How-To: Automating DVD & Blu-Ray (Backup, Encoding & Tagging) for Mac OS X

[supersteendk]

Hi Tim,

Sorry for the late response. The "HD (1080p)" setting in the action should produce files around that 7-14GB range you are looking for. Just make sure you have the check-box enabled. The setting is basically HB's Apple TV preset with h.264 compression and max height of 1080px and max width of 1920px (for standard or widescreen).

<CUT>

I hope this helps! Thanks, mac.jedi

Hi Mac Jedi,

first of all, thanks a million for the workflows, wow - they're truely amazing!
I'm using the "batch rip • batch encode"-workflow to turn my mkv's (ripped from my BluRays) into HD M4V files. I've been using the standard "HD (720p)/AppleTV2 setting, and it works flawlesly. However, I would like my files to be 1080p, and tried enabling the custom-setting with the "--maxheight 1080" argument, but that didn't work as expected. If i want to use custom setting do i need to include all the arguments or?

Your help is very much appriciated

Thanks,
Steen

 

[3282868]

Replace Fairmount w/ other rippers in workflows?

How can I modify the scripts to utilize RipIt instead of Fairmount? I've found that RipIt is better for full DVD backups than Fairmount.

I backed up:
Users/Library/Services:

Batch Rip and Batch Rip Finder

/Users/Library/Application Support/Batch Rip:
Entire folder

I modified the scripts to point to RipIt using PlistEdit Pro and text editor for Python scripts. Yet when terminal launches when ripping a full DVD I get this message:

/Users/CJ/Library/Application\ Support/Batch\ Rip/batchRipTmp.sh ; exit;
Cory-Dorschels-Mac-Pro:~ CJ$ /Users/CJ/Library/Application\ Support/Batch\ Rip/batchRipTmp.sh ; exit;

ERROR: RipIt.app; was expecting Fairmount.app command tool
ERROR: attempting to use tool at /Applications/Fairmount.app

Is there any easier method in replacing the automated reference to Fairmount to use another ripper application?

AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP! I made a pages document with the guide you provided and printed it out (easier for me to read/take notes). I planned on uploading it for anyone who might need it, but alas I installed Snow Leopard over my Lion build and didn't back up the document. As it took me 2-3 hours to make and proof read I haven't had the time to do it again, but I will.

 

[RaceTripper]

How can I modify the scripts to utilize RipIt instead of Fairplay? I've found that RipIt is better for full DVD backups than Fairmount.

I backed up:
Users/Library/Services:

Batch Rip and Batch Rip Finder

/Users/Library/Application Support/Batch Rip:
Entire folder

I modified the scripts to point to RipIt using PlistEdit Pro and text editor for Python scripts. Yet when terminal launches when ripping a full DVD I get this message:



Is there any easier method in replacing the automated reference to Fairmount to use another ripper application?

AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP! I made a pages document with the guide you provided and printed it out (easier for me to read/take notes). I planned on uploading it for anyone who might need it, but alas I installed Snow Leopard over my Lion build and didn't back up the document. As it took me 2-3 hours to make and proof read I haven't had the time to do it again, but I will.

Does RipIt have support for execution from bash (i.e. the command shell)? That's what it needs and you'll need to modify batchRipTmp.sh to invoke RipIt with the correct shell command arguments. If RipIt is GUI-only then you are probably SOL.

 

[3282868]

Does RipIt have support for execution from the bash shell? That's what it needs and you'll need to modify batchRipTmp.sh to invoke RipIt with the correct shell command arguments. If RipIt is GUI-only then you are probably SOL.

I modified batchRipTmp.sh and replaced any reference to Fairmount with RipIt. RipIt is a GUI app, but to be honest my programming skills, well, not so great these days. So Fairmount supports execution from the bash shell, I don't know if RipIt does. (and sorry, meant Fairmount not Fairplay, my head hurts from all this lol)

Thanks!

 

[RaceTripper]

I modified batchRipTmp.sh and replaced any reference to Fairmount with RipIt. RipIt is a GUI app, but to be honest my programming skills, well, not so great these days. So Fairmount supports execution from the bash shell, I don't know if RipIt does. (and sorry, meant Fairmount not Fairplay, my head hurts from all this lol)

Thanks!

