VidCoder: Alternative HandBrake GUI for Windows

[mike20021969]

mike20021969: With the updated HandBrake I believe your MPEG-2 issue is fixed.
I've just installed the latest version (1.2) and I can convert the same file to different resolutions without any errors.
Many thanks for fixing this :thanks:

PS
I did notice a slight visual error on the interface in that the Video Encoder isn't listed, or is it just me?

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g302/mike20021969/capture_30102011_095843.jpg

[RandomEngy]

Right you are... that will be fixed next version. Thanks for pointing it out.

[mike20021969]

I found another bug. This one IS happening in Handbrake! So I'll post this problem there aswell.

Open VidCoder.
Select a profile (e.g. Normal).
Drop/open an MPEG2 (the one I posted previously works): http://www.4shared.com/file/SxqzyoIz/VidCoder.html
Select Seconds then choose an encode time such as 0:00:02-0:00:05 by entering 2 and 5 into the time boxes.
Hit encode and an empty file is created.
Longer files (minutes) also produce the same result even with different time points selected.

[star5]

:( launch VidCoder 1.2.0 ,select High Profile, select settings, error!
System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at VidCoder.ViewModel.AudioEncodingViewModel.get_NewAudioEncoding() in D:\docs\projects\VidCoder\VidCoder\ViewModel\DataModels\AudioEncodingViewModel.cs:line 146
at VidCoder.ViewModel.AudioPanelViewModel.UpdateAudioEncodings() in D:\docs\projects\VidCoder\VidCoder\ViewModel\Panels\AudioPanelViewModel.cs:line 306
at VidCoder.ViewModel.AudioEncodingViewModel.RaiseAudioEncodingChanged() in D:\docs\projects\VidCoder\VidCoder\ViewModel\DataModels\AudioEncodingViewModel.cs:line 838
at VidCoder.ViewModel.AudioEncodingViewModel.RefreshEncoderChoices() in D:\docs\projects\VidCoder\VidCoder\ViewModel\DataModels\AudioEncodingViewModel.cs:line 711
at VidCoder.ViewModel.AudioEncodingViewModel..ctor(AudioEncoding audioEncoding, Title selectedTitle, List`1 chosenAudioTracks, Container outputFormat, AudioPanelViewModel audioPanelVM) in D:\docs\projects\VidCoder\VidCoder\ViewModel\DataModels\AudioEncodingViewModel.cs:line 72
at VidCoder.ViewModel.AudioPanelViewModel.NotifyProfileChanged() in D:\docs\projects\VidCoder\VidCoder\ViewModel\Panels\AudioPanelViewModel.cs:line 320
at VidCoder.ViewModel.EncodingViewModel.set_EditingPreset(Preset value) in D:\docs\projects\VidCoder\VidCoder\ViewModel\EncodingViewModel.cs:line 109
at VidCoder.ViewModel.EncodingViewModel..ctor(Preset preset) in D:\docs\projects\VidCoder\VidCoder\ViewModel\EncodingViewModel.cs:line 47
at VidCoder.ViewModel.Components.WindowManagerViewModel.OpenEncodingWindow() in D:\docs\projects\VidCoder\VidCoder\ViewModel\Components\WindowManagerViewModel.cs:line 124
at System.Windows.Controls.Button.OnClick()
at System.Windows.Controls.Primitives.ButtonBase.OnMouseLeftButtonUp(MouseButtonEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
at System.Windows.UIElement.ReRaiseEventAs(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args, RoutedEvent newEvent)
at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEventImpl(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args)
at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseTrustedEvent(RoutedEventArgs args)
at System.Windows.Input.InputManager.ProcessStagingArea()
at System.Windows.Input.InputProviderSite.ReportInput(InputReport inputReport)
at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.ReportInput(IntPtr hwnd, InputMode mode, Int32 timestamp, RawMouseActions actions, Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 wheel)
at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.FilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, WindowMessage msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
at System.Windows.Interop.HwndSource.InputFilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
at MS.Win32.HwndWrapper.WndProc(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.DispatcherCallbackOperation(Object o)
at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs)
at MS.Internal.Threading.ExceptionFilterHelper.TryCatchWhen(Object source, Delegate method, Object args, Int32 numArgs, Delegate catchHandler)
:(

[RandomEngy]

Thanks for the report. Going to get a patch out for that today.

[RandomEngy]

Released VidCoder 1.2.1 (http://vidcoder.codeplex.com/releases/view/75980)

* Fixed a couple regressions: video encoder was blank in queue and crashes with the High Profile preset when opening the Settings window.
* Fixed problem with auto-update introduced in 1.2.0. If you have 1.2.0 you will need to update manually to get this.

