How to automate conversion of AVI to MP4 (iTunes)

[mickliq]

I'm a Mac switcher from late 2008. I've also added an iPod Touch and Apple TV to our growing stable of Apple devices.

While I've managed to install the necessary applications/hacks to my MB and AppleTV to play AVI's directly without conversion, the iPod Touch is another matter. It of course requires mp4 or h.264 format. I have been using iSquint to do the conversion and then move the mp4's into iTunes which synch fine after that.

However I am looking for a solution where I could drop the AVI files into a folder and the conversion program would automatically watch that folder and run the AVI->MP4 conversion automatically. I can't seem to find a solution to this through my Google searches and forum searches here. Perhaps it's a simple Applescript (or whatever it's called) which I haven't used to date?!?

Any help appreciated!

 

[glap1922]

I know a solution can be made, as I have used one before, but unfortunately I wouldn't know where to find it. A friend of mine created something in ubuntu that did exactly what you want automatically, but I no longer have the information or the know-how to do it myself. The best I can tell you is that it is possible.
One thing you could try would be handbrake and adding the files to the queue. I am not sure if you can use .avi as a source, but if so that would be an option. You could queue up all of your files and then let it run at once, hopefully without much loss.

 

[mikeinternet]

ISquint is the simplest easiest solution. I love it. Just drag and drop as many files as you like.

2nd choice. You can use Handbrake and keep adding files to the queue. But nowhere near as easy as iSquint.

Edit: Whoops. I read that too quick. Not what you are looking for.

 

[jgbhardy]

Automata

What you could do is write a workflow in automata, I've used it a few times to write a workflow for alarms and other editing. Not to sure if you will be able to make it control iSquint though.

 

[mickliq]

As I originally posted, I am using iSquint. It's not about creating a queue (that's obvious). I just want it to encode to mp4 everytime I drop an AVI into a specific folder. I can't believe no one has a solution to this!

 

[rhett7660]

You could probably create something with automator... Have it scan the folder, if it finds an avi, have it fire up your program and convert it.

 

[scottness]

I'd love a really good solution to this one as well. On occasion I recieve avi files from security cameras and I have to mess with it every time to get it to a format I can easily share.

 

[adamjrichman]

Consider getting Hazel involved:

http://www.noodlesoft.com/hazel.php

You can have it automatically employ scripts and/or actions on specific files upon them appearing in a folder, and it will scan them constantly. I believe using this as a first-step in your process may be the ticket.

 

[deadwulfe]

Consider getting Hazel involved:

http://www.noodlesoft.com/hazel.php

You can have it automatically employ scripts and/or actions on specific files upon them appearing in a folder, and it will scan them constantly. I believe using this as a first-step in your process may be the ticket.

Automator can do the same thing with files entering a folder and the poster wouldn't have to pay for a third-party app.

If you're going to go the Handbrake route, you'll probably want the CLI version of Handbrake for the Automator folder action script to run the encode parameters in a terminal window. I'm a noob with Automator, but I don't recall there being a way for it to interface with the GUI version of Handbrake.


EDIT: This thread is about automating DVD backups, but you may find some useful information regarding your needs: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/600469/