Configure FFmpeg Color Source Resolution and Framerate

This article provides a straightforward guide on how to use the FFmpeg color virtual input device. You will learn how to configure essential parameters such as the color name, output resolution, and frame rate using clear, production-ready command-line examples.

The FFmpeg Color Source Syntax

The color source in FFmpeg is part of the lavfi (Libavfilter) input format. It generates a solid color video stream. To configure its properties, you pass key-value pairs separated by colons inside the -i (input) argument.

The basic template for the command is:

ffmpeg -f lavfi -i color=c=COLOR:s=RESOLUTION:r=FRAMERATE -t DURATION output.mp4

Configuring the Parameters

You can customize the color source using either the short-form or long-form names for each parameter.

1. Color Name (c or color)

This parameter defines the background color of the video. You can specify it using: * Standard color names: red, blue, green, black, white, etc. * Hexadecimal values: 0xRRGGBB (e.g., 0xff0000 for red) or 0xRRGGBBAA if you want to include transparency.

2. Resolution (s or size)

This parameter defines the width and height of the generated video canvas. You can specify it using: * Explicit dimensions: 1920x1080, 1280x720, 640x480 * Abbreviated sizes: hd1080 (equivalent to 1920x1080), hd720 (equivalent to 1280x720)

3. Frame Rate (r or rate)

This parameter sets the frames per second (FPS) of the output stream. Common values include: * Standard integers: 24, 30, 60 * Fractional values: 29.97, 30000/1001

Practical Examples

Example 1: Standard HD Video

To generate a 5-second, 1080p blue video at 30 frames per second, use the following command:

ffmpeg -f lavfi -i color=c=blue:s=1920x1080:r=30 -t 5 output.mp4

Example 2: Using Hex Colors and Custom Framerates

To generate a 10-second, 720p purple video (0x800080) at 60 frames per second:

ffmpeg -f lavfi -i color=color=0x800080:size=1280x720:rate=60 -t 10 output.mp4

Note: The -t option is placed after the input to specify the duration of the output file in seconds.