A server-side module for transcoding videos, audio, and images using FFmpeg with smart presets and optimizations
npm install @profullstack/transcoderA lightweight Node.js module for transcoding videos to web-friendly MP4 format using FFmpeg. This module is designed for server-side use and ensures compatibility with all modern browsers including Safari, Chrome, and Firefox on both desktop and mobile devices.









- Transcodes any video format to web-friendly MP4 (H.264/AAC)
- Transcodes audio files between formats (MP3, AAC, FLAC, OGG, etc.)
- Converts and optimizes images with various transformations (using ImageMagick)
- Ensures compatibility across all modern browsers
- Modern ESM (ECMAScript Modules) implementation
- Async/await API with real-time progress reporting
- Event-based progress tracking
- Customizable encoding options
- Smart Presets for popular platforms (Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, etc.)
- Audio enhancement features (normalization, noise reduction, fades)
- Thumbnail Generation at specified intervals or timestamps
- Batch processing of multiple files with a fancy terminal UI
- No file storage - just passes through to FFmpeg
- Lightweight with minimal dependencies
This module requires the following software to be installed on your system:
1. FFmpeg and ffprobe - For video and audio processing
- Download from ffmpeg.org or build from source
2. ImageMagick - For image processing
- Download from imagemagick.org
- Required for image transformations, especially for PNG with transparency
The package includes a script to automatically build FFmpeg from source with custom flags optimized for video transcoding and thumbnail generation:
``bashUsing npm
npm run install-ffmpeg
The build script:
- Builds FFmpeg from source with optimized flags
- Enables all necessary codecs and libraries for maximum compatibility
- Includes support for ffprobe and thumbnail generation
- Installs all required dependencies
The script supports:
- macOS
- Ubuntu/Debian
- Arch Linux
- Windows (via WSL - Windows Subsystem for Linux)
$3
The package includes a script to automatically install ImageMagick with all necessary dependencies:
`bash
Using npm
npm run install-imagemagickUsing yarn
yarn install-imagemagickUsing pnpm
pnpm install-imagemagickOr directly
./bin/install-imagemagick.sh
`The script supports:
- macOS (via Homebrew)
- Ubuntu/Debian
- Arch Linux
- Windows (via Chocolatey)
If you already have FFmpeg installed but need to rebuild it (for example, if thumbnail generation is not working), you can use the
--force flag:`bash
Force rebuild of FFmpeg from source
pnpm install-ffmpeg -- --forceOr directly
./bin/build-ffmpeg.sh --force
`The custom build includes support for:
- H.264/H.265 encoding and decoding
- AAC, MP3, and Opus audio codecs
- VP8/VP9 video codecs
- Hardware acceleration (when available)
- Rubberband library (required for ffprobe and thumbnail generation)
- And many other optimizations for video processing
If you prefer to install FFmpeg manually:
Ubuntu/Debian:
`bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ffmpeg
`macOS (using Homebrew):
`bash
brew install ffmpeg
`Windows (using Scoop - recommended):
`bash
Install Scoop if not already installed
iwr -useb get.scoop.sh | iexInstall FFmpeg
scoop install ffmpeg
`Windows (using Chocolatey):
`bash
choco install ffmpeg
`Arch Linux:
`bash
sudo pacman -S ffmpeg
`Installation
`bash
npm install @profullstack/transcoder
or
yarn add @profullstack/transcoder
or
pnpm add @profullstack/transcoder
`Usage
$3
`javascript
import { transcode } from '@profullstack/transcoder';async function transcodeVideo() {
try {
const { outputPath, emitter } = await transcode('input.mov', 'output.mp4');
// Listen for progress events
emitter.on('progress', (progress) => {
console.log(
Progress: ${JSON.stringify(progress)});
// Example output: {"frame":120,"fps":30,"time":4.5,"bitrate":1500,"size":1024000,"speed":2.5}
});
console.log('Transcoding completed successfully:', outputPath);
