Video Playback and Exporting

[godly]

Originally Posted by Dstruct

A crippled version is included in REAPER.

Thx.
So what is the solution?

[Dstruct]

I'm using the shared builds from https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/

[godly]

Originally Posted by Dstruct

I'm using the shared builds from https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/

replace the dll in reaper?

[Dstruct]

Not needed. Just copy the DLLs to a supported folder.

[godly]

Originally Posted by Dstruct

Not needed. Just copy the DLLs to a supported folder.

ok let me try that, I hope it will solve my high CPu problem at playback, before my upcoming concert within 2 weeks.

[Reaktor:[Dave]]

The info about the non-free version of ffmpeg is not up to date. Using Reaper 5.7, I have to copy all dll files to the plugin folder. It is not enough to copy the libraries avcodec, avformat, avutil and swscale.

Also, I can report that the latest version of ffmpeg compatible with Reaper is v3.4.1 (https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/wi...n64-shared.zip). Using the nightly from Februrary 1st (https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/wi...n64-shared.zip) does not work as Reaper will simply ignore these libraries.

[sqweek]

Originally Posted by Reaktor:[Dave]

Also, I can report that the latest version of ffmpeg compatible with Reaper is v3.4.1 (https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/wi...n64-shared.zip). Using the nightly from Februrary 1st (https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/wi...n64-shared.zip) does not work as Reaper will simply ignore these libraries.

Ah I wish I had found this last week - I just came to report the same thing as the most recent zeranoe build wasn't recognised by reaper, but the oldest one was. Thanks for nailing down the version - I suspect that reaper supports avcodec-57.dll but not avcodec-58.dll?

[ADDIKTION]

Same here, thank you so much Dave.

Question:
How do we know when Reaper can support latest ffmpeg?

Seems a bit strange that we rely on this for video features but it is so hard to find info about.

[Reaktor:[Dave]]

Originally Posted by Reaktor:[Dave]

The info about the non-free version of ffmpeg is not up to date. Using Reaper 5.7, I have to copy all dll files to the plugin folder. It is not enough to copy the libraries avcodec, avformat, avutil and swscale.

Also, I can report that the latest version of ffmpeg compatible with Reaper is v3.4.1 (https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/wi...n64-shared.zip). Using the nightly from Februrary 1st (https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/wi...n64-shared.zip) does not work as Reaper will simply ignore these libraries.

airon, could you update your first post? The setup of ffmpeg on windows does not work like this anymore.

[airon]

Done.

The wiki is screwed atm. I cannot edit pages as the captcha stuff is inaccessible to me because it's unencrypted :P .

[Reaktor:[Dave]]

Great! This will be helpful for everybody working with video. Thank you so much for this thread!

[EpicSounds]

hey Airon

Link to VLC in first post is wrong, V3 is not compatible yet.

2.2.8 is what we need to use
http://download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/2.2.8/

[airon]

Thanks. Fixed.

In fact, all of this was fixed in the post I'd prepared for the Wiki. I checked this morning and I can no longer login either, because the Captcha system is shut down. I've sent word to Cockos support about this. I hope they fix it soon.

[airon]

The wiki page is finally updated. A different captcha system is now in use .

https://wiki.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/Video_Support

[tombuur]

I simply can't make Reaper work with video. I have been all over the place and there is lots of technical stuff, just confusing. There are links to installing VLC which leads to a bunch of files, so which one(s) of those to install for Win10 and Reaper both 64 bit?

I tried one VLC and as a standalone it seems to work, but not with Reaper.

Then I opened the dreaded Cubase 9.5 which worked right away with the video media. Unfortunately I have all audio I need for this project in Reaper ... This whole things just reminds of what a DIY DAW Reaper is. Very capable and modifiable, but you have to do a lot of tinkering yourself.

Could someone please explain the process of installing codecs and whatever is needed to make Reaper cope with video. In a simple step by step way, please.

[Jeronimo]

Originally Posted by tombuur

I simply can't make Reaper work with video. I have been all over the place and there is lots of technical stuff, just confusing. There are links to installing VLC which leads to a bunch of files, so which one(s) of those to install for Win10 and Reaper both 64 bit?

I tried one VLC and as a standalone it seems to work, but not with Reaper.

Then I opened the dreaded Cubase 9.5 which worked right away with the video media. Unfortunately I have all audio I need for this project in Reaper ... This whole things just reminds of what a DIY DAW Reaper is. Very capable and modifiable, but you have to do a lot of tinkering yourself.

Could someone please explain the process of installing codecs and whatever is needed to make Reaper cope with video. In a simple step by step way, please.

Weird... it's just WORKS for me here... both MacOS or Win10 :/
What kind of issues are you facing?

[EpicSounds]

current links for Windows users

reaper 5.93 + VLC 3 (64) + FFMPEG

VLC for decoding media

FFMPEG for encoding h.264

[ADDIKTION]

Hi guys,

Regarding portable VLC for portable Reaper - Windows 10

I have the VLC portable build.
Does anyone know what to copy where in the Reaper portable tree, for that to work?

