diff --git a/dlib/media/ffmpeg_abstract.h b/dlib/media/ffmpeg_abstract.h
index de7873f64..5f88f02ba 100644
--- a/dlib/media/ffmpeg_abstract.h
+++ b/dlib/media/ffmpeg_abstract.h
@@ -29,6 +29,22 @@ namespace dlib
                 - Returns a string description of a channel layout, where layout is e.g. AV_CH_LAYOUT_STEREO
         !*/
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+        dlib::logger& logger_ffmpeg();
+        /*!
+            ensures
+                - Returns a global logger used by the internal ffmpeg libraries. 
+                - You may set the logging level using .set_level() to supress or enable certain logs.
+        !*/
+
+        dlib::logger& logger_dlib_wrapper();
+        /*!
+            ensures
+                - Returns a global logger used by dlib's ffmpeg wrappers.
+                - You may set the logging level using .set_level() to supress or enable certain logs.
+        !*/
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
         class frame
diff --git a/dlib/media/ffmpeg_demuxer.h b/dlib/media/ffmpeg_demuxer.h
index ea6796b66..76618bc09 100644
--- a/dlib/media/ffmpeg_demuxer.h
+++ b/dlib/media/ffmpeg_demuxer.h
@@ -75,8 +75,7 @@ namespace dlib
                 decoder_extractor(
                     const args&             a,
                     av_ptr<AVCodecContext>  pCodecCtx_,
-                    const AVCodec*          codec,
-                    std::shared_ptr<logger> log_
+                    const AVCodec*          codec
                 );
 
                 bool            is_open()           const noexcept;
@@ -108,7 +107,6 @@ namespace dlib
                 resizer                 resizer_image;
                 resampler               resizer_audio;
                 std::queue<frame>       frame_queue;
-                std::shared_ptr<logger> log;
             };
         }
 
@@ -154,7 +152,6 @@ namespace dlib
             details::av_ptr<AVCodecParserContext>   parser;
             details::av_ptr<AVPacket>               packet;
             details::decoder_extractor              extractor;
-            std::shared_ptr<logger>                 log;
         };
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -236,7 +233,6 @@ namespace dlib
                 int                                     stream_id_video{-1};
                 int                                     stream_id_audio{-1};
                 std::queue<frame>                       frame_queue;
-                std::shared_ptr<logger>                 log;
             } st;
         };
 
@@ -262,9 +258,8 @@ namespace dlib
             inline decoder_extractor::decoder_extractor(
                 const args&             a,
                 av_ptr<AVCodecContext>  pCodecCtx_,
-                const AVCodec*          codec,
-                std::shared_ptr<logger> log_
-            ) : log(log_)
+                const AVCodec*          codec
+            )
             {
                 args_   = a;
                 avframe = make_avframe();
@@ -279,7 +274,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
                 if (ret < 0)
                 {
-                    (*log) << LERROR << "avcodec_open2() failed : " << get_av_error(ret).c_str();
+                    logger_dlib_wrapper() << LERROR << "avcodec_open2() failed : " << get_av_error(ret).c_str();
                     return;
                 }
                 
@@ -358,7 +353,7 @@ namespace dlib
                     } else {
                         pCodecCtx = nullptr;
                         state   = EXTRACT_ERROR;
-                        (*log) << LERROR << "avcodec_send_packet() failed : " << get_av_error(ret);
+                        logger_dlib_wrapper() << LERROR << "avcodec_send_packet() failed : " << get_av_error(ret);
                     }
                 };
 
@@ -378,7 +373,7 @@ namespace dlib
                     {
                         pCodecCtx = nullptr;
                         state   = EXTRACT_ERROR;
-                        (*log) << LERROR << "avcodec_receive_frame() failed : " << get_av_error(ret);
+                        logger_dlib_wrapper() << LERROR << "avcodec_receive_frame() failed : " << get_av_error(ret);
                     }
                     else
                     {
@@ -454,24 +449,23 @@ namespace dlib
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
         inline decoder::decoder(const args &a)
-        : log(std::make_shared<logger>("ffmpeg::decoder"))
         {
             using namespace details;
 
             DLIB_ASSERT(a.args_codec.codec != AV_CODEC_ID_NONE || a.args_codec.codec_name != "", "At least args_codec.codec or args_codec.codec_name must be set");
             