} catch (error) {
console.error('Transcoding failed:', error.message);
}
}transcodeVideo();
`$3
`javascript
import { transcode } from '@profullstack/transcoder';async function transcodeWithOptions() {
try {
const options = {
videoCodec: 'libx264',
audioBitrate: '192k',
videoBitrate: '2500k',
width: 1280,
height: 720,
fps: 30,
preset: 'slow', // Higher quality but slower encoding
overwrite: true // Overwrite existing file if it exists
};
const { outputPath, emitter } = await transcode('input.mov', 'output.mp4', options);
// Create a progress bar
emitter.on('progress', (progress) => {
if (progress.time) {
const percent = Math.min(100, Math.round((progress.time / 60) * 100)); // Assuming 1-minute video
const barLength = 30;
const filledLength = Math.round(barLength * percent / 100);
const bar = '█'.repeat(filledLength) + '░'.repeat(barLength - filledLength);
process.stdout.write(
\r[${bar}] ${percent}% | ${progress.fps || 0} fps | ${progress.bitrate || 0} kbps);
}
});
console.log('\nTranscoding completed successfully:', outputPath);
} catch (error) {
console.error('Transcoding failed:', error.message);
}
}transcodeWithOptions();
`$3
The module automatically extracts metadata from the input video during transcoding:
`javascript
import { transcode } from '@profullstack/transcoder';async function extractMetadata() {
try {
const { outputPath, metadata } = await transcode('input.mp4', 'output.mp4');
// Display format information
console.log('Format:', metadata.format.formatName);
console.log('Duration:', metadata.format.duration, 'seconds');
console.log('File Size:', metadata.format.size, 'bytes');
console.log('Bitrate:', metadata.format.bitrate, 'bps');
// Display video stream information
console.log('Video Codec:', metadata.video.codec);
console.log('Resolution:', metadata.video.width + 'x' + metadata.video.height);
console.log('Frame Rate:', metadata.video.fps, 'fps');
console.log('Pixel Format:', metadata.video.pixelFormat);
// Display audio stream information
console.log('Audio Codec:', metadata.audio.codec);
console.log('Sample Rate:', metadata.audio.sampleRate, 'Hz');
console.log('Channels:', metadata.audio.channels);
console.log('Channel Layout:', metadata.audio.channelLayout);
} catch (error) {
console.error('Transcoding failed:', error.message);
}
}
extractMetadata();
`$3
The module supports batch processing of multiple files with a fancy terminal UI:
`javascript
import { batchProcessDirectory, attachBatchUI } from '@profullstack/transcoder';// Directory containing media files
const inputDir = './videos';
// Batch processing options
const batchOptions = {
// Output directory
outputDir: './processed',
// Add a prefix to output filenames
outputPrefix: 'processed-',
// Transcoding options (same as for single file transcoding)
transcodeOptions: {
// Use the 'web' preset
preset: 'web',
// Generate thumbnails
thumbnails: {
count: 1,
format: 'jpg'
},
// Always overwrite existing files
overwrite: true
},
// Process 2 files concurrently
concurrency: 2
};
// Scan options
const scanOptions = {
// Only process video files
mediaTypes: ['video'],
// Recursively scan subdirectories
recursive: true
};
console.log(
Starting batch processing of files in ${inputDir}...);// Start batch processing
batchProcessDirectory(inputDir, batchOptions, scanOptions)
.then(({ results, emitter }) => {
// Attach terminal UI to emitter
const ui = attachBatchUI(emitter);
// Listen for batch processing completion
emitter.on('complete', () => {
// Give user time to see the results before exiting
setTimeout(() => {
ui.destroy();
// Print summary
console.log(
\nBatch processing completed!);
console.log(Processed ${results.total} files: ${results.successful.length} successful, ${results.failed.length} failed);
}, 3000);
});
})
.catch(err => {
console.error(Error: ${err.message});
});
`$3
The module includes pre-configured settings optimized for specific platforms and use cases:
`javascript
import { transcode } from '@profullstack/transcoder';// Transcode for Instagram (square format 1080x1080)
