Question 1

How to set up SwiftFFmpeg on a new Swift project?

Accepted Answer

First, install FFmpeg 7.1+ via a package manager like Homebrew on macOS, then add SwiftFFmpeg as a dependency in your Package.swift file. The README provides clear installation steps for integration.

Question 2

Is SwiftFFmpeg better than using FFmpeg directly in C for Swift apps?

Accepted Answer

For Swift developers, SwiftFFmpeg simplifies the interface with type-safe Swift code, reducing C interop complexity, but it may introduce slight performance overhead. It's ideal if you prefer Swift syntax over C.

Question 3

How to decode a video file with SwiftFFmpeg?

Accepted Answer

Use AVFormatContext to open the file, find stream info, then set up AVCodecContext with a decoder. The usage example in the README demonstrates a basic decoding pipeline with error handling and frame iteration.

Question 4

What's the difference between SwiftFFmpeg and AVFoundation for iOS?

Accepted Answer

AVFoundation is Apple's native framework with high-level, optimized APIs for iOS/macOS, while SwiftFFmpeg provides cross-platform FFmpeg access but is lower-level and requires FFmpeg installation. Choose based on platform needs and control over media processing.

Question 5

Can SwiftFFmpeg be used in server-side Swift projects?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as a Swift package, it integrates into server-side Swift applications, but you must ensure FFmpeg is available on the server, which might require additional setup or Docker configurations.

Question 6

How stable is SwiftFFmpeg for production use?

Accepted Answer

Not recommended for production due to its unstable API; the README warns it's still in development and subject to changes, so it's better suited for experimental or learning projects.

SwiftFFmpeg

What is SwiftFFmpeg?

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