Error with os.system in python script

Question

I am creating a python script that will convert files using ffmpeg and unoconv. However when I run the program, rather than getting a converted file the program simply displays the text:

sh: 1: unoconv -f: not found

Here is the script for my program:

    path = raw_input("Please drag and drop the directory in which the file is stored into the terminal:")
    os.chdir(path[1:-2])
    filename = raw_input("Please enter the name of the file you would like to convert, including the file-type. e.g. test.txt, however please do make sure that the file-name does not have any spaces:")
    Fileextension = raw_input("What filetype would you like the program to convert your file to. E.g. .mp3: ")
    body, ext = os.path.splitext("filename")
    os.system("'ffmpeg -i ' + filename + body + Fileextension ")

Any ideas as to why this happens?

Mike Müller · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-25 20:18:04Z

2

Look at your command:

os.system("'ffmpeg -i ' + filename + body + Fileextension ")

You try to executed this literal string.

Try:

os.system('ffmpeg -i ' + filename + body + Fileextension)

Also, it is recommended to use subprocess instead of os.system.

answered May 25, 2015 at 20:18

Mike Müller

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3 Comments

Mike Müller Over a year ago

@kindall Should be just a file name: usage: ffmpeg [options] [[infile options] -i infile]... {[outfile options] outfile}...

Avery Ripoll Crocker Over a year ago

@Mike Müller I tried this soluton, but when I did it i got no result. I only got the error code : :unoconv: you have to provide a filename as argument Try unoconv -h' for more information.` Do you have any idea as to how I can fix this.

Mike Müller Over a year ago

Run it at the command line first. Make sure it works. Then print the command before executing it.

Padraic Cunningham · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-25 21:02:32Z

1

You should use the subprocess module, in particular subprocess.check_call passing a list of args:

from subprocess import check_call
check_call(["ffmpeg" ,"-i",filename + body + Fileextension])

Any non-zero exit code will raise a CalledProcessError

answered May 25, 2015 at 21:02

Padraic Cunningham

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