await transcode('input.mp4', 'instagram-output.mp4', { preset: 'instagram' });
// Transcode for YouTube HD (1920x1080)
await transcode('input.mp4', 'youtube-output.mp4', { preset: 'youtube-hd' });
// Transcode for Twitter with custom overrides
await transcode('input.mp4', 'twitter-output.mp4', {
preset: 'twitter',
videoBitrate: '6000k' // Override the preset's videoBitrate
});
`Available presets:
Video Presets:
| Preset | Description | Resolution | Optimized For |
|--------|-------------|------------|---------------|
|
instagram | Square format | 1080x1080 | Instagram feed |
| instagram-stories | Vertical format | 1080x1920 | Instagram stories |
| youtube-hd | HD format | 1920x1080 | YouTube |
| youtube-4k | 4K format | 3840x2160 | YouTube |
| twitter | HD format | 1280x720 | Twitter |
| facebook | HD format | 1280x720 | Facebook |
| tiktok | Vertical format | 1080x1920 | TikTok |
| vimeo-hd | HD format | 1920x1080 | Vimeo |
| web | Optimized for web | 1280x720 | Web playback |
| mobile | Optimized for mobile | 640x360 | Mobile devices |Audio Presets:
| Preset | Description | Codec | Bitrate | Sample Rate | Channels |
|--------|-------------|-------|---------|-------------|----------|
|
audio-high | High quality audio | AAC | 320k | 48000 Hz | 2 (stereo) |
| audio-medium | Medium quality audio | AAC | 192k | 44100 Hz | 2 (stereo) |
| audio-low | Low quality audio | AAC | 96k | 44100 Hz | 2 (stereo) |
| audio-voice | Voice optimized | AAC | 128k | 44100 Hz | 1 (mono) |
| mp3-high | High quality MP3 | MP3 | 320k | 44100 Hz | 2 (stereo) |
| mp3-medium | Medium quality MP3 | MP3 | 192k | 44100 Hz | 2 (stereo) |
| mp3-low | Low quality MP3 | MP3 | 96k | 44100 Hz | 2 (stereo) |Image Presets:
| Preset | Description | Format | Quality | Optimized For |
|--------|-------------|--------|---------|---------------|
|
jpeg-high | High quality JPEG | JPEG | 95% | High quality images |
| jpeg-medium | Medium quality JPEG | JPEG | 85% | Web images |
| jpeg-low | Low quality JPEG | JPEG | 70% | Small file size |
| webp-high | High quality WebP | WebP | 90% | Modern browsers |
| webp-medium | Medium quality WebP | WebP | 80% | Web images |
| webp-low | Low quality WebP | WebP | 65% | Small file size |
| png | Standard PNG | PNG | Lossless | Images with transparency |
| png-optimized | Optimized PNG | PNG | Lossless | Smaller PNG files |
| avif-high | High quality AVIF | AVIF | 80% | Modern browsers |
| avif-medium | Medium quality AVIF | AVIF | 60% | Small file size |
| thumbnail | Thumbnail size | JPEG | 80% | Thumbnails (300x300) |
| social-media | Social media size | JPEG | 90% | Social sharing (1200x630) |
| square | Square with padding | PNG | Lossless | Square images with transparent padding |
| square-white | Square with white padding | JPEG | 90% | Square images with white background |
| instagram-square | Instagram square | JPEG | 90% | Instagram (1080x1080) |You can also override any preset setting by providing your own options:
`javascript
// Use YouTube HD preset but with a higher bitrate
await transcode('input.mp4', 'output.mp4', {
preset: 'youtube-hd',
videoBitrate: '15000k'
});
`$3
You can add image or text watermarks to your videos:
`javascript
import { transcode } from '@profullstack/transcoder';// Add an image watermark
await transcode('input.mp4', 'output.mp4', {
watermark: {
image: 'logo.png',
position: 'bottomRight', // Options: topLeft, topRight, bottomLeft, bottomRight, center
opacity: 0.7, // 0.0 to 1.0
margin: 10 // Margin from the edge in pixels
}
});
// Add a text watermark
await transcode('input.mp4', 'output.mp4', {
watermark: {
text: '© Copyright 2025',
position: 'bottomRight',
fontColor: 'white',
fontSize: 24,
fontFile: '/path/to/your/font.ttf', // Optional path to a font file
boxColor: 'black@0.5', // Optional background box with opacity
opacity: 0.8
}
});
// Audio enhancement for videos
await transcode('input.mp4', 'output.mp4', {
audio: {
normalize: true, // Normalize audio levels
