BatMan - batch processing for MEncoder
 

Hi all,
a couple of weeks ago I started programming a simple but effective way to convert movies in a batch for the Meizu M3 and M6 players. This project has meanwhile become so stable that I would like to mention it here as a general purpose video converter for avi output.
Right now it supports the following devices and specifications, but I am planning to supply other devices as well in the future (message me for specs) :
- Meizu M6 320x240 (rotated) 15-20 fps, up to 512 kbps XviD/DivX avi with mp3 CBR
- Meizu M3 176x128 (not rotated) 15-25 fps, rest as above
but these could work with most of avi-compatible players/PDAs out there already.

Oh, and of course it is free. Uses the also free MEncoder software.
Here's the link to the BatMan Project. It's only for Windows yet (and possibly Linux with WINE).

Highlights are : drag+drop, multilanguage, direct DVD/VOB/ISO ripping, repair problematic videos, sharpening/denoise/colour control, audio normalization, quality profiles, 3-pass, folder processing, custom zoom modes, custom profiles, subtitles.
Supported formats : everything that MEncoder can, and that covers 98% of all videos out there, even .flv
Oh and I might mention that it's kinda idiot-safe :D just drag a movie onto the icon, choose a quality profile and there you go.

Re: BatMan - batch processing for MEncoder
 

Hi, there has not been any feedback on this here, but I would like to let you know that the latest version of BatMan supports any combination of resolution/fps/rotation to fit any player, making it an efficient converter for every avi-compatible player.

HI
BobbyQ
i have used Batman for my Meizu and have followed your progress on meizume.com - congrats and thanks for all your work.
for the benefit of this forum (and cos i cant remember) can Batman encode using MP2 for the audio.
i ask because Rockchip based devices can play Xvid AVI but audio has to be MP2.
cheers and thanks for all the good work

yes, that is possible by using the special command "switch" and entering "-lavcopts acodec=mp2"

Thanks BobbyQ

Re: BatMan - batch processing for MEncoder
 

Fantastic Bobby !...Easy batch creation with wide parameter selection and the ability to code mp2 or mp3...This is a winner...Thanks very much...

Is there any way to increase audio volume during the encoding process with Batman?

What about cropping, sharpening, brightening,..., without having to first process with VDub?

Thanks again!

Hi jp, audio volume gets normalized automatically to 0.25 of the allowed maximum amplitude, which should make any wishes to further increase volume obsolete, but if you wish you can tweak that by using the special command "switch" and entering "-af volnorm=2:0.7" (with 1.0 it would start clipping too easily).
Cropping is done by overscanning (see help 2.3), sharpen/bright/etc are special commands and get explained in the help as well (invoke by entering "?")

Re: BatMan - batch processing for MEncoder
 

BobbyQ: Thanks for your reply.

For some reason my RockChip player won't play the Batman converted files. All the parameters on the converted file are the same as those converted by AVIConverter except that the writing application with Batman is shown as MEncoder 1.0rc1-3.4.2 and the writing library as MPlayer whereas with AVIConverter the writing application is MEncoder Sherpya-MinGW-20060312 with the writing library as MPlayer. AVIConverter uses ffdshow rather than mencoder.

The file appears to begin to load but nothing plays. The screen is white with the name of the file in the center. It doesn't indicate that the file isn't supported as happens with non recognized file formats.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Take at least 3 test videos (as different ones as possible), convert them with both programs and check them on your player to be sure it has nothing to do with the source formats.
If none of the BatMan videos play, try converting with the "repair" command. If still none of them play, it would be good to have a small sample video (upload info via PM). I don't own a rockchip player, so I can't test it myself. The "sherpya" message above is nothing of importance, that's just a different build of mencoder with some tweaks that shouldn't matter with your problem.

Thanks for sharing this BobbyQ with us all.

The Meizu community here has been growing.

If you can create one for .AMV video format too that would be great :).

the biggest problem is that I don't own a player that can play amv, so I cannot test -> it would be too difficult to do it blindfold.