-            const bool init = details::register_ffmpeg::get();
+            details::register_ffmpeg();
             
             const AVCodec* pCodec = nullptr;
 
             if (a.args_codec.codec != AV_CODEC_ID_NONE)
-                pCodec = init ? avcodec_find_decoder(a.args_codec.codec) : nullptr;
+                pCodec = avcodec_find_decoder(a.args_codec.codec);
             else if (!a.args_codec.codec_name.empty())
-                pCodec = init ? avcodec_find_decoder_by_name(a.args_codec.codec_name.c_str()) : nullptr;
+                pCodec = avcodec_find_decoder_by_name(a.args_codec.codec_name.c_str());
 
             if (!pCodec)
             {
-                (*log) << LERROR 
+                logger_dlib_wrapper() << LERROR 
                     << "Codec "
                     << avcodec_get_name(a.args_codec.codec)
                     << " / "
@@ -484,14 +478,14 @@ namespace dlib
 
             if (!pCodecCtx)
             {
-                (*log) << LERROR << "avcodec_alloc_context3() failed to allocate codec context for " << pCodec->name;
+                logger_dlib_wrapper() << LERROR << "avcodec_alloc_context3() failed to allocate codec context for " << pCodec->name;
                 return;
             }
 
             if (pCodecCtx->codec_id == AV_CODEC_ID_AAC)
                 pCodecCtx->strict_std_compliance = FF_COMPLIANCE_EXPERIMENTAL;
 
-            extractor = decoder_extractor{{a.args_codec, a.args_image, a.args_audio, pCodecCtx->time_base}, std::move(pCodecCtx), pCodec, log};
+            extractor = decoder_extractor{{a.args_codec, a.args_image, a.args_audio, pCodecCtx->time_base}, std::move(pCodecCtx), pCodec};
             if (!extractor.is_open())
                 return;
 
@@ -504,7 +498,7 @@ namespace dlib
                 parser.reset(av_parser_init(pCodec->id));
                 if (!parser)
                 {
-                    (*log) << LERROR << "av_parser_init() failed codec " << pCodec->name << " not found";
+                    logger_dlib_wrapper() << LERROR << "av_parser_init() failed codec " << pCodec->name << " not found";
                     return;
                 }
             }
@@ -550,7 +544,7 @@ namespace dlib
                     );
 
                     if (ret < 0)
-                        return fail(*log, "AV : error while parsing encoded buffer");
+                        return fail("AV : error while parsing encoded buffer");
 
                     encoded  += ret;
                     nencoded -= ret;
@@ -676,10 +670,9 @@ namespace dlib
             using namespace std::chrono;
             using namespace details;
 
-            const bool init = details::register_ffmpeg::get();
+            details::register_ffmpeg();
 
             st = {};
-            st.log   = std::make_shared<logger>("ffmpeg::demuxer");
             st.args_ = a;
 
             AVFormatContext* pFormatCtx = avformat_alloc_context();
@@ -730,7 +723,7 @@ namespace dlib
                                         opts.get());
 
             if (ret != 0)
-                return fail(*st.log, "avformat_open_input() failed with error : ", get_av_error(ret));
+                return fail("avformat_open_input() failed with error : ", get_av_error(ret));
 
             if (opts.size() > 0)
             {
@@ -744,7 +737,7 @@ namespace dlib
             ret = avformat_find_stream_info(st.pFormatCtx.get(), NULL);
 
             if (ret < 0)
-                return fail(*st.log, "avformat_find_stream_info() failed with error : ", get_av_error(ret));
+                return fail("avformat_find_stream_info() failed with error : ", get_av_error(ret));
 
             const auto setup_stream = [&](bool is_video)
             {
@@ -757,26 +750,26 @@ namespace dlib
                     return true; //You might be asking for both video and audio but only video is available. That's OK. Just provide video.
 
                 else if (stream_id == AVERROR_DECODER_NOT_FOUND)
-                    return fail(*st.log, "av_find_best_stream() : decoder not found for stream type : ", av_get_media_type_string(media_type));
+                    return fail("av_find_best_stream() : decoder not found for stream type : ", av_get_media_type_string(media_type));
 
                 else if (stream_id < 0)
-                    return fail(*st.log, "av_find_best_stream() failed : ", get_av_error(stream_id));
+                    return fail("av_find_best_stream() failed : ", get_av_error(stream_id));
 
                 av_ptr<AVCodecContext> pCodecCtx{avcodec_alloc_context3(pCodec)};
 
                 if (!pCodecCtx)
-                    return fail(*st.log, "avcodec_alloc_context3() failed to allocate codec context for ", pCodec->name);
+                    return fail("avcodec_alloc_context3() failed to allocate codec context for ", pCodec->name);
 
                 const int ret = avcodec_parameters_to_context(pCodecCtx.get(), st.pFormatCtx->streams[stream_id]->codecpar);
                 if (ret < 0)
-                    return fail(*st.log, "avcodec_parameters_to_context() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
+                    return fail("avcodec_parameters_to_context() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
 
