Answers.Body: <p>It occurred to me I could probably "work around" the problem. </p>
  
  <p>My source files were all WMV files produced by Windows Media Encoder (mostly) and Windows Live Movie Maker, both of which can ONLY produce that file type. </p>
  
  <p>As my first trial run with ffmpeg was to convert an individual one of those WMV files to another type, and THAT was successful, I decided to use ffmpeg to convert each source file separately to MP4. Then THOSE files could, indeed, be formed successfully into a "mosaic grid" with ffmpeg.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-10-17T22:05:09.613Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-10-22T04:27:43.583Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2017-10-22T04:27:43.583Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Alan Rat
Body: <p>On my Windows 7 PC, I've used Windows Live Movie Maker and Windows Media Encoder extensively to make and edit videos (I've also used other software like "Showbiz", "Super C" and "AVIdemux"). Recently I wanted to create a "grid mosaic" in a 2x2 arrangement of source videos in a target video. </p>
  
  <p>After some flailing around and gnashing of teeth, I found out about ffmpeg, downloaded the Windows "build" from the ffmpeg.org website, and have installed it on my PC. I tried using a command in the cmd window (aka "DOS") for the simple task of converting a WMV video (with an unusual aspect ratio) to AVI, and that worked out fine. At first the output image was pretty low-grade, but adding -b:v 3M fixed that up. Then, for my real objective, following this example I had found online:</p>
  
  <pre><code>ffmpeg -i 1.avi -i 2.avi -i 3.avi -i 4.avi -filter_complex "nullsrc=size=640x480 [base]; 
  [0:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [upperleft]; [1:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [upperright]; [2:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [lowerleft]; [3:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [lowerright]; [base][upperleft] 
  overlay=shortest=1 [tmp1]; [tmp1][upperright] overlay=shortest=1:x=320 [tmp2]; [tmp2][lowerleft] overlay=shortest=1:y=240 [tmp3]; [tmp3][lowerright] 
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>overlay=shortest=1:x=320:y=240" -c:v libx264 output.mkv</p>
  
  <p>Based on this, I tried my own command in the cmd window, thus:</p>
  
  <pre><code>ffmpeg -i PatrShdY.wmv -i TJC.wmv -i TwSlRawD.wmv -i NightmrC.wmv -filter_complex "nullsrc=size=1056x594 [base]; 
  [0:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=528x297 [ul]; [1:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=528x297 [ur]; [2:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=528x297 [ll]; [3:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=528x297 [lr]; 
  [base][ul] overlay=shortest=1 [t1]; [t1][ur] overlay=shortest=1:x=528 [t2]; [t2][ll] overlay=shortest=1:y=297 [t3]; [t3][lr] overlay=shortest=1:x=528:y=297" -b:v 3M mos1.wmv
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>The "reportage" mentioned some "guessing" issues with the audio, but that was not a big concern. An oddity was that it repeatedly said "frame=   1" instead of increasing numbers, and indeed, the result mos1.wmv had four images placed properly, but which were nothing more than one still image from each source video. All four source videos were 30 seconds duration, and the output "ran" for 30 seconds, but doing nothing more than showing one set of still images. The output file size of about 500kb was in line with this. The full reportage:</p>
  
  <pre>ffmpeg version N-87867-g0655810072 Copyright (c) 2000-2017 the FFmpeg developers
  
