MUG

MUG is a small Windows front end for FFmpeg. Drop in video files, choose a codec and quality level, and convert them without working through FFmpeg commands by hand.

It is written in Python with PySide6. The conversion itself is done by FFmpeg.

What it does

• Converts to H.264, H.265, AV1, or VP9.
• Queues multiple files and shows progress for each one.
• Tests available hardware encoders at startup. If a hardware encoder fails on a file, MUG retries that file with the software encoder.
• Lets you save converted files to a folder or replace the originals.

Install

The setup script is for Windows. Download the repository as a ZIP, extract it somewhere you plan to keep it, then run Setup.bat.

Setup checks for Python 3.9 or newer and FFmpeg. It uses winget to install either one if missing, creates a runtime folder for MUG's Python packages, installs PySide6, and adds a desktop shortcut. The first run needs an internet connection.

After setup, open MUG from the desktop shortcut or MUG.bat.

Use

1. Drop video files into the window.
2. Choose a codec and adjust the quality bar.
3. Choose an output folder. You can also select replace originals, which deletes each source file after a successful conversion. That choice cannot be undone.
4. Press Convert. Hover over a file's row to see its result or error.

Arrow keys move through the controls, Space or Enter activates the selected row, and Delete removes a queued file. Escape cancels a running conversion or closes the window when idle.

MUG saves your codec, quality, hardware, and output choices in mug-settings.json beside the script. Delete that file to reset the settings.

Conversion notes

Re-encoding video is lossy, so check the result before removing your source files. MUG maps the audio tracks from the input and copies them when the output container allows it. Subtitles are retained for MKV output. It also tries to preserve 10-bit video and colour metadata where the selected encoder supports them.

The available hardware encoders depend on your FFmpeg build, graphics card, and drivers. If a hardware encoder fails, the file is retried on the CPU.

Troubleshooting

• FFmpeg not found: install FFmpeg and restart MUG. On Windows, you can run winget install Gyan.FFmpeg.

• A file fails: hover over its row for the error. Other queued files will continue.

• The desktop shortcut does nothing: run the script from PowerShell in the MUG folder to see the error:

  .\runtime\Scripts\python.exe .\MUG.py
  

The generated runtime folder and mug-settings.json are local files and are excluded from Git.