FFmpeg for RISC OS
	Release 1.04 (22 December 2009) (Updated: February 7, 2010)

Contents

Introduction

FFmpeg is a versatile, open-source, multi-platform video and audio converter. This release of the !FFmpeg package for RISC OS includes a build of FFmpeg revision 20821 for StrongARM RiscPC. It will also run on newer RISC OS platforms. Through the use of FFmpeg, it is now possible to view a large number of movie formats for which there are no native RISC OS players; not as slick as having a native player, but the next best thing. FFmpeg can also extract sections, tracks and still frames. A future release will also simplify the merging of separated tracks. Visit the official FFmpeg Project website to learn more about FFmpeg. (But please don't bother the FFmpeg developers about this port for RISC OS; they are not responsible for it and know nothing about it.)

Before downloading, you may want to check out the supported codecs and file formats to decide if it is worthwhile. This release includes enhancements to the front-end's conversion panel allowing you to scale the video frame size with clipping and padding. Long file paths are no longer a problem on RISC OS 4 or later with the DDEUtils module. Finally, this release comes back under the LGPL, and the dowload and disk footprint has been halved.

By the way, I still haven't got around to coding a merge panel in the front-end. Other requirements have taken priority. If you have been eagerly awaiting a merge capability through the front-end, let me know. (My email address is in the !FFmpeg manual.)

Requirements

The conversion of movies with FFmpeg requires a StrongARM or newer processor. A detailed list of requirements follows with links to software current at time of writing:

• 16 MB of system RAM. FFmpeg requires 9 MB to start.
• ARM architecture version 4 or later. In pragmatic terms, this means a StrongARM RiscPC, Iyonix or A9home.
• The SharedUnixLibrary module, version 1.07 or greater.

You will also need !StrongHelp to view the manual.

The DDEUtils module for RISC OS 4 or later is not required but highly recommended. (Sadly, it won't much help !FFmpeg on RISC OS 3.) In the unlikely event you don't already have it, there is a version available from RISC OS OPEN.

The following software is not required to run FFmpeg but nicely complements its capabilities:

• !KinoAmp to play converted videos.
• !DigitalCD to download radio streams and play converted audio.
• MPGTX, a command-line MPEG audio/video/system file toolbox that slices and joins MPEG1, MPEG2 and MP3.
• For DigitalCD and other players, a patched PlayIt module. The patch fixes a rare but nasty bug in Rick Hudson's last release and is 26/32bit neutral, bringing PlayIt to version 1.69 for all platforms.

Installation

Simply download the ZIP archive and extract the !FFmpeg application to wherever you want. The ffmpeg program is contained within the application. If you have SparkFS, you can even run !FFmpeg from within the archive.

Licences

This release includes a RISC OS port of ffmpeg embedded in !FFmpeg, a combined front-end application and resource locator. All components of this release are distributed as open source freeware under public licences.

The embedded ffmpeg program is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group. It was configured for compilation and distribution under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1 or later. Please note that if you redistribute ffmpeg and/or !FFmpeg (or a substantial portion thereof) in or with some other application, then you too will be obliged to honour the LGPL.

The !FFmpeg front-end is constructed using DrWimp. But please note that the embedded DrWimp library contains modifications specifically in support of !FFmpeg. Please note also that if you redistribute the !FFmpeg application (or a substantial portion thereof) in or with some other application, then you too will be obliged to honour DrWimp's Conditions of Use.

Copies of the LGPL and DrWimp Conditions of Use are included in !FFmpeg and accessible via the StrongHelp manual. The manual also holds information for those who may want to obtain sourcecode and rebuild ffmpeg for specific requirements.