                 if (pCodecCtx->codec_type == AVMEDIA_TYPE_VIDEO)
                 {
                     if (pCodecCtx->height   == 0 ||
                         pCodecCtx->width    == 0 ||
                         pCodecCtx->pix_fmt  == AV_PIX_FMT_NONE)
-                        return fail(*st.log, "Codec parameters look wrong : (h,w,pixel_fmt) : (",
+                        return fail("Codec parameters look wrong : (h,w,pixel_fmt) : (",
                                 pCodecCtx->height, ",",
                                 pCodecCtx->width,  ",",
                                 get_pixel_fmt_str(pCodecCtx->pix_fmt), ")");
@@ -788,13 +781,13 @@ namespace dlib
                     if (pCodecCtx->sample_rate == 0 ||
                         pCodecCtx->sample_fmt  == AV_SAMPLE_FMT_NONE ||
                         channel_layout_empty(pCodecCtx.get()))
-                        return fail(*st.log,"Codec parameters look wrong :",
+                        return fail("Codec parameters look wrong :",
                             " sample_rate : ", pCodecCtx->sample_rate,
                             " sample format : ", get_audio_fmt_str(pCodecCtx->sample_fmt),
                             " channel layout : ", get_channel_layout_str(pCodecCtx.get()));
                 }
                 else
-                    return fail(*st.log,"Unrecognized media type ", pCodecCtx->codec_type);
+                    return fail("Unrecognized media type ", pCodecCtx->codec_type);
 
                 if (is_video)
                 {
@@ -804,7 +797,7 @@ namespace dlib
                         args.args_image = st.args_.args_image;
                         args.time_base  = st.pFormatCtx->streams[stream_id]->time_base;
                         return args;
-                    }(), std::move(pCodecCtx), pCodec, st.log};
+                    }(), std::move(pCodecCtx), pCodec};
 
                     st.stream_id_video = stream_id;
                 }
@@ -816,7 +809,7 @@ namespace dlib
                         args.args_audio = st.args_.args_audio;
                         args.time_base  = st.pFormatCtx->streams[stream_id]->time_base;
                         return args;
-                    }(), std::move(pCodecCtx), pCodec, st.log};
+                    }(), std::move(pCodecCtx), pCodec};
 
                     st.stream_id_audio = stream_id;
                 }
@@ -831,12 +824,12 @@ namespace dlib
                 return false;
 
             if (!st.channel_audio.is_open() && !st.channel_video.is_open())
-                return fail(*st.log, "At least one of video and audio channels must be enabled");
+                return fail("At least one of video and audio channels must be enabled");
 
             populate_metadata();
 
             st.packet = make_avpacket();
-            return init;
+            return true;
         }
 
         inline bool demuxer::object_alive() const noexcept
@@ -903,7 +896,7 @@ namespace dlib
                     return false;
    
                 else if (ret < 0)
-                    return fail(*st.log, "av_read_frame() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
+                    return fail("av_read_frame() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
  
                 if (st.packet->stream_index == st.stream_id_video)
                     channel = &st.channel_video;
diff --git a/dlib/media/ffmpeg_muxer.h b/dlib/media/ffmpeg_muxer.h
index 493f054fa..b404d2bfe 100644
--- a/dlib/media/ffmpeg_muxer.h
+++ b/dlib/media/ffmpeg_muxer.h
@@ -91,8 +91,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
             encoder(
                 const args& a,
-                std::function<bool(AVCodecContext*,AVPacket*)> sink,
-                std::shared_ptr<logger> log_
+                std::function<bool(AVCodecContext*,AVPacket*)> sink
             );
 
             bool open();
@@ -106,7 +105,6 @@ namespace dlib
             details::resampler              resizer_audio;
             details::audio_fifo             fifo;
             std::function<bool(AVCodecContext*,AVPacket*)> sink;
-            std::shared_ptr<logger>         log;
         };
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -177,7 +175,6 @@ namespace dlib
                 std::chrono::system_clock::time_point   connecting_time{};
                 std::chrono::system_clock::time_point   connected_time{};
                 std::chrono::system_clock::time_point   last_read_time{};
-                std::shared_ptr<logger>                 log;
             } st;
         };
 
@@ -207,8 +204,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
             inline void check_properties(
                 const AVCodec*  pCodec,
-                AVCodecContext* pCodecCtx,
-                logger&         log
+                AVCodecContext* pCodecCtx
             )
             {
                 // Video properties
@@ -227,7 +223,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
                     if (!framerate_supported)
                     {
-                        log << LINFO 
+                        logger_dlib_wrapper() << LINFO 
                             << "Requested framerate "
                             << pCodecCtx->framerate.num / pCodecCtx->framerate.den
                             << " not supported. Changing to default "
@@ -252,7 +248,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
                     if (!pix_fmt_supported)
                     {
-                        log << LINFO
+                        logger_dlib_wrapper() << LINFO
                             << "Requested pixel format "
                             << av_get_pix_fmt_name(pCodecCtx->pix_fmt)
                             << " not supported. Changing to default "
@@ -278,7 +274,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
                     if (!sample_rate_supported)
                     {
-                        log << LINFO
+                        logger_dlib_wrapper() << LINFO
                             << "Requested sample rate "
                             << pCodecCtx->sample_rate
                             << " not supported. Changing to default "
@@ -303,7 +299,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
                     if (!sample_fmt_supported)
                     {
-                        log << LINFO
+                        logger_dlib_wrapper() << LINFO
                             << "Requested sample format "
                             << av_get_sample_fmt_name(pCodecCtx->sample_fmt)
                             << " not supported. Changing to default "
@@ -329,7 +325,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
                     if (!channel_layout_supported)
                     {
-                        log << LINFO
+                        logger_dlib_wrapper() << LINFO
                             << "Channel layout "
                             << details::get_channel_layout_str(pCodecCtx)
                             << " not supported. Changing to default "
@@ -354,7 +350,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
                     if (!channel_layout_supported)
                     {
-                        log << LINFO 
+                        logger_dlib_wrapper() << LINFO 
                             << "Channel layout "
                             << details::get_channel_layout_str(pCodecCtx)
                             << " not supported. Changing to default "
@@ -372,17 +368,15 @@ namespace dlib
             std::function<bool(std::size_t, const char*)> sink
         ) : encoder(a, [sink](AVCodecContext*, AVPacket* pkt) {
                 return sink(pkt->size, (const char*)pkt->data);
-            }, std::make_shared<logger>("ffmpeg::encoder"))
+            })
         {
         }
 
