Zprocess2: How do I know it's working?

[zehd]

Logs attached. This movie is playing full screen.
Transcoded manually with latest ZTranscode.
Thanks

I'm concerned that you have not sent me all the of files that should be present in the "C:\Program Files\Devnz\GBPVR\Third Party\ZTools\Logs" folder.

This may be a strong indication that your original mention of not having a cache folder (which you do, or you would not have anything at all in the logs folder) is a serious issue, and may be one reason or at least a symptom of why you are getting a full screen 16:9 video.

So to be very clear (man I hate how there's that time lag (and brain power lag - I forget while waiting)

Start ZTranscode, double click to expand form
Load a file
Click start, do you see hits? fps framerate?
Wait at least 10 seconds.
Click Stop
Zip and attach all files located in "C:\Program Files\Devnz\GBPVR\Third Party\ZTools\Logs"

If you do not have any more than what you have already sent, then also manually include your ZProcess2 log, which should be found in your

"C:\\Temp\MVP_Cache\20081116" folder (or whatever date it is for you when you check)

also your config.xml


---

It suddenly occurred to me, that if you're using your temp folder for a recordings path (and therefore your MVP_Cache path) that you might have something that is constantly cleaning out your temp folder...

[jerryheynow]

I'm concerned that you have not sent me all the of files that should be present in the "C:\Program Files\Devnz\GBPVR\Third Party\ZTools\Logs" folder.

This may be a strong indication that your original mention of not having a cache folder (which you do, or you would not have anything at all in the logs folder) is a serious issue, and may be one reason or at least a symptom of why you are getting a full screen 16:9 video.

So to be very clear (man I hate how there's that time lag (and brain power lag - I forget while waiting)

Start ZTranscode, double click to expand form
Load a file
Click start, do you see hits? fps framerate?

No hits, Framerate yes. 50-70 fps

Wait at least 10 seconds.
Click Stop
Zip and attach all files located in "C:\Program Files\Devnz\GBPVR\Third Party\ZTools\Logs"

If you do not have any more than what you have already sent, then also manually include your ZProcess2 log, which should be found in your

"C:\\Temp\MVP_Cache\20081116" folder (or whatever date it is for you when you check)

also your config.xml


---

It suddenly occurred to me, that if you're using your temp folder for a recordings path (and therefore your MVP_Cache path) that you might have something that is constantly cleaning out your temp folder...

The logs are working in the TEMP/MVP_Cache/yyyymmdd dir

Thanks

[zehd]

Just a hunch.... When I told you to set the MVP (using Hauppauge software) to 16/9, did you also change the aspect ratio in the Trans2MVP profile in ZProcess? Actually I know the answer already...

Your transcode is perfect for your settings. The 16/9 video fills a 16/9 frame for display on a 16/9 TV...

But if you set the aspect to 4/3 in ZProcess (remember to select the Trans2MVP profile) then all that 16/9 stuff gets shoved into a 4x3 frame, with black bars...

[jerryheynow]

Just a hunch.... When I told you to set the MVP (using Hauppauge software) to 16/9, did you also change the aspect ratio in the Trans2MVP profile in ZProcess? Actually I know the answer already...

Your transcode is perfect for your settings. The 16/9 video fills a 16/9 frame for display on a 16/9 TV...

But if you set the aspect to 4/3 in ZProcess (remember to select the Trans2MVP profile) then all that 16/9 stuff gets shoved into a 4x3 frame, with black bars...

Nope, Zprocess has default settings.

I tried earlier to change to Trans2MVP profile, but it didn't take.

[zehd]

Nope, Zprocess has default settings.

I tried earlier to change to Trans2MVP profile, but it didn't take.

OK. I know this sucks, but there's probably something wrong with ZProcess's Config page compared to ZTranscode's Config page... So you can either try looking at settings in ZTranscode where Trans2MVP is always selected at first run, or always remember to choose a profile in ZProcess's Config. (I'll be fixing that - didn't think anyone was going to fall in that trap...

Your logs show that you indeed have the aspect ratio in Trans2MVP profile set to 16x9. The screen shot shows that you haven't selected Trans2MVP, so therefore the 4x3 box isn't valid. Changing anything like this and saving will not save anything at all because there is no profile to save to. If you do select the Trans2MVP profile, then all the other parameters fill in, and you'll see 16x9 chosen. Choose 4x3, then click save and your set...

[jerryheynow]

OK. I know this sucks, but there's probably something wrong with ZProcess's Config page compared to ZTranscode's Config page... So you can either try looking at settings in ZTranscode where Trans2MVP is always selected at first run, or always remember to choose a profile in ZProcess's Config. (I'll be fixing that - didn't think anyone was going to fall in that trap...