[mike20021969]

* Fixed a couple regressions: video encoder was blank in queue and crashes with the High Profile preset when opening the Settings window.


Hi RandomEngy.
It seems to be the same with 1.2.1.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g302/mike20021969/capture_30102011_231227.jpg

[RandomEngy]

Hmm, it's showing for me. It it also blank when you add a new item to the queue?

[mike20021969]

Hmm, it's showing for me. It it also blank when you add a new item to the queue?
Hi.
Yes, it is.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g302/mike20021969/capture_31102011_001330.jpg

[RandomEngy]

Ohhh, I think I know what's going on... I forgot to bump the version of HandBrakeInterop for that fix, so the installer thought it didn't need to update it. Should get in the NEXT version now. Or if you uninstall and re-install.

[mike20021969]

Or if you uninstall and re-install.
Yep, that solved it.
:thanks:

[Vilmalith]

Just grabbed 1.2.1, upgrading from 1.1.1.

For AAC there is no longer the 6ch option. Am I correct in assuming that choosing None for Mixdown = 6ch if the audio is AC3/DTS?

[RandomEngy]

Yes, I believe so.

[JohnAStebbins]

Just grabbed 1.2.1, upgrading from 1.1.1.

For AAC there is no longer the 6ch option. Am I correct in assuming that choosing None for Mixdown = 6ch if the audio is AC3/DTS?

For faac there should still be a 6ch option.

6ch was disabled for ffmpeg's aac encoder because they recently broke it. It will be re-enabled when they get around to fixing it.

[Vilmalith]

For faac there should still be a 6ch option.

6ch was disabled for ffmpeg's aac encoder because they recently broke it. It will be re-enabled when they get around to fixing it.


For me I don't see the option for any of the AAC options in the drop down in Vidcoder 1.2.1

[RandomEngy]

Yeah it does look like 6ch should be there. I initially mistook ffaac for faac when I was scanning the code. I'll look into it.

(edit) Should be fixed for next release. When finding the highest supported mixdown I should be passing in the HB_INPUT_CH_LAYOUT_HAS_LFE flag with the input channel layout.

[mike20021969]

@RandomEngy
Hi.
The latest HandBrake (svn4343) has this problem solved (see my quote below).
So hopefully a future VidCoder update will fix this issue also?
Thanks for reading.
I found another bug. This one IS happening in Handbrake!

Open VidCoder.
Select a profile (e.g. Normal).
Drop/open an MPEG2 (the one I posted previously works): http://www.4shared.com/file/SxqzyoIz/VidCoder.html
Select Seconds then choose an encode time such as 0:00:02-0:00:05 by entering 2 and 5 into the time boxes.
Hit encode and an empty file is created.
Longer files (minutes) also produce the same result even with different time points selected.

[RandomEngy]

Yeah, I'll update to the latest HandBrake in the next version.

[mike20021969]

Thanks for the 1.2.2 update :)

http://vidcoder.codeplex.com/releases/view/76754

[RandomEngy]

Released VidCoder 1.2.2 (http://vidcoder.codeplex.com/releases/view/76754):

* Updated Handbrake core to svn 4344.

* Fixed the 6-channel discrete mixdown option not appearing for AAC encoders.
* Added handling for possible exceptions when copying to the clipboard, added retries and message when it fails.
* Fixed issue with audio bitrate UI not appearing sometimes when switching audio encoders.
* Added extra checks to protect against reported crashes.
* Added code to upgrade encoding profiles on old queued items.


Though I did see the same "empty file" problem in this build, so I guess they didn't fix that particular issue.

[mike20021969]

Though I did see the same "empty file" problem in this build, so I guess they didn't fix that particular issue.

I just tried it (v1.2.2) on 2 different length MPEG2 files (a 14s and 29s video).
Selecting just a few seconds, e.g.2-6s, playable files are created for me.

EDIT: I also selected 2-6s on a 7 second video - playable file created.

[RandomEngy]

Oh, great then!

[Vilmalith]

Still having the problem where you can't continue ripping after putting a new dvd in. In previous version I could rip a movie, take the dvd out, put another in and rip that one. The problem I'm still having is after I take out the movie I just ripped and put another one in, VidCoder no longer begins scanning the drive automatically. Nor does it notice anything in the drive (the drive just shows up as empty). I have to close VidCoder and open it back up for it to notice the change in the drive.

[RandomEngy]

That's quite odd, I saw that bug too but I just verified it as fixed in 1.2.2. It's picking up DVD inserts/ejects without restarts.