         inline encoder::encoder(
             const args& a,
-            std::function<bool(AVCodecContext*,AVPacket*)> sink_,
-            std::shared_ptr<logger> log_
+            std::function<bool(AVCodecContext*,AVPacket*)> sink_
         ) : args_(a),
-            sink(std::move(sink_)),
-            log(log_)
+            sink(std::move(sink_))
         {
             if (!open())
                 pCodecCtx = nullptr;
@@ -400,22 +394,22 @@ namespace dlib
 
             DLIB_CASSERT(sink != nullptr, "must provide an appriate sink callback");
 
-            const bool init = details::register_ffmpeg::get(); // This must be used somewhere otherwise compiler might optimize it away.
+            details::register_ffmpeg();
 
             packet = make_avpacket();
             const AVCodec* pCodec = nullptr;
 
             if (args_.args_codec.codec != AV_CODEC_ID_NONE)
-                pCodec = init ? avcodec_find_encoder(args_.args_codec.codec) : nullptr;
+                pCodec = avcodec_find_encoder(args_.args_codec.codec);
             else if (!args_.args_codec.codec_name.empty())
-                pCodec = init ? avcodec_find_encoder_by_name(args_.args_codec.codec_name.c_str()) : nullptr;
+                pCodec = avcodec_find_encoder_by_name(args_.args_codec.codec_name.c_str());
 
             if (!pCodec)
-                return fail(*log, "Codec ",  avcodec_get_name(args_.args_codec.codec), " or ", args_.args_codec.codec_name, " not found");
+                return fail("Codec ",  avcodec_get_name(args_.args_codec.codec), " or ", args_.args_codec.codec_name, " not found");
 
             pCodecCtx.reset(avcodec_alloc_context3(pCodec));
             if (!pCodecCtx)
-                return fail(*log, "AV : failed to allocate codec context for ", pCodec->name, " : likely ran out of memory");
+                return fail("AV : failed to allocate codec context for ", pCodec->name, " : likely ran out of memory");
 
             if (args_.args_codec.bitrate > 0)
                 pCodecCtx->bit_rate = args_.args_codec.bitrate;
@@ -431,14 +425,14 @@ namespace dlib
                     args_.args_image.fmt        == AV_PIX_FMT_NONE ||
                     args_.args_image.framerate  <= 0)
                 {
-                    return fail(*log, pCodec->name, " is an image codec. height, width, fmt (pixel format) and framerate must be set");
+                    return fail(pCodec->name, " is an image codec. height, width, fmt (pixel format) and framerate must be set");
                 }
 
                 pCodecCtx->height       = args_.args_image.h;
                 pCodecCtx->width        = args_.args_image.w;
                 pCodecCtx->pix_fmt      = args_.args_image.fmt;
                 pCodecCtx->framerate    = AVRational{args_.args_image.framerate, 1};
-                check_properties(pCodec, pCodecCtx.get(), *log);
+                check_properties(pCodec, pCodecCtx.get());
                 pCodecCtx->time_base    = inv(pCodecCtx->framerate);
 
                 //don't know what src options are, but at least dst options are set
@@ -451,13 +445,13 @@ namespace dlib
                     args_.args_audio.channel_layout <= 0 ||
                     args_.args_audio.fmt == AV_SAMPLE_FMT_NONE) 
                 {
-                    return fail(*log, pCodec->name, " is an audio codec. sample_rate, channel_layout and fmt (sample format) must be set");
+                    return fail(pCodec->name, " is an audio codec. sample_rate, channel_layout and fmt (sample format) must be set");
                 }
 
                 pCodecCtx->sample_rate      = args_.args_audio.sample_rate;
                 pCodecCtx->sample_fmt       = args_.args_audio.fmt;
                 set_layout(pCodecCtx.get(), args_.args_audio.channel_layout);
-                check_properties(pCodec, pCodecCtx.get(), *log);
+                check_properties(pCodec, pCodecCtx.get());
                 pCodecCtx->time_base        = AVRational{ 1, pCodecCtx->sample_rate };
 
                 if (pCodecCtx->codec_id == AV_CODEC_ID_AAC) {
@@ -474,7 +468,7 @@ namespace dlib
             av_dict opt = args_.args_codec.codec_options;
             const int ret = avcodec_open2(pCodecCtx.get(), pCodec, opt.get());
             if (ret < 0)
-                return fail(*log, "avcodec_open2() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
+                return fail("avcodec_open2() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
 
             if (pCodec->type == AVMEDIA_TYPE_AUDIO)
             {
@@ -561,7 +555,7 @@ namespace dlib
                 } else {
                     open_   = false;
                     state   = ENCODE_ERROR;
-                    (*log) << LERROR << "avcodec_send_frame() failed : " << get_av_error(ret);
+                    logger_dlib_wrapper() << LERROR << "avcodec_send_frame() failed : " << get_av_error(ret);
                 }
             };
 
