HCbatchGUI - (batch processor for HCenc and Aften). Development Thread.

[ron spencer]

that is good news....been lookin for something to try

[ernstblaauw]

A tip for you: using your batch commands, you only have to add '/R' after 'FOR" to process subdirectories. As the variable '%x' is now the whole path (instead of only a filename), it is easier to use a postfix instead of a prefix (thus it becomes %x_hcbatchgui.avs). However, I think it is possible with batching.

I did use your script, and altered it a little bit. However, if I use your for-loop for running HCenc, all encoders come up together. is there an easy way to make them wait?

Thanks for your fast answer!

[freebird73717]

A tip for you: using your batch commands, you only have to add '/R' after 'FOR" to process subdirectories. As the variable '%x' is now the whole path (instead of only a filename), it is easier to use a postfix instead of a prefix (thus it becomes %x_hcbatchgui.avs). However, I think it is possible with batching.

Interesting.
I'm going to have to play with that. Thanks for offering it!

I did use your script, and altered it a little bit. However, if I use your for-loop for running HCenc, all encoders come up together. is there an easy way to make them wait?

Are you saying that you have several HCenc's running at once? That's wierd. They run one after the other for me. Do you have a multicored processor? Did you enable SMP? If so you might try using NOSMP to see if that changes things. This is the first anyone has said to me of having any issue like that. I'm honestly not sure what is causing it.

[ernstblaauw]

A tip for you: using your batch commands, you only have to add '/R' after 'FOR" to process subdirectories. As the variable '%x' is now the whole path (instead of only a filename), it is easier to use a postfix instead of a prefix (thus it becomes %x_hcbatchgui.avs). However, I think it is possible with batching.

Interesting.
I'm going to have to play with that. Thanks for offering it!

I did use your script, and altered it a little bit. However, if I use your for-loop for running HCenc, all encoders come up together. is there an easy way to make them wait?

Are you saying that you have several HCenc's running at once? That's wierd. They run one after the other for me. Do you have a multicored processor? Did you enable SMP? If so you might try using NOSMP to see if that changes things. This is the first anyone has said to me of having any issue like that. I'm honestly not sure what is causing it.

I shouldn't ask that quickly I have added 'start "HC" /wait' at the beginning of the batch command, and now it works fine. Thanks for your help!

[freebird73717]

Uploaded version 14.2 of HCbatchGUI today.

New in version 14.2 windows
Added new avisynth filter Reinterpolate411 that helps keep dv colorspace correct.
Added VBR bias to the template
Added LastIframe to the template.
Added Lumgain to the template
Added Avsreload to the template to help with source mismatch errors.

New in version 14.2 linux wine
Added new avisynth filter Reinterpolste411 that helps keep dv colorspace correct.
Added VBR bias to the template
Added LastIframe to the template.
Added Lumgain to the template
Added Avsreload to the template to help with source mismatch errors.
Removed Audio functions from the linux wine version. Audio was buggy and sometimes would not encode whole file. Hopefully will fix in a future release.

[freebird73717]

Added a zipped file for a no Installation. Basically for those who don't like to use programs that come in a setup.exe
The most important thing if using the no install is to go to the setup tab and change the path for your excutable to where you saved your files.

Ron this might be useful for your friends whose wifes don't like it when their husbands install software because it installs it on their user profiles as well.

[ron spencer]

hey thanks!!!

WAV extraction (when encode or not) does not work for me

[ron spencer]

never mind...did reinstall and all ok

[freebird73717]

Hey Ron Good to hear from ya! Hope all is well.

[ron spencer]

I am good!!! Thanks.

Your new version is way nice.....

in V0.22 of HC there is an option to reload AVISynth of 2nd pass...this has proven to be useful when using "funny" DV codecs....maybe good for you to add.

Also V0.22.1 has option for lossless 2nd pass, so in future you may want to add too....

other than that....NICE

[freebird73717]

Hey ron,

Sorry for the delay in responding. It's been a busy weekend. My dad had me using my carpentry skills working on a new wood floor in his house.

in V0.22 of HC there is an option to reload AVISynth of 2nd pass...this has proven to be useful when using "funny" DV codecs....maybe good for you to add.

