using ffmpeg to extract the elementary stream and play in mplayer

Assuming you'd like to extract audio and video from the file "input.file".

First identify the contents of "input.file" with:
$ ffmeg -i input.file

ffmpeg dumps information on the audio and video streams contained in the input file

Now extract the audio and video and audio contents as below:
$ ffmpeg -i input.file -vcodec copy -an video_only.extn
$ ffmpeg -i input.file -acodec copy -vn audio_only.extn

Of course, adjust the file extensions (.extn) based on what you see in the information dump seen after executing the first command above.

See http://ffmpeg.org/ffmpeg.html for more detailed options

Hi Sanjeev Premi,

It works fine. It is really easy. Can I get the elementary stream? I tried the .es or .264. Both are not working.

Best Regards,

Philip Lee

I haven't used these options but, you may want to try if either help you:
* -f 264 (or other format that you are looking for).
* -f rawvideo
Do checkout detailed options in the ffmpeg documentation.

It seems working now. Thks.

I tried a method to use the ffmpeg -i xxxxx.mp4 -vcodec copy -acodec -f h264 output.264. It convert a file but it doesn't a H.264 elementary stream. I have a few questions about this.

1. H.264 Elementary streams include SEI, SPS, PPS and also the Coded Slice of an IDR picture and Coded  Slice of a Non-IDR picture. Are these in the original .mp4 files?

2. The output of the VLC converted file included all these but I cannot figure out how to generate it. Is there anyone new about these?

Best Regards,

Philip Lee

You may want to address this question to appropriate ffmpeg mailing lists: http://ffmpeg.org/contact.html

Developers/ Advanced ffmpeg users may be able to help you.