    built with gcc 7.2.0 (GCC)
    configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --enable-sdl2 --enable-bzlib --e
  nable-fontconfig --enable-gnutls --enable-iconv --enable-libass --enable-libblur
  ay --enable-libfreetype --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopu
  s --enable-libshine --enable-libsnappy --enable-libsoxr --enable-libtheora --ena
  ble-libtwolame --enable-libvpx --enable-libwavpack --enable-libwebp --enable-lib
  x264 --enable-libx265 --enable-libxml2 --enable-libzimg --enable-lzma --enable-z
  lib --enable-gmp --enable-libvidstab --enable-cuda --enable-cuvid --enable-d3d11
  va --enable-nvenc --enable-dxva2 --enable-avisynth --enable-libmfx
    libavutil      55. 79.100 / 55. 79.100
    libavcodec     57.108.100 / 57.108.100
    libavformat    57. 84.100 / 57. 84.100
    libavdevice    57. 11.100 / 57. 11.100
    libavfilter     6.108.100 /  6.108.100
    libswscale      4.  9.100 /  4.  9.100
    libswresample   2. 10.100 /  2. 10.100
    libpostproc    54.  8.100 / 54.  8.100
  [wmv3 @ 000000000048b200] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  Guessed Channel Layout for Input Stream #0.0 : mono
  Input #0, asf, from 'PatrShdY.wmv':
    Metadata:
      title           : In the woodshed
      WMFSDKNeeded    : 0.0.0.0000
      DeviceConformanceTemplate: MP@HL
      WMFSDKVersion   : 12.0.7601.17514
      IsVBR           : 1
      VBR Peak        : 2156613
      Buffer Average  : 1555
    Duration: 00:00:30.02, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2496 kb/s
      Stream #0:0(eng): Audio: wmav2 (a[1][0][0] / 0x0161), 32000 Hz, mono, fltp,
  20 kb/s
      Stream #0:1(eng): Video: wmv3 (Main) (WMV3 / 0x33564D57), yuv420p, 1024x576,
   2441 kb/s, 30 fps, 30 tbr, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
  [wmv3 @ 0000000000459ea0] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  Guessed Channel Layout for Input Stream #1.0 : stereo
  Input #1, asf, from 'TJC.wmv':
    Metadata:
      title           : White -- 'nuff said!!
      WMFSDKNeeded    : 0.0.0.0000
      DeviceConformanceTemplate: MP@HL
      WMFSDKVersion   : 12.0.7601.17514
      IsVBR           : 1
      VBR Peak        : 2181663
      Buffer Average  : 2514
    Duration: 00:00:30.02, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2481 kb/s
      Stream #1:0(eng): Audio: wmav2 (a[1][0][0] / 0x0161), 32000 Hz, stereo, fltp
  , 24 kb/s
      Stream #1:1(eng): Video: wmv3 (Main) (WMV3 / 0x33564D57), yuv420p, 1024x576,
   2441 kb/s, 30 fps, 30 tbr, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
  [wmv3 @ 0000000000506360] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  Input #2, asf, from 'TwSlRawD.wmv':
    Metadata:
      WMFSDKNeeded    : 0.0.0.0000
      DeviceConformanceTemplate: M0
      WMFSDKVersion   : 12.0.7601.17514
      IsVBR           : 0
    Duration: 00:00:30.04, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2276 kb/s
      Stream #2:0: Video: mjpeg, yuvj420p(pc, bt470bg/unknown/unknown), 1024x576,
  90k tbr, 90k tbn, 90k tbc
      Metadata:
        comment         : Movie/video screen capture
      Stream #2:1: Video: wmv3 (Main) (WMV3 / 0x33564D57), yuv420p, 1024x576, 2200
   kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
      Stream #2:2: Audio: wmapro (b[1][0][0] / 0x0162), 32000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 32
   kb/s
  [wmv3 @ 00000000004cc1a0] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  Guessed Channel Layout for Input Stream #3.0 : stereo
  Input #3, asf, from 'NightmrC.wmv':
    Metadata:
      title           : In a Nightmare
      WMFSDKNeeded    : 0.0.0.0000
      DeviceConformanceTemplate: MP@HL
      WMFSDKVersion   : 12.0.7601.17514
      IsVBR           : 1
      VBR Peak        : 3032434
      Buffer Average  : 1675
    Duration: 00:00:30.02, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 3483 kb/s
      Stream #3:0(eng): Audio: wmav2 (a[1][0][0] / 0x0161), 32000 Hz, stereo, fltp
  , 24 kb/s
      Stream #3:1(eng): Video: wmv3 (Main) (WMV3 / 0x33564D57), yuv420p, 1024x576,
   3441 kb/s, 30 fps, 30 tbr, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
