Answers.Body: <p>As @LordNeckbeard wrote in the comments, moving the <code>-t</code> flag to after the <code>-i</code> flag works:</p>
  
  <pre><code>ffmpeg -ss 0 -i in.mp4 -t 00:30:00 -acodec copy -vcodec copy out.mp4
  </code></pre>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-02-26T02:48:22.480Z
Answers.Text: Or use `-shortest` as an output option.  I think what's going on is `-t` maybe applies to only one of the streams in the input file, or something.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Peter Cordes
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-02-25T20:17:53.203Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2015-02-25T20:17:53.203Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Jonathan
Body: <p>I've losslessly extracted 30m from a ~1.5h long video using the following <code>ffmpeg</code> command:</p>
  
  <pre><code>ffmpeg -ss 0 -t 00:30:00 -i in.mp4 -acodec copy -vcodec copy out.mp4
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>The split was successful and <code>out.mp4</code> was created with the first 30m.<br>
  However... even though the video stops after 30m, video players such as VLC and Windows Media Player show the video length as still being ~1.5h long, and so does Windows Explorer when the file is selected.</p>
  
  <p><strong>How come the video length shown is different than the actual video length?<br>
  How can I adjust it so they will match?</strong></p>
  
  <p>I'm on Win7 using ffmpeg 64bit static from Feb 10th 2015.<br>
  Also, here is the output of the process:</p>
  