Can't find any doc on this.

Cheers

[airon]

Originally Posted by tombuur

I simply can't make Reaper work with video. I have been all over the place and there is lots of technical stuff, just confusing. There are links to installing VLC which leads to a bunch of files, so which one(s) of those to install for Win10 and Reaper both 64 bit?

I tried one VLC and as a standalone it seems to work, but not with Reaper.

Then I opened the dreaded Cubase 9.5 which worked right away with the video media. Unfortunately I have all audio I need for this project in Reaper ... This whole things just reminds of what a DIY DAW Reaper is. Very capable and modifiable, but you have to do a lot of tinkering yourself.

Could someone please explain the process of installing codecs and whatever is needed to make Reaper cope with video. In a simple step by step way, please.

If it's Windows. perhaps it is this problem :

Windows users need to download the 32-bit version of VLC if they're using the 32-bit version of Reaper and the 64-bit version of VLC if they're using the 64-bit version of Reaper.

Please also keep in mind that VLC v3 and up only just got supported in Reaper v5.93. So that may have been the problem.

Please let us know how it goes or whether it's a different problem.


You can always check what Reaper is using by checking the Source Properties (CTRL+F2 default shortcut) of the video item.


Sidenote, I've updated the Wiki page for video support to reflect that v3.0.3 of VLC is now supported, as well as that FFMPEG v4 is going to be supported in all likelihood in v5.94 of Reaper.

[tombuur]

I got VLC 3 working with Reaper 5.93. I tried first with an earlier version of VLC recommended here. Didn't work. Only 64-bit stuff on both sides.

Don't know about FFMPEG what to do with it. Ended up getting the video done with some back and forth between Reaper and ACDSee Video 3. Can't recommend that one for video editing after having tried it.

[JEL]

Originally Posted by JamesPeters

If by that you're referring to "program files/REAPER/plugins" (it seems to be, since you refer to the ffmpeg.dll file)...

No, that folder is not meant for anything other than what is installed with Reaper. Do not put any files into that folder. Also that is not the dll you would be putting onto your hard drive. There are actually several dlls of ffmpeg which are required, and none of them are named that. (The default version 1 ffmpeg included in Reaper is named that but not later versions that you would be installing, and also you would be leaving that file alone anyway.)

Look through the manual for how to install a current version of ffmpeg. Currently, page 421/422.

I stand corrected.

I set up the ffmpeg-video for reaper on my own drive a long time ago and apparently my memory on how I did it has fogged up over time and played a trick on me.

I searched through the folders and saw the ffmpeg.dll and just assumed I had put it there myself (I did something similar with the "libmp3lame.dll", except now that I look, that file is placed in "Program Files (x86)\REAPER\UserPlugins". So maybe that's why I thought what I did about the ffmpeg.dll)

Sorry for the confusion and wrong advice.

[JHughes]

Reaper 5.941 64 bit portable @ 96kHz 24 bit

Playing wmv files using these: http://aegiscorp.free.fr/ffmpeg/
causes flamming and distorted audio. The same file works fine in Windows player. avi and mov files work OK.

Video: 1024x576@29.97fps, Aspect=1.00, Decoding format=I420/YV12
Audio: 44100Hz 2ch 32bps

Using ffmpeg/libav DLL decoder v54.42.100
Video: wmv3 (Main) (WMV3 / 0x33564D57), yuv420p, 1024x576, 1000 kb/s
Audio: wmapro (b[1][0][0] / 0x0162), 44100 Hz, stereo, flt, 440 kb/s


Ones from here seem OK: https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/win64/shared/
Length: 6:02.361
Video: 1024x576@29.97fps, Aspect=1.00, Decoding format=I420/YV12
Audio: 44100Hz 2ch 32bps

Using ffmpeg/libav DLL decoder v58.9.100
Video: wmv3 (Main) (WMV3 / 0x33564D57), yuv420p, 1024x576, 1000 kb/s
Audio: wmapro (b[1][0][0] / 0x0162), 44100 Hz, stereo, fltp, 440 kb/s

[DANIELE]

Does this happened to someone else?

[Phroneris]

vlc-3.0.4-win64 and ffmpeg-4.0.2-win64-shared seem working fine in my REAPER v5.95/x64 (Windows7 64bit).

[airon]

Thank you for the report Phroneris.


I have the pleasure of reporting that Reaper, as of yesterday, has significant performance improvements for video playback and scrubbing.

Head on over to the pre-release forum to check out this new release and report any feedback in the appropriate thread.

For me, working incredibly well are :
Quicktime / Prores Proxy at 540p, 720p and 1080p @23.976, 24, 25 and 29.97 fps. I have yet to test other configurations.

Another user has reported excellent performance with the DNxHD codec.

