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

[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.

[seinfeld]

I hope this goes somewhere, these programs are really needed, it bugs me to why none have been made up until now, there was a project on sourceforge, that was really good, but it hasnt been updated since 2005

if this is good , you have my full support

thankyou for dedicating your time and creating a project like this

[phredeaux]

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

[chinga69]

keep up the great work top program i am running it in 64 bit vista so far no probs

cheers chinga69

[psyklops]

Looks like a great application, top stuff!

Just out of interest, what are the encoding parameters for your h264 conversion?
Are you using x264?

Is it and would it be possible to tweak the parameters of the encoding?

[phredeaux]

Originally Posted by psyklops

Looks like a great application, top stuff!

Just out of interest, what are the encoding parameters for your h264 conversion?
Are you using x264?

Is it and would it be possible to tweak the parameters of the encoding?

I'm using x264 and the following:
-ovc x264 -x264encopts crf=24:threads=2:subq=5:8x8dct:me=hex:frameref=3:b frames=3:b_pyramid:weight_b -oac mp3lame -lameopts abr:br=192 -ffourcc H264

Tweaking: MCEBuddy is more for coding the expert knowledge out there into a simple application for the average Joe. I'm trying instead to get the best settings from the community and include it instead of getting/making people tweaking it. If people want to do that they are probably better using DVRMToolbox and Crunchie where you have more direct control. That said, if you have improved conversion suggestions, please tell me and I'll give them a try. I go into this in more detail in the Vista plugin thread.

[chinga69]

hi i am using the prog in vista 64 bit when i select xvid out put it keeps using the h.264 codec am i missing something

cheers brad

[wdric]

Sound like a great app

I have been using Video redo manully for adds
Can I still do this and use the mpeg output from video redo as the source?

I use video redo to automatically find the adds, then fine tune them.
I am not sure I would trust a program to find all the adds 100% of the time and never get it wrong, some interview for instance can fade to black to the next scene and not an add.

In terms of being a companion app for MCE, does it accept other video input formats that are likely to be use on the home theatre system EG:
VOB or MPEG (dvd backups) or
AVI (from dv camera-home movies)

ric

[wallaceff]

I've just installed it, and I have some queries/questions. Basically, the main reason I would use it would be to archive some kids shows. Is there any way I can say specify either file names or key words (instead of just a length of time) to chose which files to que?

[phredeaux]

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

[wallaceff]

I'm not sure if this is beyond the scope of what you're trying to do with your app or not... but thought I'd throw it in as a suggestion.
there's a newish app in dev http://www.xpmediacentre.com.au/comm...v-library.html
Basically, have all your compressed TV shows sorted into groups/series etc and keep the meta data.
Just wondering if it my be useful/worthwile/interesting to contact the developer and maybe between the 2 of you, you can semi-automate a way for a TV show to be recorded, the converted, and placed in the appropriate directory.
Just that it might be easier if there was some co-operation between these 2 apps, would probably improve the usability of both? Just my 2 cents.

[phredeaux]

Originally Posted by wallaceff

I've just installed it, and I have some queries/questions. Basically, the main reason I would use it would be to archive some kids shows. Is there any way I can say specify either file names or key words (instead of just a length of time) to chose which files to que?

Version 1.06 (currently in beta) allows you to specify a filename wildcard, which might allow you to do what you need.

Version 2.0 (MCE Interface) allows selective queuing of recordings for conversion.

Cheers

Derek

[phredeaux]

Beta testers, MCEBuddy 1.0.6 BETA 2 is available





if you are not a beta tester and wish to participate, please send me an email mcebuddy@tyrell.com.au

[eepunk]

Hi phredeaux,

Awesome app, from the sound of it. Unfortunately i have had no luck getting it to run on MCE 2005.

When starting, I get an error:

Unable to control the MCEBuddy service.
Cannot start service MCEBUddy on computer '.'

When I look in the event viewer, I see two consecutive errors.

Timeout (30000 milliseconds) waiting for the MCE Buddy Service service to connect.

&

The MCE Buddy Service service failed to start due to the following error:
The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion.

I am using version 1.05. Any assistance appreciated.

E.E.