@@ -581,7 +575,7 @@ namespace dlib
                 {
                     open_   = false;
                     state   = ENCODE_ERROR;
-                    (*log) << LERROR << "avcodec_receive_packet() failed : " << get_av_error(ret);
+                    logger_dlib_wrapper() << LERROR << "avcodec_receive_packet() failed : " << get_av_error(ret);
                 }
                 else
                 {
@@ -656,11 +650,10 @@ namespace dlib
             using namespace details;
 
             st = {};
-            st.log   = std::make_shared<logger>("ffmpeg::muxer");
             st.args_ = a;
 
             if (!st.args_.enable_audio && !st.args_.enable_image)
-                return fail(*st.log, "You need to set at least one of `enable_audio` or `enable_image`");
+                return fail("You need to set at least one of `enable_audio` or `enable_image`");
 
             {
                 st.connecting_time = system_clock::now();
@@ -672,7 +665,7 @@ namespace dlib
                 int ret = avformat_alloc_output_context2(&pFormatCtx, nullptr, format_name, filename);
 
                 if (ret < 0)
-                    return fail(*st.log, "avformat_alloc_output_context2() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
+                    return fail("avformat_alloc_output_context2() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
 
                 st.pFormatCtx.reset(pFormatCtx);
             }
@@ -703,8 +696,7 @@ namespace dlib
                 const auto handle_packet = 
                 [
                     pFormatCtx = st.pFormatCtx.get(),
-                    stream_id = stream_counter,
-                    log = st.log
+                    stream_id = stream_counter
                 ]
                 (
                     AVCodecContext* pCodecCtx,
@@ -716,7 +708,7 @@ namespace dlib
                     pkt->stream_index = stream_id;
                     int ret = av_interleaved_write_frame(pFormatCtx, pkt);
                     if (ret < 0)
-                        (*log) << LERROR << "av_interleaved_write_frame() failed : " << get_av_error(ret);
+                        logger_dlib_wrapper() << LERROR << "av_interleaved_write_frame() failed : " << get_av_error(ret);
                     return ret == 0;
                 };
 
@@ -729,18 +721,18 @@ namespace dlib
                                 supported.codec_name == args.args_codec.codec_name;
                 }) == end(supported_codecs))
                 {
-                    (*st.log) << LERROR
-                              << "Codec " << avcodec_get_name(args.args_codec.codec) << " or " << args.args_codec.codec_name
-                              << " cannot be stored in this file";
-                    (*st.log) << LINFO 
-                              << "List of supported codecs for muxer " << st.pFormatCtx->oformat->name << " in this installation of ffmpeg:";
+                    logger_dlib_wrapper() << LERROR
+                        << "Codec " << avcodec_get_name(args.args_codec.codec) << " or " << args.args_codec.codec_name
+                        << " cannot be stored in this file";
+                    logger_dlib_wrapper() << LINFO 
+                        << "List of supported codecs for muxer " << st.pFormatCtx->oformat->name << " in this installation of ffmpeg:";
                     for (const auto& supported : supported_codecs)
-                        (*st.log) << LINFO << "    " << supported.codec_name;
+                        logger_dlib_wrapper() << LINFO << "    " << supported.codec_name;
                     return false;
                 }
 
                 // Codec is supported by muxer, so create encoder
-                enc = encoder(args, handle_packet, st.log);
+                enc = encoder(args, handle_packet);
 
                 if (!enc.is_open())
                     return false;
@@ -748,7 +740,7 @@ namespace dlib
                 AVStream* stream = avformat_new_stream(st.pFormatCtx.get(), enc.pCodecCtx->codec);
 
                 if (!stream)
-                    return fail(*st.log, "avformat_new_stream() failed");
+                    return fail("avformat_new_stream() failed");
 
                 stream->id          = stream_counter;
                 stream->time_base   = enc.pCodecCtx->time_base;
@@ -757,7 +749,7 @@ namespace dlib
                 int ret = avcodec_parameters_from_context(stream->codecpar, enc.pCodecCtx.get());
 
                 if (ret < 0)
-                    return fail(*st.log, "avcodec_parameters_from_context() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
+                    return fail("avcodec_parameters_from_context() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
 
                 return true;
             };
@@ -786,7 +778,7 @@ namespace dlib
                 int ret = avio_open2(&st.pFormatCtx->pb, st.args_.filepath.c_str(), AVIO_FLAG_WRITE, &st.pFormatCtx->interrupt_callback, opt.get());
 
                 if (ret < 0)
-                    return fail(*st.log, "avio_open2() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
+                    return fail("avio_open2() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
             }
 
             av_dict opt = st.args_.format_options;
@@ -794,7 +786,7 @@ namespace dlib
             int ret = avformat_write_header(st.pFormatCtx.get(), opt.get());
 
             if (ret < 0)
-                return fail(*st.log, "avformat_write_header() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
+                return fail("avformat_write_header() failed : ", get_av_error(ret));
 
             st.connected_time = system_clock::now();
 
