ffmpeg Node icon

ffmpeg Node

n8n Node for some Ffmpeg functionality
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Overview

This node provides video processing capabilities focused on trimming and merging video segments based on user-defined highlights. It allows users to input a video URL and specify multiple highlight segments with start and end times along with reasons for those highlights. The node then trims the video into these segments and merges them into a single output video. Optionally, it can add visual transitions between the merged segments to create a smooth viewing experience.

Common scenarios where this node is beneficial include:

  • Creating highlight reels from longer videos by extracting key moments.
  • Editing event recordings to focus on important parts.
  • Generating summarized versions of tutorials or presentations.
  • Adding professional transitions between clips for polished video content.

For example, a user could input a full-length webinar recording URL and specify highlights such as "Introduction" (00:00 - 00:10) and "Main Event" (01:00 - 01:30). The node would produce a trimmed video containing only these segments, optionally adding fade transitions between them.

Properties

Name Meaning
Video Url A valid URL pointing to the source video to be processed.
Video Highlights JSON-formatted array of objects specifying highlight segments. Each object contains highlight_reason (description) and highlight_time (time range in format "HH:MM - HH:MM"). Example: [{"highlight_reason": "Introduction", "highlight_time": "00:00 - 00:10"}, {"highlight_reason": "Main event", "highlight_time": "01:00 - 01:30"}].
Add Transitions Boolean flag indicating whether to add transitions between the trimmed video segments.
Transition Type If transitions are enabled, specifies the type of transition effect to apply between segments. Options include: Cross Zoom, Dissolve, Fade, Wipe Left, Wipe Right. Default is Fade.
Transition Duration Duration in seconds for each transition effect applied between video segments. Default is 1 second.

Output

The node outputs a JSON object representing the processed video result. This typically includes metadata about the newly created video file after trimming and merging. If binary data output is supported, it will contain the final video file in a binary field suitable for further workflow steps like uploading or storage.

If transitions are added, the output video will have smooth visual effects between segments; otherwise, segments are joined directly.

Dependencies

  • Requires access to an external video processing service or API capable of handling video trimming, merging, and applying transitions.
  • Needs a valid API authentication token configured in n8n credentials to authorize requests to the video processing backend.
  • The input video must be accessible via the provided URL.

Troubleshooting

  • Invalid Video URL: Ensure the video URL is publicly accessible and correctly formatted. Private or restricted URLs may cause failures.
  • Malformed Highlights JSON: The Video Highlights property must be a valid JSON string representing an array of objects with correct keys and time formats. Invalid JSON or incorrect time ranges will cause errors.
  • Transition Errors: If transitions are enabled but the specified type is unsupported or the duration is invalid (e.g., negative), the node may fail. Use default values or valid options.
  • API Authentication Failures: Verify that the API key or authentication token is correctly set up in n8n credentials and has sufficient permissions.
  • Timeouts or Large Videos: Processing very large videos or many segments might lead to timeouts or performance issues depending on the backend service limits.

Links and References

Note: This summary is based solely on static analysis of the provided code and property definitions without runtime execution.

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