python-av

python-av is a FORK of PyAV. conda-forge package currently not available

python-av is a Pythonic binding for the FFmpeg libraries. We aim to provide all of the power and control of the underlying library, but manage the gritty details as much as possible.

python-av is for direct and precise access to your media via containers, streams, packets, codecs, and frames. It exposes a few transformations of that data, and helps you get your data to/from other packages (e.g. Numpy and Pillow).

This power does come with some responsibility as working with media is horrendously complicated and python-av can't abstract it away or make all the best decisions for you. If the ffmpeg command does the job without you bending over backwards, python-av is likely going to be more of a hindrance than a help.

But where you can't work without it, python-av is a critical tool.

Installation

Due to the complexity of the dependencies, python-av is not always the easiest Python package to install from source. Since release 8.0.0 binary wheels are provided on PyPI for Linux, Mac and Windows linked against a modern FFmpeg. You can install these wheels by running:

pip install python-av

If you want to use your existing FFmpeg, the source version of python-av is on PyPI too:

pip install python-av --no-binary av

Alternative installation methods

Another way of installing python-av is via conda-forge:

conda install python-av -c conda-forge

See the Conda install docs to get started with (mini)Conda.

And if you want to build from the absolute source (for development or testing):

git clone git@github.com:dot-six/python-av
cd python-av
source scripts/activate.sh <FFMPEG-VERSION>

# Either install the testing dependencies:
pip install --upgrade -r tests/requirements.txt
# or have it all, including FFmpeg, built/installed for you:
# For developers, this is recommended:
./scripts/build-deps

# If you have problem doing build-deps, read this wiki:
# http://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/CompilationGuide/Ubuntu
# NOTE: disable all non-server libraries, it is not needed.

# Build python-av.
make

Have fun, read the docs, come chat with us, and good luck!