ <number> ]
.RB [ \-sws\ <0-2> ]
.RB [ \-ffourcc\ fourcc ]
.RB [ \-ss\ <time> ]
.RB [ \-endpos\ <time> ]
.RB [ \-audiofile\ <file\ name> ]
.RB [ \-sub\ <subtitle\ file\ name> ]
.I - or file or files specified with escaped wildcard or device
.PP
.SH DESCRIPTION
.I mencoder
MEncoder (MPlayer's Movie Encoder) is a simple movie encoder, designed to
encode MPlayer-playable movies (AVI/DVD/VCD/VOB/MPG/MOV/VIV/NET) to other
MPlayer-playable formats (see below). Currently it and encodes to divx4/xvid
(using divx4linux/xvid core), libavcodec formats (including divx3 and mpeg4),
raw uncompressed rgb (usable with virtualdub etc), PCM/MP3/VBRMP3 audio.
Also has stream copying abilities. 
You can use MPlayer's video filters, so scale, crop, expand, flip, etc.
.LP
.SH "GENERAL OPTIONS"
.TP
.I NOTE
Every "flag" option has "noflag" pair, e.g. -flag opposite is -noflag
.TP
.I NOTE
CHECK THE HTML DOCUMENTATION TOO !
.TP
.I NOTE
As MEncoder uses the same 'libmpdemux' as MPlayer, their options are
_sometimes the same_ ! So although for example the -sid option isn't
mentioned here, you can use it in MEncoder too! (for encoding DVD with
subtitles)
.TP
.B \-vcd <track number>
Encode the specified VCD track.
.TP
.B \-dvd <title number>
Encode the specified DVD title.
.TP
.B \-chapter <chapter id>
Use with -dvd option (see above). Start encoding at the specified chapter.
.TP
.B \-dvdangle <angle id>
Use with -dvd option (see above), and if the DVD disc has multiple angles.
It will encode the angle specified here.
.TP
.B \-dvdkey <key>
Used to decrypt CSS-encrypted streams on hard disk (with given CSS decrypt
key).
.TP
.B \-nobps
Used only for AVIs. Doesn't use the bps value in the AVI header, instead
calculates it.
.TP
.B \-aid <audio stream id>
If the source media contains multiple audio streams (for example DVDs), encode
the specified one.
.TP
.B \-vid <video stream id>
If the source media contains multiple video streams, encode the specified one.
.TP
.B \-pp <value>
See man mplayer.
.TP
.B \-vc <codec name>
Use specified codec (according to codecs.conf) for decoding input video
stream.
.TP
.B \-ac <codec name>
Use specified codec (according to codecs.conf) for decoding input audio
stream.
.TP
.B \-vfm <video codec family>
Force decoding by using a specific codec FAMILY, and FALLBACK to default
if failed.  For examples see MPlayer manpage.
.TP
.B \-afm <audio codec family>
Force decoding by using a specific codec FAMILY, and FALLBACK to default
if failed.  For examples see MPlayer manpage.
.TP
.B \-include
specify config file to be parsed after the default
.TP
.B \-mc\ seconds/frame
maximum sync correction per frame (in seconds).
Use -mc 0 to disable input A/V sync.
.TP
.B \-v
Increase verbosity.
.TP
.B \-ovc <codecname>
Encode with the given codec (codec names are from codecs.conf).
Examples:

  -ovc help      get help
  -ovc copy      no encoding, just streamcopy
  -ovc divx4     encode to DivX4/DivX5 or XviD
  -ovc rawrgb    encode to uncompressed RGB24
  -ovc lavc      encode with a libavcodec codec
.TP
.B \-oac <codecname>
Encode with the given codec (codec names are from codecs.conf).
Examples:

  -oac help      get help
  -oac copy      no encoding, just streamcopy
  -oac pcm       encode to uncompressed PCM
  -oac mp3lame   encode to MP3 (using Lame)
.TP
.B \-nosound
Encode only video, no audio stream.
.TP
.B \-audiofile <file name>
Copy audio from external file.
.TP
.B \-mf <multifile options>
Used when encoding from multiple JPEG files.
Its sub-options are:

  on             turns on multifile support
  w=<value>      width of the output file [autodetected]
  h=<value>      height of the output file [autodetected]
  fps=<value>    fps of the output file [default: 25fps]
  type=<value>   type of input files (jpeg, png)
.TP
.B \-divx4opts
If encoding to DivX4, you can specify its parameters here, like:

