[MPlayer-users] Re: Extracting image from a movie

[The Wanderer]

King wrote:

>> -ss, in most cases, simply rounds up or down (not sure which, and
>> it might depend on whichever is closer) from the timestamp you
>> specify in order to get to the nearest available keyframe. In some
>> cases - MPEG containers, in particular - the matter is further
>> complicated because of issues with timestamps; when using -ss in an
>> MPEG container, you will almost never end up exactly where you
>> specify, and will usually end up past it. (I do, sort of, know why,
>> but I just woke up and it isn't clear in my head right now.)
> 
> Thanks, I will probably 'use' mpeg4 in my application (Divx4/5, lavc,
> or xvid) and will have to live with that this is complicated because
> I want to use mplayer for this and not waste time and resources on
> using one tool for encoding and one for getting those images (e.g I
> could perhaps use transcode or another tool for getting the image I
> want from each movie).

I entirely understand that philosophy.

Note, however, that TTBOMK mpeg4 is a video codec, and is completely
independent of container; mpeg4 video in an AVI container does not have
the -ss issues I mentioned. The problem occurs only with video in an
MPEG container.

-- 
       The Wanderer

Warning: Simply because I argue an issue does not mean I agree with any
side of it.

A government exists to serve its citizens, not to control them.