I was thinking, would it be possible to add the ability to convert all video files to one format? I know as we age, the older codes may start to fall off and I want to future proof my library. I want to convert them all to one format that has widespread support. I know Plex already has conversion built in with the “Optimized Versions” feature and obviously it decodes on the fly while streaming video, so I figured this feature wouldn’t be that hard.
I’m a programmer and appreciate and response from the Plex team.
Yes, right now they create a separate .MP4 file in a “Plex Versions” folder.
Basically the interface would need an input and output directory. The input would be the old .avi, .mov and other old files, the output would be the folder for the converted folder to be placed. And maybe some options for quality and audio boost and so on. Just make it a background task like the “Optimized Versions” so it will stop when transcoding.
Also, if this is implemented, another feature could be maybe a secondary folder and when we have a new file that needs converted, we just drop it in there and it gets converted and moved to the actual directory, the old file is deleted.
@spikemixture Since you are a Plex Pass member, you have access to Cayars’ script. Works great (using Windows) for converting to a format that can direct play on any client. I’ve used it to convert a bunch of older avi’s. Install the script, put your files in the source folder and select run.
I have several programs that I used to convert/copy - I just want it automated.
The current program I use most is mediacoder.
The full version costs $95.
Its very good but no manual and no support. I am using the donate version ($35)
I do a search for mkv (and avi) in my Video folder (after they are renamed and in their own correct folder).
I then drag the mkv into mediacoder- it converts (avi) or copies(mkv) (different settings) then put the new one back in the correct folder and moves the original to a “backup” folder .
Apparently the Full version can automate this but as I said no support or manual !!
Its so nice that you have these forums so users can have a genuine discussion with the creators. Thanks for the responses team plex, its so appreciated.
I wouldn’t mind this feature. All these Windows solutions are of no use to those of us with non-Windows households. It would seem to me that PMS has the facility to do all the work already… we just need a button.
One of the primary features/promises of Plex is that Plex NEVER touches the actual media files and it seems to me that if Plex were to convert a fill to a different format on even just repackage it that would violate that.
The only other thing would be an extension of the “Optimize” feature so that it would ask for permission to delete the original source after “optimizing” it.
I see many ways that could go wrong and I doubt that Plex would feel that the rewards for the few outweigh the risks for the many.
@Elijah_Baley said:
One of the primary features/promises of Plex is that Plex NEVER touches the actual media files and it seems to me that if Plex were to convert a fill to a different format on even just repackage it that would violate that.
The only other thing would be an extension of the “Optimize” feature so that it would ask for permission to delete the original source after “optimizing” it.
Elijah,
I am confused !
Doesn’t convert - repackage - optimize all end with a different file at the end?
And yes an extension of the optimize (repackage/copy/convert) feature is what is suggested and a starting point.
I’m confused. Why can’t you just use the Media Optimizer feature. You specify the output folder, add it to your library. Then you set a job to transcode everything in the library to that folder.
That works but too many steps and takes a lot longer than my way!
Find the mkv in desktop. (I have a saved search to find all mkv and avi in my “video” folder)
Open Plex find show
Find episode
Set to optimize to nominated folder
Wait
Goto nominated folder and copy new version to original tv show folder
Use filebot to get name of file back. Optimized versions are named like this S01E05
Delete original
My current way.
1.Run saved search
2. Open Mediacoder
3. Drag found mkv (1 or 50) into mediacoder window.
4. Click start. (Mkv copying to mp4 take about 2 minutes for a 48 min. TV show)
5. I get notification of completion and close app. Originals are now in a nominated folder and new are in original place.
AVI I change a setting in Mediacoder to convert not copy.
Allegedly the full version of Mediacoder can automate this more but there is very little support and no manual so I am unwilling to pay US$95 for an unknown!!
Having said all that, Plex would have a lot to do to even get where I am, let alone improve.
Does MediaRecode automatically convert/remux as needed or do you need to specify it ahead of time? If you need to specify, then it may take longer to set this up or you can end up converting things that didn’t need it or remuxing things that need a conversion.
I have a “Copy setup” for MKV set as a default. Basically just changes the container.
(There are literally are hundreds (maybe thousands) of combinations of remuxing/converting/copying and way above my experience )
I just drag in all the mkv found in the search and hit Start.
That’s it.
The original MKV or AVI are moved to a folder I created as a backup and the new file is now in the correct original folder!
The Full version allegedly can automate this but has no manual so too hard for 95 bucks !!
@Elijah_Baley said:
One of the primary features/promises of Plex is that Plex NEVER touches the actual media files and it seems to me that if Plex were to convert a fill to a different format on even just repackage it that would violate that.
The only other thing would be an extension of the “Optimize” feature so that it would ask for permission to delete the original source after “optimizing” it.
I see many ways that could go wrong and I doubt that Plex would feel that the rewards for the few outweigh the risks for the many.
@MovieFan.Plex said:
I’m confused. Why can’t you just use the Media Optimizer feature. You specify the output folder, add it to your library. Then you set a job to transcode everything in the library to that folder.
You can select what type of media player to optimize for. I would like to be able to specify the resulting resolution, audio format, audio boost, etc.
Currently, PMS does not offer these advanced options when creating an optimized version. For that type of control, you are probably better off using another program or a custom script outside of Plex. Another user has created such a script. I haven’t looked at the details as I don’t use it, but it is fairly popular.
Doh. Didn’t realize his thread was in the PP section.
I’ll just tell you my basic method. I use Windows, and there is a program called XMediaRecode. You can basically drag all your files into the program window, select them all, set the video and audio settings you want, then let it run. The only downside is that the program does not detect if your files are already the same as the selected output so it will process the file again. In the program window, it will show the current video and audio settings for each file so you can go through and manually remove any files that don’t need conversion.
There may also be other programs that can do what you want, but I do not have any experience with those.
@MovieFan.Plex said:
Doh. Didn’t realize his thread was in the PP section.
I’ll just tell you my basic method. I use Windows, and there is a program called XMediaRecode. You can basically drag all your files into the program window, select them all, set the video and audio settings you want, then let it run. The only downside is that the program does not detect if your files are already the same as the selected output so it will process the file again. In the program window, it will show the current video and audio settings for each file so you can go through and manually remove any files that don’t need conversion.
There may also be other programs that can do what you want, but I do not have any experience with those.
If you’re going to do that - I do it quite often myself - visit the audio tab and select Normalize Audio to 89db (the default). Since you’re putting it through a tool that can normalize your audio might as well turn it on so you can hear dialog and other important audio bits down in the fog at 74db… just sayin…
Copy Video/Convert Audio. it will add an analyzing step and a few minutes to encode a new audio track (same or different format), but in the end you won’t have to ride the volume control or spend money on those expensive ear drum replacement surgeries.
@MovieFan.Plex said:
I’m confused. Why can’t you just use the Media Optimizer feature. You specify the output folder, add it to your library. Then you set a job to transcode everything in the library to that folder.
I wanted to mention/request small feature. I tried as you suggested, to use the optimize feature. But the issue is that I have 2.5TB of movies I would like to optimize. I have a server with lots of 3TB discs. I need to Optimize and store the optimized versions on another disc. Currently the optimize feature only offers storing the optimized versions in the current folder, or a “Plex Versions” folder. Can you please at least give us the option to specify where we want to save them?
