AviDemux for Win. - misc. features request

[hiro]

AviDemux being no less than an absolutely excellent program, I + friends have been longing for:


                   AviDemux for Windows - misc. features request


--- No "moov atom" management

AviDemux being rather advanced, why not add a "move moov atom to header" check option = to the top of video code (as required by online players, so that playing the file starts right away) ? Once AVC (in MP4 container) encoding is done, I have to use an external program to move that header (= somewhat tedious !)... 

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Edit: March 1st, 2014

OK! Very good news, here - to me anyway - : WORKING, now!: "Nightly Build r9034" * Cross my fingers so that no bug nor anything ever disables it.

* Pick "MP4v2 Muxer" > Configure > check "Optimize for streaming (slow)" option.
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--- Drag'n'dropping videos was simpler...

In earlier versions, videos could be dragged dropped anywhere on the interface. Now on the title bar only. Why that restriction ?

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Edit : March 1st, 2014

Version 2.6.7 nightly build r9034: the 1st video that's dropped on the interface can be dropped anywhere. Next clips, in case of joining several, have to be dropped on the title bar. There ARE worse "problems" in life... But, until one knows, they'll usually jump at conclusion "No more joining videos ? "...

BTW: that version at least (probably some others but not all) remembers the last folder used for saving, making the tool faster / easier to use.
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--- No AAC import

"OK", I read the forum : "AviDemux can't import AAC". Obviously, lots of users would (sure) like to be able to import AAC and mux (no recode of course)... instead of muxing AVC with AAC using "MP4box" for instance... to end up with audio desync. 3 times out of 4...


--- Shutdown PC not working / under Windows

Why keep that option then ? "OK" : I read the forum : "Would require admin rights...". Now, many other softwares just don't fuss + are just able to shutdown the PC at the end of a task...


--- JPEG compatibility

AviDemux accepts "XnConvert"'s JPEGs only ("YV something")... "Photoshop" or about any other software JPEG images cannot be imported to AviDemux (logo. filter). Why that limitation ?

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Edit : March 1st, 2014

Sure wish any JPEG would be compatible... + : .png images in Windows AviDemux versions as well (OK Linux, I read), thus making transparent background titling possible.
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--- No more "Reverse video" filter, after version 2.5.4 or 2.5.x

"Well"... why ?


--- Bitrate calculator not working, after version 2.5.4 or 2.5.x


--- No working output button / window, after version 2.5.4 or 2.5.x


--- No more left / right neither vertical or popup preview window, after version 2.5.4 or 2.5.x


--- "AVS Proxy" unable to start AviDemux

"OK", it's expecting a file named "avidemux2.exe", then it works... Couldn't that be fixed ?


--- AviDemux really / fully portable

Why not program AviDemux so that it wouldn't write anything to the user's (App. Data) folder anymore - but to its own folder only ?

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Edit: March 1st, 2014

Oops~sorry: hadn't noticed that AviDemux 2.6.x * versions ARE portable - as long as "avidemux.exe" is renamed "avidemux_portable.exe". Thanx AQUAR for (patiently) reminding (probably for the nth time!).

* It's just that 2.5.x versions are/were not.
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[AQUAR]

Some of the answers are in this forum and the wiki's.

Now I know some will think it is rude to ask posters to reference this forum or the wiki's.
So please un rude me by giving a dot by dot response.

Short answer: Branch 2.6 = Beta  and  Branch 2.6 not= Branch 2.5. (hint)

[snork]

--- Drag'n'dropping videos was simpler...

In earlier versions, videos could be dragged dropped anywhere on the interface. Now on the title bar only. Why that restriction ?

The to me odd thing is, that drag and drop works fine in the 64-bit windows-version.
But that 64-bit version has another problem that the 32bit version does not have, soo ââ,¬Â¦ (it beeps on every possible occasion (messages, with systemsounds set to OFF in windows.)