  <pre><code>ffmpeg version N-69672-g078be09 Copyright (c) 2000-2015 the FFmpeg developers
    built with gcc 4.9.2 (GCC)
    configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --disable-w32threads --enable-avisynth --enable-bzlib --enable-fontconfig --enable-frei0r --enable-gnu
  tls --enable-iconv --enable-libass --enable-libbluray --enable-libbs2b --enable-libcaca --enable-libfreetype --enable-libgme --enable-libgsm --enable-
  libilbc --enable-libmodplug --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopus --enable-l
  ibrtmp --enable-libschroedinger --enable-libsoxr --enable-libspeex --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvo-aacenc --
  enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libwavpack --enable-libwebp --enable-libx264 --enable-libx265 --enable-libxavs --ena
  ble-libxvid --enable-lzma --enable-decklink --enable-zlib
    libavutil      54. 18.100 / 54. 18.100
    libavcodec     56. 21.102 / 56. 21.102
    libavformat    56. 19.100 / 56. 19.100
    libavdevice    56.  4.100 / 56.  4.100
    libavfilter     5.  9.104 /  5.  9.104
    libswscale      3.  1.101 /  3.  1.101
    libswresample   1.  1.100 /  1.  1.100
    libpostproc    53.  3.100 / 53.  3.100
  [mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2 @ 0000000000307fe0] overread end of atom 'colr' by 1 bytes
  Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'in.mp4':
    Metadata:
      major_brand     : mp42
      minor_version   : 0
      compatible_brands: mp42isomavc1
      creation_time   : 2015-02-11 15:31:12
      encoder         : HandBrake 0.9.8 2012071700
    Duration: 01:33:46.64, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2556 kb/s
      Chapter #0:0: start -0.160000, end 301.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 1
      Chapter #0:1: start 301.040000, end 600.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 2
      Chapter #0:2: start 600.560000, end 901.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 3
      Chapter #0:3: start 901.040000, end 1200.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 4
      Chapter #0:4: start 1200.560000, end 1501.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 5
      Chapter #0:5: start 1501.040000, end 1800.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 6
      Chapter #0:6: start 1800.560000, end 2101.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 7
      Chapter #0:7: start 2101.040000, end 2400.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 8
      Chapter #0:8: start 2400.560000, end 2701.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 9
      Chapter #0:9: start 2701.040000, end 3000.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 10
      Chapter #0:10: start 3000.560000, end 3301.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 11
      Chapter #0:11: start 3301.040000, end 3600.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 12
      Chapter #0:12: start 3600.560000, end 3901.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 13
      Chapter #0:13: start 3901.040000, end 4200.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 14
      Chapter #0:14: start 4200.560000, end 4501.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 15
      Chapter #0:15: start 4501.040000, end 4800.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 16
      Chapter #0:16: start 4800.560000, end 5101.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 17
      Chapter #0:17: start 5101.040000, end 5400.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 18
      Chapter #0:18: start 5400.560000, end 5626.640000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 19
      Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (High) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(tv, smpte170m/smpte170m/bt709), 720x576 [SAR 768:715 DAR 192:143], 2391 kb/s, 25
   fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn, 180k tbc (default)
      Metadata:
        creation_time   : 2015-02-11 15:31:12
        encoder         : JVT/AVC Coding
      Stream #0:1(und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 159 kb/s (default)
      Metadata:
        creation_time   : 2015-02-11 15:31:12
      Stream #0:2(und): Subtitle: mov_text (text / 0x74786574)
      Metadata:
        creation_time   : 2015-02-11 15:31:12
  Output #0, mp4, to 'out.mp4':
    Metadata:
      major_brand     : mp42
      minor_version   : 0
      compatible_brands: mp42isomavc1
      encoder         : Lavf56.19.100
      Chapter #0:0: start 0.000000, end 301.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 1
      Chapter #0:1: start 301.040000, end 600.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 2
      Chapter #0:2: start 600.560000, end 901.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 3
      Chapter #0:3: start 901.040000, end 1200.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 4
      Chapter #0:4: start 1200.560000, end 1501.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 5
      Chapter #0:5: start 1501.040000, end 1800.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 6
      Chapter #0:6: start 1800.560000, end 2101.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 7
      Chapter #0:7: start 2101.040000, end 2400.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 8
      Chapter #0:8: start 2400.560000, end 2701.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 9
      Chapter #0:9: start 2701.040000, end 3000.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 10
      Chapter #0:10: start 3000.560000, end 3301.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 11
      Chapter #0:11: start 3301.040000, end 3600.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 12
      Chapter #0:12: start 3600.560000, end 3901.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 13
      Chapter #0:13: start 3901.040000, end 4200.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 14
      Chapter #0:14: start 4200.560000, end 4501.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 15
      Chapter #0:15: start 4501.040000, end 4800.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 16
      Chapter #0:16: start 4800.560000, end 5101.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 17
      Chapter #0:17: start 5101.040000, end 5400.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 18
      Chapter #0:18: start 5400.560000, end 5626.640000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 19
      Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 ([33][0][0][0] / 0x0021), yuv420p, 720x576 [SAR 768:715 DAR 192:143], q=2-31, 2391 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn, 90
  k tbc (default)
      Metadata:
        creation_time   : 2015-02-11 15:31:12
        encoder         : JVT/AVC Coding
      Stream #0:1(und): Audio: aac ([64][0][0][0] / 0x0040), 48000 Hz, stereo, 159 kb/s (default)
      Metadata:
        creation_time   : 2015-02-11 15:31:12
  Stream mapping:
    Stream #0:0 -&gt; #0:0 (copy)
    Stream #0:1 -&gt; #0:1 (copy)
  Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
  frame=45000 fps=5763 q=-1.0 Lsize=  590048kB time=00:30:00.00 bitrate=2685.4kbits/s
  video:553577kB audio:35153kB subtitle:0kB other streams:0kB global headers:0kB muxing overhead: 0.223870%
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Here's the output of <code>ffmpeg -i out.mp4</code>:</p>
  
