ZProcess: Suggestions...

[zehd]

The following post was found in http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=23639
and copied here for discussion...

... I read the forums, but I could not pinpoint my exact problem with zprocess. I could not get it to work with mencoder and that question was already posted (more than once)

Well here I go...
- choosing the encoder (ffmpeg/mencoder) does not work (obviously)
- The tab index is not set and when tabbing through the controles the cursor jumps randomly through the fields
- The order of the screens is not logical (for me anyway)
- The installation was a bit difficult to follow and the step-by-step explanation in the wiki was very complex (maybe because I am not a native english speaker?)
- Maybe you should add .avs files to the type you can choose (although you can choose it when selecting all files)
- I could not figure out for sure if zprocess was being called or not, maybe popup a screen that says it is running and show logging in there?
- Use tooltips on every setting, there are a lot of settings and buttons and sometimes it is not transparent what they do.
- Testing of the transcoding should be an entirely separate screen. Now you have the choose the file on a different screen, and that screen is also used for a lot of other functionality.
- I would make the setting of the screen dimensions a popup, because it takes up a lot of space and not everybody needs to use it. Just show the set dimensions on the main screen and with a button you can call the entire screen.

That is it for now... I hope it helps.
Above remarks are of course in my opinion... so maybe others don't have the same experience as I do.

I would like to say, keep up the good work! (And it is good to hear that other people still keep visual basic 6 alive!!)

p.s. Can you post a transcoding line for PAL transcoding for mencoder? Cannot get it to work :confused:

With regards,

Steven

[zehd]

First, I want to thank Steven for his criticism and suggestions. I encourage anyone to comment or suggest things relating to ZProcess....

What follows are my ideas...

... I read the forums, but I could not pinpoint my exact problem with zprocess. I could not get it to work with mencoder and that question was already posted (more than once)

Well here I go...
- choosing the encoder (ffmpeg/mencoder) does not work (obviously)

Indeed! I looked at this problem for a very long time. All that my Program does at the start up is check for the existence of MEncoder.exe, first in the location recorded in the registry from a previous lookup, and then in the default location (c:\Program Files\mplayer\mencoder.exe) if it can't find it, it does not add 'MEncoder.exe' to a list of preferred transcoders.

It doesn't look for anything special (just existence), and a person could even have any file there with a filename of 'mencoder.exe' and ZProcess would add it to the list...

I have also added the same logic for mplayer.exe. Except if ZProcess sees that mplayer.exe does not exist. it concludes that MEncoder is not installed.

Basically, you must have all of mencoder and mplayer installed in its default directory, and ZProcess will find them.

If it still thinks its 'not installed' try RemoveZProcess.bat and then look for Mencoder again...

- The tab index is not set and when tabbing through the controles the cursor jumps randomly through the fields

This is a good design point. Some programs, I use only the mouse. Some, only the keyboard. ZProcess is a mouse program for me. Rarely would I ever need to type something.

Although this is a good point, I consider this low on the list of priorities. Use the mouse...

- The order of the screens is not logical (for me anyway)

Fair enough. Everyone has a different idea of how things flow...

1. Pick a file, either manually, or using a queue
   
   
2. Re-encode, ComSkip, ComClean it...
   
   
3. Transcode it
   

That's if you use ZProcess with point and click. If you are merely using it for MVP, then after setup, you never see it...

- The installation was a bit difficult to follow and the step-by-step explanation in the wiki was very complex (maybe because I am not a native english speaker?)

I'm sorry if I'm long winded... I really try to explain things as well and thoroughly as possible, partly because if you understand it well, then you can fix it for yourself too...

I have written applications with inflated installer programs before. But ZProcess does not need anything special. Just the VB Runtime files registered, (ZProcess-Install.bat takes care of that)

Basically, I assume you have GB-PVR and ffmpeg installed, I suggest VLC, Comskip, and Comclean, and optionally, I have made MEncoder as an alternative transcoder.

ZProcess has to assume that you have all that installed correctly. I cannot support the install of the other products..

- Maybe you should add .avs files to the type you can choose (although you can choose it when selecting all files)

I looked into using AVS, for ZProcess or some other project. It was crazy difficult, with such poor documentation, I gave up. I even looked at your scripter, but couldn't see the point.

Again, it might be we all look at things differently, but it didn't seem like a fit for what I was doing...

- I could not figure out for sure if zprocess was being called or not, maybe popup a screen that says it is running and show logging in there?

If it is really called, then it will be running in the task bar. I don't think I will ever have a pop up inside GB-PVR (involves plugins and skinning)

There was someone else with that same problem. It appeared as if GB-PVR was calling ZProcess, yet my logs indicate it wasn't. After banging my head against the wall for a couple of weeks, I had to let it go. I know we all think and do differently. It is just too difficult anticipating every possibility for how everyone thinks and does...

- Use tooltips on every setting, there are a lot of settings and buttons and sometimes it is not transparent what they do.

Perhaps I could use more ToolTips. I have added them to the buttons and sliders that were obviously not labled well enough, or perhaps there wasn't enough room to label them properly.

What areas are you having trouble with, where the wiki is not explaining well enough?

- Testing of the transcoding should be an entirely separate screen. Now you have the choose the file on a different screen, and that screen is also used for a lot of other functionality.

On the File Tab, you choose a Video, switch to the Transcode Tab

On the Transcode Tab, you choose the profile, and then click 'start'

If you want to change some values for the profile, click 'stop' change the values, click 'start'....

- I would make the setting of the screen dimensions a popup, because it takes up a lot of space and not everybody needs to use it. Just show the set dimensions on the main screen and with a button you can call the entire screen.

ZProcess was originally designed to be a 'run in the background' program. You set it and forget it. Its first purpose was to allow for adjustment and maintaining of aspect ratio while viewing a video on the MVP.

Perhaps you are using it as a Manual Transcode front end. I use it like that, and I hear others do too, but it was never designed to be that...

It helps you adjust the aspect ratio of your video to fit you television better. It rolls re-encoding, comskip, comclean, and transcode into one app that simplifies the 'PostProcessing.bat'

---

I appreciate your comments. I have put a fair amount of time into this project. I have had reasons for designing some things and sort of threw together other elements. This type of discussion makes me question myself, and helps me think outside of the box, and anticipate others' wishes...

[guydot]

Frank,

I just installed the newest version and started using Zprocess.exe instead of ffmpeg. I followed the wiki religiously and then after I restarted the PC and MVP everything stated working!!!

Yes, it is not a next-next installation and Z does not have the simplest UI - but - it is exactly what I needed: aspect ratio adjustment, format conversion and color correction for the MVP. So far, I don't have a TV card and do not need commercial removal (I plan to add one in the near future).

Just wanted to say thanks again for a great tool!!!

Guy.