I have already added that function to HCbatchGUI. It is right under Lumgain and is listed as "AVS Reload" on the template page. I am going to clean up the template page in the next version. There is just almost too much visible. Almost cluttered looking. I am going to add some tabs within tabs like I did on the front page with the advanced avisynth tabs.

edit... Okay I just realized that I added avsreload to the linux version but not the windows version so that is a fix I will definatly do.

Also V0.22.1 has option for lossless 2nd pass, so in future you may want to add too....

I honestly didn't know hank had posted a beta out there. Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to have to spend more time on doom9 than I do now to keep up. I will definately look at any new features added to 0.22.1.

[ron spencer]

carpentry eh????? cool.

I don't think it looks THAT cluttered. I am just thinking of putting options in that a user would actually use. Certainly nothing with respect to adding chapter I-frames or anything.

Perhaps you could add the HCGui Hank makes to your distribution so any other options can be easily added by the end user more simply. Really there is not much to add from Hank in terms of the more usable options....

again NICE JOB!!!

[freebird73717]

Okay here we go...
Hot on the heels of version 14.2 comes 14.3 of HCbatchGUI

Cleaned up template page to be easier to read. Less Cluttered.
Updated HCenc to version 0.22.1 beta
Added AVS Memory to the template (sets memory used by avisynth)
Added Priority settings for HCenc to the template
Added Lossless setting to the template (creates HUGE lossless intermediate file during 2nd pass)

Currently no 14.3 for linux yet. I have big plans for linux though. I plan to port the app from vcl to clx and hopefully use native linux apps to handle the audio. Hopefully the only thing that will be handled by wine will be HCenc and DGpulldown.

[ron spencer]

WOW.....your new look is great!!! I like it!!!

Two things I noticed (not to rain in the parade)


1. You installer comes up and says 14.2 and not 14.3
2. In tab three where you say "AVSMemory", should this not say Reload AVISynth and the MB beside it? Also, if you look at Hank's GUI, you cannot choose BOTH Reload AVISynth AND Lossless; only one or other. In your proggy you can choose both.
3. Finally, you can enter letters in the MB section beside "AVSMemory". You may want to put a check in there for that.

looks good!!!

[freebird73717]

Okay most problems are fixed now.
Fixed the wrong vesion number in the installer.

The AVSMemory is a way to set the amount of memory that avisynth uses.
Still haven't figured out a way to enter numbers only so I put a mention in the popup hint box.

Finally added AVSReload to reload avisynth on the second pass. ( I forgot this twice )

Still need to fix disableing of avsreload or lossless (whatever the case may be depending on what is chosen)

[ron spencer]

ok looks nice.

Here is to fix from my view (LOL!!!)

1. Still need to fix disableing of avsreload or lossless (whatever the case may be depending on what is chosen); as you say.

2. Some minor looks of program:

-all option boxes should be capitalized (for example Profile, not profile, same for aspect ratio to Aspect Ratio, dc prec to DC Prec. etc. and others)

-in the Bitrates box you say "You may enter bitrates here or on the front page but not both"...this looks really cramped, how about just saying "Enter bitrates here or on the main page; not both" so the writing goes not hit the next box


3. Miscellaneus is spelled wrong...should be Miscellaneous (watch caps LOL!!!!)

4. Should Lumgain be called Lumigain? I think I saw this on doom9

2 to 4 really are just to tighten the UI up a bit.


nice work again on this version....sorry for the nit-picking!!!
or is it knit-picking????

[freebird73717]

2. Some minor looks of program:

-all option boxes should be capitalized (for example Profile, not profile, same for aspect ratio to Aspect Ratio, dc prec to DC Prec. etc. and others)

-in the Bitrates box you say "You may enter bitrates here or on the front page but not both"...this looks really cramped, how about just saying "Enter bitrates here or on the main page; not both" so the writing goes not hit the next box

Yeah all good suggestions.