Re: BatMan - batch processing for MEncoder
 

BobbyQ: Thanks for your suggestions. Still couldn't get it to work. Will PM you test files.

I was able to play an AVIConvert of a non-playing Batman conversion. Go figure?!

in cooperation with jp now .. we might have found a solution for rockchip players. testing and developing right now .. stay tuned
EDIT : the new beta version of BatMan now supports "rockchip-based players" and seems to work in a first test. but it's still experimental and under development.

the new beta now supports both rockchip models, the 320x240 and the 224x176 one.

BobbyQ,

Further to my response here : http://www.mympxplayer.org/viewtopic.php?p=37155#37155

If it helps, I can advise the following settings which work everytime when I use DVD2MP4 converter

For the 2" player (224x176) :

First, select 'XviD' as the Profile.

For Video Size, manually type "224x176" - on my version (4.0.83 build 0178) this size doesn't appear in the drop-down, but manually typing it as I have shown here, works.

Bit Rate - I have found that 512 works 100%.

Frame Rate - at 20FPS, the sound and video remain in sync. Higher FPS ratings result in a slightly smoother video, but the sound lags behind.

Aspect - Auto

Same Quality - False

Audio Codec - MP2 - Important Note! Although Rockchip players handle MP3 Music fantastically, the video audio must be encoded as MP2 it seems.

Bit Rate - 128 works for me everytime.

Sample Rate - 44100 - ditto!

Channels - Stereo

Disable Audio - False
For the 2.4" (also 2.8" and 3" now) Rockchip players, do exactly as above, but select a video size of "320x240"

PLEASE DON'T GET CONFUSED FOLKS - THE ABOVE ARE THE SETTINGS REQUIRED IN THE XILISOFT PRODUCT, NOT BATMAN - I HAVE POSTED THEM HERE TO HELP BOBBYQ FINE TUNE BATMAN

Thank you iixorbiusii. The current beta already does the above. Maybe someone wants to test ? Just select your device with "d", then enter "x" for the Qx profile.

Hi BobbyQ - Some feedback :)

I have tried 3 different non-brand 320x240 Rockchip units at the current default of 24FPS, and the results are as follows:
Image: Very sharp - sharper than dvd2mp4 converter
Colours: Very good
Motion: quite jerky at the moment, and the picture actually lags way behind the audio.
Audio Quality - Stereo, very good.

On another note in using Xilisoft dvd2mp4 converter, I have noticed that all three play movies completely smoothly at 25 FPS, but the sound quickly lags behind (@20FPS, the video and audio remain in sync). So therefore, from a visual point of view, the Rockchip units can handle movies at 25 FPS with no jerking. I use an audio rate of 44100, which is one of the defaults in dvd2mp4 converter.

The other options in that software (32000 and 48000) result in the audio either racing ahead of seriously lagging way behind the 25FPS video.

Therefore, with some fine tuning of the audio rate, I reckon we could have 25FPS video (very very smooth) playing in sync with the audio. An audio rate of somewhere in the 26000~27000 range would probably do it, but dvd2mp4 converter doesn't allow you to pick anything other than a deafult.

Regarding the Rockchip option, is there any way we could select a 'fine tuned' audio rate in Batman, going forward?? e.g. manually type in a numbers like 26123 until the ultimate 25FPS / Audio sync combination is achieved?

Hi, I don't know exactly what you mean by audio rate ?
If you are sure that the rockchip plays 25 fps, I can change it to that value easily - but jp told me he has the best result with 24 fps.
You can tweak that yourself by using the special command "switch" and "-ofps 25" where 25 can be anything, even 23.967. But that is not meant to be the way of fixing unsync audio ! It should be sync with every fps.
For the delay, BatMan uses a default delay of 270ms which is optimized for the M6, but you can change that value with special command "delay" to whatever you want. Let's see if it helps. If that is the solution, I will use the settings you have found out for the next version.

Hi,

By rate, I mean Audio Sample Rate. If you get a chance, try the free demo DVD2MP4 converter from Xilisoft. It's a fully functioning demo, apart from it only allows you to do 5 minutes of a movie.

