AutoGK "Pause" suggestion

[fewtch]

I know this has been discussed before, and was noted as being nontrivial to add a "pause" button to AutoGK. However, I can think of a fairly trivial way to do it, that would be at least semi-useful. My guess is Len0x thought about & rejected this idea already, but thought I'd mention it anyway:

If user presses "Pause" then throw up a "Please Wait" type dialog box, and pause the process at the next available point:

(A) Right after indexing
(B) After any stage of audio processing (demux, encode, amplify, etc)
(C) After the compressibility test
(D) For size encodes, after the first pass

Sounds limited, but to me it would be useful... in particular, pausing after the first pass (which can be long) could allow the PC to hibernate automatically when I go to bed, so I can get SOME undisturbed sleep :D and finish second pass in the morning.

Perhaps the agk_tmp folder and any other important files could be set to Read only/Hidden/System while AutoGK is paused, as a security measure.

Anyway, just an idea... maybe it's an interim method to add pause functionality?

[ydobon]

Hi,

I've put my laptop to hibernate in the middle of an encoding, and when it wakes up, it continues flawlessly.

That, combined with giving the encoding process an "idle" priority, let me work without even noticing it. Except when I have to reboot :) So, no (un)installations while AutoGK is working :)

The only reason I can think of to have a "pause button" is to be able to tweak some parameter of the encoding. And we all know AutoGK isn't going that way.


Regards,

[unskinnyboy]

Looks like everyone is working towards converting AutoGK back to GK.:)

Here is a way to pause AutoGK right in its tracks: Use AutoGK Tweaker tool. Keep it running in the systray. It will hijack the call to VirtualDubMod.exe, and send it to VDMReplacement.exe, which will throw up a notification dialog box which says "AutoGK Tweaker will now let you modify the current avs script. Make sure you save your changes before closing notepad. Current job will be resumed after that". Unless this clicked and the avs file closed, VirtualDubMod.exe will not be invoked. So just don't close this and AGK will wait for eternity. This can be done before analyzing the source, before the comp test, before 1st pass and before 2nd pass, basically whenever/whereever VDM is needed. ;)

[ydobon]

Originally posted by unskinnyboy
[...] a way to pause AutoGK right in its tracks: Use AutoGK Tweaker tool. Keep it running in the systray. It will hijack the call to VirtualDubMod.exe, [...]
Yep. I made something similar for myself and that's what I do (in fact I "hijack" everything :p and can even change the command line AutoGK tries to use :D). But I think Len0x is doing the right thing by keeping AutoGK focused on "uncomplicated" users. The only thing I miss is the "remember job list" feature.

The ones who want to touch everything, always find a way to do it. :)


Regards,

[unskinnyboy]

@ydobon, You really should share your work here, you know? I am sure many people would find it useful, I know I would. It is nice to be able to extend AGK beyond the obvious. :)

[jp80]

The other way around which has been suggested somewhere else on this forum, is to use a small free dos app to pause and resume any process, and called "ps suspend". You can find it on the net.

[fewtch]

Originally posted by unskinnyboy
Looks like everyone is working towards converting AutoGK back to GK.:)

Here is a way to pause AutoGK right in its tracks: Use AutoGK Tweaker tool. Keep it running in the systray.
Yep, I use that ;). But I wonder what's wrong with a pause function that pauses at the points I mentioned (?). Even on idle priority, a lot of CPU time is used during encoding (and 'newbies' won't know how to change Vdubmod's priority anyway, or so it could be assumed).

I can still see some uses for an AutoGK pause button (even if it only can pause in between steps), but maybe I'm in the minority :rolleyes: :)

Originally posted by ydobon
Yep. I made something similar for myself and that's what I do (in fact I "hijack" everything :p and can even change the command line AutoGK tries to use :D).
Hey... could I have a copy of that? :p