3. Miscellaneus is spelled wrong...should be Miscellaneous (watch caps LOL!!!!)

Ha! I barely passed english comp in college!

4. Should Lumgain be called Lumigain? I think I saw this on doom9

While I agree Lumigain looks and sounds better *LUMGAIN is the spelling that hanks gui adds to the ini.

2 to 4 really are just to tighten the UI up a bit.

Hey the little things do make a difference. I appreciate the sharp eye!

[ron spencer]

yah I saw the lumgain thing after I posted....to lazy to edit my post....

[freebird73717]

Released v14.4 of HCbatchGUI just now.

Cleaned up the GUI a little bit.
Fixed some typos and added some capitols where missing.
Fixed disabling of *LOSSLESS option if *AVSRELOAD is selected and vice versa.


Probably won't add anymore to the windows version until I can get the linux version caught up. Working on a major rewrite of the linux version.

Happy encoding All!

[DKruskie]

Thanks, cant wait to see the new linux build when it comes out

[freebird73717]

Okay I've been working for a couple of months on a linux build. I've finally finished 14.4 beta for linux. I've completely started from scratch using wxwidgets/gtk. The ide I used for building this is codeblocks. As this was started from scratch there may (but hopefully not) be bugs. If any bugs are found please post them here.

The program itself requires no installation. Just download and extract the .gz file. You will need to install some support programs yourself though. You will need to install aften (I have included a deb package and the source code for your benefit), ffmpeg , and sox. There are links to ffmpeg and sox in the help file included in the download.

Function wise the gtk version works pretty much the same as the windows version. I did add a few new things reguarding avisynth. You can now customize your avisynth scripts by adding other plugins and commands different from the three (convolution3d, msharpen, reinterpolate) included with hcbatchgui.

The only function not working right now is the log box. You will have to follow the apps progress from the terminal boxes that pop up.

Click here to get a look at the new linux version

Download 14.4 GTK Linux beta from sourceforge.com
Download source

[DKruskie]

Just to let you know Hank released HC Encoder v0.23

[freebird73717]

I knew he was getting close but I didn't know he released it yet. Thanks for the heads up!

[freebird73717]

I have updated HCbatchGUI to version 14.5 for both windows and GTK linux

changelog
HCbatchGUI windows
Updated HCenc to verion 023
Added AQ, DBpath, LLpath to template

HCbatchGUI GTK Linux
Updated HCenc to version 023
Added AQ, DBpath, LLpath to template
Fixed a bug where HCenc and dgpulldown didn't start on some systems

Plans for the future include adding a way to customize your batch created avisynth scripts in windows like I have already implemented in linux.

[DKruskie]

Thanks

[rcubed]

freebird73717,
I have started trying to use HCbatchGUI. I have the following question. Do all the (in my case) avi source files have to be in the same directory. If not how does one proceed to set up a batch file with multiple sources in (different) multiple files? Could you cover it step by step. I haven't had any luck with multiple sources in different folders.

I really like the program I do a lot of encodes that take several hours and being able to do them in a batch file is really cool.

Thanks ahead of time, and thanks for your work on this useful tool.

rcubed

[freebird73717]

freebird73717,
I have started trying to use HCbatchGUI. I have the following question. Do all the (in my case) avi source files have to be in the same directory.

If you use hcbatchgui to create the avs files for you then yes you do need to have all the avi files in the same directory. If you create your own avs files either by hand or with the help of an external app like fitcd then you can have your avi files in different directories but your avs files need to be in the same directory and that directory is what you would set as your source in hcbatchgui.

There is a way you can have batch and have it pull source files from all the sub directories in a main directory that was shown to me by another forum member but I have not had the time to really look into it to figure it out.

I really like the program I do a lot of encodes that take several hours and being able to do them in a batch file is really cool.

Thanks ahead of time, and thanks for your work on this useful tool.

rcubed

Thanks!

I'm working on an upgrade for both the linux and windows gui's but honestly have not had much free time to work on it. Hopefully will get some free time soon to dive back into things.

[rcubed]

freebird73717,
Thanks for your quick response.

