ZProcess2 - not getting "Zprocess Settings" during install?

[jksmurf]

I understand (for the benefit of other readers) that preplay delay only affects non MPGs.

So this means the adjusted preplay delay will apply ONLY to non-MPG shows played over the MVP, it doesn't adjust it for normal mpgs right?

k.

[zehd]

I understand (for the benefit of other readers) that preplay delay only affects non MPGs.

So this means the adjusted preplay delay will apply ONLY to non-MPG shows played over the MVP, it doesn't adjust it for normal mpgs right?

k.

That's right... basically the MVP only plays MPGs. So if you want to watch a
non-MPG like your rugby match which is in MP4 format, it has to be converted (transcoded) into mpg format. Having it automatically transcode on demand is what we call transcode on-the-fly.

It takes some time to transcode a file. It won't happen all at once. And so in order for the transcoder to get a bit of the file converted before GB-PVR starts playing the final MPG you set the preplay delay -- you tell GB-PVR to wait a bit so the transcoder can get a headstart...

If there isn't enough of a head start, GB-PVR catches up to the end of file, and everyone becomes unhappy...

If you add more preplay delay, then ther's a larger headstart, and the chances that GB-PVR will catch up are less likely...

[zehd]

First off, give me an idea what time you work and what time you play with GB-PVR... What's the time zone. Same as Australia?

Anyway, I'm about to show you a backdoor for ZProcess. This is not supposed to be regular user's operation. This is so you can go through several settings quickly, so that you can report back what settings worked well for you.

It involves NOT using the MVP. I want to be sure that ZProcess and your test video file, open and start transcoding smoothly, without hesitation. I want to be sure that the audio and video are smooth too. When we have the settings, we can start trying on the MVP...

First off, we're not using ZProcess. We're using ZTranscode, which should also be in the ZProcess folder.

Once ZTranscode is open, click Test. This fills in some blanks with MY test defaults. You will probably get an error or two because I'll bet you do not have a copy of that Robot Chicken in that folder...

The Recordings directory, might be a problem. You could just create a C:\TV\Recorded\ while we test... or hand change the path. But next time you click 'Test', you'll have to do it again. Might be easier to create the folders like I have them for these tests...

Now Double-click on the Input File Text box. You can browse to your Rugby game Test Clip.

Now we should change some settings. Click Settings...

Since it is pretty much on defaults from when you just installed, you will only have to change a few things.

Make sure that Trans2MVP profile is selected.

Uncheck Hide Consoles (we want to see the console window...

Change the Audio Freq to 48000. I think that 44100 won't cut it for your file. It was really garbled sound for me. I will be changing the default in the next version...

We will leave the dimensions at 640x576 for right now, but later we'll be changing this value. When done, click 'save'

Now for the new settings to take effect, we need to reload the test file. Double-click the Input textbox, and slect that test file again.

Now, we're ready to watch some transcoding. Click Start... The transcode console should start minimized. If you restore it, you'll unoubtedly see lots of error. who cares... But it is moving...

We're looking to see that the file finishes, rather than stops prematurely...

Unfortunately, MP4's don't report their frame count, so I'm unable to calculate the progress. So it's 0% until its 100%...

When it is finished, load the final MPG into Windows Media player or whatever. Does the video play smootly, does the audio sound OK...

(I noticed that the video was a little choppy for me. I saw that on the original MP4 clip too, so I didn't worry...)

Next, Do you have VLC installed in it's default location? C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC I hope so. Now we're going to stress test you system.

We're going to do the same thing, start a transcode, but about 5 seconds in, we're going to click View, which starts VLC with the output file... The transcode should be able to keep ahead of the video file. If VLC craps out, then try starting it a few seconds later... Get an idea for how long. That's going to be your preplay delay. (I'll make this task a lot easier in the future)

----

whew. That's a lot. Next major assignment is in next post...

[zehd]

The next step, you'll need to run back and forth from your server to the MVP. For better WAF, give your sweety a hundred dollars and send her shopping...

From the MVP try the test file. How long does the file play? three seconds, four? (also keep in mind the aspect ratio of the picture... on a 4x3 TV it should be Letterbox...(Black Bars on top and bottom and the people aren't stretched or squashed...)

To change the preplay delay, I will want you to do it from the GB-PVR config. Something is different with the latest GB-PVR and if I try and restart it in ZProcess, it gets messed if there is also a MVP session running...

If your preplay delay is at 5500, (default - 5.5 sec) crank it 10000.

Now check the video on the MVP again. Did the video last longer?

While it is playing, you can press the blue button to watch the progress of the transcode. The end time should be racing ahead faster than the current position time. Hopefully, the distance will continue to grow... If it doesn't, we may have a computer speed issue...

I'm hoping that with the right preplay delay, the video will transcode all the way through. I'm hoping that the aspect ratio will be correct. It SHOULD be letterbox...