noiseReduction: 0.3, // Reduce background noise (0.0 to 1.0)
fadeIn: 1.5, // Fade in duration in seconds
fadeOut: 2.0, // Fade out duration in seconds
volume: 1.2 // Adjust volume (1.0 = original volume)
}
});
`$3
The module includes powerful audio enhancement features to improve the quality of audio in your videos:
`javascript
import { transcode } from '@profullstack/transcoder';// Basic audio normalization
await transcode('input.mp4', 'output.mp4', {
preset: 'web',
audio: {
normalize: true // Normalize audio levels for consistent volume
}
});
// Noise reduction
await transcode('input.mp4', 'output.mp4', {
preset: 'web',
audio: {
noiseReduction: 0.3 // Value between 0 and 1, higher values = more noise reduction
}
});
// Add fade in/out
await transcode('input.mp4', 'output.mp4', {
preset: 'web',
audio: {
fadeIn: 1.5, // Fade in duration in seconds
fadeOut: 2.0 // Fade out duration in seconds
}
});
// Adjust volume
await transcode('input.mp4', 'output.mp4', {
preset: 'web',
audio: {
volume: 1.5 // Increase volume by 50%
}
});
// Combine multiple audio enhancements
await transcode('input.mp4', 'output.mp4', {
preset: 'web',
audio: {
normalize: true,
noiseReduction: 0.2,
fadeIn: 0.5,
fadeOut: 1.0,
volume: 1.2
}
});
`Important Note: The audio enhancement features are primarily designed for enhancing audio tracks in video files. They work best when used with the
transcode function for video files.For standalone audio files, the support varies by format:
- WAV and AAC files are fully supported for audio enhancement
- MP3, FLAC, and OGG files are not fully supported for direct enhancement and will be skipped with a warning
When batch processing audio files with enhancements:
- WAV and AAC files will be processed normally
- MP3, FLAC, and OGG files will be skipped with a warning message
- No error will be thrown, allowing the batch process to continue with supported files
When applying audio enhancements to video files, the audio track is processed while preserving the video quality.
For the best results with standalone audio files, consider using a two-step approach:
1. First, convert to a well-supported format like WAV
2. Then apply audio enhancements
`javascript
// Example for enhancing standalone audio files
import { transcodeAudio } from '@profullstack/transcoder';// First convert to WAV (if needed)
await transcodeAudio('input.mp3', 'temp.wav', {
audioCodec: 'pcm_s16le'
});
// Then apply enhancements
await transcodeAudio('temp.wav', 'enhanced.wav', {
normalize: true,
noiseReduction: 0.2
});
`You can also use the batch processing feature to enhance multiple audio files:
`javascript
import { batchProcessDirectory } from '@profullstack/transcoder';// Batch enhance audio files
const result = await batchProcessDirectory('./audio-files', {
outputDir: './enhanced-audio',
transcodeOptions: {
audio: {
normalize: true,
noiseReduction: 0.2,
fadeIn: 0.5,
fadeOut: 0.5
}
}
}, {
mediaTypes: ['audio']
});
// Check for skipped files
const skippedFiles = result.results.failed.filter(file => file.skipped);
if (skippedFiles.length > 0) {
console.log('Skipped files:');
skippedFiles.forEach(file => {
console.log(
- ${file.input}: ${file.warning});
});
}
`$3
The module includes a command-line interface (CLI) for easy video transcoding, thumbnail generation, and watermarking directly from your terminal:
`bash
Basic usage
transcoder input.mp4 output.mp4Using a preset
transcoder input.mp4 output.mp4 --preset youtube-hdGenerate thumbnails during transcoding
transcoder input.mp4 output.mp4 --thumbnails 3Generate thumbnails without transcoding
transcoder --thumbnails-only input.mp4 --count 5Customize video settings
transcoder input.mp4 output.mp4 --width 1280 --height 720 --bitrate 2MTrim a video
transcoder input.mp4 output.mp4 --trim --start 00:00:10 --end 00:00:30Pass custom ffmpeg arguments directly
transcoder input.mp4 output.mp4 --ffmpeg-args="-vf eq=brightness=0.1:saturation=1.5"Batch process all videos in a directory