It doesn't work that way. You can't pass Fairmount command line arguments to another application and expect it to work. If, and only if, RipIt supports shell execution, you will need to find out what the shell options are and rewrite the batchRipTmp.s script to use them instead of the Fairmount options.

 

[3282868]

It doesn't work that way. You can't pass Fairmount command line arguments to another application and expect it to work. If, and only if, RipIt supports shell execution, you will need to find out what the shell options are and rewrite the batchRipTmp.s script to use them instead of the Fairmount options.

I'm learning, thanks! I googled RipIt to determine if it supports shell execution. Course that'll take me an hour of reading through links and forums lol.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I don't know how to properly alter .sh scripts

I have XCode 4.0 installed, but I've been so busy with grad school and taking care of my fathers health I haven't had the chance in digging into learning on my own.

Thanks man, I appreciate your help!

 

[RaceTripper]

I'm learning, thanks! I googled RipIt to determine if it supports shell execution. Course that'll take me an hour of reading through links and forums lol.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I don't know how to properly alter .sh scripts

I have XCode 4.0 installed, but I've been so busy with grad school and taking care of my fathers health I haven't had the chance in digging into learning on my own.

Thanks man, I appreciate your help!

Shell scripts are plaintext files. You can edit them with any text editor (like TextEdit). You can use XCode but it's overkill for just modifying shell scripts. Don't use Pages or Word.

 

[3282868]

Shell scripts are plaintext files. You can edit them with any text editor (like TextEdit). You can use XCode but it's overkill for just modifying shell scripts. Don't use Pages or Word.

Great! I'll do some research on bash shell commands and experiment. I'll also check into "RipIt" re: support for shell execution.

Thanks again for taking the time helping me.

 

[RaceTripper]

Great! I'll do some research on bash shell commands and experiment. I'll also check into "RipIt" re: support for shell execution.

Thanks again for taking the time helping me.

Apple's shell scripting primer.
Even better.

 

[gunthermic]

Hi Mac Jedi,

first of all, thanks a million for the workflows, wow - they're truely amazing!
I'm using the "batch rip • batch encode"-workflow to turn my mkv's (ripped from my BluRays) into HD M4V files. I've been using the standard "HD (720p)/AppleTV2 setting, and it works flawlesly. However, I would like my files to be 1080p, and tried enabling the custom-setting with the "--maxheight 1080" argument, but that didn't work as expected. If i want to use custom setting do i need to include all the arguments or?

Your help is very much appriciated

Thanks,
Steen

If you are usign custom settings, you must put the whole command line in the custom box. just putting --maxheight will not work. it does not parse the info into the command.

 

[gunthermic]

Ran into a bit of a problem and figured out what caused it. This has happened with Blu-ray rips but not sure if that is cause or would happen with dvd rips as well. When I right click on the batch rip movies folder and select from the services menu batch encode finder, the terminal starts up has an error and then completely deletes the movie folder and checked the trash and it is not there.

First time it happened and was trying to figure out what happened, I did an extensive search using spotlight and could not find the missing files any where. The second time it had happened had figured out what happened. Recreated it a third time to confirm but copied the files first before so had them saved, and turned on verbose logging.

Also when I right an individual blu ray mkv I had and used the batch encode finder service it went perfectly fine and outputted a m4v file.

Here is what the terminal outputted.
Figured would post about it so people knew and maybe so we can fix this problem.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
batchEncode.sh v1.0.6

Start: Fri Mar 25 18:04:14 CDT 2011
Input directory 1: /Users/atlantis/Movies/Batch Rip Movies
Input directory 2: /Users/atlantis/Movies/Batch Rip TV
Output directory: /Users/atlantis/Movies/Batch Encode
Use optical Drive: No
Encode HD Sources: Yes
Keep MKV Temp Files: No
Auto-add movie tags: Yes
Retire Existing File: No
Growl me when complete: No
Encode TV Shows between: 20-140 mins
Encode Movies between: 80-200 mins
Native Language: eng (en)
Use Disc's Default Audio Language: Yes
Will Encode: 720p/AppleTV 2