Short answer: Branch 2.6 = Beta

Hello.
I do not understand this part of your answer.
Does it mean no feature requests for 2.5-branch-features necessary, as programmers are trying to get there (2.5-branch features) anyways ?

moreover, does it mean (new) users should better use 2.5-branch ? resp. both versions, depending on the task ?
(v2.5.x  is not even listed for windows on avidemux main download page. )

I am really just asking genuinely, not trying to stir up sth. or such ââ,¬Â¦

snork

[AQUAR]

In this forum it says - for serious work use avidemux v2.5x.
In the wiki it says - avidemux v2.6x has changed from frame based to time based navigation - to cope with AVC.

Requests to include in 2.6 any missing 2.5 filters are fine, but mostly pointless as they are incompatible.
I say fine because nothing is impossible with smart code writers willing to contribute to this open source project.
Not going to happen anytime soon if mean (the author of avidemux) remains as the only active developer (unless he is super human!).

Avidemux 2.5.6 is final and hosted on sourceforce.
Avidemux 2.6.x is hosted in the avidemux repositories and changes almost daily.

Nothing wrong with using version 2.6 as it is very stable and has lots of features especially when dealing with .h264.
Nothing wrong with using version 2.5.6 as it has more features for dealing with older video types.
Run them both along side each other - because you can - and because they are different programs. 

Of course these points have already been made many times before to new members.
Maybe it needs to be a prominent sticky.

[hiro]

Hello - and thanx for the answers.
____________________

ââ,¬â€ Oops : posted this before noticing new answer by AQUAR / OK going to download 2.5.6 / had more problem with 2.5.5 than with 2.5.4...

Yes, may be a giant sticky note

So thx again for taking time to answer such worn off requests...

It's "just" that, sometimes, I wonder if the Author - whom I believed to be several (when I see "nightly builds"...) -, ultra-busy at tough tech. problems, is still thinking about interface or "light headed" ones... that... would still make the tool easier... ââ,¬â€
____________________


Thanx also to the Author / the Team, for AviDemux, which I'm trying to follow (versions *...) as much as I can - despite my basic if not skinny knowledge of video + its huge amount of available tools.


* For "some reasons", including many crashes - I didn't list that problem : too complicated / due to or according to versions... -,

I'm using 2.5.4, 2.6.1 (seems quite stable), 2.6.3 + 4, sometimes 2.6.6, + trying 2.6.7. And, by that, I do NOT pretend I know what I'm doing... But, as long as it gets me around...



Video encoding, editing, etc. : video in general, being related to... good mood / I mean : in IMyHO or practice,

well, I won't "un-rude" anyone / anything, as I don't feel (that   ) "mistreated" (so "far"...   ).


@Snork : right, (I should have mentioned) I was talking about the 32-bit version. Haven't "experienced" AviDemux alarm clock syndrom, yet...



OK : I know, of course, that several of "my" point have been more or less answered - and I've read quite a few post. Not all of them, I admit.

Let's just be realistic : how could anyone who's using, say, between 10 and 50 softwares ONLY, read thoroughly their help + forums + wikis, etc. ?

Please don't misunderstand me : I am not complaining about such an abundant literature. Without it, in many cases, I wouln't be able to solve... much (to get to what I want).



      In this case, I just wanted to list, to GROUP (may be for the nth time) a series of missing features - and, the least I can say : extremely basic ones -, that get "kind of" annoying, use after use,

and in particular, that I have a bit of a hard time trying to explain to... even worse newbies than me (some DO exist !) : "Hey ! Shutdown PC not working ! Why ? ". My reply : "Here's the forum ". Then : "Wouldn't let me type anything ". "Well, you have to register 1st... OK : ne-ver-mind ! "...


This forum is full of very advanced tech. points & questions. I understand : SOME (wow !..) ; say... one fraction...


I also happen to try helping total beginners - and convincing them to (re)encode... well ! I mean : instead of ruining their videos, using terrible "tools" (not even mentioning spyware bundled stuff).


So here's the "bet" : is that possible : quite or relatively SIMPLY, using AviDemux ? - knowing that "x264" settings would drive nuts a nut.

Apparently : yes - and although I read again few days ago that "AviDemux is not exactly a beginner's tool ". All it takes is providing newbies with "x264" coding settings templates.


I (")don't care'(") if so many of my friends stubbornly film, using their cell phone - eventhough they own a camcorder aside... SOME of their videos are interesting...