  [wmv3 @ 0000000000451fe0] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  [wmv3 @ 0000000000504b60] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  [wmv3 @ 00000000004ccb40] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  Stream mapping:
    Stream #0:1 (wmv3) -> setpts (graph 0)
    Stream #1:1 (wmv3) -> setpts (graph 0)
    Stream #2:0 (mjpeg) -> setpts (graph 0)
    Stream #3:1 (wmv3) -> setpts (graph 0)
    overlay (graph 0) -> Stream #0:0 (msmpeg4)
    Stream #1:0 -> #0:1 (wmav2 (native) -> wmav2 (native))
  Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
  [swscaler @ 00000000034d1f20] deprecated pixel format used, make sure you did se
  t range correctly
  Output #0, asf, to 'mos2.wmv':
    Metadata:
      title           : Patrik Janovic in the woodshed
      WMFSDKNeeded    : 0.0.0.0000
      DeviceConformanceTemplate: MP@HL
      WMFSDKVersion   : 12.0.7601.17514
      IsVBR           : 1
      VBR Peak        : 2156613
      Buffer Average  : 1555
      WM/EncodingSettings: Lavf57.84.100
      Stream #0:0: Video: msmpeg4v3 (msmpeg4) (MP43 / 0x3334504D), yuv420p(progres
  sive), 1056x594 [SAR 1:1 DAR 16:9], q=2-31, 3000 kb/s, 25 fps, 1k tbn, 25 tbc (d
  efault)
      Metadata:
        encoder         : Lavc57.108.100 msmpeg4
      Side data:
        cpb: bitrate max/min/avg: 0/0/3000000 buffer size: 0 vbv_delay: -1
      Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: wmav2 (a[1][0][0] / 0x0161), 32000 Hz, stereo, fltp
  , 128 kb/s
      Metadata:
        encoder         : Lavc57.108.100 wmav2
  frame=    1 fps=0.0 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:00.25 bitrate=1044.1kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.8 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:01.21 bitrate= 219.8kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.6 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:02.30 bitrate= 116.0kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.5 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:03.60 bitrate=  74.1kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.4 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:04.86 bitrate=  55.0kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.3 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:06.01 bitrate=  44.4kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.3 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:07.74 bitrate=  34.5kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.2 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:09.15 bitrate=  29.2kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.2 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:10.24 bitrate=  26.1kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.2 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:12.35 bitrate=  21.6kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.2 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:13.05 bitrate=  20.5kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.2 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:14.46 bitrate=  18.5kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:16.19 bitrate=  16.5kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:17.98 bitrate=  14.9kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:18.88 bitrate=  14.2kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:20.28 bitrate=  13.2kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:21.69 bitrate=  12.3kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:23.26 bitrate=  11.5kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:24.32 bitrate=  11.0kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:25.08 bitrate=  10.7kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:25.98 bitrate=  10.3kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:28.49 bitrate=   9.4kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:29.95 bitrate=   8.9kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 Lsize=     524kB time=00:00:29.95 bitrate= 143.2kbits/s speed=2.54x
  video:31kB audio:470kB subtitle:0kB other streams:0kB global headers:0kB muxing overhead: 4.417643%
  </pre>
  
