Code with Me: How to Build an FFMPEG Video Compression Utility in Python

TL;DR

The Python utility is designed to compress archived video footage automatically while retaining the quality needed for future use. The streamer aims to reduce a 1GB file to roughly 200–300MB and eventually run the script as a cron job for footage older than three months. Read on for details about the file-scanning logic, development setup, storage problem, and intended automation.

Transcript

all right let's see if this works first time running on Linux hopefully everything runs smoothly and I seem to have got it up alright it's been a while since I last streamed actually it's been a very long time since I last stream and this is going to be a new code with me for Python now let me tell you guys the reason why I'm planning the stream wh... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤳 The streamer is self-taught in Python programming and aims to create a utility for compressing video files, reflecting a common need among content creators to manage storage efficiently.
• 🧑‍💻 Their experience highlights the challenges of hardware failures in tech-centric workflows, showcasing the importance of backup systems and alternative devices like laptops.
• 🫵 Streaming programming can be a valuable method for sharing knowledge and insights with viewers, fostering community engagement around coding practices.
• 💗 The discussion around home servers and Raspberry Pi hints at the growing interest in DIY technology solutions among streaming audiences.
• 🎏 The streamer expresses interest in creating a series of streams focused on different coding projects, indicating a desire to cultivate a more organized content approach.
• 💬 Viewer interactions play a significant role in enhancing the streaming experience, as the streamer addresses questions and comments that enrich the conversation.
• 😀 The stream encompasses troubleshooting and debugging practices, showcasing real-time coding challenges faced by programmers, making it a genuine learning opportunity for viewers.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can FFMPEG video compression be automated with Python?

The streamer plans to write a Python utility that scans stored video files and compresses qualifying footage. The finished script is intended to run as a cron job and automatically process footage older than three months.

Q: What is the goal of the Python video compression utility?

The utility is meant to reduce the space occupied by old footage from 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 while preserving usable archival copies. The streamer wants to keep B-roll and other footage that may be useful later without retaining every file at full quality.

Q: How much smaller could the compressed video files become?

The streamer estimates that a 1GB video file could potentially be reduced to about 200–300MB. The goal is to retain the needed footage without losing much quality.

Q: How does the Python script find video files to compress?

The streamer imports Python's OS module to work through the file system. They experiment with OS walk and a for loop, then print directories and files to confirm that the script is traversing the archive correctly.

Q: Which editor and operating system are used for the Python project?

The program is written in Visual Studio Code on a Linux laptop. The streamer describes this as their first time setting up Linux with OBS for streaming, since they usually stream from Windows.

Q: Why is the streamer coding on a Linux laptop instead of the desktop?

The desktop is unusable because the CPU water pump failed. Since the cooling loop covers both the GPU and CPU, the hardware problem also prevents the streamer from editing footage on that computer.

Q: Why automate the compression instead of using HandBrake manually?

The streamer acknowledges that HandBrake would work, but wants a simple script that can handle thousands of video files automatically. The intended system would periodically compress older footage without requiring manual processing or a Windows machine.

Q: Where does the streamer plan to run the automated compression script?

The script is intended for a storage system that is powerful enough to process the streamer's content archive. The streamer also says a simple script like this could run from a Raspberry Pi rather than requiring a Windows system.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The streamer discusses their first experience streaming on Linux after encountering issues with their main computer, which is currently non-operational due to hardware failure.

• They plan to create a Python program to compress old video footage to save hard drive space while maintaining video quality for archival purposes.

• The stream involves explaining their coding process using Visual Studio Code, addressing viewer questions, and sharing insights about home servers and compression tools.