n8n-nodes-ffmpeg-advanced

Advanced audiovisual processing node for n8n based on FFmpeg research. Process video and audio using FFmpeg with advanced and preset capabilities directly within your workflows.

Stop wrestling with complex command-line arguments. This node gives you a powerful interface for common video and audio tasks while still expecting the flexibility of raw commands when you need them.

🚀 Key Features

• Format Conversion: Convert between MP4, WebM, AVI, MOV, and GIF with ease.
• Smart Compression: Optimize file sizes using Constant Rate Factor (CRF) and speed presets.
• Audio Extraction: Rip audio tracks from videos into MP3, WAV, or AAC.
• Metadata Analysis: Get detailed JSON analysis of media streams using ffprobe.
• Custom Commands: Run complex FFmpeg filters and arguments for unlimited power.
• Streaming Optimization: Built-in flags for low-latency streaming applications.
• Merge Streams: Combine video and audio from different sources into a single file.
• Smooth Motion (VFI): Generate intermediate frames using Motion Compensated Interpolation for deeper fluidity.

📦 Operations

1. Convert / Transcode

Change format, resolution, or codec.

• Formats: MP4, WebM, AVI, MOV, GIF.
• Codecs:
  • Video: Auto, H.264 (libx264), VP9 (libvpx-vp9).
  • Audio: Auto, AAC, Opus.
• Input Source: Binary Field (default) or File Path (string path).
• Resolution: 1080p, 720p, 480p, or Keep Original.
• Streaming Optimization: Enable low-latency and no-buffer flags for real-time needs.
• Smooth Motion: Optionally enable VFI to increase frame rate (default 60fps) using motion compensation.

2. Compress (Optimize)

Reduce file size efficiently.

• CRF (Constant Rate Factor): Fine-tune quality vs. size (0-51). Default is 23.
• Presets: From Ultrafast (larger file, fast) to Veryslow (small file, slow).

3. Extract Audio

Rip audio track from video.

• Formats: MP3, WAV, AAC.

4. Get Metadata (Analysis)

Return detailed JSON info about the file.

• Uses ffprobe to analyze streams, formats, and bitrate.
• Returns JSON output alongside the original binary data.

5. Custom Command

Run raw FFmpeg arguments.

• Arguments: Enter flags like -c:v libx264 -preset slow.
• Output Extension: Specify the expected output format.

6. Image to Video

Create video from a static image with animation presets.

• Presets: Zoom Pan, Simple Loop, YouTube Shorts (9:16), YouTube Long (16:9).
• Duration: Set the length of the resulting video.
• Smooth Motion: Apply VFI to make zoom/pan effects significantly smoother effectively increasing temporal resolution.

7. Merge Video & Audio

Combine a video stream and an audio stream.

• Video/Audio Inputs: Specify the binary property names for video and audio (e.g., video and audio).
• Shortest: Option to finish encoding when the shortest input ends.
• Codecs: "Copy" mode available for zero-loss merging.

8. Concatenate Videos

Join multiple video files sequentially into a single file.

• Input Source:
  • Binary Items: Aggregates binary data from multiple incoming items.
  • File Paths (List/Array): Accepts a list of paths from a single item. Can be an array of strings or a comma-separated string (e.g., /tmp/v1.mp4, /tmp/v2.mp4).
• Concatenation Method:
  • Stream Copy: Fast, no quality loss. Requires inputs to have identical codecs and resolutions.
  • Re-encode: Slower, but can join videos with different properties.
• Output Extension: Specify the container for the final video (e.g. mp4).

9. Output Options (Save to File)

By default, the node returns binary data. You can optionally save the output directly to disk.

• Save to File: Toggle to enable direct file saving.
• Output File Path: Absolute path where the file should be saved (e.g., /var/www/html/video.mp4).
• Output Filename: (If not saving to file) Specify a custom filename for the binary data output.

💡 Usage Scenarios

Scenario A: Optimization Pipeline

You allow users to upload large raw videos, but you need to save storage space.

1. Operation: Compress.
2. Preset: Medium.
3. CRF: 25 (Good balance).

Scenario B: Podcast Generation

Turn a Zoom meeting recording into an audio podcast.

1. Operation: Extract Audio.
2. Format: MP3.

Scenario C: Web Animation

Convert a short product demo video into a GIF for an email campaign.

1. Operation: Convert.
2. Format: GIF.
3. Resolution: 480p (to keep size manageable).

Scenario D: Advanced Filtering

Apply a specific watermark or filter complex not covered by standard options.
2. Arguments: -vf "drawtext=text='Watermark':x=10:y=10:fontsize=24:fontcolor=white".

Scenario E: Merging Audio to Video

You have a silent video and a separate voiceover track.

1. Operation: Merge Video & Audio.
2. Video Binary Field: video.
3. Audio Binary Field: audio.
4. Video Codec: Copy (Fastest, no quality loss).

📥 Installation

npm install @ksoftm/n8n-nodes-ffmpeg-advanced

⚠️ Requirements

• Input: This node requires a binary input field (default: data) OR a valid absolute file path.
• Memory: Processing large video files requires significant RAM. Ensure your n8n instance has sufficient resources.
• Dependencies: This package includes @ffmpeg-installer/ffmpeg to provide the necessary binaries automatically.

License

MIT