Using FFmpeg technology

FFmpeg is an open-source video playback technology developped by the FFmpeg project team and licensed under the terms of the of the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1

Enable or disable use of FFmpeg

You can choose whether to use FFmpeg or not. This choice is available only for projects that contain video files. Screensavers that do not contain video files never use FFmpeg technology.

To enable or disable FFmpeg

  1. On the Navigation Bar, click Options.
  2. Open the Behavior tab.
  3. Check or uncheck the Use FFmpeg video playback technology.

Benefits of using FFmpeg

FFmpeg video playback technology provides smooth playback of all of the most popular video formats without a requirement of any video codecs or additional decompressing software to be installed on the target system. This leads to the following benefits:

  • Compatibility with with almost any Windows system
  • Smooth and trouble-free video playback
  • Seamless video loops

Limitations of using FFmpeg

Since FFmpeg technology is licensed under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1, you must obey certain legal requirements when distributing your screensaver that uses FFmpeg technology to the public:

  • Your screensaver must include an EULA (end user license agreement) that mentions the use of FFmpeg technology.
  • Your EULA must state that FFmpeg technology is licensed under the terms of GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1 (LGPL v2.1) and include the contents of the LGPL v2.1.
  • Your EULA must explicitly state that you do not own FFmpeg, and where the relevant owners can be found.
  • Your EULA must allow to modify your screensaver for your customer's own use and reverse engineer the same for debugging such modifications.
  • Your EULA must inform user of how and where the source code of the FFmpeg libraries used in your screensaver can be obtained.
  • The About window of your screensaver must mention that your screensaver uses FFmpeg technology developed by the FFmpeg project team and licensed under the terms of LGPL v2.1
  • When mentioning FFmpeg, do not misspell the name (two capitals F and lowercase "mpeg").
  • Read and understand the LGPL v2.1 and make sure that everything possible is done to comply with the terms of the LGPL v2.1

When you create a self-installing screensaver setup package using the built-in features, the resulting package already contains all of the necessary legal information to your screensaver file and setup package.

If you want to distribute screensaver as a separate SCR file or create the setup package by the means of your own, you must take care of the implementation of the legal requirements mentioned above. A simple way to do it is to explore how it is done in the screensaver package produced by the built-in features and try to do the same.

Notes

  • This information applies only to screensavers that contain video files. Screensavers that do not contain video files never use FFmpeg technology.