Play M3U in Python using FFmpeg

In this article, we will explore how to play an M3U file in Python using FFmpeg. For those who are unfamiliar, an M3U file is a text-based file that contains a list of media files with their respective URLs and durations. These files can be used to create playlists for various media players.

To get started, you need to have FFmpeg installed on your system. Once installed, you can use the following command to play an M3U file:

`ffmpeg -i master.m3u8`

In this command, `master.m3u8` is the name of the M3U file that you want to play. The `-i` option specifies the input file.

Now, let's talk about how to create a master playlist using FFmpeg. To do this, simply add the keyword `-masterplname` to your FFmpeg command and provide the name that you want to assign to the master playlist:

`ffmpeg -i input.m3u8 -masterplname output.master.m3u8`

In this command, `input.m3u8` is the original M3U file, and `output.master.m3u8` is the new master playlist.

Once you have created your master playlist, you can use it to play individual channels by referring to the track number in the playlist. For example, if your M3U file contains a channel called 'Channel 1', you can refer to it as follows:

`ffmpeg -i output.master.m3u8:2`

In this command, `output.master.m3u8` is the master playlist, and `2` is the track number of the channel that you want to play.

Now, let's talk about how to automate the process of creating a master playlist using Python. To do this, you can use the `subprocess` module in Python:

```

import subprocess

# Create a master playlist

command = f'ffmpeg -i input.m3u8 -masterplname output.master.m3u8'

subprocess.run(command.split())

# Play individual channels from the master playlist

channel_number = 2

command = f'ffmpeg -i output.master.m3u8:{channel_number}'

subprocess.run(command.split())

```

In this code, we first create a master playlist using FFmpeg and then play an individual channel from the master playlist.

Finally, let's talk about how to open an M3U file in Windows Media Player (WMP) programmatically. To do this, you can use the `os` module in Python:

```

import os

# Open the M3U file in WMP

file_path = 'output.master.m3u8'

os.startfile(file_path)

```

In this code, we use the `startfile` function from the `os` module to open the M3U file in WMP.

In conclusion, playing an M3U file in Python using FFmpeg is a straightforward process that involves creating a master playlist and then referring to individual channels in the playlist. By combining these concepts with the `subprocess` and `os` modules in Python, you can automate the process of creating and playing M3U files programmatically.

Play m3u in python ffmpeg