Zprocess2: How do I know it's working?

[zehd]

I guess the logs didn't reveal anything? Anything else I can try?

Thanks!

Well, I have to update the wiki a bit because I don't think it's obvious enough, which logs I wanted...

Whern ZProcess starts, it creates a folder in the GB-PVR recordings folder named MVP_cache. Inside is a dated folder. Within that is the zprocess.log and the fps.log if Zprocess was indeed called and at least tried to run.

I don't actually believe you will find much because I don't believe you have GB-PVR set up to call ZProcess. I was hoping tho read "Nope can't find them there..." and then I would say, "that means ZProcess isn't even called...

Again, the new version, which I'm not releasing yet checks for everything that I believe is needed to transcode on the fly... There must be something you have adjusted away from default both in GB-PVR and ZProcess...

I'm concerned that you had to edit the config.xml to 'close' the tags. Believe me, ZProcess never needs that. It indicates something else is wrong in your config.xml. How much other tweaking have you done? I can't believe I haven't asked for it yet, but can you attach the config.xml?

[Zato]

Thanks Zehd.

Honestly, my configuration is as vanilla as they come. But maybe something got corrupted? I'll do a compare with my config vs the default one.

[Zato]

Here's the logs

[zehd]

Your logs are transparent. Your system is unable to keep ahead of GB-PVR while transcoding...

Basically if a video plays at (for simple) 30 Frames per second, then the transcoder must be able to transcode video faster than 30 fps for the temp file to grow and get built before it is played. The logs her show that ZProcess and ME#ncoder is having trouble right from the start, then there is special code in place to steal CPU power to give it all you've got. It's like a plane in a nose dive and he gets the co-pilot and the flight attendant to help pull back the stick to pull oyt of the dive.

No dice...


There could be a number of reasons your system is having t6rouble. It could actually be underpowred. Or there could be competing processes fighting for the CPU.

Perhaps you could try different combinations of Recording service CPU Priroity and MVP Server CPU priority..

I have Record Service High Priority :false and MVP Server:High Priority:false

That means that ZProcess and MEncoder will run at below average, and not interfere with the system, and play nicely. But it also means that the CPU is free to work for ZProcess...

Good luck

[zehd]

Also, I notice that you are using MEncoder 1.0rc2-4.2.1

I will be updating the wiki to make this my current best recommendation, in spite of a couple of people having trouble with it.

Another person used Release Candidate 1 and everything started to work well.

It will be a shame if you can't get 2 to work, as I have added a couple of features that some people will like that is only possible with rc2 (and above?)

If you continue to have trouble using MEncoder, you can use FFmpeg (the one that comes with GB-PVR) and you will have your videos playing fine.

MEncoder usually transcodes faster than FFmpeg...

[jerryheynow]

To start, my goal is to use Zprocess to process these avis into 16:9 on a 4:3 TV.

Using latest GBPVR vanilla install.
Installed Zprocess2 as per the forum instructions.
MCencoder RC1, latest.

Tested the Zprocess Sorry.mpg. Plays fine.

Tested multiple avis, the directory (ZTools) creates the following,

Transcode.log
dimensions.info
Zeritech......
Runtranscode.Cmd
GetDimensions.bat

But the GBPVR menu returns after 10 seconds, and the video does not start. If i remove all refs in ZProcess, restart GB recording service, the movie plays, although not using Zprocess. I execute Zprocess and get the 'Would you like to add refs? If i select YES, then i can't play the AVI.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jerry

[zehd]

To start, my goal is to use Zprocess to process these avis into 16:9 on a 4:3 TV.

Using latest GBPVR vanilla install.
Installed Zprocess2 as per the forum instructions.
MCencoder RC1, latest.

Tested the Zprocess Sorry.mpg. Plays fine.

Tested multiple avis, the directory (ZTools) creates the following,

Transcode.log
dimensions.info
Zeritech......
Runtranscode.Cmd
GetDimensions.bat

But the GBPVR menu returns after 10 seconds, and the video does not start. If i remove all refs in ZProcess, restart GB recording service, the movie plays, although not using Zprocess. I execute Zprocess and get the 'Would you like to add refs? If i select YES, then i can't play the AVI.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jerry

Look in the Dated cache folder (I'm pretty sure I explained this elsewhere) and find the fps.log and the ZProcess2.log... It may help me a bit better

Also, I believe the newest MEncoder is RC2, though as mentioned, a very few people have trouble with rc2, and have better success with rc1.

Try rc2

[jerryheynow]

Look in the Dated cache folder (I'm pretty sure I explained this elsewhere) and find the fps.log and the ZProcess2.log... It may help me a bit better

Also, I believe the newest MEncoder is RC2, though as mentioned, a very few people have trouble with rc2, and have better success with rc1.

Try rc2

Here are the files. Thanks
These are Before the switch to RC2 for Mplayer.

[jerryheynow]

With attachements

[zehd]

With attachements

Sure looks like you played with the CPU Priority and the Transcoder.

Most people have the best success with MEncoder and set to Below Normal. Also you may have adjusted the CPU Priority on you other services too.

What's the Specs on your computer?

I'd like you to try the new version I have posted in this thread

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=38713

It does a lot of extra checking to be sure you have everything setup properly...

And I wouldn't worry about the sorry video. ZProcess is dying too early and trying to play the file, but that's not going to help. The Sorry video is on;y to avoid a crash on the MVP...