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How-To: Automating DVD & Blu-Ray (Backup, Encoding & Tagging) for Mac OS X
- Thread starter mac.jedi
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Might be a SL/Lion compatibility issue. To make a new Batch Rip Batch Rip.workflow file:
- Open the "Batch Rip Batch Rip (Finder).workflow" in Automator.
- Change the "Service receives" pop-up menu at the top of the workflow area to "no input".
- Change the "in" pop-up menu to "any application".
- Choose File > Save-As and rename to "Batch Rip Batch Rip.workflow" replacing the existing file.
Batch rip issues even on a clean Lion install
Hi mac.jedi,
First of all let me say that I see great promise in your scripts I red your tutorial and I really would like to make it work. However, whatever I do your automator actions would not work. I had a few posts earlier, I had a mixed system where I upgraded from SL to Lion, used 1.07 the 1.08 etc.
I decided to erase my HD and reinstall Lion from scratch which I did successfully. Then I installed 1.0.8. This time the dispatcher works as described, and I can enable batch rip. It also stays enabled. But no matter what I do, when I insert a DVD NOTHING happens. I have set the DVD.CD prefs to ignore, I have all the applications in place, but I get no movement, action at all when a dvd is mounted. I tried restart, reset in dispatcher etc to no avail. No error either.
Now what?
Thanks in advance: V.
Hi mac.jedi,
First of all let me say that I see great promise in your scripts I red your tutorial and I really would like to make it work. However, whatever I do your automator actions would not work. I had a few posts earlier, I had a mixed system where I upgraded from SL to Lion, used 1.07 the 1.08 etc.
I decided to erase my HD and reinstall Lion from scratch which I did successfully. Then I installed 1.0.8. This time the dispatcher works as described, and I can enable batch rip. It also stays enabled. But no matter what I do, when I insert a DVD NOTHING happens. I have set the DVD.CD prefs to ignore, I have all the applications in place, but I get no movement, action at all when a dvd is mounted. I tried restart, reset in dispatcher etc to no avail. No error either.
Now what?
Thanks in advance: V.
Still works on Lion 10.7.1
I downloaded the latest round of workflows for Automator 1.0.8 and everything still works beautifully on my Lion. I do use the GUI of Handbrake because the subtitles and language aren't always right but I should revisit the services and adjust those accordingly. A little clunky to do on a case by case basis but it gets the job done.
For those curious, I have a LG BD player I picked up online and I was able to run this automator on Snow Leopard. All the movies I was able to backup play flawlessly on my Apple TV. Can't say the same for BluRay discs I put in my Samsung BD player. If it wasn't powering my surround sound I'd toss it out the window.
Thanks mac.jedi.
I downloaded the latest round of workflows for Automator 1.0.8 and everything still works beautifully on my Lion. I do use the GUI of Handbrake because the subtitles and language aren't always right but I should revisit the services and adjust those accordingly. A little clunky to do on a case by case basis but it gets the job done.
For those curious, I have a LG BD player I picked up online and I was able to run this automator on Snow Leopard. All the movies I was able to backup play flawlessly on my Apple TV. Can't say the same for BluRay discs I put in my Samsung BD player. If it wasn't powering my surround sound I'd toss it out the window.
Thanks mac.jedi.
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Batch rip and unencrypted DVDs - they do not work together...
Hi Mac.Jedi,
I have figured out why your scripts do not work on my macbook: I used an unencrypted DVD when tested your script. As soon as I put a regular, encrypted DVD in it works beautifully. This is probably because fairmount does not work with unencrypted DVDs?
In any case, do you plan to support the ripping (in this case copying) of unencrypted DVDs with your script?
I think it would be a good addition to you scripts fro completeness - there are actually unencrypted DVDs out there which one may want to encode to MP4...
-V.
Hi Mac.Jedi,
I have figured out why your scripts do not work on my macbook: I used an unencrypted DVD when tested your script. As soon as I put a regular, encrypted DVD in it works beautifully. This is probably because fairmount does not work with unencrypted DVDs?
In any case, do you plan to support the ripping (in this case copying) of unencrypted DVDs with your script?
I think it would be a good addition to you scripts fro completeness - there are actually unencrypted DVDs out there which one may want to encode to MP4...
-V.
