Question
How can I install FFMpeg in my Digital Ocean app?
- Posted on February 4, 2024
- DigitalOcean App Platform
Asked by Chris
I am getting a server error(500) when I try to upload videos in mu Django app in production. The videos can upload in development. I ran my app with DEBUG set to True, and I got this detailed error on the browser(chrome)
FileNotFoundError at / [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'ffmpeg' Request Method: POST Request URL: https://www.sportsfamly.com/ Django Version: 4.2.7 Exception Type: FileNotFoundError Exception Value: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'ffmpeg' Exception Location: /workspace/.heroku/python/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py, line 1950, in _execute_child Raised during: feed.views.feed Python Executable: /app/.heroku/python/bin/python Python Version: 3.11.5 Python Path: ['/workspace/.heroku/python/bin', '/workspace', '/workspace/.heroku/python/lib/python311.zip', '/workspace/.heroku/python/lib/python3.11', '/workspace/.heroku/python/lib/python3.11/lib-dynload', '/workspace/.heroku/python/lib/python3.11/site-packages'] Server time: Sun, 04 Feb 2024 04:37:29 +0000
I assume I have to install FFMpeg into the DO server via the console, which I did and it said its already satisfied, but when I run version it is not recognized:
apps@sportsfamly-d8d4bdb8b-dh5wv:~$ pip install FFMpeg
Requirement already satisfied: FFMpeg in ./.heroku/python/lib/python3.11/site-packages (1.4)
[notice] A new release of pip is available: 23.2.1 -> 24.0
[notice] To update, run: pip install --upgrade pip
apps@sportsfamly-d8d4bdb8b-dh5wv:~$ FFMpeg -version
bash: FFMpeg: command not found
When I try to install FFMpeg with sudo apt it says permission denied
apps@sportsfamly-d8d4bdb8b-dh5wv:~$ sudo apt update
bash: sudo: command not found
apps@sportsfamly-d8d4bdb8b-dh5wv:~$ sudo apt install ffmpeg
bash: sudo: command not found
So how can I install FFMpeg as I need my users to upload videos on my app?
Is Digital Ocean able to install FFMpeg for me from your end?
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Heya @geochanto,
To build on what already has been said in the thread, here is a similar question you can check from 2 years prior :
https://www.digitalocean.com/community/questions/how-to-install-ffmpeg-on-app-platform
It should help with figuring out how to proceed.
Hello Chris,
The core of the problem lies in the difference between your development and production environments, especially regarding how external dependencies are managed in a containerized platform like DigitalOcean’s.
First, it’s essential to clarify that when you’re trying to use
pip install FFmpeg, it doesn’t actually install the FFmpeg binary; instead, it might be installing a Python package related to FFmpeg, which doesn’t provide the FFmpeg command-line tool itself.The error you’re encountering (
FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'ffmpeg') indicates that the FFmpeg binary is not present in your app’s execution environment.DigitalOcean App Platform uses buildpacks or Docker containers to deploy applications. For Python apps, it typically uses buildpacks, which automate the deployment process but can limit control over the environment. However installing custom binaries when using the native buildpacks is currently not supported.
The most flexible solution is to use Docker. You can create a
Dockerfilefor your Django application where you specify all the necessary dependencies, including FFmpeg:Here’s a basic example of what your
Dockerfilemight look like:This Dockerfile updates the package list for the Debian-based Python image, installs FFmpeg, and then proceeds with the usual steps to deploy a Django app.
Once your
Dockerfileis ready, you can configure your DigitalOcean app to deploy from a Docker container. This approach gives you full control over the environment, including the ability to install FFmpeg and any other custom dependencies that you might need.Hope that this helps and let me know how it goes!
Best,
Bobby