In that case and very simply, I have found (all by myself yeah !) AviDemux to be the best tool to, at least, maintain the same visual quality as of the original clips...

... while recoding to end up with a reasonable (or realistic) file weight - that, after my try'n'trash of "quite a few" (if not a ton of) softwares, promising recoders (mickey mouse stuff, both free & commercial) !.. 


Besides AviDemux, "VirtualDub" + "x264 VfW" (why look down ? Works well) only were able to output lightweight excellent video quality - but too tedious to explain, since no AAC encoding (+ often choppy video once posted on a web page / unless "0 latency" checked = lower quality)...


AviDemux + x264 being able to maintain excellent quality applies to any video, of course (including my DV camcorder tapes dated c. 1912), not cell phone clips only... In other words, though a(n endless) beginner, I became a "heavy user" of AviDemux.


Therefore, I don't think you'd find a less demanding user : I ONLY want two things : I want AviDemux perfect, I want it now.


Thanx again to the AviDemux Team. It's made me able to please a whole bunch of people, not my great grandmother only.


PLZZZZ : the "moov atom" option ? At least ? No ? Hopeless ?..



.

[AQUAR]

@ hiro
Has my previous reaction changed any of your outlook?
One quick answer: Avidemux is fully portable - change its name to avidemux_portable.exe and see for yourself (its how I use it!).

----------
Now you mentioned

I ONLY want two things : I want AviDemux perfect, I want it now.

.

FWIW and just for you!

Bet that you want more.
Bet that avidemux is low in the priorities of your LIFE.
Bet you have never found anything made by humans to be 'perfect'.

Consider the old proverb "patience is a virtue".
Free advice: think more about what you already have / less about what else you have to have.

And naturally that was all in jest (sort of!).
---------------------

Back to avidemux:

Avidemux is open source and by nature a collaboration of many contributors.
The most significant contributors involved in the origin's of this program are listed in the 'about' dialog.
AFAIK - the avidemux 2.6 branch is a 'mean branch'.
Mean being the main (almost sole!) person developing this branch of the program.
That's how I see it - others may disagree.

Just getting on my soap box:

People ask (even demand!) for bug fixes, for new features, for 'why not do it this way', for explanations why it is so etc etc.
No argument here at all, afterall that is, in part, what this forum is for.
Except:
Sadly only some appreciate what is available (for free!).
Sadly the exercise of patience by many members has evaporated.
Sadly I don't see much gracefullness by some when their video editing needs aren't met.
Sadly peoply have a hard time accepting that some features are just not forthcoming (eg smartcopy!).
Sadly some like to spam and destroy the integrity of this forum with hundreds of viagra adds (monkey idiots!).
And all because very few get that the resources behind this complex program (and this forum) are LIMITED.

Again, that's how I see it - others may disagree.

Whatever happend to the desire to lend a helping hand?
Whatever happened to a bit of self help in the first instance?
Looking at the post statistics - helping hands are very far and few between.
Here we would say "Come on be a sport" .

Now I'll get of my soap box. 

[mean]

Code Select Expand

PLZZZZ : the "moov atom" option :) ? At least ? No ? Hopeless ?..
Good news : It's already done
Bad news: it does not work on windows

[AQUAR]

 

[hiro]

Has my previous reaction changed any of your outlook?

Hi. Yes, it has - since MANY points were not all that clear (to me ; to other users, don't know, would take a survey...) until I read it. In my turn, I will explain to (teach) other people.

I guess having to repeat over & over is one of the problems of lively forums (well : serious ones); in particular: when they get huge - AND especially on video: not exactly the simplest matter...

Downloaded 2.5.6. Still have to test it.

One quick answer: Avidemux is fully portable - change its name to avidemux_portable.exe and see for yourself (its how I use it!).

I did try that at once, but long ago. Didn't work at the time, because I was using 2.5.4. And that's why I requested. Doesn't either with 2.5.6. OK : I should have tested 2.6.x, as :

you're right on 2.6.x : works fine.

Now don't get mad (if possible): tried to enclose 2.5.4 & 6 into a "Jaunte PE" (JPE) container - thus making 100% portable a software that's already almost fully portable... Nothing new I guess, but it works: no more "avidemux" new subfolder written to "App. Data". Not for the hell of it, but obviously because I need my settings on the go. Still have to check on possible (?) bugs...