Your logs show that you indeed have the aspect ratio in Trans2MVP profile set to 16x9. The screen shot shows that you haven't selected Trans2MVP, so therefore the 4x3 box isn't valid. Changing anything like this and saving will not save anything at all because there is no profile to save to. If you do select the Trans2MVP profile, then all the other parameters fill in, and you'll see 16x9 chosen. Choose 4x3, then click save and your set...

Just checking in that I dont' have an action here. It appeared you are still working on an update to hold the save of the Profile selection, or did i miss something?

Sorry, just don't want to leave anything open. To review, I select Trans2MVP in the profile, and Save. But if i close zprocess and reopen, the profile defaults back to blank.



Jerry

[zehd]

Just checking in that I dont' have an action here. It appeared you are still working on an update to hold the save of the Profile selection, or did i miss something?

Sorry, just don't want to leave anything open. To review, I select Trans2MVP in the profile, and Save. But if i close zprocess and reopen, the profile defaults back to blank.

Jerry

No there are no updates coming - no updates that are required for ZProcess to work for you. The only fix I have coming is a cosmetic one.

To be clear, you select Trans2MVP, making sure 4x3 is chosen and then save.

To make sure it is saved, you start ZProcess, open config , select Trans2MVP, and verify that 4x3 is still there... I'm sure it will be...

the Trans2MVP profile is automatically chose only when GB-PVR is calling it.

[jerryheynow]

Ok, thanks for all the support.

Couple of recent findings with regards to aspect ratio

GOOD
***********
664x268 avi works great.
640x272 great.
708x292
588x240
620x256
612x250
596x246

NO GOOD
***********************
612x320 still doesn't show correct aspect ratio on MVP, but showing 16:9 in both Aspect boxes in ZTranscode.
608x304 no good either. Same as above
612x332 not correct.
576x304 no good.
608x336 no good.

All the No Goods are showing up full screen as opposed to 4x3.

[jerryheynow]

Sorry, clarification on last post.
All the no goods are showing full screen on a 4x3 screen as opposed to letterbox, the preferred view.

[zehd]

Ok, thanks for all the support.

Couple of recent findings with regards to aspect ratio

GOOD
***********
664x268 avi works great.
640x272 great.
708x292
588x240
620x256
612x250
596x246

NO GOOD
***********************
612x320 still doesn't show correct aspect ratio on MVP, but showing 16:9 in both Aspect boxes in ZTranscode.
608x304 no good either. Same as above
612x332 not correct.
576x304 no good.
608x336 no good.

All the No Goods are showing up full screen as opposed to 4x3.

Do you have a 4x3 or 16x9 TV? I thought you have a 4x3...

[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

ZProcess does not set the circled box, you do. If you have 16:9 in BOTH boxes (which explains full screen for 16:9 movies, but letterbox for 2.35:1 movies - even though it should be letterbox for both types movies) that means that you still haven't corrected the settings I suggested.

So, there's always removeAllZProcess.reg or the new Reinitialize ZProcess function. That will effectively remove all non default settings. 4x3 is the default output aspect ratio for all profiles.

---

For you and other lurkers, it might be time for a recap.

ZProcess is mostly made up of two programs, zprocess2.exe and ztranscode.exe. Without a doubt the more important of the two is ZTranscode, therefore if the settings don't look right in ZTranscode, the whole deal won't work right.

The shared interface (the settings subform) does share the exact same data location, so you can make a change in one form and see that change in the second. They do open slightly differently. displaying slightly different data. In many cases it may be preferable to make setting changes with ZTranscode only...

ZProcess uses profiles to store settings, so you could keep certain presets handy for different transcode type. To access the different profiles, enter the settings subform and choose the profile from the dropdown menu. The only profile that is and can be used with GB-PVR fro transcoding on the fly while using the MediaMVP is 'Trans2MVP'

Only after selecting the profile (in either ZProcess or ZTranscode) do any settings for that profile display, and can be changed or saved. Simply opening the subform and looking won't cut it. You have to select it...

Upon initialization all profiles are set to use the defaults which are consistent with what GB-PVR uses when it only uses ffmpeg and not set to use ZProcess, although it uses MEncoder by default. It is also setup between NTSC and PAL whichever you choose at first run.

The default TV shape is 4x3 for all profiles, which means that any wider format video will letterbox inside the 4x3 frame.

After selecting your TV system (NTSC or PAL) you really don't have to change any setting at all.