  -divx4opts br=1800:deinterlace:key=250

Available options:

  help           get help
  br=XXX         specify bitrate in
                 kbit <4-16000> or
                 bit  <16001-24000000>
  key=XXX        maximum keyframe interval
                 (in frames)
  deinterlace    enable deinterlacing
                 (don't use, DivX4 is buggy!)
  q=XXXX         quality (1-fastest, 5-best)
  min_quant=XXX  minimum quantizer (0-32)
  max_quant=XXX  maximum quantizer (0-32)
  rc_period=XXX  rate control period
  rc_reaction_period=XXX rate control
                         reaction period
  rc_reaction_ratio=XXX  rate control
                         reaction ratio

.TP
.B \-lavcopts
If encoding with a codec from libavcodec, you can specify its parameters here,
like:

  -lavcopts vcodec=msmpeg4:vbitrate=1800:vhq:keyint=250

Available options:

  help           get help

  vcodec=XXX     use the specified codec :
                   mjpeg - Motion JPEG
                   h263 - H263
                   h263p - H263 Plus
                   mpeg4 - DivX 4/5
                   msmpeg4 - DivX 3
                   rv10 - an old RealVideo codec
                   mpeg1video - MPEG1 video :)
                 There's no default, you must
                 specify it.

  vbitrate=XXX   specify bitrate in
                 kbit <4-16000> or
                 bit  <16001-24000000>
                 (warning: 1kbit = 1000 bits)
                 default = 800k

  vratetol=XXX   approximated *filesize* tolerance
                 in kbits.
                 (warning: 1kbit = 1000 bits)
                 default = 1024*8 kbits = 1MByte

  keyint=XXX     interval between keyframes
                 (specify in frames, >300 are not
                 recommended)
                 default = 250 (one key frame every
                 ten seconds in a 25fps movie)

  vhq            high quality mode, macro blocks
                 will be encoded multiple times and
                 the smallest will be used.
                 default = HQ disabled

  vme=XXX        [0..5] motion estimation method :
                   0 - no ME at all
                   1 - ME_FULL
                   2 - ME_LOG
                   3 - ME_PHODS
                   4 - ME_EPZS
                   5 - ME_X1
                 EPZS usually gives best results,
                 but you can try X1 too. FULL is
                 very slow and the others are
                 experimental.
                 default = EPZS

  vqcomp=XXX     if the value is set to 1.0, the
                 quantizer will stay nearly
                 constant (high motion scenes will
                 look bad). If it's 0.0, the
                 quantizer will be changed
                 to make all frames approximately
                 equally sized (low motion scenes
                 will look bad).
                 default = 0.5

  vqblur=XXX     blurs the quantizer graph over
                 time.
                    0.0 : no blur
                    1.0 : average all past
                          quantizers
                 default = 0.5

  vqscale=XXX    [2..31] gives each frame the same
                 quantizer (selects fixed quantizer
                 mode).
                 default = 0 (fixed quantizer mode
                 disabled)

  vrc_strategy=X [0..2] different strategies to
                 decide which frames should get
                 which quantizer.
                 default = 2

  v4mv           4 motion vectors per macroblock,
                 may gives you slightly better
                 quality, can only be used in HQ
                 mode and is buggy with B frames
                 currently.
                 default = disabled

  vpass=X        [1,2] select internal first pass
                 or second pass of 2-pass mode.
                 default = 0 (1-pass mode)

The next 3 options apply only to I & P frames :

  vqmin=XX       [1..31] minimum quantizer,
                 default = 3

  vqmax=XX       [1..31] maximum quantizer
                 default = 15

  vqdiff=XX      [1..31] quantizer difference.
                 Limits the maximum quantizer
                 difference between frames.
                 default = 3

The following options apply only to B frames :

  vmax_b_frames=X  [0..4] maximum number of frames
                   between each I/P frame.
                   default = 0 (B-frames generation
                   disabled)

  vb_strategy=X    strategy to choose between
                   I/P/B frames :
                     0 allways use max B
                     1 avoid B frames in high
                       motion / scene change (can
                       lead to filesize miss
                       prediction)
                   default = 0

In fixed quantizer mode you can use those options :
  vqscale, vmax_b_frames, vhq, vme, keyint

You can use the following options only in pass 1 of 2-pass mode or in 1-pass mode :
  vqblur, vqdiff

You can use the following options only in pass 2 of 2-pass mode :
  vrc_strategy, vb_strategy

All other options can be used in all modes.