* Bet that you want more.
** Bet that avidemux is low in the priorities of your LIFE.
*** Bet you have never found anything made by humans to be 'perfect'.
**** Consider the old proverb "patience is a virtue". Free advice: think more about what you already have / less about what else you have to have.

*Not... THAT much more...


** "Well"... sorry : no. Within a few years, though I don't know if I'd consider it a LIFE priority, it's become one of "my" most important tools - among, say, some... "top 5" !

In fact, I waited at least two or three years, before posting my more or less teasing / heavy footed requests. Here's precisely what "happens" : the more I advertise AviDemux (not TOO clumsily, I hope...), the more "feedback" I get :

1st reaction : "Aw ! Interesting, here : never thought I could recook my videos so well : 2ce if not 3 to 4 times lighter, with no visible quality loss !

[ depending on contrast, speedy movement or not, etc., of course. ]

Next (& expected) reaction : "BTW... thx for the 'moov-atom-batch' you sent along, but... couldn't that be included (in the software) ?"...

... PLUS : the list (my 1st post).

AND more (you bet...); such as : "Would-you-mind-sending-me-a-version-for-my-cell-phone-?". [ no comment ]

But, now that I received the MEANEST possible answer, about the "moov-atom" option (gawhn! how frustrating), "well", between sighs, I downloaded some "Linux live DVD" that includes AviDemux. We'll see what we'll see ! In other words (of patience): keep blueskying...

[ "Use Linux instead of Windows" would drive me too far off-topic. ]


*** Except for the perfectly sadistic answer by the Author himself, no, you're right.


**** Looong debate ! [[[ -95dB whisper : it's been four years (in my case)... ]]]

Back to avidemux: open source and by nature a collaboration of many contributors. (...) Mean being the main (almost sole!) person developing this branch of the program.

Last time I tried to "reprogram" AviDemux with a pink interface (for a friend's teenybopper daughter though heavy duty video recoder) it ended with an antivirus warning + not working at all. That's how far my programming skills get ; guess I'll stick to advertising the tool. Otherwise, instead of posting, I would have tried adding "my" features by myself.

Isn't "branch" an ambiguous term (by nature) ?.. It's a little difficult to see 2.5.x "vs" 2.6.x as the two different programs they are (you reminded me); & moreover, to trace their differences. OK, still a lot to learn...

People ask (even demand!) for bug fixes, for new features, for 'why not do it this way', for explanations why it is so etc etc. No argument here at all, afterall that is, in part, what this forum is for. Except: Sadly only some appreciate what is available (for free!).

Yes they do ! Except that you have to read it in their thoughts...

Sadly the exercise of patience by many members has evaporated.

"People & patience"... Interesting topic. Only took me some three decades to relate it to insanity. And still wondering how such a concept was invented. For the sake of efficiency, I suppose...

Sadly I don't see much gracefullness by some when their video editing needs aren't met.

Very personal opinion may be, I think that AviDemux does better than... the rest (except "CinemaCraft" but too different; & except "VirtualDub + x264 VfW" but quite different too, and not thorough).

Sadly peoply have a hard time accepting that some features are just not forthcoming (eg smartcopy!).

Well, at least, it means that AviDemux raises hopes.

Sadly some like to spam and destroy the integrity of this forum with hundreds of viagra adds (monkey idiots!).

One of the prices of success...

And all because very few get that the resources behind this complex program (and this forum) are LIMITED.

At the same time, you have to realize that AviDemux appears as a relatively ambitious project. Or some milestone; since (natively) compatible with more types of video + audio than "VirtualDub", for example. Therefore, by contrast, any problem is quite disappointing.

Whatever happend to the desire to lend a helping hand?

Yep, not so trendy...

Whatever happened to a bit of self help in the first instance? Looking at the post statistics - helping hands are very far and few between.

Matter of education; i.e. loads of patience.

Here we would say "Come on be a sport".

Besides drag'n'dropping any new or weird kind of video on its interface (now at the top only...), I keep on advertising this excellent program.