@@ -833,7 +825,7 @@ namespace dlib
             if (f.is_image())
             {
                 if (!st.encoder_image.is_open())
-                    return fail(*st.log, "frame is an image type but image encoder is not initialized");
+                    return fail("frame is an image type but image encoder is not initialized");
 
                 return st.encoder_image.push(std::move(f));
             }
@@ -841,7 +833,7 @@ namespace dlib
             else if (f.is_audio())
             {
                 if (!st.encoder_audio.is_open())
-                    return fail(*st.log, "frame is of audio type but audio encoder is not initialized");
+                    return fail("frame is of audio type but audio encoder is not initialized");
 
                 return st.encoder_audio.push(std::move(f));
             }
@@ -860,7 +852,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
             const int ret = av_write_trailer(st.pFormatCtx.get());
             if (ret < 0)
-                (*st.log) << LERROR << "av_write_trailer() failed : " << details::get_av_error(ret);
+                logger_dlib_wrapper() << LERROR << "av_write_trailer() failed : " << details::get_av_error(ret);
 
             if ((st.pFormatCtx->oformat->flags & AVFMT_NOFILE) == 0)
                 avio_closep(&st.pFormatCtx->pb);
diff --git a/dlib/media/ffmpeg_utils.h b/dlib/media/ffmpeg_utils.h
index 2d8f543a1..b58c0f1c4 100644
--- a/dlib/media/ffmpeg_utils.h
+++ b/dlib/media/ffmpeg_utils.h
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ extern "C" {
 #include <libavutil/channel_layout.h>
 #include <libavutil/audio_fifo.h>
 #include <libavutil/imgutils.h>
+#include <libavutil/log.h>
 #include <libswscale/swscale.h>
 #include <libswresample/swresample.h>
 #include <libavformat/avformat.h>
@@ -53,28 +54,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-            class register_ffmpeg
-            {
-                /*!
-                    WHAT THIS OBJECT REPRESENTS
-                        The point of this class is to statically register ffmpeg globally
-                        and ensure its done only ONCE.
-                        In C++17 you can have inline variables and this can be done much easier.
-                        In C++14 and below you need something like this class.
-                !*/
-            
-            public:
-
-                static bool get()
-                {
-                    static const bool v = register_library();
-                    return v;
-                }
-            
-            private:
-
-                static bool register_library();
-            };
+            void register_ffmpeg();
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -236,6 +216,11 @@ namespace dlib
         std::string get_audio_fmt_str(AVSampleFormat fmt);
         std::string get_channel_layout_str(uint64_t layout);
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+        dlib::logger& logger_ffmpeg();
+        dlib::logger& logger_dlib_wrapper();
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
         namespace details
@@ -421,9 +406,9 @@ namespace dlib
         namespace details
         {
             template<class... Args>
-            inline bool fail(logger& out, Args&&... args)
+            inline bool fail(Args&&... args)
             {
-                auto ret = out << LERROR;
+                auto ret = logger_dlib_wrapper() << LERROR;
 #ifdef __cpp_fold_expressions
                 ((ret << args),...);
 #else
@@ -680,6 +665,29 @@ namespace dlib
             return name ? std::string(name) : std::string("unknown");
         }
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+        namespace details
+        {
+            inline dlib::logger& logger_ffmpeg_private()
+            {
+                static dlib::logger GLOBAL("ffmpeg.internal");
+                return GLOBAL;
+            }
+        }
+
+        inline dlib::logger& logger_ffmpeg()
+        {
+            details::register_ffmpeg();
+            return details::logger_ffmpeg_private();
+        }
+
+        inline dlib::logger& logger_dlib_wrapper()
+        {
+            static dlib::logger GLOBAL("ffmpeg.dlib");
+            return GLOBAL;
+        }
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
         namespace details
@@ -687,19 +695,58 @@ namespace dlib
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-            inline bool register_ffmpeg::register_library()
+            inline void register_ffmpeg()
             {
-                avdevice_register_all();
+                static const bool REGISTERED = []
+                {
+                    avdevice_register_all();
 #if LIBAVCODEC_VERSION_INT < AV_VERSION_INT(58, 10, 100)
-                // See https://github.com/FFmpeg/FFmpeg/blob/70d25268c21cbee5f08304da95be1f647c630c15/doc/APIchanges#L91
-                avcodec_register_all();
+                    // See https://github.com/FFmpeg/FFmpeg/blob/70d25268c21cbee5f08304da95be1f647c630c15/doc/APIchanges#L91
+                    avcodec_register_all();
 #endif
 #if LIBAVFORMAT_VERSION_INT < AV_VERSION_INT(58, 9, 100) 
-                // See https://github.com/FFmpeg/FFmpeg/blob/70d25268c21cbee5f08304da95be1f647c630c15/doc/APIchanges#L86
-                av_register_all();
+                    // See https://github.com/FFmpeg/FFmpeg/blob/70d25268c21cbee5f08304da95be1f647c630c15/doc/APIchanges#L86
+                    av_register_all();
 #endif
-                return true;
-            }
+
+                    av_log_set_callback([](void* ptr, int level, const char *fmt, va_list vl) 
+                    {
+                        auto& logger = details::logger_ffmpeg_private();
+
+                        char line[256] = {0};
+                        static int print_prefix = 1;
+
+                        // Not sure if copying to vl2 is required by internal ffmpeg functions do this...
+                        va_list vl2;
+                        va_copy(vl2, vl);
+                        int size = av_log_format_line2(ptr, level, fmt, vl2, &line[0], sizeof(line), &print_prefix);
+                        va_end(vl2);
+
+                        // Remove all '\n' since dlib's logger already adds one
+                        size = std::min<int>(size, sizeof(line) - 1);
+                        line[size] = '\0';
+                        for (int i = size - 1 ; i >= 0 ; --i)
+                            if (line[i] == '\n')
+                                line[i] = ' ';
+
+                        switch(level)
+                        {
+                            case AV_LOG_PANIC:
+                            case AV_LOG_FATAL:      logger << LFATAL << line; break;
+                            case AV_LOG_ERROR:      logger << LERROR << line; break;
+                            case AV_LOG_WARNING:    logger << LWARN  << line; break;
+                            case AV_LOG_INFO:       
+                            case AV_LOG_VERBOSE:    logger << LINFO  << line; break;
+                            case AV_LOG_DEBUG:      logger << LDEBUG << line; break;
+                            case AV_LOG_TRACE:      logger << LTRACE << line; break;
+                            default: break;
+                        }
+                    });
+
+                    return true;
+                }();
+                (void)REGISTERED;
+            }        
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -1192,17 +1239,17 @@ namespace dlib
         {
             const static auto protocols = []
             {
-                const bool init = details::register_ffmpeg::get(); // Don't let this get optimized away
+                details::register_ffmpeg();
                 std::vector<std::string> protocols;
                 void* opaque = nullptr;
                 const char* name = 0;
-                while (init && (name = avio_enum_protocols(&opaque, 0)))
+                while ((name = avio_enum_protocols(&opaque, 0)))
                     protocols.emplace_back(name);
 