  <p>I decided to try an example sticking more closely to the example I'd found online, using a couple AVI source videos with frame size 320x240. The shorter of the two sources ran 4+ minutes, so that was the expected output duration. I put the two sources in a "checkerboard" 2x2 grid. In retrospect, I suppose I didn't need to NAME each of them twice, but I'm new at ffmpeg, so don't hate me! My command for this:</p>
  
  <p>ffmpeg -i asianpho.avi -i WareMorg.avi -i WareMorg.avi -i asianpho.avi -filter_complex "nullsrc=size=640x480 [base]; [0:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [ul]; [1:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [ur]; [2:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [ll]; [3:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [lr]; [base][ul] overlay=shortest=1 [tmp1]; [tmp1][ur] overlay=shortest=1:x=320 [tmp2]; [tmp2][ll] overlay=shortest=1:y=240 [tmp3]; [tmp3][lr] overlay=shortest=1:x=320:y=240" -c:v libx264 output.mkv</p>
  
  <p>The result of THIS reported the creation of 4+ minutes of video (and not all "frame= 1") -- it wasn't still images, but it was properly PLACED images that were a flickering, flashing jumbled mess with screwed-up time flow, file size 41.4 Mb. I've been requested to supply the full report on it:</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://pastebin.com/6DrjGPmA" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://pastebin.com/6DrjGPmA</a></p>
  
  <p>So what am I doing, or is, wrong? How can I make it work?</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-10-19T05:27:28.710Z
Comments.Text: No errors shown in the log. I suspect the WMVs can't be parsed correctly by ffmpeg.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Gyan
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-10-22T04:25:42.257Z
Comments.Text: @AlanRat - well shoot.  Sorry about that answer ban.  It wasn't intentional and got put on by the system automatically.  I'm not seeing an immediate way to fix it in my controls, but I'll edit one of your answers to include your answer from the comment and undelete it.  That should at least get you an upvotable answer.  I'll also check in to getting it cleared since it was a special case issue, not something that really should have hit the automatic ban.
Comments.UserDisplayName: AJ Henderson
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-10-22T04:38:37.303Z
Comments.Text: Ok, looks like upvoting your answer and question was enough to make the system decide your weren't a high risk for answers... yay!!!
Comments.UserDisplayName: AJ Henderson
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-10-22T04:54:13.947Z
Comments.Text: https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/302385/prevent-answer-ban-from-kicking-in-for-a-single-honest-mistake-for-a-new-user
Comments.UserDisplayName: AJ Henderson
Tags: <ffmpeg>
Title: Why isn't using ffmpeg to create a 2x2 video "mosaic grid" working for me?
UserDisplayName: Alan Rat
ThreadText: # Why isn't using ffmpeg to create a 2x2 video "mosaic grid" working for me?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2017-10-17)
  
  On my Windows 7 PC, I've used Windows Live Movie Maker and Windows Media Encoder extensively to make and edit videos (I've also used other software like "Showbiz", "Super C" and "AVIdemux"). Recently I wanted to create a "grid mosaic" in a 2x2 arrangement of source videos in a target video.
  
  After some flailing around and gnashing of teeth, I found out about ffmpeg, downloaded the Windows "build" from the ffmpeg.org website, and have installed it on my PC. I tried using a command in the cmd window (aka "DOS") for the simple task of converting a WMV video (with an unusual aspect ratio) to AVI, and that worked out fine. At first the output image was pretty low-grade, but adding -b:v 3M fixed that up. Then, for my real objective, following this example I had found online:
  
  ```
  ffmpeg -i 1.avi -i 2.avi -i 3.avi -i 4.avi -filter_complex "nullsrc=size=640x480 [base]; 
  [0:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [upperleft]; [1:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [upperright]; [2:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [lowerleft]; [3:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [lowerright]; [base][upperleft] 
  overlay=shortest=1 [tmp1]; [tmp1][upperright] overlay=shortest=1:x=320 [tmp2]; [tmp2][lowerleft] overlay=shortest=1:y=240 [tmp3]; [tmp3][lowerright] 
  
  ```
  
  overlay=shortest=1:x=320:y=240" -c:v libx264 output.mkv
  
  Based on this, I tried my own command in the cmd window, thus:
  