transcoder --path ./videos --preset web --output-dir ./processedBatch process with recursive directory scanning
transcoder --path ./videos --recursive --preset mobile --output-dir ./processed
`The CLI tool features a cool progress bar with real-time information:
- Colorful progress visualization
- Percentage completion
- Current FPS (frames per second)
- Elapsed time
- Estimated time remaining (ETA)
- Fast and efficient thumbnail generation
For batch processing, the CLI tool provides a fancy terminal UI:
- Overall progress tracking
- Individual file progress
- Real-time statistics (completed files, success/failure rate)
- Estimated time remaining
- Detailed log output
#### CLI Options
| Option | Description |
|--------|-------------|
|
--preset, -p | Use a predefined preset (e.g., youtube-hd, twitter, instagram) |
| --width, -w | Output video width |
| --height, -h | Output video height |
| --bitrate, -b | Output video bitrate (e.g., 1M, 5M) |
| --fps, -f | Output video frame rate |
| --codec, -c | Video codec to use (e.g., h264, h265) |
| --audio-codec, -a | Audio codec to use (e.g., aac, mp3) |
| --audio-bitrate | Audio bitrate (e.g., 128k, 256k) |
| --thumbnails, -t | Number of thumbnails to generate during transcoding |
| --thumbnails-only | Generate thumbnails without transcoding |
| --count | Number of thumbnails to generate (for thumbnails-only mode) |
| --format | Thumbnail format (jpg or png) |
| --timestamps | Specific timestamps for thumbnails (comma-separated, in seconds or HH:MM:SS format) |
| --thumbnail-output | Output pattern for thumbnails (e.g., "thumb-%d.jpg") |
| --trim | Enable video trimming |
| --start | Start time for trimming (in seconds or HH:MM:SS format) |
| --end | End time for trimming (in seconds or HH:MM:SS format) |
| --watermark-image | Path to image file to use as watermark |
| --watermark-text | Text to use as watermark |
| --watermark-position | Position of the watermark (topLeft, topRight, bottomLeft, bottomRight, center) |
| --watermark-opacity | Opacity of the watermark (0.0 to 1.0) |
| --watermark-margin | Margin from the edge in pixels |
| --watermark-font-size | Font size for text watermark in pixels |
| --watermark-font-color | Font color for text watermark |
| --watermark-font | Path to font file for text watermark |
| --watermark-box-color | Background box color for text watermark |
| --path | Path to directory containing media files for batch processing |
| --recursive | Recursively process files in subdirectories (for batch processing) |
| --output-dir | Output directory for batch processed files |
| --output-prefix | Prefix to add to output filenames (for batch processing) |
| --output-suffix | Suffix to add to output filenames (for batch processing) |
| --output-extension | Extension for output files (for batch processing) |
| --media-types | Media types to process (for batch processing) |
| --concurrency | Number of files to process concurrently (for batch processing) |
| --fancy-ui | Use fancy terminal UI for batch processing |
| --ffmpeg-args | Pass custom arguments directly to ffmpeg (e.g., "--ffmpeg-args='-vf eq=brightness=0.1'") |
| --verbose, -v | Show detailed progress information |
| --help, -? | Show help |#### Installation
The CLI tool is automatically installed when you install the package:
`bash
Install globally
npm install -g @profullstack/transcoderNow you can use the 'transcoder' command from anywhere
transcoder input.mp4 output.mp4 --preset youtube-hdOr use npx without installing
npx @profullstack/transcoder input.mp4 output.mp4 --preset youtube-hd
`When installed globally, you can use the
transcoder command from any directory:`bash
Basic usage
transcoder input.mp4 output.mp4With options
transcoder input.mp4 output.mp4 --preset youtube-hd --thumbnails 3Generate thumbnails only
transcoder --thumbnails-only input.mp4 --count 5Batch processing
transcoder --path ./videos --preset web --output-dir ./processed
`API Reference
$3
Transcodes a video file to web-friendly MP4 format.
