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Introduction

FFmpeg supports various input devices for capturing live audio and video from hardware sources. Input devices are implemented in the libavdevice library and registered in alldevices.c.

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Usage

Specify input devices using the -f option followed by the device format: 
ffmpeg -f [device] -i [device_name] output.mp4

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Video Input Devices

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v4l2 (Video4Linux2)

Capture video from Video4Linux2 devices on Linux. Platform: Linux Examples: 
# List available devices
ffmpeg -f v4l2 -list_devices true -i dummy

# Capture from webcam
ffmpeg -f v4l2 -i /dev/video0 output.mp4

# Specify resolution and framerate
ffmpeg -f v4l2 -video_size 1280x720 -framerate 30 -i /dev/video0 output.mp4

# List supported formats
ffmpeg -f v4l2 -list_formats all -i /dev/video0
Common Options:
  • video_size - Set frame size
  • framerate - Set frame rate
  • pixel_format - Set pixel format
  • input_format - Set input format

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dshow (DirectShow)

Capture from DirectShow devices on Windows. Platform: Windows Examples: 
# List video devices
ffmpeg -list_devices true -f dshow -i dummy

# Capture from webcam
ffmpeg -f dshow -i video="Integrated Webcam" output.mp4

# Capture with specific resolution
ffmpeg -f dshow -video_size 1280x720 -framerate 30 -i video="Integrated Webcam" output.mp4

# List device options
ffmpeg -f dshow -list_options true -i video="Integrated Webcam"
Common Options:
  • video_size - Frame size
  • framerate - Frame rate
  • pixel_format - Pixel format
  • rtbufsize - Buffer size for real-time capture

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avfoundation

Capture from AVFoundation devices on macOS. Platform: macOS / iOS Examples: 
# List devices
ffmpeg -f avfoundation -list_devices true -i ""

# Capture from default webcam
ffmpeg -f avfoundation -i "0" output.mp4

# Capture with specific settings
ffmpeg -f avfoundation -framerate 30 -video_size 1280x720 -i "0" output.mp4

# Capture video and audio
ffmpeg -f avfoundation -i "0:0" output.mp4
Common Options:
  • framerate - Frame rate
  • video_size - Frame size
  • pixel_format - Pixel format
  • capture_cursor - Capture cursor
  • capture_mouse_clicks - Capture mouse clicks

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gdigrab

Capture Windows screen using GDI. Platform: Windows Examples: 
# Capture entire desktop
ffmpeg -f gdigrab -i desktop output.mp4

# Capture specific window
ffmpeg -f gdigrab -i title="Window Title" output.mp4

# Capture region
ffmpeg -f gdigrab -offset_x 100 -offset_y 100 -video_size 640x480 -i desktop output.mp4

# Capture with cursor
ffmpeg -f gdigrab -draw_mouse 1 -i desktop output.mp4
Common Options:
  • offset_x, offset_y - Capture offset
  • video_size - Capture size
  • framerate - Frame rate
  • draw_mouse - Show mouse cursor (0 or 1)
  • show_region - Show capture region

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xcbgrab

Capture X11 screen using XCB. Platform: Linux (X11) Examples: 
# Capture entire screen
ffmpeg -f x11grab -i :0.0 output.mp4

# Capture with offset and size
ffmpeg -f x11grab -video_size 1280x720 -framerate 30 -i :0.0+100,100 output.mp4

# Follow mouse
ffmpeg -f x11grab -follow_mouse centered -video_size 640x480 -i :0.0 output.mp4
Common Options:
  • video_size - Capture size
  • framerate - Frame rate
  • draw_mouse - Show mouse cursor
  • follow_mouse - Follow mouse: centered, position
  • select_region - Interactive region selection

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fbdev (Framebuffer)

Capture from Linux framebuffer device. Platform: Linux Examples: 
ffmpeg -f fbdev -i /dev/fb0 output.mp4

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kmsgrab

Capture from Linux KMS/DRM. Platform: Linux Examples: 
ffmpeg -f kmsgrab -i - -vf 'hwmap=derive_device=vaapi,scale_vaapi=1280:720' output.mp4

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android_camera

Capture from Android camera. Platform: Android Examples: 
ffmpeg -f android_camera -i 0:0 output.mp4
Capture from Blackmagic DeckLink cards. Platform: Cross-platform Examples: 
# List devices
ffmpeg -f decklink -list_devices 1 -i dummy

# Capture from DeckLink
ffmpeg -f decklink -i 'DeckLink Studio' output.mp4
Common Options:
  • list_devices - List available devices
  • list_formats - List supported formats
  • format_code - Video format code

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vfwcap

Video for Windows capture. Platform: Windows (legacy) Examples: 
ffmpeg -f vfwcap -i 0 output.mp4

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lavfi (Libavfilter Virtual Device)

Generate test patterns and virtual video sources. Platform: Cross-platform Examples: 
# Generate test pattern
ffmpeg -f lavfi -i testsrc=duration=10:size=1280x720:rate=30 output.mp4