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
VERBOSE MODE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

WILL PROCESS THE FOLLOWING VIDEOS:
sed: 1: "s|\/Batch Rip Movies\n.B ...": unterminated substitute pattern
sed: 1: "s|\/Batch Rip Movies\n.B ...": unterminated substitute pattern
Batch Rip Movies
.Batch
Rip
Movies : (Movie)

sed: 1: "s|\/Batch Rip Movies\n.B ...": unterminated substitute pattern
sed: 1: "s|\/Batch Rip Movies\n.B ...": unterminated substitute pattern
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PROCESSING: Batch Rip Movies
.Batch
Rip
Movies

*Scanning File: 'Batch Rip Movies
.Batch
Rip
Movies'


* ERROR: Batch Rip Movies
.Batch
Rip
Movies FAILED during processing!


PROCESSING COMPLETE: Batch Rip Movies
.Batch
Rip
Movies
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
End: Fri Mar 25 18:04:18 CDT 2011

logout

[Process completed]

First in you statement above you said you did "Batch Rip" (finder) on batch rip movies folder? On the movie folders themselves or the Movies Rip Main folder? That batch only works on the riped DVD(folders) or BD(mkv) only.

The error "unterminated substitute pattern" is what i see whenthe following happens.

A BD that is a mkv file that is in a folder and the folder is selected with Batch Rip (finder) script. It doesn't know how to handle a mkv inside a folder.

The Batch Rip has several functions:
1. Will look at all rips you select to rip
2. Take all mkv's and put them into a Folder(after encoding I do beleive)
3. Scan the DVD folders for the correct vob's to encode.

I have done the whole trying to re-encode BD based on my rips and it screwed up my BD Rips. example
Movie 2012

Folder name:

2012 (2010)

After running the Batch Rip (finder)

Folder name now:
2012 (2010) 2012 2010)
And it moved all the files (mkv, chapters.txt, chapter.csv) into the sub folder.

Hope that helps some. If not, ask away..

 

[CylonGlitch]

I've converted the article to PDF for people to download and read offline, it can be found here.

Automated DVD Ripping

 

[scifi451]

First in you statement above you said you did "Batch Rip" (finder) on batch rip movies folder? On the movie folders themselves or the Movies Rip Main folder? That batch only works on the riped DVD(folders) or BD(mkv) only.

The error "unterminated substitute pattern" is what i see whenthe following happens.

A BD that is a mkv file that is in a folder and the folder is selected with Batch Rip (finder) script. It doesn't know how to handle a mkv inside a folder.

The Batch Rip has several functions:
1. Will look at all rips you select to rip
2. Take all mkv's and put them into a Folder(after encoding I do beleive)
3. Scan the DVD folders for the correct vob's to encode.

I have done the whole trying to re-encode BD based on my rips and it screwed up my BD Rips. example
Movie 2012

Folder name:

2012 (2010)

After running the Batch Rip (finder)

Folder name now:
2012 (2010) 2012 2010)
And it moved all the files (mkv, chapters.txt, chapter.csv) into the sub folder.

Hope that helps some. If not, ask away..

ya I was trying to encode from the batch rip movies folder, or selecting the folder with the encode service script. I had been doing that because I believe I had been doing the same process with the DVD rips I had done and worked all right. But what I guess I most wanted to let people know about is that it simply deleted my whole movie folder with that error.

 

[MacClauss]

Audio and Subtitle Track Problem

Hi!

Firstly let me say that these script provide an amazing workflow and I really appreciate the amount of effort that has gone into these.

I have a couple of problems and have to confess that I am a newbie regarding this, in particular script programming, so please bear with me.

I am in the process of converting my DVD collection to something I can store on my NAS for easy access. I use iTunes and would like to store the DVDs in the highest possible quality with all audio and subtitle tracks. I am a perfectionist and would only like to perform the conversion once ...

As I understand adding all subtitle tracks is possible with HandBrake by using "-s 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, etc." but the same is not possible for audio tracks - they need to be added manually. What I would like to achieve is to encode the "chosen" audio track (e.g. English) into the m4v as a pass-through, plus a AAC copy for use with iDevices. All other Audio Tracks should be converted to the best quality AAC alternative. Does anyone know if this is possible? If not, any guidance on how to modify the scripts to achieve this? I would also like t name the audio tracks.