H264 video is working much better too now, though people editing sound to a video reference are encouraged to use Quicktime Prores or DNxHD. TEncoder64 can produce the Quicktime/Prores Proxy files easily and very quickly.


As soon as these improvements are in a new official release of Reaper, I'll update the WIKI page.

[fbeauvaisc]

Results from best to worst all of them pretty good :

1- DNxHR(AVdh) 1280x720 = Super Fast response and butter smooth seeking - Average file Size

2- Motion JPEG Video (MJPG) 1280x720 = Very fast, great seeking performance - Average file size

3- h.264 - MPEG-4 AVC 1280x720 = Very fast, good seeking - small file size

Great job guys!

[fbeauvaisc]

New test with film from client.

ProRes Proxy (apco)
1920x1080
23,976
4:2:2YUV 10 bit LE


Excellent results with v5.963+dev1128

[insub]

Is VLC 3.0.x compatible or not?
This thread indicates 2.8 but wiki indicates 3.0.3, which is it? (Latest is 3.0.6)

Also, which folder should the FFMPEG dll's go in Windows 10?
This thread indicates program installation plugin folder (C:\Program Files\REAPER (x64)\Plugins) but wiki indicates to place it in the UserPlugins folder in Reaper Resource Path (C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\REAPER\User Plugins). Appears to work from either location, but which is preferred?

[JamesPeters]

Originally Posted by insub

Also, which folder should the FFMPEG dll's go in Windows 10?
This thread indicates program installation plugin folder (C:\Program Files\REAPER (x64)\Plugins)

No it doesn't. Never install anything to the Reaper folders in the program files directory. Follow the instructions in the current user guide on pages 421/422.

As for VLC: I use Linux now so I can't answer that specific question.

[airon]

VLC 3.x.x works.


The most recent pre-release 5.966 pre1 has MASSIVE improvements for video playback(and everything else video-wise).


Check it out via the pre-release forum.

[insub]

Originally Posted by airon

Exporing to non-free formats like H264 in MP4 containers[INDENT]MP4 video files use AAC audio content. Many folkes use that when uploading to Youtube. Reapers video encoding speed is limited, unless you're using MacOS and the AVFoundation encoder.

For everyone else, it's easier to export to a free lossless format and then transcode that with the highly effective and fast free tool Handbrake.

Target format : MP4 container with H264 video and AAC audio

How to get there : Render lossless video and audio in Reaper and encode final MP4 with the free tool Handbrake.

Get Handbrake here for Windows or OSX : http://handbrake.fr
It comes with many encoding presets for devices and online video sites.

First, render your video with the following settings in Reaper :

MKV container, HUFFYUV video codec, 24 bit PCM audio

This will produce a rather large file. Check your video dimensions and frame rate before starting the render, so they match the source video in your timeline. The small arrow box on the right lets you pick various resolutions, frame rates or the resolution and frame rate of the source video.

Now use that resulting file as a source video in Handbrake, pick your preset and where Handbrake should save your video, and off you go.

Is this strictly a time-saving tip, or is there some quality/file size advantage to this method as well?

Because, on my system, Reaper seems to take about the same amount of time to render the MKV/HUFYUV/PCM as it does the MOV/H264/AAC files. The marginal time saved using the MKV method gets lost tenfold once switching to Handbrake for final encode. At least this is my experience with standard definition video.

[DANIELE]

VLC 4.0 on the way...

[airon]

Originally Posted by insub

Is this strictly a time-saving tip, or is there some quality/file size advantage to this method as well?

Because, on my system, Reaper seems to take about the same amount of time to render the MKV/HUFYUV/PCM as it does the MOV/H264/AAC files. The marginal time saved using the MKV method gets lost tenfold once switching to Handbrake for final encode. At least this is my experience with standard definition video.

Sorry about the late reply.


The big thing about using Handbrake is that you get access to all the features of FFMPEG, including H265 and in the near future AC1 encoding. Handbrake can use ALL CPU cores.


The codec for Export in Reaper I'd most like to see supported is actually a Quicktime container with the ProRes high quality codecs such as HQ and so on.Those kinds of codecs are used for Blueray sources, and they're very fast.


The limit here is often the disk writing speed when exporting from Reaper to a codec that uses lots of space. It's almost never the CPU. That's what Handbrake is for, since Reaper is so bad at this. It's not a fully fledge video application after all. I get better encoding speeds and results with Davinci Resolve.


If you have a fast, reasonably large disk, I'd stick to MKV/Huffyuv, or Quicktime Prores once Reaper supports that. Handbrake just has too many good screws to turn and a very good preset system.

[airon]

Originally Posted by DANIELE

VLC 4.0 on the way...

Judging by the presentation video, the timing issues might be a thing of the past when decoding fuckin' garbage like MP4/H264 with AAC sound.


I'm still damn happy we even have VLC. Simplifies video playback for most users tremendously.