Getting practical: while trying to make sure some problem* won't discourage new users among my friends, I still hope to be able to cut my page of warnings ("never mind 2.5.x warnings on opening AVC", "drop clips on title bar now", "won't mux everything with everything"**, etc.) to one half or one third of its length.

* "Video has been saved but seems too short" sometimes gets aggravating: when happening after 10 hours of encoding... In that case, I have a hard time reminding: "OK, but did you check the QUALITY of your encoding, though incomplete ? Now go ahead, back to your pretty interface spyware bundled bloat; and try to compare".

** It's named AviDEmux, not AviMux, OK... Nevertheless, it - of course - let me (long ago) + friends (anytime) believe that one of the most usual multiplexes: AAC to AVC, would work... When "promoting"***, I better not forget THAT one (warning) !

[ *** BY-THE-WAY - and should this come to your mind: being no less than proud to propose both an efficient AND FREE software, I OF COURSE never tried nor even thought of selling it / since you don't know me, I'd rather make it perfectly clear / just a sudden little worry, while typing "advertise", "promote"... ]

______________________________

"Moov atom" option : Good news : It's already done. Bad news: it does not work on windows.

THANK YOU ! I even wonder where the awaited option is located (if checkable); will discover that as soon as I burn my new live Linux DVD. And will TRY not to wonder "what's-wrong-with-Windows" (off-topic).

.

[AQUAR]

@ hiro
That's an interesting response and appreciated for various reasons that might not be so obvious to some.
I'll just finish by saying that placing avidemux in your top 5 favourite programs is nice feedback.  

[snork]

[ââ,¬Â¦]
Run them both along side each other - because you can - and because they are different programs. 

Of course these points have already been made many times before to new members.
Maybe it needs to be a prominent sticky.

Thanks for telling (again). 
Maybe I would have gotten it sooner or later, but now  it is clear.

Maybe it is to do with so being used to "please update to newest version" ? 

*** Bet you have never found anything made by humans to be 'perfect'.

I can not resist to answer that:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrUjPARlkfs&t=35

[AQUAR]

@ snork

Code Select Expand

Maybe it is to do with so being used to "please update to newest version"
No doubt about that.

When I first came looking to upgrade, I also took version 2.6 as a successor to version 2.5.6.
It is in someways and it isn't in otherways. So its gray for the program and for the endusers alike.
I can see reasons and merit for maintaining the name and the numeric bumping.
On the otherhand, a new name would make more impact to separate the identities.

IMHO - Avidemux v2.5 relates more to the avi era and Avidemux v2.6 relates more to avc era.
So - privately I think of avidemux v2.6.x as avcdemux v0.6.x.

About the Youtube video:
Making such a goal is only a human perception of perfection.
That perception is flawed because its made by humans!
So as a human I too would say it was a perfect goal.
The reality lies hidden in the details.

[mean]

Fasttrack It seems to work on windows too now, re-enabling
(?)

[AQUAR]

Thanks mean.

In case anyone is looking for this moving the moov atom data unit to the beginning of the media file:
Its a configuration item for the MP4v2 muxer - check the 'optimise for streaming (slow)'.

[hiro]

Fasttrack It seems to work on windows too now, re-enabling (?)

Hi. Unless I misunderstood (?), I guess it's about the "moov-atom" index. Since :

Might be they want the fastrack mode, i.e. index put at the beginning / mp4v2 muxer does it if my memory is correct

Unless that answer concerned another (?) index, yes, YouTube requires index at top of video code. Otherwise, they will recode...

So I tried that right away - with 2.6.7 under Win. But "moov-atom"'s still written at bottom of video code.

May be and upcoming 2.6.x Avidemux version ?

+

Thanks mean. In case anyone is looking for this moving the moov atom data unit to the beginning of the media file: Its a configuration item for the MP4v2 muxer - check the 'optimise for streaming (slow)'.

Under Win. (anyway) : no "Optimise for streaming (slow)" option when "MP4v2 muxer Config." button clicked...


OK : I've been warned ("Bad news : not working on Windows"). I suppose it works with AviDemux for Linux only.

Also tried to check + uncheck "Fast decode" & "Zero latency" (though I doubt that has to do with it) + encode a sample in every mode. Nope... "moov-atom" still at bottom of video sample...


.