  ```
  ffmpeg -i PatrShdY.wmv -i TJC.wmv -i TwSlRawD.wmv -i NightmrC.wmv -filter_complex "nullsrc=size=1056x594 [base]; 
  [0:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=528x297 [ul]; [1:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=528x297 [ur]; [2:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=528x297 [ll]; [3:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=528x297 [lr]; 
  [base][ul] overlay=shortest=1 [t1]; [t1][ur] overlay=shortest=1:x=528 [t2]; [t2][ll] overlay=shortest=1:y=297 [t3]; [t3][lr] overlay=shortest=1:x=528:y=297" -b:v 3M mos1.wmv
  
  ```
  
  The "reportage" mentioned some "guessing" issues with the audio, but that was not a big concern. An oddity was that it repeatedly said "frame= 1" instead of increasing numbers, and indeed, the result mos1.wmv had four images placed properly, but which were nothing more than one still image from each source video. All four source videos were 30 seconds duration, and the output "ran" for 30 seconds, but doing nothing more than showing one set of still images. The output file size of about 500kb was in line with this. The full reportage:
  
  ```
  ffmpeg version N-87867-g0655810072 Copyright (c) 2000-2017 the FFmpeg developers
  
    built with gcc 7.2.0 (GCC)
    configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --enable-sdl2 --enable-bzlib --e
  nable-fontconfig --enable-gnutls --enable-iconv --enable-libass --enable-libblur
  ay --enable-libfreetype --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopu
  s --enable-libshine --enable-libsnappy --enable-libsoxr --enable-libtheora --ena
  ble-libtwolame --enable-libvpx --enable-libwavpack --enable-libwebp --enable-lib
  x264 --enable-libx265 --enable-libxml2 --enable-libzimg --enable-lzma --enable-z
  lib --enable-gmp --enable-libvidstab --enable-cuda --enable-cuvid --enable-d3d11
  va --enable-nvenc --enable-dxva2 --enable-avisynth --enable-libmfx
    libavutil      55. 79.100 / 55. 79.100
    libavcodec     57.108.100 / 57.108.100
    libavformat    57. 84.100 / 57. 84.100
    libavdevice    57. 11.100 / 57. 11.100
    libavfilter     6.108.100 /  6.108.100
    libswscale      4.  9.100 /  4.  9.100
    libswresample   2. 10.100 /  2. 10.100
    libpostproc    54.  8.100 / 54.  8.100
  [wmv3 @ 000000000048b200] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  Guessed Channel Layout for Input Stream #0.0 : mono
  Input #0, asf, from 'PatrShdY.wmv':
    Metadata:
      title           : In the woodshed
      WMFSDKNeeded    : 0.0.0.0000
      DeviceConformanceTemplate: MP@HL
      WMFSDKVersion   : 12.0.7601.17514
      IsVBR           : 1
      VBR Peak        : 2156613
      Buffer Average  : 1555
    Duration: 00:00:30.02, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2496 kb/s
      Stream #0:0(eng): Audio: wmav2 (a[1][0][0] / 0x0161), 32000 Hz, mono, fltp,
  20 kb/s
      Stream #0:1(eng): Video: wmv3 (Main) (WMV3 / 0x33564D57), yuv420p, 1024x576,
   2441 kb/s, 30 fps, 30 tbr, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
  [wmv3 @ 0000000000459ea0] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  Guessed Channel Layout for Input Stream #1.0 : stereo
  Input #1, asf, from 'TJC.wmv':
    Metadata:
      title           : White -- 'nuff said!!
      WMFSDKNeeded    : 0.0.0.0000
      DeviceConformanceTemplate: MP@HL
      WMFSDKVersion   : 12.0.7601.17514
      IsVBR           : 1
      VBR Peak        : 2181663
      Buffer Average  : 2514
    Duration: 00:00:30.02, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2481 kb/s
      Stream #1:0(eng): Audio: wmav2 (a[1][0][0] / 0x0161), 32000 Hz, stereo, fltp
  , 24 kb/s
      Stream #1:1(eng): Video: wmv3 (Main) (WMV3 / 0x33564D57), yuv420p, 1024x576,
   2441 kb/s, 30 fps, 30 tbr, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
  [wmv3 @ 0000000000506360] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  Input #2, asf, from 'TwSlRawD.wmv':
    Metadata:
      WMFSDKNeeded    : 0.0.0.0000
      DeviceConformanceTemplate: M0
      WMFSDKVersion   : 12.0.7601.17514
      IsVBR           : 0
    Duration: 00:00:30.04, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2276 kb/s
      Stream #2:0: Video: mjpeg, yuvj420p(pc, bt470bg/unknown/unknown), 1024x576,
  90k tbr, 90k tbn, 90k tbc
      Metadata:
        comment         : Movie/video screen capture
      Stream #2:1: Video: wmv3 (Main) (WMV3 / 0x33564D57), yuv420p, 1024x576, 2200
   kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
      Stream #2:2: Audio: wmapro (b[1][0][0] / 0x0162), 32000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 32
   kb/s
  [wmv3 @ 00000000004cc1a0] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  Guessed Channel Layout for Input Stream #3.0 : stereo