  <pre><code>ffmpeg version N-69672-g078be09 Copyright (c) 2000-2015 the FFmpeg developers
    built with gcc 4.9.2 (GCC)
    configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --disable-w32threads --enable-avisynth --enable-bzlib --enable-fontconfig --enable-frei0r --enable-gnu
  tls --enable-iconv --enable-libass --enable-libbluray --enable-libbs2b --enable-libcaca --enable-libfreetype --enable-libgme --enable-libgsm --enable-
  libilbc --enable-libmodplug --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopus --enable-l
  ibrtmp --enable-libschroedinger --enable-libsoxr --enable-libspeex --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvo-aacenc --
  enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libwavpack --enable-libwebp --enable-libx264 --enable-libx265 --enable-libxavs --ena
  ble-libxvid --enable-lzma --enable-decklink --enable-zlib
    libavutil      54. 18.100 / 54. 18.100
    libavcodec     56. 21.102 / 56. 21.102
    libavformat    56. 19.100 / 56. 19.100
    libavdevice    56.  4.100 / 56.  4.100
    libavfilter     5.  9.104 /  5.  9.104
    libswscale      3.  1.101 /  3.  1.101
    libswresample   1.  1.100 /  1.  1.100
    libpostproc    53.  3.100 / 53.  3.100
  Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'out.mp4':
    Metadata:
      major_brand     : isom
      minor_version   : 512
      compatible_brands: isomiso2avc1mp41
      encoder         : Lavf56.19.100
    Duration: 01:33:46.64, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 859 kb/s
      Chapter #0:0: start 0.000000, end 301.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 1
      Chapter #0:1: start 301.040000, end 600.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 2
      Chapter #0:2: start 600.560000, end 901.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 3
      Chapter #0:3: start 901.040000, end 1200.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 4
      Chapter #0:4: start 1200.560000, end 1501.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 5
      Chapter #0:5: start 1501.040000, end 1800.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 6
      Chapter #0:6: start 1800.560000, end 2101.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 7
      Chapter #0:7: start 2101.040000, end 2400.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 8
      Chapter #0:8: start 2400.560000, end 2701.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 9
      Chapter #0:9: start 2701.040000, end 3000.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 10
      Chapter #0:10: start 3000.560000, end 3301.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 11
      Chapter #0:11: start 3301.040000, end 3600.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 12
      Chapter #0:12: start 3600.560000, end 3901.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 13
      Chapter #0:13: start 3901.040000, end 4200.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 14
      Chapter #0:14: start 4200.560000, end 4501.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 15
      Chapter #0:15: start 4501.040000, end 4800.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 16
      Chapter #0:16: start 4800.560000, end 5101.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 17
      Chapter #0:17: start 5101.040000, end 5400.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 18
      Chapter #0:18: start 5400.560000, end 5626.640000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 19
      Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (High) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(tv, smpte170m/smpte170m/bt709), 720x576 [SAR 768:715 DAR 192:143], 2519 kb/s, 25
   fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn, 180k tbc (default)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : VideoHandler
      Stream #0:1(und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 159 kb/s (default)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : SoundHandler
      Stream #0:2(eng): Subtitle: mov_text (text / 0x74786574)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : SubtitleHandler
  At least one output file must be specified
  </code></pre>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-02-13T18:24:38.533Z
Comments.Text: Please include the complete console output from your command. Which players specifically are you using?
Comments.UserDisplayName: llogan
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-02-14T10:28:25.927Z
Comments.Text: @LordNeckbeard - see updated question :)
Comments.UserDisplayName: Jonathan
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-02-15T07:05:43.230Z
Comments.Text: @LordNeckbeard - see second update at the bottom of the question :)
Comments.UserDisplayName: Jonathan
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-02-17T07:05:29.833Z
Comments.Text: @LordNeckbeard - I'm hanging my hopes up, so please let me know even if you don't know the answer ;)
Comments.UserDisplayName: Jonathan
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-02-17T18:39:08.453Z
Comments.Text: Does it make a difference if you remove `-ss 0`? What if you move `-t 00:30:00` after the input so it gets used as an output option instead?
Comments.UserDisplayName: llogan
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-02-18T22:51:37.533Z
Comments.Text: @LordNeckbeard - yup, moving `-t` to after the input `-i` did the trick.. Write it as an answer and I'll accept it :)
Comments.UserDisplayName: Jonathan
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-02-18T22:52:49.963Z
Comments.Text: btw, I see it as a design flaw. I think command arguments should be as order-agnostic as possible
Comments.UserDisplayName: Jonathan
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-02-19T02:28:56.590Z
Comments.Text: Option placement does matter, but `-t` is both an input and output option, so I'd assume it wouldn't really matter. Perhaps you found a bug. Does it occur with all inputs, or just a certain one(s)? I can't duplicate the issue.
Comments.UserDisplayName: llogan
Tags: <ffmpeg><mp4><mpeg>
Title: ffmpeg split file retains original length
UserDisplayName: Jonathan
ThreadText: # ffmpeg split file retains original length
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2015-02-13)
  
