FFmpeg Tutorial and Installation How To

This tutorial will help you install and configure FFmpeg on an EliteRAX dedicated server or MaxVPS Virtual Private Server. If you're a NEXCESS.NET shared or reseller hosting client, then you can submit a ticket to have us setup FFmpeg for you on your server.

FFmpeg is an application that allows you to record, convert and stream audio and video. It includes libavcodec, the leading audio/video codec library. A list of features can be found here. FFmpeg is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL). However, FFmpeg incorporates several optional modules that are covered by the GNU General Public License (GPL), notably libpostproc and libswscale.

Make sure your host supports FFmpeg! All our dedicated servers support FFmpeg. If you're not a NEXCESS.NET client, then you can check the minimum requirements for FFmpeg on their website.

1. Connect via SSH to your server
   The first step is to connect to your server using SSH (Secure Shell). Your SSH login info was included in the welcome email that was sent to you when your ordered your EliteRAX or MaxVPS server. If you are not familiar with SSH please visit our SSH tutorial page. If you are on an EliteRAX server, then type sudo bash after loggin in.
2. Configure yum
   The most convenient way to install FFmpeg is to use yum. FFmpeg is located in the DAG repository. If you have not added the DAG repository, at the command line type the following command: nano -w /etc/yum.repos.d/dag.repo Then in the nano editor type the following: [dag]
   name=Dag RPM Repository for Red Hat Enterprise Linux
   baseurl=http://apt.sw.be/redhat/el$releasever/en/$basearch/dag
   gpgcheck=1
   enabled=1 To save your changes, hit ctrl+x. A message will appear "Save modified buffer (ANSWERING "No" WILL DESTROY CHANGES) ?" hit the y button to save. A message will appear "File Name to Write: /etc/yum.repos.d/dag.repo " hit the Enter button to accept. You should now be at the command line once again.
3. Install FFmpeg using yum
   In order to properly install files from the DAG Repo and not get a NOKEY warning from RPM, or a gpg signature error when using yum please type: wget http://dag.wieers.com/packages/RPM-GPG-KEY.dag.txt Then type: rpm --import RPM-GPG-KEY.dag.txt Now we have to tell yum to find ffmpeg in the repository, to do this simply type the following command at the prompt: yum search ffmpeg Yum will list all the different builds of FFmpeg. You can select a particular one you want or simply type: yum install ffmpeg Yum will find the most suitable build for your hardware. You will be prompted to accept the installation of other ffmpeg requirements. Please do so and wait for the install to finish. When the installation is finished you will get a confirmation of what packages were installed.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed FFmpeg. If you are a NEXCESS.NET web hosting cliet and run into any problems installing or using FFmpeg, please feel free to submit a ticket and will help you out!

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