Parameters:
-
inputPath (string): Path to the input video file
- outputPath (string): Path where the transcoded video will be saved
- options (object, optional): Transcoding options or preset name
- Can include a preset property with one of the predefined platform presets
- Can include a thumbnails property for generating thumbnails during transcodingReturns:
- Promise that resolves with an object containing:
-
outputPath (string): Path to the transcoded video
- emitter (TranscodeEmitter): Event emitter for progress tracking
- thumbnails (Array, optional): Array of thumbnail paths if thumbnails were requested
- metadata (Object, optional): Video metadata extracted from the input file
- format: Format information (duration, size, bitrate, etc.)
- video: Video stream information (codec, resolution, fps, etc.)
- audio: Audio stream information (codec, sample rate, channels, etc.)$3
Transcodes an audio file to another format with various enhancements. Can also extract audio from video files.
Parameters:
-
inputPath (string): Path to the input audio or video file
- outputPath (string): Path where the transcoded audio will be saved
- options (object, optional): Transcoding options or preset name
- Can include a preset property with one of the predefined audio presets
- Can include audio enhancement options like normalize, fadeIn, fadeOut, etc.Returns:
- Promise that resolves with an object containing:
-
outputPath (string): Path to the transcoded audio
- emitter (TranscodeEmitter): Event emitter for progress tracking
- metadata (Object, optional): Audio metadata extracted from the input file
- format: Format information (duration, size, bitrate, etc.)
- audio: Audio stream information (codec, sample rate, channels, etc.)$3
Transcodes an image file to another format with various transformations.
Parameters:
-
inputPath (string): Path to the input image file
- outputPath (string): Path where the transcoded image will be saved
- options (object, optional): Transcoding options or preset name
- Can include a preset property with one of the predefined image presets
- Can include transformation options like resize, rotate, crop, squarePad, etc.
- squarePad (boolean): Convert rectangular image to square with padding
- padColor (string): Color for padding (e.g., 'transparent', 'white', 'black')
- padSize (number): Additional padding size in pixelsReturns:
- Promise that resolves with an object containing:
-
outputPath (string): Path to the transcoded image
- emitter (TranscodeEmitter): Event emitter for progress tracking
- metadata (Object, optional): Image metadata extracted from the input file
- format: Format information (size, format name, etc.)
- image: Image information (width, height, codec, etc.)$3
Transcodes multiple images in batch with shared global options.
Parameters:
-
items (Arrayinput and output properties
- Each item can have an optional options property for image-specific options
- globalOptions (object, optional): Global options applied to all itemsReturns:
- Promise that resolves with an object containing:
-
successful (Array): Array of successfully transcoded images with metadata
- failed (Array): Array of failed operations with error messages$3
Processes all media files in a directory.
Parameters:
-
dirPath (string): Path to the directory containing media files
- batchOptions (object, optional): Batch processing options
- outputDir (string): Directory where processed files will be saved
- outputPrefix (string): Prefix to add to output filenames
- outputSuffix (string): Suffix to add to output filenames
- outputExtension (string): Extension for output files
- transcodeOptions (object): Options for transcoding (same as for single file transcoding)
- concurrency (number): Number of files to process concurrently
- scanOptions (object, optional): Options for scanning the directory
- mediaTypes (array): Media types to process ('video', 'audio', 'image')
- recursive (boolean): Whether to scan subdirectoriesReturns:
- Promise that resolves with an object containing:
-
results (object): Results of batch processing
- total (number): Total number of files processed
- successful (array): Array of successfully processed files with metadata
- failed (array): Array of failed operations with error messages
- emitter (BatchProcessEmitter): Event emitter for progress tracking$3
Attaches a terminal UI to a batch process emitter.