  Input #3, asf, from 'NightmrC.wmv':
    Metadata:
      title           : In a Nightmare
      WMFSDKNeeded    : 0.0.0.0000
      DeviceConformanceTemplate: MP@HL
      WMFSDKVersion   : 12.0.7601.17514
      IsVBR           : 1
      VBR Peak        : 3032434
      Buffer Average  : 1675
    Duration: 00:00:30.02, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 3483 kb/s
      Stream #3:0(eng): Audio: wmav2 (a[1][0][0] / 0x0161), 32000 Hz, stereo, fltp
  , 24 kb/s
      Stream #3:1(eng): Video: wmv3 (Main) (WMV3 / 0x33564D57), yuv420p, 1024x576,
   3441 kb/s, 30 fps, 30 tbr, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
  [wmv3 @ 0000000000451fe0] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  [wmv3 @ 0000000000504b60] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  [wmv3 @ 00000000004ccb40] Extra data: 8 bits left, value: 0
  Stream mapping:
    Stream #0:1 (wmv3) -> setpts (graph 0)
    Stream #1:1 (wmv3) -> setpts (graph 0)
    Stream #2:0 (mjpeg) -> setpts (graph 0)
    Stream #3:1 (wmv3) -> setpts (graph 0)
    overlay (graph 0) -> Stream #0:0 (msmpeg4)
    Stream #1:0 -> #0:1 (wmav2 (native) -> wmav2 (native))
  Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
  [swscaler @ 00000000034d1f20] deprecated pixel format used, make sure you did se
  t range correctly
  Output #0, asf, to 'mos2.wmv':
    Metadata:
      title           : Patrik Janovic in the woodshed
      WMFSDKNeeded    : 0.0.0.0000
      DeviceConformanceTemplate: MP@HL
      WMFSDKVersion   : 12.0.7601.17514
      IsVBR           : 1
      VBR Peak        : 2156613
      Buffer Average  : 1555
      WM/EncodingSettings: Lavf57.84.100
      Stream #0:0: Video: msmpeg4v3 (msmpeg4) (MP43 / 0x3334504D), yuv420p(progres
  sive), 1056x594 [SAR 1:1 DAR 16:9], q=2-31, 3000 kb/s, 25 fps, 1k tbn, 25 tbc (d
  efault)
      Metadata:
        encoder         : Lavc57.108.100 msmpeg4
      Side data:
        cpb: bitrate max/min/avg: 0/0/3000000 buffer size: 0 vbv_delay: -1
      Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: wmav2 (a[1][0][0] / 0x0161), 32000 Hz, stereo, fltp
  , 128 kb/s
      Metadata:
        encoder         : Lavc57.108.100 wmav2
  frame=    1 fps=0.0 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:00.25 bitrate=1044.1kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.8 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:01.21 bitrate= 219.8kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.6 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:02.30 bitrate= 116.0kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.5 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:03.60 bitrate=  74.1kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.4 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:04.86 bitrate=  55.0kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.3 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:06.01 bitrate=  44.4kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.3 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:07.74 bitrate=  34.5kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.2 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:09.15 bitrate=  29.2kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.2 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:10.24 bitrate=  26.1kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.2 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:12.35 bitrate=  21.6kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.2 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:13.05 bitrate=  20.5kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.2 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:14.46 bitrate=  18.5kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:16.19 bitrate=  16.5kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:17.98 bitrate=  14.9kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:18.88 bitrate=  14.2kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:20.28 bitrate=  13.2kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:21.69 bitrate=  12.3kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:23.26 bitrate=  11.5kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:24.32 bitrate=  11.0kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:25.08 bitrate=  10.7kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:25.98 bitrate=  10.3kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:28.49 bitrate=   9.4kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 size=      33kB time=00:00:29.95 bitrate=   8.9kbits/s
  frame=    1 fps=0.1 q=6.1 Lsize=     524kB time=00:00:29.95 bitrate= 143.2kbits/s speed=2.54x
  video:31kB audio:470kB subtitle:0kB other streams:0kB global headers:0kB muxing overhead: 4.417643%
  
  ```
  
