Automated Cutting and Transcoding Guide Using Mencoder

[redline]

Hi stattik,

I plan to use your script to transcode certain recordings to IPOD format for my wife.

In regards to the AUTO-TRANSCODE settings, a few questions:

I don't plan using the set secondary_transcode_directory=E:\video\ option, what do I do with it? Just leave it as is?

If I only plan on using it to transcode certain recordings to IPOD format, do I define ALL the directories under my recordings folder in set transcode_directories= AND then define under the IPOD section of User Defined Profiles I define those same directories?

Thanks in advance!

[-stattik-]

Hi stattik,
I don't plan using the set secondary_transcode_directory=E:\video\ option, what do I do with it? Just leave it as is?

It should be fine as long as you don't have that specific directory.

If I only plan on using it to transcode certain recordings to IPOD format, do I define ALL the directories under my recordings folder in set transcode_directories= AND then define under the IPOD section of User Defined Profiles I define those same directories?

Correct. If you want Automatic transcoding and IPOD transcodes for certain directories, you have to add them to both lists.

[redline]

Thanks Stattik, I plan on "playing around" with it some more this weekend.

Appreciate the quick response

[-stattik-]

Tell me how it turns out. I don't have an iPod and I only got limited feedback when I was developing the profile for it.

[rtmey2000]

First off -stattik---thanks for a great utility.

I have just started using this to create archieves of my videos (NTSC). Have any of you guys upgraded the settings that the batch file, to getter a better quality? I doubled the bitrate setting without seeing to much improvement. Can you share your mencoder settings (please)?

Have any of you managed to update the batch files so it points the GBPVR database to the new AVI file created?

Thanks. Happy Holidays!!!
Rtmey2000

[-stattik-]

Have any of you guys upgraded the settings that the batch file, to getter a better quality? I doubled the bitrate setting without seeing to much improvement. Can you share your mencoder settings (please)?

Have any of you managed to update the batch files so it points the GBPVR database to the new AVI file created?
Rtmey2000

Hi Rtmey2000,

I'm finishing up the next version of the script that fine-tunes the quality settings and adds another mode that you may find useful.

If you're looking to maximize your quality, be sure to match the resolution and framerate. That will help utilize those extra bits from the higher bitrate.

What's your source material?

[rtmey2000]

Hey Stattik,

It is regular north american cable TV (non HDTV). The shows are regular shows, ie battlestar galatica, studio 60, daily show. I have changed the resolution to 525 x 484 (the NTSC resolution), and the framerate is obtained from your script (but it should be 29.97). As you have imagined, as I increase the framerate...I do not get the same increase in filesize nor quality. Have I reached the best quality with Xvid?

[-stattik-]

Have I reached the best quality with Xvid?

No, I'm sure we can get more out of it.

There are a few things to be aware of when changing the resolution. Both the width and height should be divisible by 16. and you should get as close to the original aspect ratio (4:3 or 1.25) as possible. If you want to maximize your quality, I would still recommend you match the capture resolution which is probably DVD resolution (720x480). I would also suggest capturing at the highest quality settings. It takes up more space but since you're transcoding it all anyways, it won't matter. NTSC has a "viewable resolution" of 480x440 so if you want to transcode to that you could use 480x432. Sticking with the original capture resolution is still the best. You might want to start at a bitrate of 1600 or more at DVD resolution.

If you're within a HDTV reception area, I would highly recommend getting an antenna and a tuner. The shows you mentioned are all broadcast in HD and the quality after transcoding for your NTSC TV surpasses anything you can pick up with your cable box. I'm about 20 miles from my broadcast area and I have an antenna hanging the attic. It's hard to watch NTSC captures after watching HdTV transcodes.

[gb-pvruser]

Does the skript update the database of gbpvr?

[wtg]

Does the skript update the database of gbpvr?

Nope.