[Vilmalith]

I rebooted my machine, and now its working as expected ;)

[mike20021969]

Oh, great then!

After a bit more testing, this is a bit hit and miss.

With some MPEG2s, selecting a few seconds works (playable file) and with others it doesn't (empty file). All MPEG2s are from the same USB capture device.

With the ones it does work with, if I select 5s-25s, the playable file is not 20s long (or whatever the selected length is). A recent one was came out at 16s.

I've got the latest HandBrake nightly installed, and I shall do some tests later today with that to see what happens.

[mike20021969]

Using HandBrake svn4362, encoding part of a file using "seconds" from the drop down menu is working correctly (i.e. correct duration and no empty files at all).

[RandomEngy]

Could you post your encode log to pastebin? I'll see if there's anything I recognize. Otherwise lets hope some of the recent HandBrake bug fixes covered it.

[mike20021969]

I did say it was a bit hit and miss. The MPEG2s I was using seem to be working fine now (no empties and the correct duration). So that's some good news.

But whilst trying to create the file error I mentioned in post #326, VidCoder crashed 3 times (I stopped trying after the 3rd crash).

I'm using 3 MPEG2s and encoding 5-10s on each one for this test. I'm doing each file individually (not using queue) and the first 2 encode correctly. But when (drag and) dropping in the 3rd file, the program crashes (exits).

I changed the file order on the 3rd attempt to rule out a faulty file as the cause (I know it isn't anyway) but the program crashed.

Here's the logs from the crashes:
http://www.4shared.com/file/ZQ_DmjTe/LOGS.html

[RandomEngy]

Hmm, nothing in there jumps out at me. Hopefully the next HB update fixes this.

[locotus]

Using v1.2.2.0

Yesterday I ran into a Handbrake freeze due to low disk space,
my own fault, but Vidcoder didn't noted that.
The gui was up and running while handbrake was freezed.

Thanks.

[RandomEngy]

Released VidCoder 1.2.4 (http://vidcoder.codeplex.com/releases/view/78035):

* Updated to HandBrake SVN 4368. This should fix some encoding crashes.
* Added optional Duration column to queue.
* Updated "Audio Bitrate" column to "Audio Quality" column due to introduction of constant quality audio encoding.
* When switching to custom cropping, the values will start out the same as what they were with automatic cropping. This should make tweaking the automatic values easier.

* Fixed Move to Top, Move to Bottom and Delete queue item context menus not working.
* Fixed crash on editing queue item from different source.
* Fixed ranges not being reset properly when a new title is selected.
* Fixed range preview not updating on title changing.
* Fixed crashes due to having an outdated fallback audio encoder in a profile.
* Fixed a few minor problems around UI updates due to NotifyPropertyChanged typos by switching to expression-based notifications.

[mike20021969]

Apart from the VidCoder still crashing/exiting when dragging, dropping and encoding 1 file at a time (it is random & I cannot duplicate it to order), everything else is currently working great.

For instance, I drag & drop 1st file encoded it. I drag & drop 2nd file - program crashes/exits.
I repeat the exact procedure, and I get to a 4th file and everything is working great. Strange.

As nobody else seems to have this error, maybe it's a fault at my end. Oh well, it's not the end of the world.

[steptoe]

Is there anyway to easily add extra user defined avisynth filters or avisynth functions that call multiple filters such as the MCTemporalDenoise function that can call a huge number of different filters when processing a video source

Or is it a case of the program source has to be compiled to add the extra filter, I'd like to see a sharpening filter/function such as LimitedSharpen or MSharpen as there doesn't seem to be a sharpen filter

Thanks

[RandomEngy]

I'm stuck with the built-in filters. HandBrake doesn't let avisynth functions hook into the encoding pipeline.

[jouchan]

I'm stuck with the built-in filters. HandBrake doesn't let avisynth functions hook into the encoding pipeline.

:scared::scared:
this mean you cann't add functions to hardsub movie with subtitle in next release?:confused::confused:

[RandomEngy]

You can already burn-in subtitles, just not SRT ones. And yes, I have no control over that functionality.

[albundy33]

Hi, i've just started using vidcoder, to increase the number of movies i can save on my mediacenter, and it works great. But i am having some problems with the subtitles. Often, after conversion, the subs will appear in the middle of the screen. If that occurs, it doesnt matter if i select soft-subs or burned in, i can change file format for output, from mp4, to mkv, it stays the same way, no matter how many times i try to redo that particular movie. Another problem is, that with some movies, when i select soft-subs, they end up transparent with a white outline. They arent on the original. One of these 2 problems occurs, with about 1 out of 6 movies. Is there any way to fix this? I cant seem to find any options for it, in the program.