  I decided to try an example sticking more closely to the example I'd found online, using a couple AVI source videos with frame size 320x240. The shorter of the two sources ran 4+ minutes, so that was the expected output duration. I put the two sources in a "checkerboard" 2x2 grid. In retrospect, I suppose I didn't need to NAME each of them twice, but I'm new at ffmpeg, so don't hate me! My command for this:
  
  ffmpeg -i asianpho.avi -i WareMorg.avi -i WareMorg.avi -i asianpho.avi -filter\_complex "nullsrc=size=640x480 [base]; [0:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [ul]; [1:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [ur]; [2:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [ll]; [3:v] setpts=PTS-STARTPTS, scale=320x240 [lr]; [base][ul] overlay=shortest=1 [tmp1]; [tmp1][ur] overlay=shortest=1:x=320 [tmp2]; [tmp2][ll] overlay=shortest=1:y=240 [tmp3]; [tmp3][lr] overlay=shortest=1:x=320:y=240" -c:v libx264 output.mkv
  
  The result of THIS reported the creation of 4+ minutes of video (and not all "frame= 1") -- it wasn't still images, but it was properly PLACED images that were a flickering, flashing jumbled mess with screwed-up time flow, file size 41.4 Mb. I've been requested to supply the full report on it:
  
  <https://pastebin.com/6DrjGPmA>
  
  So what am I doing, or is, wrong? How can I make it work?
  
  **Tags:** ffmpeg
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: No errors shown in the log. I suspect the WMVs can't be parsed correctly by ffmpeg.  
  > **username_2**: @username_0 - well shoot.  Sorry about that answer ban.  It wasn't intentional and got put on by the system automatically.  I'm not seeing an immediate way to fix it in my controls, but I'll edit one of your answers to include your answer from the comment and undelete it.  That should at least get you an upvotable answer.  I'll also check in to getting it cleared since it was a special case issue, not something that really should have hit the automatic ban.  
  > **username_2**: Ok, looks like upvoting your answer and question was enough to make the system decide your weren't a high risk for answers... yay!!!  
  > **username_2**: https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/302385/prevent-answer-ban-from-kicking-in-for-a-single-honest-mistake-for-a-new-user  
  
  ---
  
  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_0 on 2017-10-17. Score: 3
  
  It occurred to me I could probably "work around" the problem.
  
  My source files were all WMV files produced by Windows Media Encoder (mostly) and Windows Live Movie Maker, both of which can ONLY produce that file type.
  
  As my first trial run with ffmpeg was to convert an individual one of those WMV files to another type, and THAT was successful, I decided to use ffmpeg to convert each source file separately to MP4. Then THOSE files could, indeed, be formed successfully into a "mosaic grid" with ffmpeg.
  
  
  ---
  
  