How to Trim and Split Video Files Using ffmpeg on Ubuntu

How to Trim and Split Video Files Using ffmpeg on Ubuntu

Are you looking to trim and split videos in Ubuntu without installing any additional software? Whether you want to edit your videos for professional projects or personal use, Ubuntu offers powerful command line video editing tools that make the process efficient and straightforward. In this guide, we’ll show you how to leverage the versatility of FFmpeg, a robust multimedia framework, to perform video trimming and splitting directly from the terminal. With our step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn the essentials of video processing in Ubuntu and discover useful Ubuntu tips for handling your multimedia files. Get ready to master Linux video tools and enjoy no software video editing like a pro. Welcome to our comprehensive Ubuntu video editing guide!

`ffmpeg` is a powerful and versatile command-line tool for processing multimedia files. In this tutorial, we’ll cover various scenarios for trimming and splitting video files using `ffmpeg` on Ubuntu.

Prerequisites

Ensure you have `ffmpeg` installed on your system. If not, you can install it using the following command:

Certainly If command not working, you can install it using the following commands:

This ensures that your system’s package list is up-to-date and that you have the latest upgrades installed before installing `ffmpeg`.

Scenario 1: Splitting a Video File into Parts of Approximately Equal Size

To split a video into parts of approximately equal size by duration, use the `ffmpeg` command with the `-segment_time` option.

Example:

File Name: `example_video.mp4`
Let Total Size: 22.6 GB
Required Size: ~6GB per part
Total Duration: 3 hours (03:00:00)

Command:

This will create files named `example_video_part0.mp4`, `example_video_part1.mp4`, `example_video_part2.mp4`, etc., each approximately 45 minutes long.

Scenario 2: Splitting a Video from the 35th Minute Onwards or Trim the Video and exclude first 35th Minute

To split a video starting from the 35th minute, use the `ffmpeg` command with the `-ss` option:

Example:
File Name: `example_video.mp4`
Start Time: 00:35:00

Command:

This will create a new file named `example_video_from_35min.mp4` starting from the 35th minute.

Scenario 3: Excluding the Last 25 Minutes from a Video

To exclude the last 25 minutes from a video, calculate the new end time and use the `ffmpeg` command with the `-to` option.

Example:
File Name: `example_video.mp4`
Total Duration: 03:25:00
New End Time: 03:00:00 (excluding the last 25 minutes)

Command:

This will create a new file named `example_video_excl_last_25min.mp4` that includes content from the beginning up to 3 hours.

Scenario 4: Splitting a Video into Fixed Intervals

To split a video into fixed intervals, use the `ffmpeg` command with the `-segment_time` option.

Example:
File Name: `example_video.mp4`
Interval: 10 minutes (00:10:00)

Command:

This will create files named `example_video_part000.mp4`, `example_video_part001.mp4`, `example_video_part002.mp4`, etc., each containing 10-minute segments of the original video.

In conclusion, trimming and splitting videos in Ubuntu using the command line is a powerful and efficient way to manage your multimedia files without relying on additional software. By mastering the use of FFmpeg and other Linux video tools, you can achieve precise video manipulation in Ubuntu directly from the terminal. This approach not only saves system resources but also enhances your understanding of command line video editing. We hope this guide has provided you with valuable Ubuntu tips and empowered you to perform no software video editing with confidence. Happy editing, and enjoy the seamless experience of video processing in Ubuntu!

`ffmpeg` is a versatile tool for video processing. With the commands provided in this tutorial, you can easily trim and split video files as needed. Whether you’re splitting files into specific sizes, trimming the beginning or end, starting from a specific time, or dividing into fixed intervals, `ffmpeg` offers a robust solution for all your video processing needs.

Feel free to adjust the file names, times, and sizes to fit your specific requirements. Happy video editing!