  I've losslessly extracted 30m from a ~1.5h long video using the following `ffmpeg` command:
  
  ```
  ffmpeg -ss 0 -t 00:30:00 -i in.mp4 -acodec copy -vcodec copy out.mp4
  
  ```
  
  The split was successful and `out.mp4` was created with the first 30m.  
  However... even though the video stops after 30m, video players such as VLC and Windows Media Player show the video length as still being ~1.5h long, and so does Windows Explorer when the file is selected.
  
  **How come the video length shown is different than the actual video length?  
  How can I adjust it so they will match?**
  
  I'm on Win7 using ffmpeg 64bit static from Feb 10th 2015.  
  Also, here is the output of the process:
  
  ```
  ffmpeg version N-69672-g078be09 Copyright (c) 2000-2015 the FFmpeg developers
    built with gcc 4.9.2 (GCC)
    configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --disable-w32threads --enable-avisynth --enable-bzlib --enable-fontconfig --enable-frei0r --enable-gnu
  tls --enable-iconv --enable-libass --enable-libbluray --enable-libbs2b --enable-libcaca --enable-libfreetype --enable-libgme --enable-libgsm --enable-
  libilbc --enable-libmodplug --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopus --enable-l
  ibrtmp --enable-libschroedinger --enable-libsoxr --enable-libspeex --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvo-aacenc --
  enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libwavpack --enable-libwebp --enable-libx264 --enable-libx265 --enable-libxavs --ena
  ble-libxvid --enable-lzma --enable-decklink --enable-zlib
    libavutil      54. 18.100 / 54. 18.100
    libavcodec     56. 21.102 / 56. 21.102
    libavformat    56. 19.100 / 56. 19.100
    libavdevice    56.  4.100 / 56.  4.100
    libavfilter     5.  9.104 /  5.  9.104
    libswscale      3.  1.101 /  3.  1.101
    libswresample   1.  1.100 /  1.  1.100
    libpostproc    53.  3.100 / 53.  3.100
  [mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2 @ 0000000000307fe0] overread end of atom 'colr' by 1 bytes
  Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'in.mp4':
    Metadata:
      major_brand     : mp42
      minor_version   : 0
      compatible_brands: mp42isomavc1
      creation_time   : 2015-02-11 15:31:12
      encoder         : HandBrake 0.9.8 2012071700
    Duration: 01:33:46.64, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2556 kb/s
      Chapter #0:0: start -0.160000, end 301.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 1
      Chapter #0:1: start 301.040000, end 600.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 2
      Chapter #0:2: start 600.560000, end 901.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 3
      Chapter #0:3: start 901.040000, end 1200.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 4
      Chapter #0:4: start 1200.560000, end 1501.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 5
      Chapter #0:5: start 1501.040000, end 1800.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 6
      Chapter #0:6: start 1800.560000, end 2101.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 7
      Chapter #0:7: start 2101.040000, end 2400.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 8
      Chapter #0:8: start 2400.560000, end 2701.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 9
      Chapter #0:9: start 2701.040000, end 3000.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 10
      Chapter #0:10: start 3000.560000, end 3301.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 11
      Chapter #0:11: start 3301.040000, end 3600.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 12
      Chapter #0:12: start 3600.560000, end 3901.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 13
      Chapter #0:13: start 3901.040000, end 4200.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 14
      Chapter #0:14: start 4200.560000, end 4501.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 15
      Chapter #0:15: start 4501.040000, end 4800.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 16