Subtitles - I have added all as per the above command, but when I play back in iTunes I only get the English Subtitle track showing up in the list. Any idea why that may be? Also, Subler allows for creation of Chapter Frames that can be seen using iTunes - can Subler be integrated here?

Also, why do I get the "Channel layout" error below? Does anyone have any ideas"

Lastly, what would be the recommended "Highest Quality" settings? RF=17 with High Profile Preset? Anything else?

Sorry, a bit of a wish list here ... maybe I am dreaming!

Thanks so much for your help in advance.

Regards,
MacClauss.

Terminal Log for last conversion - please see attached file.

 

[gunthermic]

Hi!

Firstly let me say that these script provide an amazing workflow and I really appreciate the amount of effort that has gone into these.

I have a couple of problems and have to confess that I am a newbie regarding this, in particular script programming, so please bear with me.

I am in the process of converting my DVD collection to something I can store on my NAS for easy access. I use iTunes and would like to store the DVDs in the highest possible quality with all audio and subtitle tracks. I am a perfectionist and would only like to perform the conversion once ...

As I understand adding all subtitle tracks is possible with HandBrake by using "-s 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, etc." but the same is not possible for audio tracks - they need to be added manually. What I would like to achieve is to encode the "chosen" audio track (e.g. English) into the m4v as a pass-through, plus a AAC copy for use with iDevices. All other Audio Tracks should be converted to the best quality AAC alternative. Does anyone know if this is possible? If not, any guidance on how to modify the scripts to achieve this? I would also like t name the audio tracks.

Subtitles - I have added all as per the above command, but when I play back in iTunes I only get the English Subtitle track showing up in the list. Any idea why that may be? Also, Subler allows for creation of Chapter Frames that can be seen using iTunes - can Subler be integrated here?

Also, why do I get the "Channel layout" error below? Does anyone have any ideas"

Lastly, what would be the recommended "Highest Quality" settings? RF=17 with High Profile Preset? Anything else?

Sorry, a bit of a wish list here ... maybe I am dreaming!

Thanks so much for your help in advance.

Regards,
MacClauss.

Terminal Log for last conversion - please see attached file.

I will try an answer what I can.

To answer about your audio tracks and the fact you want to get more than 2 tracks, AC-3 and AAC, I would start with this suggestion:

Go and ask about the fact you want so many audio tracks on the Handbrake Forum.

Take the movie and using Handbrake add in the correct parm until you get what you want. At that point you can copy the and try the same in the command line interface (CLI). The CLI and the Graphical interface don't not always act the same. nor take the exact same commands.

Not sure why you only see English in iTunes

The Channel layout issue, can't tell what's wrong myself. Again maybe the Handbrake forum as this is a HB that is reporting these back to the terminal window.

Subler can't be intergrated into this unless 1. It can be command line driven 2. mag.jedi re-write his scripts or releases his project to allow someone else to do it.

Here is the rule, always, always encode to your lowest device... always. then only one encode. Or if you are usignthe workflows, you can have two encodes done at once of course. Standard RF of 18-20 Standard DVD's and 20-22 for BD's is the suggested norm. However you shoudl select a preset and then just fool with your audio/subtitles.

I do ATV2 and Universial myself. I am always covered(BD ones that is)

Sorry I couldn't answer more.

 

[fj807243]

Use this without iCal..

Hi everybody,
I'm sorry for my bad english (I'm french) ...

I've do this tutorial "How-To: Automate DVD & Blu-Ray (Backup, Encoding & Tagging) for Mac OS X 10.6". Thank you, it's very good.
So I don't know if this question has already been asked but I want know if it possible to use this without iCal. So when you finish the rip, you start the encoding ! It's possible ?
Thank you for your help.
By

 

[RaceTripper]

Hi everybody,
I'm sorry for my bad english (I'm french) ...

