Hi! I’m looking for an open-source, preferably FOSS video transcoding web interface.

I would like the transcoding to be done on the server side, be secured by a password if possible (so people don’t 100% the server), and I want no data sharing. Most important feature: must allow web uploads. I don’t want to automate transcoding, or transcode files that are in the server: I want clients to be able to upload their media and get it transcoded.

The transcoding aspect is important: not just a change in container / file extension, but a real transcoding (changing video codec). Being able to change the bitrate is a plus.

I’ve been looking at many projects and most are sadly either too simple for my needs (only container change, no real ability to choose the codec, or unchangeable bitrate), or focused on files that are already on the server.

(something like a ffmpeg web UI that runs on the server would be great)

Thanks :)

  • MajesticElevator@lemmy.zipOPEnglish
    21·
    21 hours ago

    The finality isn’t that important here. I basically want ffmpeg, running on my server.

    Input: video file from local storage of the device that browses the website. Any container or codec. On the web UI I can choose the output container I want, the codec I want, the bitrate/or quality setting.

    Output: transcoded file available to download for a short period of time. Then, input and outputs are wiped. They should only stay for the duration of the transcoding (for the input), and for a really short period of time, like 30mins, the time that the device that browsed the website downloads it (for the output).

    Jellyfin is more of a streaming server. I don’t need that: no apps on the device that needs the service, no bloat, no streaming. Just ffmpeg online and simplified.

    I just want to fuck around with encoding, converting or compressing my file on any device I have on the go, without having to download software. You see those file converters online? I want that, but with more settings and self hosted.

    I know what you’re trying to do, and no, I don’t want to automate file conversion from a file to another and stuff.

    If you’re looking for a tool where you once in awhile may choose a certain video to transcode into something else, setup a pipeline service, and send the files to that service to transcode them, but you’ll be limited by needing to know where and what it needs to processed as input, and then the outputs

    That’s a bit more like what I want, but I’m actually asking if there is anything that would suit my needs and requirements

    • just_another_person@lemmy.worldEnglish
      32·
      21 hours ago

      I’m not “trying to do” anything but explain the different workflows. Again, I’ve given you solutions, but there isn’t any self-hosted thing in the way you’re asking about. Just find a handbrake UI or an ffmpeg frontend if that’s all you’re looking for.

      The question is more about the WHY you need to transcode anything when you already have many better options available to you?

      • MajesticElevator@lemmy.zipOPEnglish
        1·
        20 hours ago

        I haven’t found anything that suits my needs as stated.

        The main reasons why I need to transcode:

        • some software don’t support anything other than X formats/codecs (discord doesn’t display previews for VP9 files for example…)
        • some devices don’t support specific codecs natively
        • I want to fulfill all use cases. If I ever want to do something that’s not covered by handbrake (ex: can’t FTP to the server and upload the files I want to transcode).
        • I want simplicity: avoid complicated bridges and installing many things
        • i want it to be easily shareable and accessible: the client shouldn’t have to download an app, a software. Web browsers are easy and everyone has one. Normies use those online converters for a reason: they’re lazy and can’t be bothered to install things. They’ll take the easier route
        • if a file takes too much space (ex: on my phone), I want to be able to do encode it to HEVC without having to install software or sending it to my computer)
            • just_another_person@lemmy.worldEnglish
              21·
              14 hours ago

              I did. You’ve been told no such thing exists multiple times already. I’m just giving you options for what DOES exist. Fuck me, right?

              • MajesticElevator@lemmy.zipOPEnglish
                11·
                14 hours ago

                VLC is anything but intuitive and I’m pretty sure you can’t encode media and save it on your computer, and for sure not on mobile devices

                • just_another_person@lemmy.worldEnglish
                  11·
                  14 hours ago

                  That’s exactly what VLC’s main purpose is. Have you even looked at it? It’s one of the most intuitive front-ends to transcoding out there. Desktop, mobile, and web.

                  • MajesticElevator@lemmy.zipOPEnglish
                    1·
                    5 hours ago

                    I guess I never found out how to do that. I’ve been using VLC for many years and never found a way to encode a file to something else, change its bitrate, and save to disk. It doesn’t work on iOS for sure.