Parameters:
-
emitter (BatchProcessEmitter): Batch process emitter
- options (object, optional): Terminal UI optionsReturns:
- Terminal UI object with methods for updating the UI
$3
Generates thumbnails from a video file without transcoding.
Parameters:
-
inputPath (string): Path to the input video file
- outputDir (string): Directory where thumbnails will be saved
- options (object, optional): Thumbnail generation options
- count (number, default: 3): Number of thumbnails to generate
- format (string, default: 'jpg'): Image format ('jpg' or 'png')
- filenamePattern (string, default: 'thumbnail-%03d'): Pattern for thumbnail filenames
- timestamps (boolean, default: false): Whether to use specific timestamps instead of intervals
- timestampList (Array, default: []): List of timestamps (only used if timestamps is true)Returns:
- Promise that resolves with an array of thumbnail paths
$3
The emitter returned by the batchProcessDirectory function emits the following events:
-
start: Emitted when the batch processing starts
- Payload: { total: number }
- fileStart: Emitted when processing of a file starts
- Payload: { filePath: string, outputPath: string, mediaType: string, index: number }
- fileProgress: Emitted when FFmpeg reports progress for a file
- Payload: { percent: number }
- fileComplete: Emitted when processing of a file completes successfully
- Payload: { filePath: string, outputPath: string, mediaType: string, metadata: object, success: true }
- fileError: Emitted when processing of a file fails
- Payload: { filePath: string, error: string }
- progress: Emitted when overall batch progress updates
- Payload: { completed: number, total: number, percent: number }
- complete: Emitted when batch processing completes
- Payload: { total: number, completed: number, successful: array, failed: array }
- log: Emitted for log messages
- Payload: string$3
The emitter returned by the transcode function emits the following events:
-
start: Emitted when the transcoding process starts
- Payload: { command: string, args: string[] }
- progress: Emitted when FFmpeg reports progress
- Payload: { frame: number, fps: number, time: number, bitrate: number, size: number, speed: number }
- log: Emitted for each line of FFmpeg output
- Payload: string$3
An object containing the default transcoding options.
Options
The following options can be customized:
| Option | Type | Default | Description |
|--------|------|---------|-------------|
| preset | string | - | Platform preset name (e.g., 'instagram', 'youtube-hd', 'twitter') |
| thumbnails | object | - | Thumbnail generation options (see below) |
| watermark | object | - | Watermark options (see below) |
| audio | object | - | Audio enhancement options (see below) |
| videoCodec | string | 'libx264' | Video codec to use |
| audioCodec | string | 'aac' | Audio codec to use |
| videoBitrate | string | '1500k' | Video bitrate |
| audioBitrate | string | '128k' | Audio bitrate |
| width | number | -1 | Output width (use -1 to maintain aspect ratio) |
| height | number | -1 | Output height (use -1 to maintain aspect ratio) |
| fps | number | -1 | Frames per second (use -1 to maintain original fps) |
| preset | string | 'medium' | Encoding preset (ultrafast, superfast, veryfast, faster, fast, medium, slow, slower, veryslow) |
| profile | string | 'main' | H.264 profile (baseline, main, high) |
| level | string | '4.0' | H.264 level |
| pixelFormat | string | 'yuv420p' | Pixel format |
| movflags | string | '+faststart' | MP4 container flags |
| threads | number | 0 | Number of threads to use (0 = auto) |
| overwrite | boolean | false | Whether to overwrite existing output file |
Thumbnail Options:
| Option | Type | Default | Description |
|--------|------|---------|-------------|
| count | number | 3 | Number of thumbnails to generate |
| format | string | 'jpg' | Image format ('jpg' or 'png') |
| filenamePattern | string | 'thumbnail-%03d' | Pattern for thumbnail filenames |
| timestamps | boolean | false | Whether to use specific timestamps instead of intervals |
| timestampList | Array | [] | List of timestamps (only used if timestamps is true) |
Watermark Options:
| Option | Type | Default | Description |
|--------|------|---------|-------------|
| image | string | - | Path to image file to use as watermark |
| text | string | - | Text to use as watermark |