I've do this tutorial "How-To: Automate DVD & Blu-Ray (Backup, Encoding & Tagging) for Mac OS X 10.6". Thank you, it's very good.
So I don't know if this question has already been asked but I want know if it possible to use this without iCal. So when you finish the rip, you start the encoding ! It's possible ?
Thank you for your help.
By

I don't use iCal. When you are ready to encode, select the "Batch Rip • Batch Encode" service.

 

[fj807243]

I don't use iCal. When you are ready to encode, select the "Batch Rip • Batch Encode" service.

Yes but it's not automatic ... I want do the encoding if the rip is finished. It's possible to create one script who detect the end of the rip and start the encoding ?

Thank you !

 

[dhy8386]

Yes but it's not automatic ... I want do the encoding if the rip is finished. It's possible to create one script who detect the end of the rip and start the encoding ?

Thank you !

Use hazel

 

[3282868]

If first audio track in an m4v is AAC, second AC3 track won't play

So after days of hard work I finally succeeded, aside from one last question.

I've used the workflows to rip full backups of my BD/SD DVD's, then ran Handbrake making certain the .m4v's have AC3 5.1/6-channel and AAC layer sound.

I have a new Pioneer VSX-33 that supports 7.1+ AC3/AAC sound. Streaming the m4v's from my Mac Pro via iTunes to my Apple TV 2 produces 5.1 surround sound as indicated on my Pioneer AVR. Here's the rub:

I have my aTV2 connected to a secondary 1TB "Time Capsule" that is configured to extend my wireless network with another "Time Capsule". This "Time Capsule" supplies internet radio via ethernet to my Pioneer VSX-33 and also connects via ethernet to my aTV2. I jailbroke my ATV2 with Seas0nPass, installed XBMC and NitoTV. I then configured XBMC to use the HDD on my "Time Capsule" through SMB. This allows me to copy my m4v's to my "Time Capsules" HDD, which then allows my aTV 2 to play the movies via XBMC.

I have all the parameters in place. AC3, DTS are selected in XBMC and "Digital Audio - AUTO" in Apple TV 2 settings are selected (HDMI is carrying video/audio to my Pioneer AVR). However, I am not getting any indication that the sound is 5.1 through this method, nor does it appear to be as "crisp" as streaming via my Mac Pro in iTunes through Home Sharing. I've read all the XBMC forums (seems this may be an issue), and aside from trying Plex, I'm not certain what I may be doing incorrectly. I really need to get the converted m4v's onto that remote HDD, but if there is no way in maintaining full quality I'll have to settle for home sharing and leaving gig's of movies on my Mac Pro.

Any help would be AMAZINGLY appreciated, as all of you have been extremely helpful in getting me this far. One more step and I'm DONE .

(PS I've had to buy another 2TB HDD for my Mac Pro as I ripped 1.5 TB's of BD/SD's in less than three days thanks to your efforts!)

UPDATE:

"If my first audio track in an m4v is AAC the second AC3 track won't play, other than that everything is running lovely."

Is this confirmed? How is it possible to force AC3 if the first audio track is AAC? Simply by selecting the track order in Handbrake?

 

[gunthermic]

So after days of hard work I finally succeeded, aside from one last question.

I've used the workflows to rip full backups of my BD/SD DVD's, then ran Handbrake making certain the .m4v's have AC3 5.1/6-channel and AAC layer sound.

I have a new Pioneer VSX-33 that supports 7.1+ AC3/AAC sound. Streaming the m4v's from my Mac Pro via iTunes to my Apple TV 2 produces 5.1 surround sound as indicated on my Pioneer AVR. Here's the rub:

I have my aTV2 connected to a secondary 1TB "Time Capsule" that is configured to extend my wireless network with another "Time Capsule". This "Time Capsule" supplies internet radio via ethernet to my Pioneer VSX-33 and also connects via ethernet to my aTV2. I jailbroke my ATV2 with Seas0nPass, installed XBMC and NitoTV. I then configured XBMC to use the HDD on my "Time Capsule" through SMB. This allows me to copy my m4v's to my "Time Capsules" HDD, which then allows my aTV 2 to play the movies via XBMC.