      Chapter #0:16: start 4800.560000, end 5101.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 17
      Chapter #0:17: start 5101.040000, end 5400.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 18
      Chapter #0:18: start 5400.560000, end 5626.640000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 19
      Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (High) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(tv, smpte170m/smpte170m/bt709), 720x576 [SAR 768:715 DAR 192:143], 2391 kb/s, 25
   fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn, 180k tbc (default)
      Metadata:
        creation_time   : 2015-02-11 15:31:12
        encoder         : JVT/AVC Coding
      Stream #0:1(und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 159 kb/s (default)
      Metadata:
        creation_time   : 2015-02-11 15:31:12
      Stream #0:2(und): Subtitle: mov_text (text / 0x74786574)
      Metadata:
        creation_time   : 2015-02-11 15:31:12
  Output #0, mp4, to 'out.mp4':
    Metadata:
      major_brand     : mp42
      minor_version   : 0
      compatible_brands: mp42isomavc1
      encoder         : Lavf56.19.100
      Chapter #0:0: start 0.000000, end 301.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 1
      Chapter #0:1: start 301.040000, end 600.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 2
      Chapter #0:2: start 600.560000, end 901.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 3
      Chapter #0:3: start 901.040000, end 1200.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 4
      Chapter #0:4: start 1200.560000, end 1501.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 5
      Chapter #0:5: start 1501.040000, end 1800.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 6
      Chapter #0:6: start 1800.560000, end 2101.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 7
      Chapter #0:7: start 2101.040000, end 2400.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 8
      Chapter #0:8: start 2400.560000, end 2701.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 9
      Chapter #0:9: start 2701.040000, end 3000.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 10
      Chapter #0:10: start 3000.560000, end 3301.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 11
      Chapter #0:11: start 3301.040000, end 3600.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 12
      Chapter #0:12: start 3600.560000, end 3901.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 13
      Chapter #0:13: start 3901.040000, end 4200.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 14
      Chapter #0:14: start 4200.560000, end 4501.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 15
      Chapter #0:15: start 4501.040000, end 4800.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 16
      Chapter #0:16: start 4800.560000, end 5101.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 17
      Chapter #0:17: start 5101.040000, end 5400.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 18
      Chapter #0:18: start 5400.560000, end 5626.640000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 19
      Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 ([33][0][0][0] / 0x0021), yuv420p, 720x576 [SAR 768:715 DAR 192:143], q=2-31, 2391 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn, 90
  k tbc (default)
      Metadata:
        creation_time   : 2015-02-11 15:31:12
        encoder         : JVT/AVC Coding
      Stream #0:1(und): Audio: aac ([64][0][0][0] / 0x0040), 48000 Hz, stereo, 159 kb/s (default)
      Metadata:
        creation_time   : 2015-02-11 15:31:12
  Stream mapping:
    Stream #0:0 -> #0:0 (copy)
    Stream #0:1 -> #0:1 (copy)
  Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
  frame=45000 fps=5763 q=-1.0 Lsize=  590048kB time=00:30:00.00 bitrate=2685.4kbits/s
  video:553577kB audio:35153kB subtitle:0kB other streams:0kB global headers:0kB muxing overhead: 0.223870%
  
  ```
  
  Here's the output of `ffmpeg -i out.mp4`:
  
