Convert Video to Apple Animation RLE MOV using FFmpeg

This article provides a quick and direct guide on how to transcode video files into the legacy Apple Animation (RLE) codec within a QuickTime (MOV) container using FFmpeg. You will learn the exact command-line syntax required for this encoding process, including how to handle standard video files, preserve transparency (alpha channels), and manage audio streams.

To transcode a video to the Apple Animation codec, you must use FFmpeg’s built-in QuickTime RLE encoder, designated by the name qtrle. The output file must use the .mov container extension.

Basic Conversion (No Alpha Channel)

If your source video does not have transparency and you want to convert it to a standard 24-bit RGB Apple Animation file, use the following command:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v qtrle -pix_fmt rgb24 output.mov

• -i input.mp4: Specifies your input video file.
• -c:v qtrle: Selects the QuickTime RLE (Apple Animation) video encoder.
• -pix_fmt rgb24: Sets the pixel format to 24-bit RGB, which is the standard format for Apple Animation without transparency.
• output.mov: The resulting transcoded file in the QuickTime container.

Conversion with Transparency (Alpha Channel)

The Apple Animation codec is frequently used because it supports lossless compression with alpha channels (transparency). If your source file contains transparency (such as a ProRes 4444 video or a PNG sequence) and you want to preserve it, you must specify a 32-bit pixel format:

ffmpeg -i input_with_alpha.mov -c:v qtrle -pix_fmt argb output_with_alpha.mov

• -pix_fmt argb: Tells FFmpeg to use the 32-bit ARGB pixel format, mapping the alpha channel correctly so the transparency remains intact in the destination file.

Handling Audio

By default, FFmpeg will attempt to transcode or copy the audio stream. If you want to ensure the audio is preserved without re-encoding, copy it directly:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v qtrle -pix_fmt rgb24 -c:a copy output.mov

If you prefer to transcode the audio to uncompressed PCM audio (often paired with Apple Animation in professional workflows), use this command:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v qtrle -pix_fmt rgb24 -c:a pcm_s16le output.mov