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Use Open Job Description (OpenJD) to define and orchestrate a batch job, then have one of its steps run FFmpeg to process media. A practical starting point is a parameterized encode step with an explicit, durable output path; validate and inspect the template with the OpenJD CLI before running it. For a larger workflow, add a render step and make the FFmpeg encode depend on its output.

What OpenJD and FFmpeg each do

OpenJD is a portable way to describe batch-processing jobs. It can define parameters, steps, and executable actions; it does not encode video or install the software a job needs. FFmpeg is the media-processing command-line application that the job can invoke. The connection is the job template: it supplies values such as input and output paths and tells a step to execute FFmpeg. The Open Job Description project describes the specification as an open format for batch jobs portable between scheduling-system deployments (OpenJD specifications); FFmpeg’s documentation covers its inputs, outputs, streams, and conversion options (FFmpeg command-line documentation).

For the job to run, FFmpeg must be available in the execution environment and callable by the command or path in the template. How software is installed, where files are stored, and how outputs persist depend on the local runner or scheduler deployment.

Build a one-step FFmpeg encode

A useful first template declares an input file and a durable output directory, then passes those parameters to an FFmpeg action. This abbreviated YAML illustrates the shape; it is not a complete schema example and may need additional required fields for the OpenJD implementation you use.

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specificationVersion: 'jobtemplate-2023-09'
name: FFmpeg Encode
parameterDefinitions:
  - name: InputFile
    type: PATH
    objectType: FILE
    dataFlow: IN
  - name: OutputDir
    type: PATH
    objectType: DIRECTORY
    dataFlow: OUT
steps:
  - name: Encode
    script:
      actions:
        onRun:
          command: ffmpeg
          args: ["-i", "{{Param.InputFile}}", "{{Param.OutputDir}}/output.mp4"]

The AWS walkthrough provides a fuller template pattern and an example command for encoding an image sequence. It uses a 24 fps input sequence and selects H.264, a pixel format, color metadata, and MP4 fast-start behavior. Those are choices in that example, not universal settings; choose them for your media and delivery requirements. See the AWS OpenJD and FFmpeg walkthrough.

Make the output path survive cleanup

Do not assume a relative output path points to a durable location. In the AWS CLI context, the generated script runs in temporary space that is cleaned up after execution. Writing to ./output.mp4 can therefore leave the file in that temporary working directory, where cleanup removes it. Pass an output directory explicitly and write the result there, in a location that the runner or scheduler preserves and makes available to downstream work.

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Preserve FFmpeg argument order and stream intent

FFmpeg options generally apply to the next input or output file named, so keep the order of a command you have validated when moving it into a template. In a job action, arguments should remain separate and ordered rather than being casually rearranged. FFmpeg can select streams automatically according to the output format; the -map option lets you select them manually. For sources with multiple audio tracks, subtitles, or unusual stream layouts, inspect the input and make selection intentional rather than relying on automatic choice (FFmpeg command-line documentation).

Validate, inspect, and run locally with the OpenJD CLI

The OpenJD CLI documentation describes commands to check a template, inspect its parameters and tasks, and run a selected step locally. Command availability and options depend on the CLI release you have installed; consult its documentation for that release before relying on a command line in automation (OpenJD CLI documentation).

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  1. Check the template: run openjd check with your template to catch structural or validation errors before execution.
  2. Inspect the job: run openjd summary to review the parameters, steps, and tasks the CLI recognizes.
  3. Run the encode step: use openjd run to select the step and provide the job and task parameter values required by your template. The CLI documentation describes options for passing those values and selecting tasks.
  4. Include prerequisites when needed: if the selected task depends on earlier steps, use the CLI’s documented dependency option to request those steps as well.

These are documented CLI capabilities, not a claim that a particular template has been executed or tested. Before running a production job, verify the installed FFmpeg executable, parameter values, output permissions, and the output location in the actual environment.

Extend the job to render frames, then encode video

When a workflow first renders images and then assembles them into video, represent the handoff as two steps: a rendering step produces frames, and an FFmpeg step depends on that render step. The official OpenJD Blender sample uses this pattern: CreateVideoFromRender depends on RenderScene and invokes FFmpeg over the generated frame sequence. This makes the ordering explicit in the job description. It does not, by itself, guarantee that every scheduler uses the same storage or artifact handoff; configure the runtime so the encode step can access the rendered frames.

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The sample’s requirements comment says it was tested with Blender 4.0.2 and FFmpeg 6.1.1. Those versions describe that sample’s stated test setup, not a guarantee of compatibility with current releases or with another deployment. Review the sample and adapt its paths and environment requirements rather than treating its exact versions as general defaults (official Blender–FFmpeg OpenJD sample).

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Choose the workflow shape that fits

Design choice What it means When it helps
One-step encode A single step invokes FFmpeg on supplied media. Use for a standalone transcode or when upstream media already exists.
Dependent render and encode A render step produces frames; a later FFmpeg step depends on it. Use when the job itself must render before creating video.
Relative output path Output goes to the current working directory, which may be temporary. Only use when the runner’s working directory and cleanup behavior are understood.
Parameterized output path The job receives an explicit output location. Prefer when results must persist or be collected after the job completes.
Automatic stream selection FFmpeg chooses streams based on the input and output format. May suit simple sources; verify the selected tracks.
Explicit -map You specify which streams are sent to the output. Use for sources with multiple tracks or when selection must be predictable.

Common problems and fixes

  • The output is missing after the job: it may have been written to temporary working space. Set an explicit output-directory parameter and confirm that the chosen location persists after cleanup.
  • The action cannot find FFmpeg: the template does not install it. Install or otherwise provide FFmpeg in the runner environment, and ensure the command or executable path is available to the action.
  • The wrong audio or subtitle track appears: automatic stream selection may not match the intended result. Inspect the source streams and use explicit -map arguments where appropriate.
  • The template fails validation or parameters are unclear: use the CLI’s documented check and summary commands, then compare your template with the complete schema and examples for your chosen implementation.
  • The encode step cannot see rendered frames: a dependency establishes ordering, but the deployment must also make the render artifacts accessible to the later step. Check the scheduler’s storage and artifact handoff configuration.

Or let it run in the cloud

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