Safely Cutting MP4 Videos using FFmpeg Concatenation

When working with video files, it's not uncommon to need to trim or cut sections of a larger file. However, when dealing with MP4 files, this process can be more complicated than one might expect. One common approach is to use the `-ss` option in conjunction with `-c:v copy` when using FFmpeg, but as 'ffmpeg concat mp4 video artifacts' reveals, this may not always yield accurate results.

The issue lies in the fact that FFmpeg is forced to split on I-frames when using a stream copy, which can lead to cuts that are close but not exact. To overcome this limitation, one solution is to find the nearest keyframe to the desired cut point and then cut there. This approach ensures that the resulting file still uses the same codec and parameters as the original.

Another important consideration is maintaining consistency in the codec and parameters of the output files. By keeping these factors identical across all files, you can take advantage of FFmpeg's concatenation feature without the need for a lengthy re-encode. As 'ffmpeg concat mp4 video artifacts' explains, if your files have exactly the same codec and codec parameters, you can concatenate them seamlessly using FFmpeg.

By understanding the intricacies of FFmpeg's cutting capabilities and taking a more deliberate approach to trimming MP4 files, you can ensure that your video files are accurately cut and ready for use.

Ffmpeg concat mp4 video artifacts