| position | string | 'bottomRight' | Position of the watermark (topLeft, topRight, bottomLeft, bottomRight, center) |
| opacity | number | 0.7 | Opacity of the watermark (0.0 to 1.0) |
| margin | number | 10 | Margin from the edge in pixels |
| fontSize | number | 24 | Font size for text watermark in pixels |
| fontColor | string | 'white' | Font color for text watermark |
| fontFile | string | - | Path to font file for text watermark (if not specified, will try to find a system font) |
| boxColor | string | - | Background box color for text watermark (e.g., "black@0.5" for semi-transparent black) |
Audio Enhancement Options:
| Option | Type | Default | Description |
|--------|------|---------|-------------|
| normalize | boolean | false | Whether to normalize audio levels for consistent volume |
| noiseReduction | number | 0 | Noise reduction amount (0.0 to 1.0, higher values = more reduction) |
| fadeIn | number | 0 | Fade in duration in seconds |
| fadeOut | number | 0 | Fade out duration in seconds |
| volume | number | 1.0 | Volume adjustment factor (1.0 = original volume) |
Note: When using a platform preset, the
preset option refers to the platform name (e.g., 'instagram'). The FFmpeg encoding preset (e.g., 'medium', 'slow') is still configurable but is included in each platform preset with appropriate values.How It Works
This module uses Node.js's built-in
child_process.spawn() to call FFmpeg with appropriate parameters to transcode the video. It parses the FFmpeg output to provide real-time progress updates through an event emitter. The module does not store any files itself but simply passes through to FFmpeg.Testing
$3
The module includes a script to generate a 5-second test video for manual testing purposes:
`bash
Generate test media
pnpm generate-test-video
pnpm generate-test-audioRun the basic example with the test video
pnpm exampleRun the Smart Presets example
pnpm example:presetsRun the Thumbnail Generation example
pnpm example:thumbnailsRun the Audio Transcoding example
pnpm example:audioRun the Image Transcoding example
pnpm example:imageRun the Square Padding example
pnpm example:squareRun the Batch Processing example
pnpm example:batchRun the CLI Examples script
pnpm example:cli
`This will:
1. Create a tiny 2-second test video (320x240) in .mov format in the
test-videos/input directory
2. Transcode it to MP4 format in the test-videos/output directory
3. Run the example file that demonstrates basic usage and custom options$3
The module includes Mocha tests for automated testing:
`bash
Run the automated tests
pnpm test
`The module includes the following test files:
-
test/transcode.test.js - Tests for the core transcoding functionality
- test/presets.test.js - Tests for the Smart Presets feature
- test/thumbnails.test.js - Tests for the Thumbnail Generation feature
- test/watermarking.test.js - Tests for the Watermarking feature
- test/trimming.test.js - Tests for the Video Trimming feature
- test/responsive.test.js - Tests for the Responsive Video Profiles feature
- test/audio.test.js - Tests for the Audio Transcoding feature
- test/image.test.js - Tests for the Image Transcoding feature
- test/batch.test.js - Tests for the Batch Processing feature
- test/terminal-ui.test.js - Tests for the Terminal UI feature$3
The module includes a script with common CLI use cases that you can run to see the transcoder in action:
`bash
Run the CLI examples script
pnpm example:cli
`This script demonstrates various use cases for the CLI tool:
1. Basic transcoding
2. Using a preset (YouTube HD)
3. Custom resolution and bitrate
4. Generate thumbnails during transcoding
5. Generate thumbnails only (no transcoding)
6. Add a watermark
7. Trim a video
8. Audio transcoding - MP3 to AAC
9. Audio transcoding - Extract audio from video
10. Image transcoding - JPEG to WebP
11. Image transcoding - Square padding
12. Batch process all videos in a directory
13. Batch process with recursive directory scanning
14. Batch process with output filename customization
15. Batch process with concurrent processing
16. Batch process specific media types
17. Batch process audio files
18. Batch process image files
You can also run the script directly:
`bash
./examples/example.sh
``These tests verify the core functionality of the module, including error handling, option processing, preset handling, thumbnail generation, watermarking, trimming, responsive profiles, audio transcoding, and image transcoding.
MIT