G'day
Everything has been working well.
Today I tried to use the Rename and Tag TV Shows workflow.
I am selecting about 10 files and running the workflow. I am telling it to replace the existing filename with SHOWNAME - S03E and let it sequence the rest. Its renaming it twice. So I end up with a result of SHOWNAME - S03E01SHOWNAME - S03E01.m4v.
I have tested it a few times. Any quick ideas?
Everything has been working well.
Today I tried to use the Rename and Tag TV Shows workflow.
I am selecting about 10 files and running the workflow. I am telling it to replace the existing filename with SHOWNAME - S03E and let it sequence the rest. Its renaming it twice. So I end up with a result of SHOWNAME - S03E01SHOWNAME - S03E01.m4v.
I have tested it a few times. Any quick ideas?
First, thanks mac.jedi for writing these fantastic actions. Got the whole thing set up in no time, and everything is now set up to rip about 5 DVDs a day, encode overnight, and then Hazel shifts the files to my external 2 Tb hard disk, adds the movies to iTunes, and then deletes the archived source files and empties the trash bin at the end of every day. Amazing.
Just a couple of queries.
1. I'm having some trouble with the Growl notifications. It keeps emailing me to tell me that the m4v file couldn't be added to iTunes, when it was added. And the Growl notification to let me know that a rip has finished isn't working at all.
2. Am I correct in thinking that the actions should automatically detect a foreign language track and add subtitles without any setup from me? Or do I have to tell it to do that?
3. I've set up a smart playlist in iTunes that detects all of the ripped movies, and I'd like a way to automatically generate a PDF list of these, say every day, and save it to my Dropbox. This way I always have an up-to-date list of all of my movies with me wherever I go. Any thoughts on how to do this?
4. Last, what is the best tool to edit the metadata on these files?
Thanks in advance.
Just a couple of queries.
1. I'm having some trouble with the Growl notifications. It keeps emailing me to tell me that the m4v file couldn't be added to iTunes, when it was added. And the Growl notification to let me know that a rip has finished isn't working at all.
2. Am I correct in thinking that the actions should automatically detect a foreign language track and add subtitles without any setup from me? Or do I have to tell it to do that?
3. I've set up a smart playlist in iTunes that detects all of the ripped movies, and I'd like a way to automatically generate a PDF list of these, say every day, and save it to my Dropbox. This way I always have an up-to-date list of all of my movies with me wherever I go. Any thoughts on how to do this?
4. Last, what is the best tool to edit the metadata on these files?
Thanks in advance.
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1. Growl notifications from Hazel?
2. Good question, mac.jedi or others may know, as far as I understand, it will do whatever the default is on the disc.
3. I had a quick google on trying to make an automator script, or applescript. Although there are number of them out there, I found this link. Its not an automator script, but an applescript you could run via automator if it does the results your looking for. Might not be what your looking for, but nonetheless.
http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/scripts03.php
Yeah. They seem to be confused though.
Ok, I'll try it and see.
Looks ideal. I'll give it a try.
Has anyone got the Add/Rename services (Add Movie Tags, Rename Movie Items etc) working?
They all just give me an error "There was a problem with the input to the Service", with the following in console
They all just give me an error "There was a problem with the input to the Service", with the following in console
Yes, I use the Rename and Tag Movie items daily. Working fine since 1.0.8. You on that version?
Speaking only from experience. Last time I was having trouble, I did the uninstall, and then reinstalled. Doesnt hurt anything. Try it.
(uninstaller is in the Extra's folder of the DMG you used to install)
Same thing unfortunately. I had previously deleted all the files by hand but I just ran the uninstaller to make sure I had not missed anything.
I wonder if it is to do with being on Lion server :| I will have to try on my non-server machine
I wonder if it is to do with being on Lion server :| I will have to try on my non-server machine
Ah
OK it is working when the files are on the main hard drive, but not on the secondary drive or any external drives.
Odd. Ah well at least I can tag things
OK it is working when the files are on the main hard drive, but not on the secondary drive or any external drives.
Odd. Ah well at least I can tag things
External or secondary drives should work fine. My primary system is a 4-bay MacPro and a DroboS. I tested it on a few other drives (usb, firewire 800 and e-sata) and they worked fine for me. Might be a permissions issue or a problem with the file.
