Looking for testers for MCE video conversion assistant (MCEBuddy free GPL)

[phredeaux]

-Reposted by request-

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

[Astrotoy7]

been giving 1.01 a go... great work!!

Those input/output paths you added have made this my number one app for conversion... h.264 is great - i usually use 'high' quality...not one glitch at all, and works pretty quick !

I still use video redo for clipping ads, as I love to have full control and do it visually rather than requiring an auto app to do it. I seem to watch alot of dark shows so ad scanning never works for me (though I havent tried showanalyser). I love abc recordings, just a trim at start and end and then I use VRD to output to DVRMS.

Im 110% happy with the app as it is, but if I could make a 'luxury' request that...it would be to have the recordings keep their metadata ??

A HUGE THANKS for making a freeware app that 'average' users can use with no hassles. Ive already shown several friends and clients v1.01 who are giving it a go right now..

astro

[nigel984]

I'll give it a go and try and remember to give some feedback - sometimes its easier to simply take and forget about the developer

Does H 264 allow FW/RW?

[gregc182]

Originally Posted by nigel984

I'll give it a go and try and remember to give some feedback - sometimes its easier to simply take and forget about the developer

Does H 264 allow FW/RW?

Not for me it doesn't but i can use the skip

[phredeaux]

NEW VERSION - 1.0.2
A new version of MCEBuddy is available. I've moved it to a new server as my download limit was getting hammered.

http://www.mcebuddy.com

Version 1.0.2 contains a few new requested features, improved conversion and a fix or two
- Changed video quality types - note default is now NORMAL
- Added sort by series for output videos
- Added support for iPod and Zune portable video players
- Added optimised encoding from Jelwood
- Some performance tweaks

PLEASE NOTE - IF YOU ARE USING VERSION 1.01 OR LOWER
If you were using the old "Very High" quality setting , this is now equivalent to "Normal". Very High is now for 1920(horiz) HDTV. So if you don't need it to be so high, ensure you change it to NORMAL as Very High generates larger files.

[nigel984]

I used 1.01 and it worked really well for me. No issues.

Couple of thoughts: quality was good but not as I hoped. Going to try v1.02 and add comercial skipping w/ShowAnalyzer, on the new high quality and see how it compares in size + quality etc.

Thanks so far!

P.S. How does series sorting work? I guess I will find out shortly but its good to have a reference.

[phredeaux]

Originally Posted by nigel984

I used 1.01 and it worked really well for me. No issues.

Couple of thoughts: quality was good but not as I hoped. Going to try v1.02 and add comercial skipping w/ShowAnalyzer, on the new high quality and see how it compares in size + quality etc.

Thanks so far!

P.S. How does series sorting work? I guess I will find out shortly but its good to have a reference.

1.0.3 is better with ShowAnalyzer, though it does change the ShowAnalyzer defaults, so if you ShowAnalyzer for other things be aware of that. 1.0.2/3 have better conversion and the higher quality options, so I'd be interested to hear how they go.

Cheers

Derek

[Prom_NZ]

This looks like an awesome pgm, really looking forward to it being released as a final version

Sorry, but after many, many years, I just don't install beta software anymore - Vista excluded.

[Astrotoy7]

Originally Posted by Prom_NZ

This looks like an awesome pgm, really looking forward to it being released as a final version

Sorry, but after many, many years, I just don't install beta software anymore - Vista excluded.

the guts of the app is already there and works perfectly. Im sure Derek was just wanting to enhance it a bit more, thus inviting input from the likes of us.

astro

[phredeaux]

Originally Posted by Astrotoy7

the guts of the app is already there and works perfectly. Im sure Derek was just wanting to enhance it a bit more, thus inviting input from the likes of us.

astro

Yes, that's about right. It's not beta code, the testing is more along functionality lines. I'm just looking for feedback on feature enhancements and features, etc. Had some good ones so far.

[yoavf]

It works great for me...

Just a little note. The size of the configuration window is a little to high and doesn't fit the 800*600 resolution I got on my tv...

Other than that: Thanks!

[dgaust]

One question I have, and forgive me if this is in there as I have set it and forgot it, but this may come into consideration with the recent additions you have made.

I ran the first version of the program over some DVR-MS files, the version before it made changes to showanalyser and higher qualities were available, and I would like to remove these conversions and re-run MCEBuddy on those files with my new settings.

I assume that the program takes note of which DVR-MS files it has already done encoding on and then doesn't do them again. Is there a way to reset this? Or force MCEBuddy to re-encode files already done.

But as it stands this program is brilliantly functional already, and while it works fine on my old Pentium D 805, I can't wait to install my Quad Core and see how quick it goes then