[FFmpeg-devel] Proposal: Homebrew tap for FFmpeg

[Werner Robitza]

Dear all,

Homebrew has, with its 2.0 release, removed all options for its core
formulae [1], including ffmpeg. This means users can no longer add
non-default dependencies that aren't included in the core formula [2].
That creates a bit of a messy situation, as users are expecting to be
able to build ffmpeg with additional libraries, including nonfree ones
such as fdk-aac. This is no longer easily doable.

The Homebrew maintainers suggest to provide an alternative third-party
tap with an ffmpeg formula, such as this one created by another user
[3].

I propose that FFmpeg maintains its own ffmpeg formula under its
GitHub organization at github.com/ffmpeg/homebrew-ffmpeg (or similar).
This will ensure that there's one formula users will discover when
they look for an alternative tap, thus improving discoverability and
avoiding fragmentation. We could use the above link as a starting
point.

Homebrew's lead maintainer also noted that this repo ("tap") could be
indexed [4] – he was reluctant to point to it in the official
formula's caveat section though, as they will not endorse third-party
taps.

I am happy to maintain this formula – and maybe there are other
community members who want to support this effort. The maintenance
effort would basically be: bumping the formula everytime there's an
official release, and testing its build.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Best regards,
Werner

[1] https://github.com/Homebrew/homebrew-core/issues/31510
[2] https://github.com/Homebrew/homebrew-core/blob/master/Formula/ffmpeg.rb
[3] https://github.com/varenc/homebrew-ffmpeg-with-options/blob/master/Formula/ffmpeg.rb
[4] https://docs.brew.sh/Interesting-Taps-and-Forks