ffmpeg-bitstream-filters

ffmpeg-bitstream-filters [options]

-h, -?, -help
    Display help summary and exit

-v
    Increase output verbosity (repeatable for higher levels)

-loglevel level
    Set logging verbosity
Values: quiet, panic, fatal, error, warning, info, verbose, debug, trace

The ffmpeg-bitstream-filters command is a diagnostic utility from the FFmpeg multimedia framework that displays all bitstream filters (BSF) supported by the installed FFmpeg build. Bitstream filters process raw codec bitstreams at the packet level, enabling tasks like header manipulation, metadata injection, packet trimming, or format conversions before muxing or transmission.

Common use cases include adapting H.264 streams from MP4 (AVC) to Annex B for MPEG-TS, removing SEI messages, or extracting NAL units from HEVC. Each filter handles specific codecs or formats, such as h264_mp4toannexb, hevc_metadata, or noise.

Executing the command outputs a formatted list with filter names and brief descriptions, aiding quick reference during command construction. Names are directly usable with FFmpeg's -bsf, -bsf:v, or -bsf:a options. This tool helps verify build features without parsing logs or docs, essential for cross-platform scripting or troubleshooting codec issues.

Output varies by FFmpeg configuration, reflecting enabled libraries like libx264 or x265.

Filter availability depends on FFmpeg compile flags, external libs (e.g., libx265), and version; not all filters work with every codec/stream type.

h264_mp4toannexb
Convert H.264 bitstream from AVC to Annex B (MPEG-TS).

hevc_mp4toannexb
Convert HEVC bitstream from length-prefixed to Annex B.

noise
Inject noise to H.264/H.265 bitstream for testing.

Use listed filters: ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v copy -bsf:v h264_mp4toannexb output.ts
Converts H.264 for TS muxing.

Multiple: -bsf:v h264_metadata=video_full_range_flag=1,setts.

Part of FFmpeg since ~0.6 (2008) as build-query tools; expanded with codec growth (H.265 in 2013+, AV1 later). Tracks FFmpeg's evolution from MPlayer fork (2000).

ffmpeg(1), ffmpeg-filters(1), ffmpeg-codecs(1), ffprobe(1)