Re: Xilisoft's product:
I found that at 20 FPS, Sample Rate 44100, the video and audio remain in sync. However, the video is just a little jittery.
At 25 FPS, 44100, the video is completely smooth, like watching a DVD, but the audio lags. The 2 nearest options (32000 and 48000 I think) result in audio which is too fast or too slow.... The 32000 sample rate makes the audio sound like a record playing too fast, and 48000 makes it sound like one playing toooooo sloooooowly !
....Hence, I believe I need to be able to select a sample rate of just lower than 44100 ( forget what I said earlier with 26000~27000 - I was way off, and not concentrating!).

What's annoying about their software, is that I cannot select my own sudio sample rate, say 43562 for example, to keep the audio and movie in sync on a rock chip player.

So if possible, Using Batman, can I select my own audio sample rate, in a similar was to selecting my own FPS??

BTW, You should leave your Batman at 24 FPS if JP says this works - I will experiment with '-ofps' commands.

Re: BatMan - batch processing for MEncoder
 

it makes no sense to adjust the sample rate the way you consider it above, a value of 37158 isn't even supported. Standard sample rates are 44100 and 48000.
First of all, use "delay", set to "0" and convert. The result should play absolutely sync on your PC (if not, your source video is not sync !)
Then play it on your rockchip and check two things : speed (pitch) and delay. If speed is wrong, then the player does not support the chosen sample rate (Qx comes with 44100). You can try and adjust the sample rate with "switch" and "-srate 48000" or any other (supported) value.
The delay can be adjusted with "delay" and then enter the amount of delay in ms.

I am probably not describing things correctly (again!)

[with the Xilisoft product, not BatMan] 32000 audio is too fast, 44100 is just slightly too slow (sound lags after 20 secs or so) and 48000 is way too slow, hence I figured if I turned the audio sample rate down a little (which would result in the audio playing faster, hence keeping up with the video), e.g 43900 for example, the audio and video would remain in sync on a Rockchip device at 25FPS. If only standard rates like 44100, 48000 etc are supported, then my idea is rubbish :cry: . I'll move on !

I'll take on board your comments and will try your suggestions.
Keep up the excellent work !! :)

hehe, you favor the thought that the sample rate has something to do with the playback speed of the audio, but it has not ! :lol: That is just a very restrictive (in other words badly programmed) firmware of the player/chip if it makes sample rates other than 44100 play faster/slower than the original !
For example you can record the same 3:50 song as a 44.1kHz, a 32Khz or a 48KHz sample. It will always be 3:50 long and sound normal - if you use an appropriate playback software. Please do the above suggested and check for speed and delay.

Hi,

Yes, I think it is a Rockchip trait - as you say, a 1 minute piece of music at 32000 or 48000 should take 60 secs in either respect !! However in the Rockchip device, the movie audio plays fast at 32000 and slow at 48000

Well, they do only cost $50 !! :D :D

so, what now ? do you have ANY video that plays sync on the rockchip ? Which sample rate does that one have ? I need more feedback .. can't do any own tests of my own.

BobbyQ,

I have plenty of movies working in sync (for over 2 hours) on the Rockchip, using the Xilisoft product at the specs I posted earlier in this forum.
In recent testing, I have 22FPS working, but the sound de-syncs after 20 mins or so ( rewind a little puts it back in sync again).

So far, no luck with Batman + Rockchip, but I will keep trying.

Cheers!!

it should not make any difference at all if 22 fps or 20 or anything else. I have no idea what's causing the desync at all (other than crappy firmware). Could you provide me with a xilisoft converted movie (or a fragment) that plays sync on your player ? Maybe examining that could bring some light to the matter.

BobbyQ, I will send you a PM with a link to some short xilisoft converted movies in a day or two... Please note though, the movies all play perfectly on a PC, irrespective of FPS or audio sample rate - it's only when they are played on a Rockchip that they 'misbehave' unless they are 20FPS, 44.1kHz. I think you will only truly know / experience what I mean when/if you invest in a Rockchip player.