From your response, I take it that the HCbatchGUI generates a batch file that processes as many avs files that are found in the Source File of the files and bitrate tab when the batch is initiated with the Process Log, Start Batch tab.

This appears to limit you to one ini file to control the bit rate and processing options used by HC Enc as specified by the template settings that are in effect (as specified by the Template settings tab) or the template which has been loaded, prior to starting the batch process. Or is there a way to have different HC ini files (one for each .avi file)? If not maybe something to consider for later versions.

Since I am encoding episodes from a cable capture, they are all the same length, so the same HC parameters are ok for them and doesn't present a problem at the current time, but I thought I would ask just the same. Sometimes I have different shows that require different processing parameters due to length etc.

I can sympathize with finding time. I'm retired now, but what I have in extra time to look into things is moderated by my natural mental processes slowing down with age. I find it takes a lot longer to pick up on something that when I was in my 20's and 30's. More like a dull nail these days than a sharp tack in the old days

Prior to this I would just kick off two separate HC encode processes to run at the same time and then go to bed. The problem with that was picking which process was going to finish last to set the shutdown check box in the proper encode process running. Guess wrong and one source doesn't get completed. This will eliminate that problem!

Again I appreciate your time and efforts on the program and am finding it really useful. : Keep up the good work!

rcubed

[freebird73717]

freebird73717,
Thanks for your quick response.

From your response, I take it that the HCbatchGUI generates a batch file that processes as many avs files that are found in the Source File of the files and bitrate tab when the batch is initiated with the Process Log, Start Batch tab.

Yep. You are limited to what ever files happen to be in your source directory. At least until I can implement having hc look into all the subdirectories of the main directory.

This appears to limit you to one ini file to control the bit rate and processing options used by HC Enc as specified by the template settings that are in effect (as specified by the Template settings tab) or the template which has been loaded, prior to starting the batch process. Or is there a way to have different HC ini files (one for each .avi file)? If not maybe something to consider for later versions.

Way back in like version 1 through 4 I think, I actually had HCbatchGUI set up so that you could choose indiviual files with different ini for each file. The thing is that doing it this way was more time consuming to set up the batch and the user was more prone to make mistakes. After doing it that way for a while I opted for using the current method of selecting a source directory and processing all the files therein. This made for a much simpler and quicker batch setup. Also using this method meant less chance for making mistakes.

Since I am encoding episodes from a cable capture, they are all the same length, so the same HC parameters are ok for them and doesn't present a problem at the current time, but I thought I would ask just the same. Sometimes I have different shows that require different processing parameters due to length etc.

For right now using HCbatchGUI you will have to do your batch encodes in groups that have the same parameters. If you want to try the manual method of setting up a batch file Click Here to see a guide I wrote that will do exactly what you want using the gui that comes with hcenc and creating your own batch files.

I can sympathize with finding time. I'm retired now, but what I have in extra time to look into things is moderated by my natural mental processes slowing down with age. I find it takes a lot longer to pick up on something that when I was in my 20's and 30's. More like a dull nail these days than a sharp tack in the old days

I'm in my 30's and there are many days I feel like a "dull nail"!

Prior to this I would just kick off two separate HC encode processes to run at the same time and then go to bed. The problem with that was picking which process was going to finish last to set the shutdown check box in the proper encode process running. Guess wrong and one source doesn't get completed. This will eliminate that problem!

Again I appreciate your time and efforts on the program and am finding it really useful. : Keep up the good work!

rcubed

Glad it is useful for you. Happy encoding and look to this thread for future updates that will eventually come.

[rcubed]

freebird73717,
Thanks again! Probably a good trade for most situations. I find quite often I miss ticking some box in the GUI on a lot of programs and have to cancel and restart (again getting old!).

Thanks also for the link, you saved me having to get out my reference books and look up the details on writing bat files, it's been a long time for that also. I shouldn't have to do that very often since HCbatchGUI will meet my needs the majority of the time.

Again thanks for your efforts developing the program and I'll keep my (eyes) keyboard fingers peeled for any updates to the program. May you find more free time!

Cheers,

rcubed