Automated Cutting and Transcoding Guide Using Mencoder

[JackTheMan18]

It appears as if I (finally) have the entire script runninmg with the right files being called. However, it produces a file *.mp4, which is only 60 seconds in length. Is there a switch that I need to set for it to do the whole thing?
It appears that mencoder, and ffmpeg, ffmpeg are being called and they work.
Why only 1 ninute long?

[JackTheMan18]

I just noticed that my "test" parameter was set to yes...
Just another case of fingers faster than the brain.

[-stattik-]

I just noticed that my "test" parameter was set to yes...
Just another case of fingers faster than the brain.

Sounds like you got it working. If you can, report back on the quality/playback. Since I don't own a PSP, I had to send test files to a friend and never got a chance to see the output.

[JackTheMan18]

Sounds like you got it working. If you can, report back on the quality/playback. Since I don't own a PSP, I had to send test files to a friend and never got a chance to see the output.

Yes, I finally did get it working.
And, tonight, I will do my best to report on the quality / playback. (I'm now at work.)
However, my motivation for using this method was entirely different.
1. I have a LeadTek PVR2000 card which works very well.
2. With GB/PVR, however, it only records at the highest resolution (i.e. birate) regardless of what is specified in the profile (e.g. custom1, etc.). Sub says that this might have to do with some pecularity of the card - and I have heard that LeadTek isn't overly fond of sharing technical details.
3. So, my objectives in using this bat file were:
- edit out the commercials
- reduce the stored file sizes to more mangeable levels
I think that it does both these objectives!

I also intend on using the myvideos plugin to burn these files to dvd. I haven't tried that out yet.

My standard player is Nero Showtime (from Ultra 7), and I will try and report any differences that I can tell with that. However, I must also tell you that I am watching on a 17" LCD monitor. My next move with this software will be to get a good AGP card, and try and hook it up to TV.
Any particular reccommendations on that score?

[-stattik-]

I also intend on using the myvideos plugin to burn these files to dvd. I haven't tried that out yet.

My standard player is Nero Showtime (from Ultra 7), and I will try and report any differences that I can tell with that. However, I must also tell you that I am watching on a 17" LCD monitor. My next move with this software will be to get a good AGP card, and try and hook it up to TV.
Any particular reccommendations on that score?

I assumed that you were using this script to create PSP-compatibile files since that was the profile you selected. I don't know how well PSP files will play on non PSP devices/ software. I know iTunes didn't like them very much. If archival to DVD is what you're looking for, I would suggest using the standard profile. It uses mencoder to create Xvid files that you can play in gbpvr or any piece of software that uses the Xvid codec. If you're looking to play the files on a hardware Divx player, there's some discussion on the previous page.

I use a Geforce4 420 MX with s-video out to a 56"RPTV and the ouput looks as good or better than my Tivo.

[mlalbrecht]

I just have found this incredible way of automazing arciving of shows and have a few questions. I hope some of you can help.
1. I have dirmon, mplayer2006.01.01 athlon 64 version, showanalyzer and the batch file (stattik_transcode_0.09.bat) installed in my PC. (i have not installed comskip as i thought it is not necessary, because i have showanalyzer - is it required?)
I intend to do the following:
1. Showanalyzer creates the edl file. this is done by help of dirmon. it runs as processor1.
2. the batch-file is run as processor 2. (does that work - 2 processors in dirmon at the same time?)
3. I have configured the batch file as stated on the first page, i.e.:
path direction is correct - used the same as stattik.
no filedeletion
testmode: no
turbo mode: yes
debugmode: yes
default profile: mpeg
( i do not know what other settings i have to set to get the following result)

My intention is an automated cut out of commercials while the mpeg file is NOT converted to divx. I want to do that with another program.

So i started dirmon (checked all the properties are like stattik posted on the first page).
the processor starts to work ( i have made sure 1 edl movie was there).
dirmon tells me "waiting for processor to finish".
I, however, cannot see any mencode process running or any window opening to show the progress. how can i see that the batch- file is working?
what am i doing wrong?

Thank you very much for any help beforehand (and yes, i have read through all 14 pages )

Michael

[-stattik-]

2. the batch-file is run as processor 2. (does that work - 2 processors in dirmon at the same time?)

It should although I never tried it. Comskip isn't needed if showanalyzer is creating the edl files. Technically you can create you own edl file if you know the format.

3. I have configured the batch file as stated on the first page, i.e.:
path direction is correct - used the same as stattik.
no filedeletion
testmode: no
turbo mode: yes
debugmode: yes
default profile: mpeg
( i do not know what other settings i have to set to get the following result)

Set debug to no.

If you want debug on you have to drop a file on the script to set it off. This will open a window and you can see the whole process. It asks for input which is why it doesn't work with Dirmon. Dirmon starts the script, but you can't interact with it which means the script waits for your input, hence your problem.

Hope this helps.

[mlalbrecht]

ok, i have changed that.
however, the file is processed now instantly.
This means: i get a .dne file, but cannot see any changes done to the .mpg file. The .dne file is created 1 sec after i push start processing. what am i doing wrong? am i missing any files (vbs..., i just have downloaded the required software and the .bat file).
The script and folders are identical to the original one, i even left the folders the same.

[-stattik-]

Set debug to yes. Then drop a mpg file on the script. Step through the script to see if there are any errors. If you get to the end of the script and can't find any errors, copy and post the output here. I'll take a look at it.

[5%NationofCasiotone]

Is there a way to compress the video without comskip running first? I taped a SportsCenter and want to send a bit of the video to someone, but don't want to send it full sized. Comskip runs normally and works for me, I think it just didn't work because SportsCenter might have thrown off comskip. Anyway, how can I compress if comskip doesn't run first?