A good analogy is a record player - let's say a more sophisticated record player can handle 33.3, 45's and 78's by means of selecting the appropriate playback speed. It seems a Rockchip 'record player' has, let's say, just '45' as a playback option - therefore, 33.3 and 78's are either too fast or too slow.... if you get my somewhat off tangent drift!!

I was able to eliminate a problem with XviD and thus speeding up the Qx processing by factor 3 :-D
Please get the latest beta version. Still waiting for your test results so I can adjust the settings to give smooth video and sync audio.

there has not been much feedback from this site lately, but I tell you what's new anyway :
- use of DirectShow filters such as FFDShow with all its benefits like postprocessing, sharpening etc ..
- really smooth framerate conversion (calculates intermediate images to ensure fluent playback)

Re: BatMan - batch processing for MEncoder
 

Dear BobbyQ, why don't you upload BatMan into the downloadsection ? By doing this you may get more feedback from the members of MyMPxPlaer.org ...
rgrds, lca77

Re: BatMan - batch processing for MEncoder
 

ok, but how ?

Make sure you're logged in, click on "Downloads"
go to "select a category" pull down, scroll down to the 2nd from bottom, "Uploads By Members" and click the button at top "Upload"

that was really well hidden ..
I uploaded it, but it doesn't seem to be online. Are uploads moderated ?

EDIT : seems to be moderated, because after a day it is now online.

update : new version brings bug fixings, speed improvements and stability.

update : new version brings automatic analysis of best conversion method (DirectShow, AviSynth, MEncoder)

Re: BatMan - batch processing for MEncoder
 

Dear BobbyQ, I've tried the last version of BatMan before and produced an avi with Q4-Quality - it's in a very good condition, but unfortunately its rotated clockwise and wouldn't play on my MP4-Player. But its funny too view the video with VLC on the PC ! :lol:
I think this rotation is a special Meizu-Feature... i've noticed other mp4-players before who have mirrord and rotated the AVI too :x

viDrop from lokster gives us more oppinions then BatMan, but keep on the good work: it will make many Meizu-Users happy !
rgrds, lca77

Hi Ica. You can simply turn the rotation off by using the special command "norotate". You can select your device by cycling with "D" in the main menu. If your device is not there, you can still use the custom profile Qc to setup your player's needs.
Also, I have seen viDrop (good job !). I think that BatMan has a lot of features that viDrop has not yet :
- drag and drop of folders/subfolders/files
- DirectShow decoding
- smooth framerate conversion
- DVD Ripping
- quick test modes
- customizable profiles
- easy to use zoom modes
- automatic compatibility analysis
- 1/2 pass encoding
- video filters (brightness/saturation/denoise/sharpen/darken)
- and many more

Visit the homepage and read the help to find out more. I uploaded a new beta version today that does not yet show up here (no mod showed up).

Re: BatMan - batch processing for MEncoder
 

update : new version brings some bug fixings and stability improvements.

Also I have started to record some tutorial videos which can be found on the BatMan homepage.

Feedback from people in this forum is near zero. :cry:
If you would like to stay in contact with me and this project, feel free to visit our community at meizume.com

Latest BatMan update includes the ability to create plugins, which includes plugins for your own devices. That means, everybody can very easily create support for his own player.
Example is here.

Hi Bobby. Don't get discouraged. Most of the ones who post here are looking for fixes for their players. Once they get comfortable with their players, I'm sure more will start experimenting with different programs. I don't think people understand how easy Batman is to use and what a great job it does. :)

I would like to thank you for all the work you've done both here and at MeizuMe. Your converter is awesome and I am really happpy with the results of my videos. I've used it to convert both full length movies and TV shows without a problem.

I haven't tried it on my old chipod, since I'm spoiled by my Meizu, but one of these days when I have some free time, I will. I'm curious to see the results compared to the converter that came with it. Hmm, maybe I'll have to work on it this weekend. 8)