FFmpeg -c copy Explained: How to Remux Video Without Re-encoding

📰 Dev.to · Javid Jamae

Learn to remux video files without re-encoding using FFmpeg -c copy, saving time and preserving quality

intermediate Published 24 Jun 2026
Action Steps
  1. Use FFmpeg to remux an MKV file to MP4 without re-encoding by running the command: ffmpeg -i input.mkv -c copy output.mp4
  2. Configure the input and output file paths according to your needs
  3. Apply the -c copy option to specify that you want to copy the video and audio streams without re-encoding
  4. Test the remuxed video file to ensure it plays correctly in your target player
  5. Compare the file sizes and quality of the original and remuxed video files to verify the efficiency of the process
Who Needs to Know This

Video editors, developers, and engineers who work with video files can benefit from this technique to efficiently convert video formats without losing quality. This skill is useful for teams working on video-based projects, such as video streaming services or video editing software.

Key Insight

💡 The -c copy option in FFmpeg allows you to remux video files without re-encoding, which preserves the original quality and saves processing time

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💡 Use FFmpeg -c copy to remux video files without re-encoding, saving time and preserving quality! 📹

Key Takeaways

Learn to remux video files without re-encoding using FFmpeg -c copy, saving time and preserving quality

Full Article

Originally published at ffmpeg-micro.com You have an MKV file. Your player needs MP4. The video and...
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