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HaveAGitGat edited this page Apr 16, 2019 · 28 revisions

HBBatchBeast wiki

Source folders

This is the source folder which will be scanned for media. The folder needs to be entered with no trailing slash. For example:

Windows:

C:\Users\HaveAGitGat\Desktop\Input

Linux:

/home/haveagitgat/Desktop/Input

macOS:

/Users/haveagitgat/Desktop/Input

The source folder path is expandable (press enter to create a new line). If you want to specify multiple source folders, make sure each source folder path is on its own line.

Batch conversion & Folder watching

Temporary conversion folder

If "Temporary conversion folder?" is checked, then Handbrake will convert files into that folder. Once the conversion is finished, the file will be moved into your "Destination folder". You'll need to specify as many temporary conversion folders as source folders. Your first source folder will be converted into your first temporary conversion folder, your second source folder into your second temporary conversion folder and so on.

Destination folder

You'll then to specify destination folder paths. Again, you'll need to specify as many destination folders as source folders. Files from your first source folder will end up in your first destination folder, your second source folder files in your second destination folder and so on.

First source folder ---------> First temporary conversion folder ---------> First destination folder

Second source folder ---------> Second temporary conversion folder ---------> Second destination folder

etc

Standard preset

Select the HandBrake preset you'd like to convert your files with. If "Standard preset" is selected, then all files in the folders selected will be converted using the specified Handbrake preset. You can find more about HandBrake presets here:

https://handbrake.fr/docs/en/latest/workflow/select-preset.html

Custom preset

If "Custom preset" then you need to enter your own custom preset. HBBB covers the "HandBrakeCLI -i source -o destination" part of the HandBrakeCLI input so you need to enter the conversion parameters. For example:

-e x264 -q 20 -B

-Z "Very Fast 1080p30"

-Z "Very Fast 480p30"

You can also link to a custom preset that's been exported from the official HandBrake GUI application for example:

"C:\Users\HaveAGitGat\Desktop\testpreset.json" -Z "My Preset"

Each custom preset needs to be on its own line and, similar to the folders, there need to be as many custom presets as source folders.

First source folder ---------> First temporary conversion folder ---------> First destination folder @ Custom preset 1

Second source folder ---------> Second temporary conversion folder ---------> Second destination folder @ Custom preset 2

etc

See the following image for guidance:
https://imgur.com/a/2tl8dIw

Container

Select the container you'd like the output file to have. You can find out more about containers at: https://handbrake.fr/docs/en/latest/technical/containers.html

Enable periodic scanning?

HBBB can monitor your source folders and run scans for new files at a specified interval. The interval time is in seconds with the default being 300 seconds (5 minutes). If this option is selected, then when you press "Scan and convert", the program will convert any new files and then a countdown timer will begin. This will loop infinitely until stopped. The scan interval is in the advanced settings section.

Enable daily scanning?

Instead of periodic scanning, you can choose for a scan to be run once a day. The scan time is entered in the advanced settings section in hh:mm format. Once "Scan and convert" is selected, the program will wait until the specified time until running a scan and conversion process. Again, this will loop infinitely until stopped.

Delete source files after conversion?

If this is selected, then if a conversion attempt is successful, the source file will be deleted.

Advanced settings

File type filter

Enter the file types to scan for. Each type needs to be separated by a comma. The default entry is:

mp4,mkv,mov,m4v,mpg,mpeg,avi,flv,webm,wmv,vob,evo,mts,m2ts,ts,iso,

File title word filter

Enter keywords to be filtered out when scanning for files. For example, if "720p" is entered, then any files with "720p" in the title will not be converted. Again, keywords need to be separated by a comma. For example, enter the following in the filter box:

720p,Sample,Trailer

Copy filtered files to destination?

If you select this option, then files filtered in the "File title word filter" section will be directly copied to destination folder.

Replace original file if converted file is smaller?(Compress attempt)?

Select this checkbox if you'd like HBBB to automatically replace the original source file if the new file is smaller. If the new file is not smaller, then it will be left in the destination folder.

Once HBBB has attempted to compress a specific file, it will add that file path to a cache so that it won't be attempted again in future. You can view/edit/clear the cache using the yellow buttons.

Automatically create temp/destination folders if they don't exist?

HBBB will automatically create temporary and destination folders if they don't exist. An error message will appear if the folders can't be created.

Custom bat path to run after each conversion (leave blank if not using):

Input the path to a custom batch file which you'd like to execute after each conversion. For example:

C:\Users\HaveAGitGat\Desktop\Input\CopyToBackupDrive.bat

Batch files with timeout statements won't work (more on this here https://comm.support.ca.com/kb/the-timeout-command-in-batch-script-job-results-in-error-input-redirection-is-not-supported-exiting-the-process-immediately/kb000029524)

Leave box completely empty if you do not wish to use this option (make sure there are no hidden characters in the box).

Save config button

Save the current configuration settings on all tabs. This is automatically done whenever a health check, scan or conversion process is run.

Scan only button

Produce a file list showing information on what HBBB will attempt to do with the source files based on the configuration settings selected. No conversion is done when this is pressed.

Scan and convert button

This first carries out the "Scan only" step and will then proceed with converting/skipping/copying files based on what HBBB has been configured to do.

Video health check

There is also a health check feature which can scan for corrupt video files using Handbrakes's '--scan' feature, although this is not always accurate.

This uses Handbrakes inbuilt '--scan' feature it uses to scan a video for information. If an error is thrown during this process, the file may be corrupt. It is not 100% accurate so should only be used as guidance. For example, MPEG files consistently give errors even though the files are fine.

Move corrupt files into the following folder?

If checked, then any files which give errors will be moved into the specified folder.

Healthy file cache

To save on processing power, HBBB saves a list of any files which have already been scanned as "Healthy". Clear the cache to perform a fresh scan on all files.

System settings

Number of simultaneous Handbrake instances to use?

This setting applies to both the "Video health check" and "Scan and convert" processes. Specify how many HandBrake threads to use. There is no maximum although it's recommended not to use more than 4. A higher amount may freeze your computer.

Email settings

Fill in details to receive email notifications if an error is encountered during a health check or conversion/folder watching. Won't work with accounts that require 2FA. You need to enable access to less secure apps on Gmail accounts. See more here: https://support.google.com/a/answer/6260879?hl=en

For example:

Email: e.g. [email protected]

Password: Is not saved for security purposes.

SMTP server: e.g. smtp.gmail.com

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