New "Conversion Processing" capability works yet?

[TomH]

First, thanks for the new 1.0.nn series -- this has vastly improved both the viewability (PVRX2 gui) and the performance over MVP's. The family really notices the differences and thanks you (me too).

I've tried setting the "Auto convert MPG recordings" to "DivX" -- no DivX file created, just an MPG file results. (Tried also output to WMV, same result)

I haven't found any discussion of pre-requisites - am I missing something here?

I run GB-PVR almost exclusively for recording cable tv shows (Comcast analog) for the family's use. Running comskip and comclean (both via thepostprocessing.bat not config settings) to reduce file size.

I'd like to store the programs at the same level of quality as the current mpg's -but- at greatly reduced file size.

Would converting to DixV or WMV (for storage) be the better choice for this? (sorry for the subjective nature of the question)

The way I understand it, I would need to...
(1) record same as now with comskip and comclean processed MPG files
(2) somehow (newbie here, be gentle) convert to the DivX (or WMV) format and also do file cleanup in the program subdirectory
(3) Set up so that the files can be viewed via MVP -- is this where "transcoding" on the fly takes place (so no MPG is saved in storage)?

This all needs to be able to be automated -- as the family and wife would not do (or be able to do faithfully) the steps required to do all this manually.

Any suggestions and recommendations for specific solutions is greatly appreciated.

[zehd]

First, thanks for the new 1.0.nn series -- this has vastly improved both the viewability (PVRX2 gui) and the performance over MVP's. The family really notices the differences and thanks you (me too).

I've tried setting the "Auto convert MPG recordings" to "DivX" -- no DivX file created, just an MPG file results. (Tried also output to WMV, same result)

I haven't found any discussion of pre-requisites - am I missing something here?

I run GB-PVR almost exclusively for recording cable tv shows (Comcast analog) for the family's use. Running comskip and comclean (both via thepostprocessing.bat not config settings) to reduce file size.

I'd like to store the programs at the same level of quality as the current mpg's -but- at greatly reduced file size.

Would converting to DixV or WMV (for storage) be the better choice for this? (sorry for the subjective nature of the question)

The way I understand it, I would need to...
(1) record same as now with comskip and comclean processed MPG files
(2) somehow (newbie here, be gentle) convert to the DivX (or WMV) format and also do file cleanup in the program subdirectory
(3) Set up so that the files can be viewed via MVP -- is this where "transcoding" on the fly takes place (so no MPG is saved in storage)?

This all needs to be able to be automated -- as the family and wife would not do (or be able to do faithfully) the steps required to do all this manually.

Any suggestions and recommendations for specific solutions is greatly appreciated.

Although the built in conversion may work, sub's warning "Very Experimental" continues to exist.

I suggest using a PostProcessing.bat that would do something like:

comskip
comclean
transcode
delete original

Give it a try writing your PostProcessing.bat, and we'll help you out if you get stuck...

Transcoding quality IS subjective, but you should be able to find something you like. Just remember Quality means Size. In my opinion and experience, you won't be able to get a quick one pass transcode that will look as good as the TV/DVD rips that you can donwload... but it will look OK

(My actual opinion is that if you are transcoding to save space on the drive, get a bigger drive. Transcoding MPG to AVI (or wmv) and then to view on the MVP, transcoding the AVI to MPG again, just doesn't make sense...)

----
ZProcess 2 may also help with the transcode step.

(I don't want to confuse the issue with the differences between ZProcess 1 and ZProcess 2, but version 1 would do all that you ask with one command line in your PostProcessing.bat. )

Biggest problem you'll have with ZProcess is exactly the same thing that you had with ZSchedFix. It shells batch files. If your computer hasn't had that issue fixed you'll be looking for other ways... (I can help with that too...)

[sub]

First, thanks for the new 1.0.nn series -- this has vastly improved both the viewability (PVRX2 gui) and the performance over MVP's. The family really notices the differences and thanks you (me too).

I've tried setting the "Auto convert MPG recordings" to "DivX" -- no DivX file created, just an MPG file results. (Tried also output to WMV, same result)

I haven't found any discussion of pre-requisites - am I missing something here?

You're talking about the Conversion Processing settings in the config app right? These arent new, and have been there for well over a year.

Zip and attach your logs and I'll check why its not converting for you.

I'd like to store the programs at the same level of quality as the current mpg's -but- at greatly reduced file size.

Keep in mind you're always going to loose some quality by transcoding.

(3) Set up so that the files can be viewed via MVP -- is this where "transcoding" on the fly takes place (so no MPG is saved in storage)?

Honestly, if you're using an MVP, just stick with .mpg files. Trying to view .avi files on the MVP is pretty messy and requires on the fly transcoding to .mpg. The will result in yet more quality loss, and often the MVP will loose audio/video sync when skipping, and you'll loose the ability to resume a move part way through. You also wont be able to skip beyond the current transcoding point.