# Video Converter API (`obedient_hierarchy/universal-video-converter`) Actor Reliable FFmpeg-based Apify Actor that converts video and audio files between safe presets, validates input/output metadata, and stores converted files in the default key-value store. - **URL**: https://apify.com/obedient\_hierarchy/universal-video-converter.md - **Developed by:** [Kritsana](https://apify.com/obedient_hierarchy) (community) - **Categories:** AI, Developer tools, MCP servers - **Stats:** 1 total users, 0 monthly users, 0.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing Pay per usage This Actor is paid per platform usage. The Actor is free to use, and you only pay for the Apify platform usage, which gets cheaper the higher subscription plan you have. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-usage ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## Universal Video Converter API Apify Actor for reliable FFmpeg-based video/audio conversion. The actor accepts an uploaded file or direct URL from the Actor input UI, converts the file using a constrained preset, validates input and output with `ffprobe`, saves the converted file back to the default key-value store, and pushes a dataset item with metadata and a download URL. ### Example input ```json { "sourceUrl": "https://example.com/input.mov", "targetFormat": "mp4", "quality": "balanced", "maxResolution": 1080, "fps": 30, "stripMetadata": true } ```` ### Console upload In Apify Console, use the **Upload video or source URL** field. It renders as a file upload control, so non-technical users can upload a video directly instead of writing JSON or creating a key-value store manually. ### Upload workflow For API clients, first upload the binary video to an Apify key-value store record, then run the Actor with a signed or token-authenticated record URL as `sourceUrl`. ```bash curl -X PUT \ "https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/YOUR_STORE_ID/records/input.mov?token=YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN" \ -H "Content-Type: video/quicktime" \ --data-binary "@input.mov" ``` ```json { "sourceUrl": "https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/YOUR_STORE_ID/records/input.mov?token=YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN", "targetFormat": "mp4", "quality": "balanced" } ``` Use `sourceUrl` when the file is already hosted somewhere or uploaded to Apify storage. `sourceKey` is still supported for records available in the run's default key-value store. `sourceStoreId` is available for privileged runs, but public/signed `sourceUrl` is the most reliable upload workflow because Apify runs may execute with limited storage permissions. ### Supported formats - Video: `mp4`, `webm`, `mov`, `mkv`, `avi`, `m4v`, `gif`. - Audio: `mp3`, `m4a`, `aac`, `wav`, `ogg`, `flac`. The actor does not accept raw FFmpeg command strings. This keeps the API stable and prevents command injection. # Actor input Schema ## `sourceUrl` (type: `string`): Upload a video/audio file or provide a direct URL. The Actor will convert this file using the selected output settings. ## `sourceKey` (type: `string`): Alternative to sourceUrl. Key-value store record key containing the uploaded source file. ## `sourceStoreId` (type: `string`): Optional Apify key-value store ID or name to read sourceKey from. Leave empty to use the run's default key-value store. ## `targetFormat` (type: `string`): Output container/format. Presets are intentionally constrained for reliability. ## `quality` (type: `string`): Controls encoder quality/speed. Higher quality creates larger files and slower runs. ## `maxResolution` (type: `string`): Downscale video so neither side exceeds this size. Use 0 to keep original size. ## `fps` (type: `string`): Optional output FPS cap for video formats. Use 0 to keep source frame rate. ## `startTime` (type: `string`): Optional trim start, for example 00:01:10 or 70.5 seconds. ## `duration` (type: `string`): Optional trim duration, for example 00:00:30 or 30. ## `stripMetadata` (type: `boolean`): Remove embedded metadata from the output file. ## `outputKeyPrefix` (type: `string`): Prefix for saved output keys in the default key-value store. ## Actor input object example ```json { "targetFormat": "mp4", "quality": "balanced", "maxResolution": "1080", "fps": "0", "stripMetadata": true, "outputKeyPrefix": "converted" } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): Dataset items with source metadata, output metadata, output key, output URL, and conversion settings. # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "targetFormat": "mp4" }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("obedient_hierarchy/universal-video-converter").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "targetFormat": "mp4" } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("obedient_hierarchy/universal-video-converter").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "targetFormat": "mp4" }' | apify call obedient_hierarchy/universal-video-converter --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=obedient_hierarchy/universal-video-converter", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Video Converter API", "description": "Reliable FFmpeg-based Apify Actor that converts video and audio files between safe presets, validates input/output metadata, and stores converted files in the default key-value store.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "0vnPDh72bXSmNksm7" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/obedient_hierarchy~universal-video-converter/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-obedient_hierarchy-universal-video-converter", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/obedient_hierarchy~universal-video-converter/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-obedient_hierarchy-universal-video-converter", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/obedient_hierarchy~universal-video-converter/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-obedient_hierarchy-universal-video-converter", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "sourceUrl": { "title": "Upload video or source URL", "type": "string", "description": "Upload a video/audio file or provide a direct URL. The Actor will convert this file using the selected output settings." }, "sourceKey": { "title": "Source key-value store key", "type": "string", "description": "Alternative to sourceUrl. Key-value store record key containing the uploaded source file." }, "sourceStoreId": { "title": "Source key-value store ID", "type": "string", "description": "Optional Apify key-value store ID or name to read sourceKey from. Leave empty to use the run's default key-value store." }, "targetFormat": { "title": "Target format", "enum": [ "mp4", "webm", "mov", "mkv", "avi", "m4v", "gif", "mp3", "m4a", "aac", "wav", "ogg", "flac" ], "type": "string", "description": "Output container/format. Presets are intentionally constrained for reliability.", "default": "mp4" }, "quality": { "title": "Quality", "enum": [ "small", "balanced", "high" ], "type": "string", "description": "Controls encoder quality/speed. Higher quality creates larger files and slower runs.", "default": "balanced" }, "maxResolution": { "title": "Max resolution", "enum": [ "0", "480", "720", "1080", "1440", "2160" ], "type": "string", "description": "Downscale video so neither side exceeds this size. Use 0 to keep original size.", "default": "1080" }, "fps": { "title": "Frame rate", "enum": [ "0", "24", "25", "30", "50", "60" ], "type": "string", "description": "Optional output FPS cap for video formats. Use 0 to keep source frame rate.", "default": "0" }, "startTime": { "title": "Start time", "type": "string", "description": "Optional trim start, for example 00:01:10 or 70.5 seconds." }, "duration": { "title": "Duration", "type": "string", "description": "Optional trim duration, for example 00:00:30 or 30." }, "stripMetadata": { "title": "Strip metadata", "type": "boolean", "description": "Remove embedded metadata from the output file.", "default": true }, "outputKeyPrefix": { "title": "Output key prefix", "type": "string", "description": "Prefix for saved output keys in the default key-value store.", "default": "converted" } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```