                 opaque  = nullptr;
                 name    = 0;
 
-                while (init && (name = avio_enum_protocols(&opaque, 1)))
+                while ((name = avio_enum_protocols(&opaque, 1)))
                     protocols.emplace_back(name);
 
                 return protocols;
@@ -1217,16 +1264,16 @@ namespace dlib
         {
             const static auto demuxers = []
             {
-                const bool init = details::register_ffmpeg::get(); // Don't let this get optimized away
+                details::register_ffmpeg();
                 std::vector<std::string> demuxers;
                 const AVInputFormat* demuxer = nullptr;
 
 #if LIBAVFORMAT_VERSION_INT < AV_VERSION_INT(58, 9, 100)
                 // See https://github.com/FFmpeg/FFmpeg/blob/70d25268c21cbee5f08304da95be1f647c630c15/doc/APIchanges#L86
-                while (init && (demuxer = av_iformat_next(demuxer)))
+                while ((demuxer = av_iformat_next(demuxer)))
 #else
                 void* opaque = nullptr;
-                while (init && (demuxer = av_demuxer_iterate(&opaque)))
+                while ((demuxer = av_demuxer_iterate(&opaque)))
 #endif
                     demuxers.push_back(demuxer->name);
 
@@ -1257,17 +1304,17 @@ namespace dlib
         {
             const static auto ret = []
             {
-                const bool init = details::register_ffmpeg::get(); // Don't let this get optimized away
+                details::register_ffmpeg();
 
                 std::vector<muxer_details> all_details;
                 const AVOutputFormat* muxer = nullptr;
 
 #if LIBAVFORMAT_VERSION_INT < AV_VERSION_INT(58, 9, 100)
                 // See https://github.com/FFmpeg/FFmpeg/blob/70d25268c21cbee5f08304da95be1f647c630c15/doc/APIchanges#L86
-                while (init && (muxer = av_oformat_next(muxer)))
+                while ((muxer = av_oformat_next(muxer)))
 #else
                 void* opaque = nullptr;
-                while (init && (muxer = av_muxer_iterate(&opaque)))
+                while ((muxer = av_muxer_iterate(&opaque)))
 #endif
                 {
                     muxer_details details;
@@ -1288,17 +1335,17 @@ namespace dlib
         {
             const static auto ret = []
             {
-                const bool init = details::register_ffmpeg::get(); // Don't let this get optimized away
+                details::register_ffmpeg();
                 std::vector<codec_details> details;
 
