-Reposted to correct forum-

Hello all,
  I'm looking for testers for an MCE video conversion assistant (free GPL).  It's implemented as a windows service and performs DVR-MS to Xvid/WMV/H.264 in a similar way to DVRMSToolbox or crunchie but is install-and-run (ie. simple and does not require any/much setup or configuration).  Also handles thread priority (so it runs OK at the same time as MCE recording and viewing) and supports XP and Vista.  If you are willing to give it a try, check it out at http://www.mcebuddy.com or drop me an email at mcebuddy@tyrell.com.au.  Testing is more end user testing (ie. functionality) as this is not beta code.

In case its not obvious, this is a free community application, not an attempt to make money or sell anything.

Cheers

Derek

Whats the best video quality:file size ratio out of these formats?

H.264 is definately best for quality AND size.  The downside is you lose forward/reverse (skip still works, which is what most people use)

Xvid is the next best.  Lower quality but good size.

WMV is the least optimal, the quality is about as good as Xvid, sometimes a little better, but the files are way bigger.  The advantage of WMV is you don't need FFDSHOW or equivalent for playment, MCE/Media Player can play WMV without it.

MCEBuddy 1.0.5 has been released.  Key features of 1.05 are:
- Vista 64 support
- Vista UAC support (UAC is now*not* turned off)
- Updated Comskip and ShowAnalyzer integration
- ShowAnalyzer defaults set
- Simultaneous file access faults fixed.

Download from http://www.mcebuddy.com

Thanks to the people who have provided these feature requests

Derek

Derek, I've just installed your app and so far it's working great. H264 quality for my (heavily compressed south america's directv) SD recordings is perfect at 1/8th the size.
Now, I've got a couple of requests if you don't mind:
Some progress indication on the tray icon bubble and window would be great. And also, some way to dump the metadata from the dvr-ms files to a standard xml file.
One more thing, I've got an ati x1300 and it's avivo encoding speed is tops, do you know if there's a way to have mencoder use it?

Guys, 1.0.6 is ready for beta. By this I mean a real beta (releases to date have not been beta code). I need to test the following:

1. Standard profile conversion one television (not computer monitor) displays. I'm hoping the conversion will work without the user needing to specify PAL/NTSC, but as my own system uses a Dell 30" monitor instead of a TV I can't test this.

2. I need to collect and test a new set of conversion profiles, so if you have some that are more effective than the conversion you are already getting with MCEBuddy, please pass them on so we can share the joy.

If you have time for beta test please send me an email to mcebuddy@tyrell.com.au and I will point you to the beta page.

Cheers

Derek

Faber,

Great to hear its working well for you.

- Progress indication (for conversion) is in 1.0.6 so should be available once its out of test
- Dumping meta data to an XML file is not in scope for MCEBuddy and probably isn't going to be either.  The best closest option will be moving the meta data from DVR-MS into the AVI or WMV envelope (which is in scope for MCEBuddy).  Otherwise it sounds like Crunchie or DVRMSToolbox might be the go for you here.
- Not sure about the ATI x1300, this Q might be something more for the MPlayer/Mencoder forums.

More details on what's planned here, for info http://www.mcebuddy.com/MCEBuddyFutureVersions.htm

Cheers

Derek

Using it on my Windows Home Server (RC) to convert to h264. Really cool only 1 issue: if I connect to a share and press ok it gives an error message but still connects and converts!

odd

Derek,

I am happy to report that your program is working great.  I have one comment/suggesting.  You said that you have no plans on including the metadata.  Since MCE uses the title/channel/date method for naming their files, how about an option to retitle the file with meta data during the conversion.  I personally would like to use just the episode name since I have them already filed by show title.  Others may prefer including the description, date, or any of the other choices.  I would think you could do add a few check boxes for those particular details and then concat them into a string and rename the file with that string.  Or it could be a lot harder, I have not worked with meta datat before and my programing is limited.  Again though, your progam is great and thanks for what you do.

 

Chris

Chris, I've probably not been clear to date.  I do have plans to transfer and use meta data for naming, sorting etc., but not until version 1.1.  I just don't have plans to dump th meta data into an XML file.  I'd like to get the remaining features of 1.0x finished first.  This is a link to what is planned  http://www.mcebuddy.com/MCEBuddyFutureVersions.htm.
At this stage meta data transfer is planned for only DVR-MS to WMV and AVI envelope formats.  Sorting and naming using that meta data will come at the same time.

Cheers

Derek

hoberion:

Using it on my Windows Home Server (RC) to convert to h264. Really cool only 1 issue: if I connect to a share and press ok it gives an error message but still connects and converts!

odd

Thanks, I can't reproduce this.  Can you tell me what the error message was?

"\mce6\c$\Users\Public\Recorded TV" is not a valid source path


I figured it out, the config tool doesnt use the same credentials as the service.. when I set up an session to the external machine I entered the credentials again and then the config tool didnt display the message anymore

Derek,

Looks like a great add-on and I'd like to give it a try. Before I do, I have a couple questions. I am recording OTA ATSC high definition programs. I am watching through an XBox 360 extender, so converting to WMV is the only option for me at this time.

Approximately how much smaller can I expect files to be after conversion from DVR-MS to WMV (assume no commercial removal) using the highest quality setting? Most of my 1 hour recordings are about 7GB.

I don't know much about ComSkip or ShowAnalyzer. I'm not too worried about a commercial that doesn't get detected, but do these programs ever cut out part of the show by mistake?

Thanks!
Rob

Rob,

Assuming you don't reduce the dimensions (so it stays 1280 wide) files are typically reduced to about 45% of their original size if you use WMV, so your 7GB files will be about 3.1GB.  H.264 and Xvid files are typically around 10-15% of original size.

My experience to date with commercial skipping is mostly with ShowAnalyzer and I have not lost any actual program yet.  However this is no guarantee as it really does depend on how the broadcaster injects its commercials.  I suggest you give it a try with a few of your programs without deleting them first and see how it flies.  If you really want automated commercial removal and you're greatly concerned about false positives then you're best to get ShowAnalyzer and hand tune it using SchoolHouse. 

Cheers

Derek

I used your utility, was pretty good except I told it to stop the service and it kept re-running after I rebooted.