How to Add Text to Video with FFmpeg?

What is FFmpeg?

FFmpeg is a free project that provides a collection of programs for handling data such as audio, video, and images. It is a tool that is e used to convert, record, stream, and play files.

FFmpeg supports a wide range of formats and codecs and is used for tasks such as transcoding, resizing filters, adding watermarks or subtitles, getting audio from video, and merging multiple videos or audio files. It is also possible to create a GIF using FFmpeg and combine MP4 files using FFMPEG on Windows

FFmpeg is widely used in the media industry and is available on most operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Unix.

How to Use FFmpeg?

Here are some common examples of how to use FFmpeg:

1. Convert a video file from one format to another:

Code: ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 output_video.avi

This command will convert input_video.mp4 to output_video.avi. FFmpeg will automatically select the appropriate codecs for the output format.

2. Resize a video:

Code: ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -vf scale=640:480 output_video.mp4

This command will resize input_video.mp4 to a resolution of 640×480 pixels and save the result to output_video.mp4.

3. Extract audio from a video:

Code: ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -vn output_audio.mp3

This command will extract the audio track from input_video.mp4 and save it to output_audio.mp3.

4. Concatenate two videos:

Code: ffmpeg -i input_video1.mp4 -i input_video2.mp4 -filter_complex concat output_video.mp4

This command will concatenate input_video1.mp4 and input_video2.mp4 and save the result to output_video.mp4.

5. Add a watermark to a video:

Code: ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -i watermark.png -filter_complex “overlay=10:10” output_video.mp4

This command will add the watermark.png image to the top-left corner of input_video.mp4 with a 10-pixel offset and save the result to output_video.mp4.

These are just a few examples of what to do with FFmpeg. It is also possible to use FFmpeg on Android. For more information, consult online tutorials, video streamings, or AI chatbots such as ChatGPT.

What are FFmpeg Useful Video Editing Commands?

1. Trim a video:

Code: ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -ss 00:00:05 -t 00:00:10 -c copy output_video.mp4

This command will trim input_video.mp4 to start at the 5-second mark and end after 10 seconds and save the result to output_video.mp4.

2. Add an image or video overlay on my video:

Code: ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -i overlay_image.png -filter_complex “overlay=10:10” output_video.mp4

This command will add the overlay_image.png file as an overlay to input_video.mp4 at the coordinates (10, 10), and save the result to output_video.mp4.

4. Change video resolution:

Code: ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -vf scale=1280:720 -c:a copy output_video.mp4

This command will change the resolution of input_video.mp4 to 1280×720 pixels and save the result to output_video.mp4.

• Add the textfile and reload options for drawtext:

Code: ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf “drawtext=fontfile=/path/to/font.ttf:textfile=text.txt:reload=1:fontcolor=white:fontsize=24:box=1:boxcolor=black@0.5:boxborderw=5:x=(w-text_w)/2:y=(h-text_h)/2” -codec:a copy output.mp4

How to Add Text to Video with FFmpeg?

To add text to a video with FFmpeg, use the drawtext filter. The drawtext filter allows you to specify the font, size, color, and position of the text, among other parameters.

Here is a basic command to add text to a video using the drawtext filter:

Code: ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -vf “drawtext=text=’Hello World’:fontfile=/path/to/font.ttf:fontsize=50:fontcolor=white:x=100:y=100” -codec:a copy output_video.mp4

In this command:

• -i input_video.mp4 specifies the input video file.
• -vf "drawtext=..." specifies the video filter to apply, which is the drawtext filter in this case.
• text='Hello World' specifies the text to add to the video.
• fontfile=/path/to/font.ttf specifies the font file to use.
• fontsize=50 specifies the font size in points.
• fontcolor=white specifies the font color.
• x=100:y=100 specifies the position of the text in the video, with the top-left corner at (100, 100) pixels.
• -codec:a copy specifies to copy the audio stream from the input video to the output video without re-encoding it.
• output_video.mp4 specifies the output video file.

What is Fontfile?

The fontfile option in FFmpeg is used to specify the path to a font file that will be used to render text in a video or image.

When you use the drawtext filter in FFmpeg to add text to a video, specify the fontfile option to choose a specific font to use for the text.

How to Include Font in FFmpeg Command without Using the Fontfile Option?

In order to use a font in an FFMPEG command without specifying the fontfile option, use a system-installed font.

Here is an example command that uses a system-installed font:

Code: ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -vf “drawtext=text=’Hello World’:fontcolor=white:x=100:y=100:font=Arial” -codec:a copy output_video.mp4

What is GitHub?

GitHub is a web-based platform that allows developers to host and manage their software projects, collaborate with others, and track and manage changes to their code. It provides tools for version control, issue tracking, code review, and team collaboration.

How to Add “StackOverflow” Text with FFmpeg?

Code: ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -vf “drawtext=text=’StackOverflow’:fontfile=/path/to/font.ttf:fontsize=30:fontcolor=white:x=100:y=100” -codec:a copy output_video.mp4

Here is what the various options in this command do:

• -i input_video.mp4 specifies the input video file.
• -vf "drawtext=text='StackOverflow':fontfile=/path/to/font.ttf:fontsize=30:fontcolor=white:x=100:y=100" sets up the video filtergraph for drawing the text. This command draws the text “StackOverflow” on the video at the coordinates (100, 100), using a font file located at /path/to/font.ttf, with a font size of 30 and a white font color.
• -codec:a copy copies the audio stream from the input video to the output video without re-encoding it.
• output_video.mp4 specifies the name of the output video file.

How to Display TimeCodes or TimeStamps Using FFmpeg’s Drawtext Filter?

Code: ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -filter_complex “drawtext=fontfile=/path/to/font.ttf:text=’%{pts\:hms}’:fontsize=24:fontcolor=white:x=10:y=10” -codec:a copy output_video.mp4

Here is what the various options in this command do:

• -i input_video.mp4 specifies the input video file.
• -filter_complex allows you to use multiple filters in the same command.
• drawtext is the name of the filter.
• fontfile=/path/to/font.ttf specifies the path to the font file we want to use.
• text='%{pts\:hms}' sets the text to be displayed. %{pts\:hms} is a placeholder that will be replaced by the current timecode in hours:minutes:seconds format.
• fontsize=24 sets the font size to 24.
• fontcolor=white sets the font color to white.
• x=10 and y=10 set the position of the text on the video.
• -codec:a copy copies the audio stream from the input video to the output video without re-encoding it.
• output_video.mp4 specifies the name of the output file.