Yes and for me on exactly the same file, on exactly the same drive connected to my MBP. But on my Mac Mini server I get that error when trying any of the services on files on drives which aren't the primary drive.
Even a simple service like this http://www.rebelinblue.com/skitch/Copy_to_desktop-20110825-220827.jpg has the same problem
Very odd >_< This is going to be "fun" to try to debug
Even a simple service like this http://www.rebelinblue.com/skitch/Copy_to_desktop-20110825-220827.jpg has the same problem
Very odd >_< This is going to be "fun" to try to debug
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mac,
I am trying to figure out why, under 1.07 when encoding the file, it used to not leave the Music genre field blank. That was one of the triggers that Hazel used to know to move a movie file. Since Lion and 1.08 that no longer is happening. So Hazel is no longer grabbing the movie files.
I am trying to figure out why, under 1.07 when encoding the file, it used to not leave the Music genre field blank. That was one of the triggers that Hazel used to know to move a movie file. Since Lion and 1.08 that no longer is happening. So Hazel is no longer grabbing the movie files.
I've noticed the same thing. I just changed my settings in Hazel.
There are a couple of other quirks as well. The DVD isn't always ejected after ripping, and encoded source files aren't always moved to my retired folder.
Any ideas mac.jedi?
Interesting, I was just coming here to post something LIKE that to see what your thoughts are everyone.
I have hazel do the moving of things, and my encode scheduled in ical. What I cant control is that sometimes the names of the movies are not formated in MOVIENAME (year).ext
Once I do the batch encode, IF the tagging fails due to the name, how can I tell hazel NOT to add to itunes? Is there a spotlight comment that dictates whether it has been tagged or not?
Movies after batch encode are orange, and TV is green, which is fine, but thats actually true if it has been tagged, or not. So whats the difference between them so hazel can add to itunes
(this is the last step towards 100% automation for me!)
I have hazel do the moving of things, and my encode scheduled in ical. What I cant control is that sometimes the names of the movies are not formated in MOVIENAME (year).ext
Once I do the batch encode, IF the tagging fails due to the name, how can I tell hazel NOT to add to itunes? Is there a spotlight comment that dictates whether it has been tagged or not?
Movies after batch encode are orange, and TV is green, which is fine, but thats actually true if it has been tagged, or not. So whats the difference between them so hazel can add to itunes
(this is the last step towards 100% automation for me!)
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_5 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8L1 Safari/6533.18.5)
At some point Spotlight no longer supported the kDMItemMusicalGenre (Musical Genre) attribute for movie files, so Hazel can't use it anymore. It's still in use for audio files. For me, this was the best way to assure a file was tagged. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to research an alternative method.
In Terminal, you can use the mdls command to see all the attributes of a file. Just type: mdls "/path/to/file.ext"
At some point Spotlight no longer supported the kDMItemMusicalGenre (Musical Genre) attribute for movie files, so Hazel can't use it anymore. It's still in use for audio files. For me, this was the best way to assure a file was tagged. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to research an alternative method.
In Terminal, you can use the mdls command to see all the attributes of a file. Just type: mdls "/path/to/file.ext"
Multi processor/multi core support
Excellent workflow! My hats off to you.
If the following question has already been answered, I apologize.
Is there any way to encode multiple videos at once using this process? It seems that with multiple cores/processors, one should be able to shoot an encode task to each core. I just havent figured out how to do it :-/
Excellent workflow! My hats off to you.
If the following question has already been answered, I apologize.
Is there any way to encode multiple videos at once using this process? It seems that with multiple cores/processors, one should be able to shoot an encode task to each core. I just havent figured out how to do it :-/
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_5 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8L1 Safari/6533.18.5)
Thanks SquirrelWorks!
I used to do that back in the day, but now Handbrake uses all the cores available, so you don't get much out of doing simultaneous encodes. But if you wanna try, the Batch Encode (Finder) Service should be able to encode simutaneously, but you'd have to start the Service manually on each source.
SquirrelWorks said:
Thanks SquirrelWorks!
I used to do that back in the day, but now Handbrake uses all the cores available, so you don't get much out of doing simultaneous encodes. But if you wanna try, the Batch Encode (Finder) Service should be able to encode simutaneously, but you'd have to start the Service manually on each source.