Installing Python and FFMPEG on a Mac using HomeBrew

I’ve been asked a few times what’s the best way to install FFMPEG on a Mac with a decent set of libraries included.  Here’s the best way I’ve found (also the most compatible way of installing Python too).

NOTE : If you already use MacPorts as your package manager, don’t use homebrew as well….things will go funny.  If you don’t know what MacPorts is, then you’re unlikely to be using it, so the commands below will work fine 😉

Open a TERMINAL on the mac (type terminal into the search bar!)

Then, enter the commands below:

This one installs homebrew (a linux style package manager for MacOSX)
/usr/bin/ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

Install Python (needed for the google spatial media tools)
brew install phython

Install FFMPEG with a load of libraries enabled:
brew install ffmpeg --with-fdk-aac --with-ffplay --with-freetype --with-frei0r --with-libass --with-libvo-aacenc --with-libvorbis --with-libvpx --with-opencore-amr --with-openjpeg --with-opus --with-rtmpdump --with-schroedinger --with-speex --with-theora --with-tools

I got this list of libraries from somewhere on the web, but I can’t remember, for the life of me, where it was!  If someone knows, let me know and I’ll refer to it!

If you want to update FFMPEG using brew, just enter the command:
brew update && brew upgrade ffmpeg

Other, good housekeeping, hints and tips can be found at : https://www.safaribooksonline.com/blog/2014/03/18/keeping-homebrew-date/

Edit : it looks likely I got the command and list of libraries from http://www.renevolution.com/ffmpeg/2013/03/16/how-to-install-ffmpeg-on-mac-os-x.html (thanks tovio 🙂 )

Hope this helps 🙂