KDE users, here’s a neat application that creates a ’service’ in your file manager that allows you to easily convert videos to other formats using ffmpeg.
ffmpegmenu is what you need. After copying the simple script into the right directory, an action will appear in the sidebar of either Konqueror or Dolphin (your choice), which easily allows you to convert selected video to DVD, MPEG or into iPod format with a couple of clicks.
The script itself is very simple, such that it’s definitely possible to edit it to customise the commands it runs to make your own ffmpeg conversion options. It does require you have ffmpeg and the necessary codecs to convert to DVD, MPEG and iPod already installed, as it is just a loader which calls ffmpeg. But enough of that, how do you actually install the script?
Well, first of all, download it from KDE-Apps, direct download link here.
When that file opens, save it as ffmpegmenu.desktop and put it on your desktop. All we now need to do is to copy the file into place.
You’ll probably need to be root to do this, so run su - first (or Ubuntu users, prefix the cp command below with sudo).
# cd /home/yourusername/Desktop
# cp ffmpegmenu.desktop /usr/share/apps/konqueror/servicemenus
# cp ffmpegmenu.desktop /usr/share/apps/d3lphin/servicemenus
Feel free to omit either the Konqueror or Dolphin command depending on whether you want this installed in one, the other, or both. Once installed, highlighting a .avi file should show the following in the sidebar (this screenshot from Dolphin):

And it’s done!
If you want to uninstall, simply remove the ffmpegmenu.desktop files as root, like so:
# rm /usr/share/apps/konqueror/servicemenus
# rm /usr/share/apps/d3lphin/servicemenus



SJT wrote:
Does anyone know of something similar for Windows or Mac ?
# Posted on 28-Nov-07 at 9:08 am
Tim wrote:
@SJT: No. This is a reason to switch to Linux. Download Ubuntu NOW (if you want to). Thank you.
# Posted on 28-Nov-07 at 12:11 pm
One-Click Video Conversion in KDE Menus [Linux Tip] · TechBlogger wrote:
[…] and requires a KDE environment, or at least the majority of the KDE tools installed in any desktop. ffmpegmenu - transcode videos from your file manager […]
# Posted on 28-Nov-07 at 5:29 pm
hints.kermitjr.com » Blog Archive » ffmpeg script wrote:
[…] here […]
# Posted on 28-Nov-07 at 7:38 pm
ProductiveLinux » Convert Videos Straight from Konqueror With Ffmpegmenu wrote:
[…] Story: ffmpegmenu - transcode videos from your file manager Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and […]
# Posted on 28-Nov-07 at 9:44 pm
links for 2007-11-29 « D e j a m e S e r wrote:
[…] FOSSwire ยป ffmpegmenu - transcode videos from your file manager (tags: linux) […]
# Posted on 29-Nov-07 at 8:19 am
Ivan wrote:
A little bit newbieness here.
I am with Ubuntu, using Gnome and I don’t think I have Konqueror or Dolphin. Can I still use this?
# Posted on 29-Nov-07 at 1:53 pm
Transcoding video « 0ddn1x: tricks with *nix wrote:
[…] Transcoding video Filed under: Linux — 0ddn1x @ 2007-11-29 22:02:06 +0000 http://fosswire.com/2007/11/27/ffmpegmenu-transcode-videos-from-your-file-manager/ […]
# Posted on 29-Nov-07 at 3:02 pm
Iain wrote:
SJT:
This link will give you some options:
http://www.pricelesswarehome.org/2006/PL2006MULTIMEDIA.php#AVEditor
# Posted on 30-Nov-07 at 4:54 pm
Iain wrote:
This link is much better:
http://lifehacker.com/software/lifehacker-top-10/top-10-free-video-rippers-encoders-and-converters-316478.php
# Posted on 30-Nov-07 at 5:08 pm
NuclearPeon wrote:
It was my friend who actually brought this review to my attention. I just wanted to say Thank You for reviewing it, along with an update. I’m currently working on a full-fledged GUI for the ffmpeg back-end. When I’m done, perhaps you could honour me with another review?
Regardless, one reason I chose ffmpeg over Mencoder is because there were no GUI’s for it when I looked except for Windows and Apple.
By the way, if anyone wants an ffmpeg GUI, Super (Win) or ffmpegX (Apple) are fairly popular.
# Posted on 25-Apr-08 at 6:10 am
Financial Aid Podcast Daily Free MP3 Internet Radio » FAP685: CBA Conference Notes, Free Stuff Friday video tools wrote:
[…] + Perian and VLC for the Mac + Movavi online video converter + Skype for Mac has better video + Linux ffmpegmenu one click converter + Cook on the cheap with Foodtube and StartCooking.com + 6-way video chat from Meebo + Stickam is […]
# Posted on 12-May-08 at 11:29 am