I'm assuming your testing on a 4x3 PAL TV... And I'm assuming that your MVP is already set to PAL....and 16x9 using the Hauppauge software.

yes I said 16x9. Even if you use a 4x3 TV, the MVP should be set with the Hauppauge software to 16x9. I can explain that later.

If you can get the video to play through, then we can play some more with video dimensions...

Hope that this will get you started with testing.

Here are the questions I need answered.

Does the video play through? Does end time trod slowly, and is it easy for the current time to catch up to the end time? Or does the End time scream away into the distance, leaving the current time in the dust? (Do you even know what I'm talking about? Have you seen the progress OSD on the MVP like I described?

How's the Video/Audio, on the computer? On the MVP?

Is the image squashed or stretched? Are there any black bars on the left and right sides? Is the Letterbox centered from top to bottom?

Also, if you want to try a couple of different dimensions, (while I sleep)...

Open the settings, make sure Trans2MVP is selected... Click either 720x576 or 352x288 for dimensions.... save, and try again...

[jksmurf]

bl**dy hell... that'll keep me busy for 6 months ... that'll teach me to come back asking Q's

Cheers zehd.
k.

[zehd]

bl**dy hell... that'll keep me busy for 6 months ... that'll teach me to come back asking Q's

Cheers zehd.
k.

And in the process (err ZProcess) you'll learn more about ZProcess, and then keep me busy with feature requests...

[jksmurf]

First off, give me an idea what time you work and what time you play with GB-PVR... What's the time zone. Same as Australia?

2 hours ahead of Oz.

... You will probably get an error or two because I'll bet you do not have a copy of that Robot Chicken in that folder...the Recordings directory, might be a problem. You could just create a C:\TV\Recorded\ while we test... or hand change the path. But next time you click 'Test', you'll have to do it again. Might be easier to create the folders like I have them for these tests...

yes, Error No. 13 (about 2~3 of them) I made a Chicken Dir, for kicks, but you don't need it.

Change the Audio Freq to 48000. I think that 44100 won't cut it for your file. It was really garbled sound for me. I will be changing the default in the next version...

Did that. Wondered about mp3 as normally use mp2 for MVP. No change in CPU priority?...would this not help? Also wondered why both input-output files have 25fps/25 fps but the settings said 29.97 and force PAL?

Now for the new settings to take effect, we need to reload the test file. Double-click the Input textbox, and slect that test file again.

Did that but not sure why you need to load the file, then reload it. Why not set settings, then load it once?

Now, we're ready to watch some transcoding. Click Start... The transcode console should start minimized. If you restore it, you'll unoubtedly see lots of error. who cares... But it is moving...

Yes to all those. Thing makes a log in Thridparty/Ztools, but deletes it at the end before you can look at it?

We're looking to see that the file finishes, rather than stops prematurely...

it finishes OK.

Unfortunately, MP4's don't report their frame count, so I'm unable to calculate the progress. So it's 0% until its 100%...

Yup

When it is finished, load the final MPG into Windows Media player or whatever. Does the video play smootly, does the audio sound OK...

I made two of them. Transcodes took approx. 1 to 2 mins. One from the first 10MB (start that you got) and one from the 45~60MB mark (15MB), just to be sure. The video on the first was smooth enough and played right through, the audio kept popping. The second video was weird, the video was OK initially but then a section of the commentary on the audio repeated several times before it continued.

(I noticed that the video was a little choppy for me. I saw that on the original MP4 clip too, so I didn't worry...)

Yeah, I didn't notice it TBH when I played it on my PC (watched the whole hting on my PC last week)

(Next, Do you have VLC installed in it's default location? C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC I hope so. Now we're going to stress test you system.

Yes. Awesome proggy.

.. start a transcode, but about 5 seconds in, we're going to click View, which starts VLC with the output file... The transcode should be able to keep ahead of the video file. If VLC craps out, then try starting it a few seconds later... Get an idea for how long. That's going to be your preplay delay.

This one told me my PC is too slow (I think). I tried 5 secs, approx 10 secs, approx 20 secs and each time, although it took a wee bit longer, the thing caught up. You can even watch the time on the lower LHS, but the arrow raced away to the right and the bar did not keep, up even after 20s delay ...

The next step, you'll need to run back and forth from your server to the MVP. For better WAF, give your sweety a hundred dollars and send her shopping...

$100? You kidding? That's in the FIRST shop...

From the MVP try the test file. How long does the file play? three seconds, four? (also keep in mind the aspect ratio of the picture... on a 4x3 TV it should be Letterbox...(Black Bars on top and bottom and the people aren't stretched or squashed...)

About 4s. Letterbox.

To change the preplay delay, I will want you to do it from the GB-PVR config. Something is different with the latest GB-PVR and if I try and restart it in ZProcess, it gets messed if there is also a MVP session running...

OK

If your preplay delay is at 5500, (default - 5.5 sec) crank it 10000.
Now check the video on the MVP again. Did the video last longer?

No, it didn't, oddly. I tried 10, 15, 20. Still only runs about 4~6s then stops.

