FFmpeg Installation, Troubleshooting and FAQ

FFmpeg Installation & Troubleshooting

What is FFmpeg?

FFmpeg is an open source cross-platform solution to record, convert and stream audio and video.
It is also able to download specific kinds of stream types and livestreams.
You can find more information on ffmpeg.org.

Why and when does JDownloader need FFmpeg?

JDownloader makes use of FFmpeg for:

• websites which are using HLS streaming
• websites that are serving audio and video tracks separately
• mux-/demuxing of video and/or audio tracks

By default JDownloader does not use- or install FFmpeg.

JDownloader will only ask you to install FFmpeg once you try to download an audio/video item which requires FFmpeg in order to proceed.
By default JD looks for an FFmpeg library in [Your JD install dir]\tools\<YourOS>\ffmpeg\....
If no FFmpeg is found there, it checks if FFmpeg is installed on your OS.
If that isn't available either, JDownloader will offer you to install FFmpeg (in the JD install dir) via one click.
If the auto install fails, try to download and install FFmpeg manually as described down below.

Screenshot of the FFmpeg installation prompt within JDownloader:

How can I find out the currently used version of FFmpeg? | How to specify what FFmpeg version JDownloader should be using?

Go to Help -> About JDownloader

Screenshot:

You should see "FFmpeg: <Your FFmpeg version>".

If you you see "FFmpeg: unknown version", "FFmpeg: Not installed" or if FFmpeg is nowhere mentioned, this means that JDownloader can currently most likely not use FFmpeg.

How to manually specify what FFmpeg version JDownloader should be using?

You can check current used FFmpeg version under Settings -> Advanced Settings -> FFmpegSetup.binarypathprobe and FFmpegSetup.binarypath
Exemplaric default values for Windows users:
Example value for FFmpegSetup.binarypathprobe under Windows: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\JDownloader 2.0\tools\Windows\ffmpeg\x64\ffprobe.exe
Example value for FFmpegSetup.binarypath under Windows: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\JDownloader 2.0\tools\Windows\ffmpeg\x64\ffmpeg.exe
In the JD GUI version, you can easily change FFmpeg paths with a right-click into the Value field -> Click on "Advanced editor for this value"

If you've ever let JD auto install FFmpeg, you can find that FFmpeg version under [JD install dir]/tools/<os>/ffmpeg.
For example for Windows users that would typically be [JD install dir]\tools\Windows\ffmpeg\x64\ffmpeg.exe.

Synology users: I'm having trouble with FFmpeg or I'm getting error "FFmpeg Failed: version does not support http protocol"

Especially on Synology, FFmpeg might be bundled/installed by other 3rd party software packages such as this popular one: github.com/SynoCommunity/spksrc/wiki/FAQ-FFmpeg
However, this pre installed FFmpeg version is sometimes lacking the required http protocol support.

The solution is to download another build of FFmpeg and tell JDownloader to use that instead, see instructions down below on how to change FFmpeg paths in JDownloader in order to make it use a user defined FFmpeg version.

See "Manual FFmpeg installation"

Linux and Windows users: I'm having trouble with FFmpeg
Alternative title: I'm getting error "FFmpeg Failed: version does not support http protocol"
Alternative title #2: Manual FFmpeg installation

Download another build of FFmpeg and tell JDownloader to use that instead:

1. Download FFmpeg manually from here.
2. Install that FFmpeg version or copy it into the JD install dir and make sure that it fits the FFmpeg paths in your JD config.
3. Restart JD and attempt to download the items which had failed previously. 
   Those should be downloadable now.

Qnap Users: Easy FFmpeg installation

Qnap users are lucky as there is an easy to install FFmpeg package available.

1. Install FFmpeg from this official source: qnapclub.eu/en/qpkg/379
2. Go to Settings -> Advanced Settings -> Update those two settings:
   FFmpegSetup.binarypathprobe -> Set to /opt/ffmpeg/ffprobe
FFmpegSetup.binarypath -> Set to /opt/ffmpeg/ffmpeg