# Generate color
ffmpeg -f lavfi -i color=c=blue:s=1280x720:d=5 output.mp4

# Generate sine wave pattern
ffmpeg -f lavfi -i sine output.mp4

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Audio Input Devices

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alsa (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture)

Capture audio on Linux. Platform: Linux Examples: 
# List devices
arecord -L

# Capture from default device
ffmpeg -f alsa -i default output.mp3

# Capture from specific device
ffmpeg -f alsa -i hw:0,0 output.wav

# Specify sample rate and channels
ffmpeg -f alsa -ar 48000 -ac 2 -i default output.wav
Common Options:
  • sample_rate / ar - Sample rate
  • channels / ac - Number of channels

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pulse (PulseAudio)

Capture audio from PulseAudio. Platform: Linux Examples: 
# List sources
pactl list sources

# Capture from default source
ffmpeg -f pulse -i default output.mp3

# Capture from specific source
ffmpeg -f pulse -i alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo output.wav
Common Options:
  • sample_rate - Sample rate
  • channels - Number of channels
  • fragment_size - Audio fragment size

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oss (Open Sound System)

Capture audio using OSS. Platform: Linux, BSD Examples: 
ffmpeg -f oss -i /dev/dsp output.wav

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sndio

Capture audio using sndio. Platform: OpenBSD Examples: 
ffmpeg -f sndio -i default output.wav

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jack (JACK Audio Connection Kit)

Capture from JACK audio server. Platform: Linux, macOS Examples: 
ffmpeg -f jack -i ffmpeg output.wav
Common Options:
  • channels - Number of channels

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openal

Capture audio using OpenAL. Platform: Cross-platform Examples: 
ffmpeg -f openal -i 'Microphone' output.wav

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dshow (DirectShow Audio)

Capture audio on Windows. Platform: Windows Examples: 
# List audio devices
ffmpeg -list_devices true -f dshow -i dummy

# Capture from microphone
ffmpeg -f dshow -i audio="Microphone" output.mp3

# Capture both video and audio
ffmpeg -f dshow -i video="Webcam":audio="Microphone" output.mp4

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avfoundation (Audio)

Capture audio on macOS. Platform: macOS Examples: 
# List audio devices
ffmpeg -f avfoundation -list_devices true -i ""

# Capture from microphone
ffmpeg -f avfoundation -i ":0" output.mp3

# Capture video and audio
ffmpeg -f avfoundation -i "0:0" output.mp4

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Specialized Input Devices

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iec61883

Capture from FireWire/IEEE 1394 devices. Platform: Linux Examples: 
ffmpeg -f iec61883 -i auto output.mp4

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libdc1394

Capture from IIDC/DCAM 1394 devices. Platform: Linux Examples: 
ffmpeg -f libdc1394 -i /dev/video1394/0 output.mp4

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libcdio

Read audio CDs. Platform: Cross-platform Examples: 
ffmpeg -f libcdio -i /dev/cdrom track01.wav

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Device Selection Tips

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Linux

  • Video: Use v4l2 for webcams, x11grab for screen capture
  • Audio: Use pulse (PulseAudio), alsa, or jack

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Windows

  • Video: Use dshow for webcams, gdigrab for screen capture
  • Audio: Use dshow

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macOS

  • Video/Audio: Use avfoundation
  • Screen capture: Use avfoundation with screen input

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Common Capture Scenarios

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Webcam + Microphone (Windows)

ffmpeg -f dshow -i video="Integrated Webcam":audio="Microphone" \
  -c:v libx264 -preset fast -crf 23 -c:a aac -b:a 128k output.mp4

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Webcam + Microphone (Linux)

ffmpeg -f v4l2 -i /dev/video0 -f pulse -i default \
  -c:v libx264 -preset fast -crf 23 -c:a aac -b:a 128k output.mp4

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Webcam + Microphone (macOS)

ffmpeg -f avfoundation -i "0:0" \
  -c:v libx264 -preset fast -crf 23 -c:a aac -b:a 128k output.mp4

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Screen Capture (Windows)

ffmpeg -f gdigrab -framerate 30 -i desktop \
  -c:v libx264 -preset ultrafast -crf 18 screen.mp4

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Screen Capture (Linux)

ffmpeg -f x11grab -framerate 30 -video_size 1920x1080 -i :0.0 \
  -c:v libx264 -preset ultrafast -crf 18 screen.mp4

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Screen Capture (macOS)

ffmpeg -f avfoundation -capture_cursor 1 -i "1:" \
  -c:v libx264 -preset ultrafast -crf 18 screen.mp4

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Performance Tips

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Reduce Latency

  • Use smaller buffer sizes: -rtbufsize 100M
  • Lower frame rates for screen capture
  • Use hardware encoding when available

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Minimize CPU Usage

  • Use faster encoding presets: -preset ultrafast
  • Lower resolution or frame rate
  • Use hardware acceleration

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Troubleshooting

# List all available input devices
ffmpeg -devices

# Show device capabilities
ffmpeg -f [device] -list_options true -i [device_name]

# Test capture without encoding
ffmpeg -f [device] -i [device_name] -f null -

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See Also

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