While it is playing, you can press the blue button to watch the progress of the transcode. The end time should be racing ahead faster than the current position time. Hopefully, the distance will continue to grow... If it doesn't, we may have a computer speed issue... I'm hoping that with the right preplay delay, the video will transcode all the way through. I'm hoping that the aspect ratio will be correct. It SHOULD be letterbox...

It doesn't grow.

I'm assuming your testing on a 4x3 PAL TV... And I'm assuming that your MVP is already set to PAL....and 16x9 using the Hauppauge software. yes I said 16x9. Even if you use a 4x3 TV, the MVP should be set with the Hauppauge software to 16x9. I can explain that later. If you can get the video to play through, then we can play some more with video dimensions...

Yes, I am testing on a 4x3 PAL TV, BUT (and this is the ONLY thing I did not do) I'm sorry I did NOT try to change to 16:9 ... I am using the mvmpmc dongle and I was going to try and see if I could do it there using the emulation script .. BUT, for THIS test, is it mission-critical?

Here are the questions I need answered. Does the video play through?

Not in the original mp4 file (or sample) test. (Only the transcoded mpg done in part I of your post)

Does end time trod slowly, and is it easy for the current time to catch up to the end time?

Yes.

Or does the End time scream away into the distance, leaving the current time in the dust?

No, I hardly even get time to press teh blue button to see where it is...

(Do you even know what I'm talking about? Have you seen the progress OSD on the MVP like I described?

Yes. I rarely use the PC. I always use teh blue button to see where I am when watching a show (and to check out the comskip marks).

How's the Video/Audio, on the computer?

Fine. When I watched the whole thing using imported mp4 and PVRX2 -fse, it was fine, at leasst Video. I really didn't notice the audio, but IIRC it was OK.

On the MVP?

As above. 4s (6s max) and craps outs (Video jumps back to the recordings menu) same as Xrecord.

Is the image squashed or stretched? Are there any black bars on the left and right sides? Is the Letterbox centered from top to bottom?

It is fine. Aspect is fine. There are black bars T&B. Yes, centered.

Also, if you want to try a couple of different dimensions, (while I sleep)...

Actually, first I'd like to confirm it IS my PC then ask Santa for a new one :-)

HTH!

Cheers,
k.

[zehd]

The posts are getting to long, so I'll keep this short. I should have told you in on of the steps:

.. start a transcode, but about 5 seconds in, we're going to click View, which starts VLC with the output file... The transcode should be able to keep ahead of the video file. If VLC craps out, then try starting it a few seconds later... Get an idea for how long. That's going to be your preplay delay.

If you can't get this part. You should stop with further tests...

Basically, if your computer can't keep up with transcoding and viewing at the same time, then you have a PC Speed problem...

To be clear, I didn't expect you to be trying this with the mvpmc dongle, though my brief tests indicate that that WILL not be a problem; we don't need to worry about it. But for the future, when you test something new and have troubles, I suggest a reset to defaults...

There are a couple of reasons that I think you are having trouble transcoding 'faster than real-time'

Speed of computer: Although sub thinks the specs should be a lot higher than I do (I have all my computers run at 2Ghz and it's fine with ZProcess), I know that if you have a suspect computer, competing processes are the most likely culprit. In fact I know of people who have VERY fast computers and they still have trouble because of competing processes...

Changing priority is not the solution. One reason I have only provided a choice of 'Below Normal' and 'Normal' is that people think that 'Above Normal' solves the problem, when it really brings the PC to its knees. Default Priorities for all processes (GB-PVR recording service, MVP Server etc) is recommended...

Have a look at this tip from the ZProcess1 wiki page

http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Utili...ess1#toc33

I'm leaning toward this:

Actually, first I'd like to confirm it IS my PC then ask Santa for a new one :-)

But before, what specs do you have?

[jksmurf]

Ok short post :o

If you can't get this part. You should stop with further tests...

I did respond to that part. Here's what I said:

This one told me my PC is too slow (I think). I tried 5 secs, approx 10 secs, approx 20 secs and each time, although it took a wee bit longer, the thing caught up. You can even watch the time on the lower LHS, but the arrow raced away to the right and the bar did not keep, up even after 20s delay ...

I'm leaning toward this:

Me too

But before, what specs do you have?

Most are in my sig. Is there anything else specific you need?

Thanks!

k.

[zehd]

k.

I'm tired... sorry missed the specs. Yeah They're quite low end...

You might have success if you set ZProcess to use VCD PAL which would be 352x288. That difference in size makes a huge difference... But then you'dd still have some trouble eventually...

I remember I was able to get the transcode on the fly happen with a PIII 700 but I really had the OS tricked out, and stripped...

My Ex got a Celeron D, ~3GHZ and it started working well right out of the box, though I still trimmed a lot of fat on that one...

I have 1GB of RAM on all my machines, and 2GHz for both my own dev machine and online PVR....but it seems to be OK with 512MB of RAM...