         #if LIBAVCODEC_VERSION_INT < AV_VERSION_INT(58, 10, 100)
                 // See https://github.com/FFmpeg/FFmpeg/blob/70d25268c21cbee5f08304da95be1f647c630c15/doc/APIchanges#L91
                 AVCodec* codec = nullptr;
-                while (init && (codec = av_codec_next(codec)))
+                while ((codec = av_codec_next(codec)))
         #else
                 const AVCodec* codec = nullptr;
                 void* opaque = nullptr;
-                while (init && (codec = av_codec_iterate(&opaque)))
+                while ((codec = av_codec_iterate(&opaque)))
         #endif
                 {
                     codec_details detail;
@@ -1339,7 +1386,7 @@ namespace dlib
         {
             const static auto ret = []
             {
-                const bool init = details::register_ffmpeg::get(); // Don't let this get optimized away
+                details::register_ffmpeg();
                 std::vector<device_details> devices;
 
 #if LIBAVDEVICE_VERSION_INT < AV_VERSION_INT(59, 0, 100)
@@ -1350,7 +1397,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
                 AVInputFormatPtr device{nullptr};
 
-                while (init && (device = av_input_audio_device_next(device)))
+                while ((device = av_input_audio_device_next(device)))
                 {
                     device_details details;
                     details.device_type     = device->name;
@@ -1360,7 +1407,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
                 device = nullptr;
 
-                while (init && (device = av_input_video_device_next(device)))
+                while ((device = av_input_video_device_next(device)))
                 {
                     device_details details;
                     details.device_type     = device->name;
@@ -1410,7 +1457,7 @@ namespace dlib
         {
             const static auto ret = []
             {
-                const bool init = details::register_ffmpeg::get(); // Don't let this get optimized away
+                details::register_ffmpeg();
                 std::vector<device_details> devices;
 
     #if LIBAVDEVICE_VERSION_INT < AV_VERSION_INT(59, 0, 100)
@@ -1421,7 +1468,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
                 AVOutputFormatPtr device{nullptr};
 
-                while (init && (device = av_output_audio_device_next(device)))
+                while ((device = av_output_audio_device_next(device)))
                 {
                     device_details details;
                     details.device_type     = std::string(device->name);
@@ -1431,7 +1478,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
                 device = nullptr;
 
-                while (init && (device = av_output_video_device_next(device)))
+                while ((device = av_output_video_device_next(device)))
                 {
                     device_details details;
                     details.device_type     = std::string(device->name);
diff --git a/examples/ffmpeg_video_demuxing_ex.cpp b/examples/ffmpeg_video_demuxing_ex.cpp
index 9be2410b1..5fa5f733f 100644
--- a/examples/ffmpeg_video_demuxing_ex.cpp
+++ b/examples/ffmpeg_video_demuxing_ex.cpp
@@ -9,21 +9,24 @@
 */
 
 #include <cstdio>
+#include <chrono>
 #include <dlib/media.h>
 #include <dlib/gui_widgets.h>
 #include <dlib/cmd_line_parser.h>
 
 using namespace std;
 using namespace dlib;
+using namespace std::chrono;
 
 int main(const int argc, const char** argv)
 try
 {
     command_line_parser parser;
-    parser.add_option("i",      "input video", 1);
+    parser.add_option("i",       "input video", 1);
+    parser.add_option("verbose", "enable all internal ffmpeg logging");
     parser.set_group_name("Help Options");
-    parser.add_option("h",      "alias of --help");
-    parser.add_option("help",   "display this message and exit");
+    parser.add_option("h",       "alias of --help");
+    parser.add_option("help",    "display this message and exit");
 
     parser.parse(argc, argv);
     const char* one_time_opts[] = {"i"};
@@ -35,6 +38,12 @@ try
         return 0;
     }
 
+    if (parser.option("verbose"))
+    {
+        ffmpeg::logger_dlib_wrapper().set_level(LALL);
+        ffmpeg::logger_ffmpeg().set_level(LALL);
+    }
+
     const std::string filepath = get_option(parser, "i", "");
 
     image_window win;
@@ -129,8 +138,10 @@ try
     array2d<rgb_pixel> img;
     size_t audio_samples{0};
 
+    const auto start = high_resolution_clock::now();
     while (cap.read(frame))
     {
+        convert(frame, img);
         if (frame.is_image() && frame.pixfmt() == AV_PIX_FMT_RGB24)
         {
             convert(frame, img);
@@ -143,6 +154,9 @@ try
             printf("\r\tDecoding %zu samples", audio_samples); fflush(stdout);
         }
     }
+    const auto stop = high_resolution_clock::now();
+    printf("Ran in %f s\n", duration_cast<microseconds>(stop - start).count() * 1e-6);
+
 
     printf("\n");