ffmpeg -i suspect_video.mp4 -f ffmetadata metadata.txt mediainfo suspect_video.mp4 > full_report.txt If someone flipped your video to avoid detection, restore orientation.
# If video was sped up 2x → restore to normal speed ffmpeg -i manipulated.mp4 -filter:v "setpts=2*PTS" -filter:a "atempo=0.5" restored.mp4 ffmpeg -i manipulated.mp4 -filter:v "setpts=0.5*PTS" -filter:a "atempo=2.0" restored.mp4 3. Retribution Against Logo/Watermark Removal (Recover Overlay) If a logo was blurred or covered, use a reference clean frame to subtract the modification. retribution ffmpeg
# Detect original aspect ratio ffprobe -v error -select_streams v:0 -show_entries stream=display_aspect_ratio -of default=noprint_wrappers=1 input.mp4 ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setdar=16/9" output_fixed.mp4 2. Retribution Against Speed Manipulation (Time Stamps Restoration) Reverse slow-motion or fast-forward edits back to original duration using setpts . ffmpeg -i suspect_video
# Undo a horizontal mirror (rotate y-axis) ffmpeg -i stolen_flipped.mp4 -vf "hflip" restored_orientation.mp4 ffmpeg -i stolen_rotated.mp4 -vf "transpose=2" restored.mp4 6. Batch "Retribution" Script (for DMCA Takedown Replacement) Automatically re-encode a folder of stolen videos with a hardcoded takedown notice overlay. # Detect original aspect ratio ffprobe -v error
I will structure this as a for video editors, security researchers, or content creators who want to "take back control" of their media. Retribution FFmpeg: Reclaim, Reverse, and Enforce Video Rights Objective: Use FFmpeg commands to detect unauthorized edits, reverse tampering, burn in forensic watermarks, and restore original integrity. 1. Retribution Against Cropping/Scaling (Restore Aspect Ratio) If someone removed black bars or cropped your logo, detect original dimensions and force a reversive letterbox.
# Create hash of original ffmpeg -i original.mp4 -f framehash -hash md5 original_hash.txt ffmpeg -i altered.mp4 -f framehash -hash md5 altered_hash.txt Diff output shows tampered frames diff original_hash.txt altered_hash.txt Pro Tip: The Ultimate Retribution Command If you discover your video re-uploaded without permission, use this to generate a full forensic report with visual proof of theft:
#!/bin/bash for file in *.mp4; do ffmpeg -i "$file" -vf "drawtext=text='UNAUTHORIZED USE - TAKEDOWN NOTICE':fontcolor=red:fontsize=48:x=(w-text_w)/2:y=h-100" -c:a copy "notice_$file" done Generate a frame-by-frame hash to prove a video was modified from original.