mass video file converter

[Far]

I want to convert all my movies to a single format of m4v, so that they can be universally read on all my media devices.

I'm aware of handbrake, however unfortunately it doesn't read some of my video formats - so its impossible to bulk add a folder (have to do it 1 by 1)

I need software which lets me choose my whole movie folder on a networked drive, read ANY file format, and convert them all to m4v. If it doesn't recognize the format, then it just tells me and moves to the next (unlike handbrake which says you cant add the folder at all)

I've got around 500, so converting them all 1 by 1 would be a knightmare.

Currently running a metadata program to add imdb data and thumbnails to all the films so they'll show better in xbmc

 

[dsmir3]

However unless you convert them correctly, then nothing is actually going to work properly. Converting 500 films, with an average 700mb - 1gb in size is going to take you years to convert properly. The only true way is single conversion due to quality and compression, as each format is a variation of render and compression to that format.

When they are converted, the format they are converted from is the key to how it works. If you try and change a mix of different .ext to a single format at once, your going to damage your video files and any program that say's it can do it, is actually wrong as it's impossible without the correct algorithm for each format.

 

[Far]

surely any video file can be reincoded with a H.264 codec and mp4 wrapper? I don't expect poor quality videos to improve in resolution, but i expect everything to stay the same quality.

bulk converters surely detect what they'r converting from, and render as required?

i've no clue on video codecs and converting tbh.

 

[dsmir3]

They can yes, the issue with multi cross .ext changing is the original format. It's all dependent on the type of rendering and compression for each .ext, though you can pretty much convert any movie format to H.264, it's dependent on the rendering and compression in the original. Like in comparison, you can convert with Handbrake.

• File Containers: MP4(M4V) and MKV
• Video Encoders: H.264(x264), MPEG-4 and MPEG-2 (libav), or Theora(libtheora)
• Audio Encoders: AAC, CoreAudio AAC/HE-AAC (OS X Only), MP3, Flac, AC3, or Vorbis.
• Audio Passthru: AC-3, DTS, DTS-HD, AAC and MP3 tracks

This is mainly because they use the same rendering format and so are identical to each other, where as .avi or .mpeg are two very different formats. It's the same with Audio conversation as well, though not as difficult these days due to the universal encoders used.

 

[JealY]

Get a better device, most things should play .avi nowadays... heck even HD .mkv.

 

[Far]

my devices read them all fine at the moment,

im just anal and want everything a single format really.

 

[JealY]

I'm anal about your grammar Ferrit, sort it out!

 

[dsmir3]

I can see the frustration of it for Farphit though, as with XBMC it's closely related to the Xbox OS and that will only allow a certain format.

 

[Far]

i should have sorted it out years ago when i downloaded and ripped the movies, got too many for it to be an easy job.

i think i'll just convert a few a night for the rest of the year

handbrake did a good job with the few i tried, just wish it would skip the ones it couldn't do.

 

[JealY]

Does it halt on a certain filetype?

 

[Far]

i wish it did. if i select a folder with a file type it does like it doesn't let me add the folder at all.

Meaning i have to manually add all 500 folders individually.

turnips.

 

[JealY]

Search the folder for the filetype it will use and it will return all the files of that type.

Like so;

Then just drag & drop them.

I searched for mp4 as all of the files in that folder are .avi bar those DMC anime.

 

[Far]

all the files i need to convert are .avi to .mp4, however i think its a few .avi files that are a strange codec that it won't read (and not the container itself)

 

[JealY]

Picky arsehole software.

 

[dsmir3]

You should be able to find out which encoder was used for the .avi files you are having problems with and then get a convertor for them.