I have all the parameters in place. AC3, DTS are selected in XBMC and "Digital Audio - AUTO" in Apple TV 2 settings are selected (HDMI is carrying video/audio to my Pioneer AVR). However, I am not getting any indication that the sound is 5.1 through this method, nor does it appear to be as "crisp" as streaming via my Mac Pro in iTunes through Home Sharing. I've read all the XBMC forums (seems this may be an issue), and aside from trying Plex, I'm not certain what I may be doing incorrectly. I really need to get the converted m4v's onto that remote HDD, but if there is no way in maintaining full quality I'll have to settle for home sharing and leaving gig's of movies on my Mac Pro.

Any help would be AMAZINGLY appreciated, as all of you have been extremely helpful in getting me this far. One more step and I'm DONE .

(PS I've had to buy another 2TB HDD for my Mac Pro as I ripped 1.5 TB's of BD/SD's in less than three days thanks to your efforts!)

UPDATE:

"If my first audio track in an m4v is AAC the second AC3 track won't play, other than that everything is running lovely."

Is this confirmed? How is it possible to force AC3 if the first audio track is AAC? Simply by selecting the track order in Handbrake?

Can't answer about the XBMC stuff. but cetainly sounds like movie is goign through alot of hoops to play. Also if movie is encoded correctly, which it sounds liek it is, then I would tend to lean towards XBMC not playing the 5.1 sound correctly.

order of Audio tracks. ATV2 will push 5.1 if available no matter which track number it is on. It all goes by your stereo if I understad it correctly. However in ATV2 when movie is playing you can't hit center button to bring up the chapters, push left which will highlight the audio menu and you can select different audio. Now the bad thing about that, is it will always show them both as English(default lang), you would select the other if you want.

I am on a NAS with 12TB for all my rips and out of room. Was pretty simple till I hit the BD's then it disappeared real fast.

 

[gunthermic]

Yes but it's not automatic ... I want do the encoding if the rip is finished. It's possible to create one script who detect the end of the rip and start the encoding ?

Thank you !

I beleive when I last talked to mac.jedi he stated that the scripting code in Batch Encode was virtually the same as Batch Rip.

Suggest you try to do Batch Encode(Finder) on a BD and see if it rips and decodes in one pass.

 

[3282868]

Can't answer about the XBMC stuff. but cetainly sounds like movie is goign through alot of hoops to play. Also if movie is encoded correctly, which it sounds liek it is, then I would tend to lean towards XBMC not playing the 5.1 sound correctly.

order of Audio tracks. ATV2 will push 5.1 if available no matter which track number it is on. It all goes by your stereo if I understad it correctly. However in ATV2 when movie is playing you can't hit center button to bring up the chapters, push left which will highlight the audio menu and you can select different audio. Now the bad thing about that, is it will always show them both as English(default lang), you would select the other if you want.

I am on a NAS with 12TB for all my rips and out of room. Was pretty simple till I hit the BD's then it disappeared real fast.

Yeah I read the XBMC forums and 5.1 and 1080P is supported as the nightly beta's bypass ATV2's downscaling of 1080P. I wish I didn't have to go through XBMC but it seems the only method to access my Time Capsule media SMB. It's a shame I cannot do so directly through Apples iOS (running 4.1.1 which is iOS 4.2).

Your NAS, what are you using? Perhaps I can find a way to stream wifi from my Time Capsule in leui of using the Ethernet connection from my ATV2.

 

[gunthermic]

Yeah I read the XBMC forums and 5.1 and 1080P is supported as the nightly beta's bypass ATV2's downscaling of 1080P. I wish I didn't have to go through XBMC but it seems the only method to access my Time Capsule media SMB. It's a shame I cannot do so directly through Apples iOS (running 4.1.1 which is iOS 4.2).

Your NAS, what are you using? Perhaps I can find a way to stream wifi from my Time Capsule in leui of using the Ethernet connection from my ATV2.

I use Synology NAS 411j. I stream everything via Wireless, never have problem streaming.

 

[3282868]

I use Synology NAS 411j. I stream everything via Wireless, never have problem streaming.

Never heard of it but I'll check it out. How exactly are you using it and do you have your aTV2 jail broken to support unsupported codecs?

Thanks man!