suggestion: ask for container format at the "save as" dialog window

[ChrisCube]

i often cut some video clips in different formats.

when i want to save them, it often happens that i forget to change the container format in the main window, and so i get 3 (not just 1) error messages that something is not supported (e.g trying to safe an mpg video as mp4).

then i have to go back to the main windows switch the container format, open the save-as dialog again, and enter my file-name again.

therefore it would be more comfortable for my situations, that the decision for the container format has to be made at the "save as" dialog window.

i think it would also increase the usability, if Avidemux detects the opened file, and switches the output container to the same as the input, at least as long as copy only is selected for video & audio codec in the main window.

Furthermore it could offer only the supported containers for the output instead of all (e.g. don't show mpg for HEVC videos)

[eumagga0x2a]

when i want to save them, it often happens that i forget to change the container format in the main window, and so i get 3 (not just 1) error messages that something is not supported (e.g trying to safe an mpg video as mp4).

Thanks, avoding the cascade of error messages if the muxer is not happy with the streams is on my todo list.

then i have to go back to the main windows switch the container format, open the save-as dialog again, and enter my file-name again.

therefore it would be more comfortable for my situations, that the decision for the container format has to be made at the "save as" dialog window.

What should the application do in case there are multiple muxers for a given output container (e.g. MP4 and MP4v2)?

i think it would also increase the usability, if Avidemux detects the opened file, and switches the output container to the same as the input, at least as long as copy only is selected for video & audio codec in the main window.

No, definitely not. Saving to the same container type is contrary to the most common use case (losslessly saving parts of MpegTS to MKV) and makes no sense with a frequent use case of H.264 in AVI.

Furthermore it could offer only the supported containers for the output instead of all (e.g. don't show mpg for HEVC videos)

So that if you occasionally choose a wrong codec, your carefully configured output is wiped and replaced with something completely different? Anyway, I had the same thoughts. Maybe one day, maybe not. Contributing quality patches is the best way to influence the application to your liking.

[ChrisCube]

I think i am not familiar enough with muxing to understand your answers.

Its great that Avidemux has the opportunity to change the container formats, but let me put it this way (from the view of a dumb user ;-) ):

I mostly just want to cut some parts of my video clips, save them without any re-encoding / loss of quality and edit the next clip (in a different container).
I see no reason why i must choose the container format for every clip.
IMHO its like if i had to choose every time if i want to convert an image to jpg, bmp, png, gif or whatever, after i just cropped them.

Just wanted to give you the view of a simple user. Thanks for your great work and answers.

[Jan Gruuthuse]

You do know you can save preferences and when you did set your preferred Output Format: like MKV this will be remembered.
- set Output Format
- save preferences: Avidemux Menu -> Edit -> Save current settings as default or keyboard shortcut [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[D]

[eumagga0x2a]

@Jan:

ChrisCube doesn't want that. He wants the muxer to be set automatically to match the demuxer. I wonder what should happen if there are two or more segments from different videos stored in different containers...

[AQUAR]

One of the nice features of avidemux is its user interactive approach to setting of parameters.
Contrast that to various low cost video editors that try to automate settings to suit the common denominator.
This contrast is one reason why avidemux is still very popular (IMHO).

Setting the output container to automatically match that of the input container would suit some end users and initiate annoyance in other end users. So this type of development effort would be akin to chasing ones tail.

I suppose you could make it an optional feature and make it stick in "saved preferences". 

[ChrisCube]

You do know you can save preferences and when you did set your preferred Output Format

yess. this helps a bit. but not so much if every file i open is in a different container.

@Jan:

He wants the muxer to be set automatically to match the demuxer.

exactly

@Jan:

I wonder what should happen if there are two or more segments from different videos stored in different containers...

maybe the muxer should only be set equally to the demuxer as long as all opened files use the same container.
Or a popup window opens, which suggests a solution to choose.

I suppose you could make it an optional feature and make it stick in "saved preferences". 

i also would suggest such a solution

[Jan Gruuthuse]

Another way of doing this is most likely with Project script, depending your workflow.

For each of your containers create a project where you set the Output Format and perhaps other settings and save.
After you loaded your 1st video, run project.
Avidemux Menu: File: Project Script:
- Save As Project (edit saved project and remove reference to loaded video)
- Run Project

these projects can be loaded in to Avidemux Menu: Custom for easy usage afterwards.

Keep in mind avidemux is a tool. We expect some work of the users

more details:
- remove reference to loaded video see: edit x264-aac(lav).py
- Custom Menu and Saved projects