dev-ffmpeg

# FFmpeg Build Configuration Configure working FFmpeg compilation for any target platform. ## Quick Decision: Which Build Approach? | Scenario | Approach | Reference | |----------|----------|-----------| | Need binaries quickly | Pre-built from BtbN or gyan.dev | — | | Production deployment | Docker-based build | `references/docker-builds.md` | | Development/debugging | Native build on target | Platform reference | | Cross-compiling | Docker + toolchain | `references/cross-compile.md` | | Node.js native addon | Shared libs + pkg-config | `references/shared-libs.md` | ## Build Workflow 1. **Determine requirements** → License, codecs, platform, linking 2. **Install dependencies** → Platform toolchain + codec libraries 3. **Configure FFmpeg** → `./configure` with flags 4. **Build** → `make -j$(nproc) && make install` 5. **Verify** → `ffmpeg -version` and `-buildconf` ## Step 1: License Decision ``` Will you DISTRIBUTE the binary? ├─ NO → Any configuration including --enable-nonfree └─ YES → Need GPL codecs (x264, x265)? ├─ YES → --enable-gpl (GPL v2+) └─ NO → Default LGPL 2.1+ ``` **License flags:** - Default: LGPL 2.1+ (can link with proprietary code) - `--enable-gpl`: Enables GPL codecs (x264, x265, xvid) - `--enable-version3`: Upgrade to (L)GPL v3 (needed for some libs) - `--enable-nonfree`: Patent-encumbered codecs (NOT redistributable) ## Step 2: Linking Decision | Use Case | Linking | Flags | |----------|---------|-------| | Standalone binary | Static | `--enable-static --disable-shared` | | Native addon | Shared | `--enable-shared --disable-static --enable-pic` | | Both | Both | `--enable-static --enable-shared --enable-pic` | ## Step 3: Configure Patterns ### Minimal LGPL (redistributable) ```bash ./configure \ --prefix=/usr/local \ --enable-shared \ --enable-pic \ --disable-debug \ --disable-doc ``` ### Standard GPL (common codecs) ```bash ./configure \ --prefix=/usr/local \ --enable-gpl \ --enable-shared \ --enable-pic \ --enable-libx264 \ --enable-libx265 \ --enable-libvpx \ --enable-libopus \ --enable-libvorbis \ --disable-debug \ --disable-doc ``` ### Full Build (not redistributable) ```bash ./configure \ --prefix=/usr/local \ --enable-gpl \ --enable-nonfree \ --enable-version3 \ --enable-shared \ --enable-pic \ --enable-libx264 \ --enable-libx265 \ --enable-libvpx \ --enable-libaom \ --enable-libsvtav1 \ --enable-libdav1d \ --enable-libopus \ --enable-libvorbis \ --enable-libmp3lame \ --enable-libfdk-aac \ --disable-debug \ --disable-doc ``` ### For Native Addons (Node.js/Python bindings) ```bash ./configure \ --prefix=/usr/local \ --enable-shared \ --disable-static \ --enable-pic \ --enable-gpl \ --enable-libx264 \ --enable-libx265 \ --enable-libvpx # After install, verify: pkg-config --libs --cflags libavcodec libavformat libavutil ``` ## Codec Quick Reference | Codec | Flag | License | Ubuntu Package | |-------|------|---------|----------------| | H.264 | `--enable-libx264` | GPL | libx264-dev | | H.265 | `--enable-libx265` | GPL | libx265-dev | | VP8/VP9 | `--enable-libvpx` | BSD | libvpx-dev | | AV1 decode | `--enable-libdav1d` | BSD | libdav1d-dev | | AV1 encode | `--enable-libaom` | BSD | libaom-dev | | AV1 fast | `--enable-libsvtav1` | BSD | libsvtav1-dev | | AAC HQ | `--enable-libfdk-aac` | Nonfree | libfdk-aac-dev | | MP3 | `--enable-libmp3lame` | LGPL | libmp3lame-dev | | Opus | `--enable-libopus` | BSD | libopus-dev | | Vorbis | `--enable-libvorbis` | BSD | libvorbis-dev | See `references/codec-matrix.md` for full codec dependency details. ## Environment Variables Essential for custom prefix builds: ```bash export PREFIX=/usr/local export PATH="$PREFIX/bin:$PATH" export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="$PREFIX/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH" export PKG_CONFIG_PATH="$PREFIX/lib/pkgconfig:$PKG_CONFIG_PATH" export CFLAGS="-I$PREFIX/include" export LDFLAGS="-L$PREFIX/lib" ``` ## Common Errors Quick Reference | Error | Fix | |-------|-----| | `ERROR: x264 not found` | `export PKG_CONFIG_PATH=/usr/local/lib/pkgconfig` | | `libavcodec.so: cannot open` | `export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/local/lib` | | `nasm/yasm not found` | `apt install nasm` | | `make: *** No targets` | Check `ffbuild/config.log` for configure errors | | `undefined reference to` | Check link order in `--extra-ldflags` | See `references/troubleshooting.md` for detailed solutions. ## Platform References - **Linux** → `references/platform-linux.md` - **macOS** → `references/platform-macos.md` - **Windows** → `references/platform-windows.md` - **Cross-compile** → `references/cross-compile.md` - **Docker builds** → `references/docker-builds.md` - **vcpkg (Windows)** → `references/vcpkg.md`