  ```
  ffmpeg version N-69672-g078be09 Copyright (c) 2000-2015 the FFmpeg developers
    built with gcc 4.9.2 (GCC)
    configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --disable-w32threads --enable-avisynth --enable-bzlib --enable-fontconfig --enable-frei0r --enable-gnu
  tls --enable-iconv --enable-libass --enable-libbluray --enable-libbs2b --enable-libcaca --enable-libfreetype --enable-libgme --enable-libgsm --enable-
  libilbc --enable-libmodplug --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopus --enable-l
  ibrtmp --enable-libschroedinger --enable-libsoxr --enable-libspeex --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvo-aacenc --
  enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libwavpack --enable-libwebp --enable-libx264 --enable-libx265 --enable-libxavs --ena
  ble-libxvid --enable-lzma --enable-decklink --enable-zlib
    libavutil      54. 18.100 / 54. 18.100
    libavcodec     56. 21.102 / 56. 21.102
    libavformat    56. 19.100 / 56. 19.100
    libavdevice    56.  4.100 / 56.  4.100
    libavfilter     5.  9.104 /  5.  9.104
    libswscale      3.  1.101 /  3.  1.101
    libswresample   1.  1.100 /  1.  1.100
    libpostproc    53.  3.100 / 53.  3.100
  Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'out.mp4':
    Metadata:
      major_brand     : isom
      minor_version   : 512
      compatible_brands: isomiso2avc1mp41
      encoder         : Lavf56.19.100
    Duration: 01:33:46.64, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 859 kb/s
      Chapter #0:0: start 0.000000, end 301.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 1
      Chapter #0:1: start 301.040000, end 600.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 2
      Chapter #0:2: start 600.560000, end 901.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 3
      Chapter #0:3: start 901.040000, end 1200.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 4
      Chapter #0:4: start 1200.560000, end 1501.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 5
      Chapter #0:5: start 1501.040000, end 1800.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 6
      Chapter #0:6: start 1800.560000, end 2101.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 7
      Chapter #0:7: start 2101.040000, end 2400.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 8
      Chapter #0:8: start 2400.560000, end 2701.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 9
      Chapter #0:9: start 2701.040000, end 3000.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 10
      Chapter #0:10: start 3000.560000, end 3301.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 11
      Chapter #0:11: start 3301.040000, end 3600.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 12
      Chapter #0:12: start 3600.560000, end 3901.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 13
      Chapter #0:13: start 3901.040000, end 4200.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 14
      Chapter #0:14: start 4200.560000, end 4501.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 15
      Chapter #0:15: start 4501.040000, end 4800.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 16
      Chapter #0:16: start 4800.560000, end 5101.040000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 17
      Chapter #0:17: start 5101.040000, end 5400.560000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 18
      Chapter #0:18: start 5400.560000, end 5626.640000
      Metadata:
        title           : Chapter 19
      Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (High) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(tv, smpte170m/smpte170m/bt709), 720x576 [SAR 768:715 DAR 192:143], 2519 kb/s, 25
   fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn, 180k tbc (default)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : VideoHandler
      Stream #0:1(und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 159 kb/s (default)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : SoundHandler
      Stream #0:2(eng): Subtitle: mov_text (text / 0x74786574)
      Metadata:
        handler_name    : SubtitleHandler
  At least one output file must be specified
  
  ```
  
  **Tags:** ffmpeg, mp4, mpeg
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: Please include the complete console output from your command. Which players specifically are you using?  
  > **username_0**: @LordNeckbeard - see updated question :)  
  > **username_0**: @LordNeckbeard - see second update at the bottom of the question :)  
  > **username_0**: @LordNeckbeard - I'm hanging my hopes up, so please let me know even if you don't know the answer ;)  
  > **username_1**: Does it make a difference if you remove `-ss 0`? What if you move `-t 00:30:00` after the input so it gets used as an output option instead?  
  > **username_0**: @LordNeckbeard - yup, moving `-t` to after the input `-i` did the trick.. Write it as an answer and I'll accept it :)  
  > **username_0**: btw, I see it as a design flaw. I think command arguments should be as order-agnostic as possible  
  > **username_1**: Option placement does matter, but `-t` is both an input and output option, so I'd assume it wouldn't really matter. Perhaps you found a bug. Does it occur with all inputs, or just a certain one(s)? I can't duplicate the issue.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_0 on 2015-02-25. Score: 2 | Accepted answer
  
  As @LordNeckbeard wrote in the comments, moving the `-t` flag to after the `-i` flag works:
  
  ```
  ffmpeg -ss 0 -i in.mp4 -t 00:30:00 -acodec copy -vcodec copy out.mp4
  
  ```
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_2**: Or use `-shortest` as an output option.  I think what's going on is `-t` maybe applies to only one of the streams in the input file, or something.  
  
  ---
  
  