.TP
.B \-lameopts
If encoding to MP3 with libmp3lame, you can specify its parameters here, like:

  -lameopts br=192:cbr

Available options:

    help         get help
    vbr=XXX      variable bitrate method
                   0=cbr
                   1=mt
                   2=rh(default)
                   3=abr
                   4=mtrh
    abr          average bitrate
    cbr          constant bitrate
    br=XXX       specify bitrate in
                 kbit <0-1024>
                 (only for CBR and ABR)
    q=XXX        Quality
                 (0-highest, 9-low)
                 (for VBR)
    ratio=XXX    compression ratio <1-100>
    vol=XXX      set audio input gain <0-10>
    mode=XXX     0=stereo
                 1=joint-stereo
                 2=dualchannel
                 3=mono
                 (default: auto)
    padding=XXX  0=no
                 1=all
                 2=adjust

.TP
.B \-pass <1/2>
With this you can encode 2pass DivX4 files. First encode with -pass 1, then
with the same parameters, encode with -pass 2.
NOTE: for libavcodec 2-pass use -lavcopts vpass=1/2 instead of -pass 1/2
.TP
.B \-passlogfile <filename>
When encoding in 2pass mode, MEncoder dumps first pass' informations
to the given file instead of the default divx2pass.log .
.TP
.B \-ofps <fps>
The output file will have different frame/sec than the source.
You MUST set it for variable fps (asf, some mov) and progressive
(29.97fps telecined mpeg) files.
.TP
.B \-o <filename>
Outputs to the given filename, instead of the default 'test.avi' .
.TP
.B \-frames <number>
Encode only given number of frames.
.TP
.B \-ss <time>
seek to given time position. For example :

    -ss 56         seeks to 56 seconds
    -ss 01:10:00   seeks to 1 hour 10 min

Can start only from keyframes !
.TP
.B \-sub <subtitle file name>
given VOBsub/text subtitle will be encoded INTO the output file. Text
subtitles need fonts properly installed.
.TP
.B \-endpos <time>
stop encoding at given time. Can be specified in many was :

    -endpos 56       encode only 56 seconds
    -endpos 01:10:00 encode only 1 hours

Can be used in conjuction with -ss !
.TP
.B \-sws <0-2>
Type of scaling method (use with -vop scale=w:h)

    0            fast bilinear (default)
    1            bilinear
    2            bicubic (best quality)
.TP
.B \-ffourcc fourcc
Can be used to force the video fourcc of the output file. For example -ffourcc
div3 will have the output file contain "div3" as video fourcc.
.IP
.SH FILES AND DIRECTORIES
.IP
.SH "EXAMPLES"
.B Encoding DVD title #2
mencoder -dvd 2 -o title2.avi
.TP
.B Encoding DVD title #2, only selected chapters
mencoder -dvd 2 -chapter 10-15 -o title2.avi
.TP
.B The same, but with libavcodec family, MJPEG compression
mencoder -dvd 2 -o title2.avi -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mjpeg -ffourcc mjpg
.TP
.B Encoding from HTTP
mencoder http://mplayer.hq/example.avi -o example.avi
.TP
.B Encoding from a pipe
rar p test-SVCD.rar | mencoder -divx4opts br=800 -ofps 24 -pass 1 -- -
.TP
.B Encoding multiple *.vob files
cat *.vob | mencoder <options> -
.IP
.SH BUGS
Probably. Check the documentation.

Bugreports should be addressed to the MPlayer-users mailing list
(mplayer-users@mplayerhq.hu) ! If you want to submit a bugreport
(which we love to receive!), please double-check the bugreports.html, and
tell us all that we need to know to identify your problem.

.LP
.SH AUTHORS
Check documentation !

MPlayer is (C) 2000-2002
.I Arpad Gereoffy <sendmail@to.mplayer-users>

This manpage is written and maintained by
.I Gabucino .
.LP
.SH STANDARD DISCLAIMER
Use only at your own risk! There may be errors and inaccuracies that could 
be damaging to your system or your eye. Proceed with caution, and although
this is highly unlikely, the author doesn't take any responsibility for that!
.\" end of file