transcode

Linux video stream processing tool

TLDR

Transcode a video file with a specific export module

$ transcode -i [input.avi] -y [xvid] -o [output.avi]

Transcode with explicit import and export modules

$ transcode -i [input.vob] -x [vob] -y [xvid,lame] -o [output.avi]

Extract audio to a separate file

$ transcode -i [video.avi] -y null,tcaud -m [audio.mp3]

Resize video using filtered zoom

$ transcode -i [input.avi] -Z [640x480] -y [xvid] -o [output.avi]

Set video bitrate and encode a specific frame range

$ transcode -i [input.avi] -w [1500] -c [0-5000] -y [xvid] -o [output.avi]

Crop 16 pixels from top and bottom of the video

$ transcode -i [input.avi] -j [16,0] -y [xvid] -o [output.avi]

SYNOPSIS

transcode -i input [-o output] [-y exportmodule] [options_]

transcode is a Linux video stream processing tool for converting between video and audio formats. It uses a modular architecture with separate import and export modules for different codecs and containers.The tool supports filtering operations including resizing, cropping, deinterlacing, and volume adjustment. It can extract audio tracks separately and perform multi-pass encoding for better quality. Transcode has been largely superseded by FFmpeg, which offers broader format support and more active development.

PARAMETERS

-i FILE

Input file (required). The only mandatory option.

-o FILE

Output file.

-x MODULE

Import module (e.g., vob, dvd, raw). Determines how input is decoded.

-y MODULE[,AMODULE]

Export module for video, optionally with a separate audio export module (e.g., xvid,lame).

-Z WxH[,MODE]

Resize video using zoom. Append "fast" for fast zoom mode (e.g., 640x480,fast).

-j TOP,LEFT[,BOTTOM,RIGHT]

Crop pixels from the image borders. Two values are expanded symmetrically.

-w BITRATE

Video encoder bitrate in kbps.

-b BITRATE

Audio encoder bitrate in kbps.

-m FILE

Write audio output to a separate file.

-p FILE

Read audio from an external file instead of the main input.

-c RANGE

Encode only the specified frame range (e.g., 0-5000 or 0:05:00-0:10:00).

-s FACTOR

Adjust audio volume by the given factor (e.g., 4.47 to increase).

-R N[,FILE]

Multi-pass encoding. Use -R 1 for first pass and -R 2 for second pass.

-T TITLE

Select a DVD title to process.

--multi_input

Enable batch processing of multiple input files.

CAVEATS

Legacy tool no longer actively developed. FFmpeg is generally preferred for new projects. The modular architecture means available codecs depend on which modules are installed. The only mandatory option is -i; all others are discretionary.