2013-03-05, 05:04 AM
I think I am up to speed on the above subject in that there is really no way to "transcode" NPVR recordings, but immediate conversion is possible. I think my desired workflow is probably outside the realm of possibility, but I'm going to inquire anyway.
First off, let me cover why I want the recordings in a different format. In a nutshell, I cannot reliably stream the mpeg2 transport streams that are delivered by my carrier (Comcast) to wireless devices. While I do have wired connections available at my primary viewing locations (large TVs/computers), it would be nice to have the ability to watch recorded content on our tablets, phones, etc. from time to time. I can achieve roughly a 50% reduction in file size and bitrate by converting to mpeg4, which streams very nicely over my wireless network.
I could obviously create a post processing script that would immediately convert and delete the original recording, or run some sort of batch process to do it overnight. It appears that NPVR will pick this up seamlessly. This would probably work well for me 80+% of the time, maybe more. The hole I do see is that there will be a period of time during which I could run into issues with timing. Specifically, what if I want to start watching a show 30 minutes after it started? In theory I could start watching the .ts, but what would happen if the post processing script concluded while I was watching the .ts? I suppose I could have the post-processing script just do the conversion, and if I knew I was in this situation I could be sure to view the .ts. The post processing script would not delete the .ts. I could then have an overnight process run that would look for any .ts that had already been converted and blast them. I think that would work for NextPVR?
While I think my solution is viable, it seems a little fragile with regard to timing. I just want to confirm that someone hasn't come up with a better solution before I head down this path.
Thanks.
First off, let me cover why I want the recordings in a different format. In a nutshell, I cannot reliably stream the mpeg2 transport streams that are delivered by my carrier (Comcast) to wireless devices. While I do have wired connections available at my primary viewing locations (large TVs/computers), it would be nice to have the ability to watch recorded content on our tablets, phones, etc. from time to time. I can achieve roughly a 50% reduction in file size and bitrate by converting to mpeg4, which streams very nicely over my wireless network.
I could obviously create a post processing script that would immediately convert and delete the original recording, or run some sort of batch process to do it overnight. It appears that NPVR will pick this up seamlessly. This would probably work well for me 80+% of the time, maybe more. The hole I do see is that there will be a period of time during which I could run into issues with timing. Specifically, what if I want to start watching a show 30 minutes after it started? In theory I could start watching the .ts, but what would happen if the post processing script concluded while I was watching the .ts? I suppose I could have the post-processing script just do the conversion, and if I knew I was in this situation I could be sure to view the .ts. The post processing script would not delete the .ts. I could then have an overnight process run that would look for any .ts that had already been converted and blast them. I think that would work for NextPVR?
While I think my solution is viable, it seems a little fragile with regard to timing. I just want to confirm that someone hasn't come up with a better solution before I head down this path.
Thanks.
