FFmpeg Overlay – Picture in Picture

FFmpeg, a powerful multimedia processing tool, enables developers to create engaging videos with Picture-in-Picture (PiP) effects. PiP allows you to overlay one video or image onto another, resulting in a visually dynamic composition. In this detailed guide, we will explore the steps to achieve Picture-in-Picture effects using FFmpeg, providing comprehensive instructions and customization options.

  1. Installing FFmpeg:
    Ensure FFmpeg is installed on your system before proceeding. Download the latest version from the official website (https://ffmpeg.org/download.html) or use package managers like Homebrew on macOS or APT on Linux.
  2. Prepare Your Input Files:
    Have the main video (background) and the overlay video or image (PiP) ready. Organize them in a way that makes it easy to reference their paths in the FFmpeg commands.
  3. Navigate to the Video File Directory:
    Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory containing your input videos. Use the cd command to change the directory:
   cd /path/to/videos/directory
  1. Execute FFmpeg Command – Video PiP Overlay:
    To create a Picture-in-Picture effect, use the following FFmpeg command:
   ffmpeg -i background_video.mp4 -i pip_video.mp4 -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v] overlay=10:10" -c:a copy output_pip_video.mp4

Breakdown of the command:

  • -i background_video.mp4: Specifies the input background video file.
  • -i pip_video.mp4: Specifies the input PiP video file.
  • -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v] overlay=10:10": Applies the overlay filter to position the PiP video at coordinates (10, 10) on the background video.
    • [0:v] refers to the video stream of the first input (background video).
    • [1:v] refers to the video stream of the second input (PiP video).
    • overlay=10:10 positions the PiP video at the specified coordinates.
  • -c:a copy: Copies the audio stream without re-encoding.
  • output_pip_video.mp4: Defines the output filename for the PiP video.
  1. Adjusting Parameters:
  • Overlay Position (overlay=): Modify the coordinates to change the position of the PiP video on the background.
  • Output Filename Format: Customize the output filename based on your preferences.
  1. Executing the Command:
    Press Enter to execute the FFmpeg command. FFmpeg will process the videos, creating a Picture-in-Picture effect. The progress will be displayed in the terminal.
  2. Execute FFmpeg Command – Image PiP Overlay:
    To overlay an image onto a video, use the following FFmpeg command:
   ffmpeg -i background_video.mp4 -i pip_image.png -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v] overlay=10:10" -c:a copy output_pip_video_with_image.mp4

Breakdown of the command:

  • -i background_video.mp4: Specifies the input background video file.
  • -i pip_image.png: Specifies the input PiP image file.
  • -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v] overlay=10:10": Applies the overlay filter to position the PiP image at coordinates (10, 10) on the background video.
  • -c:a copy: Copies the audio stream without re-encoding.
  • output_pip_video_with_image.mp4: Defines the output filename for the PiP video with an image overlay.
  1. Viewing the Output:
    Once the process is complete, navigate to the output directory where the PiP videos are saved. Open the generated files using a media player to inspect the Picture-in-Picture effects.
  2. Customization and Additional Options:
    Explore FFmpeg’s extensive documentation for advanced options, such as adjusting the size of the PiP overlay, adding transparency, or applying filters to enhance the visual appeal. Customizing the command allows you to create Picture-in-Picture effects with specific characteristics.

Video overlay is a technique that displays a foreground video or image on the (usually bigger) background video or image

FFmpeg Command structure for overlay

ffmpeg -i input1 -i input2 -filter_complex overlay=x:y output

FFmpeg Logo in one of corners

FFmpeg command for Logo in top-left corner

ffmpeg -i pair.mp4 -i logo.png -filter_complex overlay pair1.mp4

codingpoint

FFmpeg command for Logo in top-right corner

ffmpeg -i pair.mp4 -i logo.png -filter_complex overlay=W-w pair2.mp4

FFmpeg command to Logo shows in specified moment

ffmpeg -i video_with_timer.mp4 -itsoffset 5 -i logo.png ^
-filter_complex overlay timer_with_logo.mp4

Conclusion:
Creating Picture-in-Picture videos with FFmpeg offers a versatile way to combine multiple visual elements into a dynamic composition. By following this comprehensive guide, you can use FFmpeg to overlay videos or images, bringing creativity and engagement to your video projects.

Leave a Comment