[RandomEngy]

See if you get the same problem with the latest HandBrake Nightly (https://build.handbrake.fr/job/Windows/). If so, you can ask them for help. VidCoder is not involved with the specifics of adding subtitles to the movies, on picking the input subtitle and whether or not to burn in.

[jouchan]

You can already burn-in subtitles, just not SRT ones. And yes, I have no control over that functionality.

iam using vidcoder 104, when i add subtitles from my drive, only show this i can see:

http://i.lulzimg.com/ac0beb61ba.jpg

button No1 is disabled, so i cann't burn-in subtitles..
button No2 is enabled, but this sub will be selectable, you can choose to use it or not when you saw that video

and can you give me sugestion, how to encode bluray mkv to small size with high quality using vidcoder? :thanks:

[RandomEngy]

PGS subtitles on Blu-ray are not supported by HandBrake yet. I can't do anything about this.

[vrpatilisl]

hi
i used very slow preset in high profile. Keep the b frames and the ref.frame to default (3) .still in out put mkv i get 16 ref. Frame?

[CommonMortal]

I tried the x64 version of this and i like it very much. Better than the original Handbrake. I have a question though. I 'd like to use x264 rev2120, which seems the best and trouble-free by looking at the changelog. How can i update it? In Media Info i see it mentions "x264 core 119". To what revision of x264 does that correspond? And can i get to use rev2120??? Also, out of curiocity, what resize filter does VidCoder use for 1080p->720p?

Thank you and congratulations for the program, very nice.

P.S: Merry Xmas!

[flebber]

Vidcoder follows the latest handbrake releases. Reading on trac the latest handbrake is using x264 revision 2106. I dont believe you can independently update handbrake components. But development moves quickly so it may be bumped to 2020 before longI

[CommonMortal]

Vidcoder follows the latest handbrake releases. Reading on trac the latest handbrake is using x264 revision 2106. I dont believe you can independently update handbrake components. But development moves quickly so it may be bumped to 2020 before longI

Thanks a lot for the info. I sure hope a Vidcoder with rev2120 comes soon.

Merry Xmas!

[CommonMortal]

The more i use it, the more i like it. The only flaw so far i 've seen is that when i do 2-pass encoding, the ETA is way off. It gets readjusted from time to time, but for example, the time i get at the beginning of the 2nd pass is way off (by at least 2h).

[RandomEngy]

Currently the ETA algorithm assumes that each pass will take the same amount of time, which might not be true. If your first pass is really fast it might get very optimistic about the second pass. I might be able to tweak it a bit but there's no real easy fix since you don't know how fast something is going to be until you observe it.

[CommonMortal]

Currently the ETA algorithm assumes that each pass will take the same amount of time, which might not be true. If your first pass is really fast it might get very optimistic about the second pass. I might be able to tweak it a bit but there's no real easy fix since you don't know how fast something is going to be until you observe it.

I see. I encode from Blue Ray source to mkv 720p, 2 pass, turbo 1-st pass. So, the 1st pass is certainly and always much faster. Almost double the speed compared to the 2nd pass.

Previously i was using AsxGUI and it was quite accurate about ETA (in the log), because i THINK, it was calculating continuosly the current fps compared to the total frames of the film. You could see the total frames of the film since the beginning of the encode (for example 180.000 frames) and during the encode, so, if for example you were getting 10 fps average, it was easy to calculate ETA with accuracy.

Anyway, i like VidCoder very much. The GUI is "tidy", things are well grouped and it remembers my last encoding settings, which is good.

[RandomEngy]

Thanks! I could probably fix it so the ETA is better in the second half but during the first half seems hard since you only have data on how fast pass 1 is. Alternately you could use quality targeting which is awesome. :)

[CommonMortal]

Thanks! I could probably fix it so the ETA is better in the second half but during the first half seems hard since you only have data on how fast pass 1 is. Alternately you could use quality targeting which is awesome. :)

By quality targeting you mean crf encoding? Yes, it would be simpler, but you can't predict the file size. I prefer to limit the file size (i prefer round numbers).

The ETA in the 1st half isn't so important for me, since it's quicker anyway. The ETA on 2nd pass is more important because it's much slowe and it's good to have a more or less correct estimation early on. Usually Vidcoder becomes accurate in the ETA of the 2nd pass when it is at 90%+ of the encode, which is a bit too late.

Anyway, even if you can't fix it, it's fine. I like it. And the preview works fine too.