Utility: ShowAnalyzer Beta

[ajuhawk]

First off, just want to echo my kudos to Jere on the excellent program he's created!!

Second off Now that we have this excellent program that detects commercials as the show is recorded (almost realtime), how about someone (malore maybe?) updating the STV code to "ping" the txt file every minute or so for updates so that the commercials in Sage keep getting updated. Especially handy when watching a sports event 30-60 mins behind. Right now I have to stop playback every so often and restart it so I can get the rest of the commercials...

[Jere_Jones]

Originally Posted by ajuhawk

how about someone (malore maybe?) updating the STV code to "ping" the txt file every minute or so for updates so that the commercials in Sage keep getting updated.

Laurenglenn's commercial skipping already code does this. If I recall correctly, the Comskip import for v3 is based on laurenglenn's code so you should be set.

Jere

[ajuhawk]

Originally Posted by Jere_Jones

Laurenglenn's commercial skipping already code does this. If I recall correctly, the Comskip import for v3 is based on laurenglenn's code so you should be set.

Jere

Good to know, thanks. Hopefully it will become more widespread.

[blade]

I tried the free version of SA the other day and it looks nice. I had a little problem with it hogging too much of the cpu though.

Before I begin I should mention that my media server only has a celeron 366 (for the time being). If I set the priority to idle it takes 6 hours to process an hour long show, when set to low priority it cuts the time down to 1hr 48mins, but caused extreme stuttering during playback. Comskip takes just over an hour to process the same files and I have no stuttering at all. Comskip keeps my cpu usage at 100% when processing while SA hovers around 50-95% depending on whether the priority is set to idle or low.

I guess my question is can I expect SA to play nice like comskip does and not hog too much of my cpu or is it just too demanding a program to run on my ancient cpu?

[lovingHDTV]

It has been stated before that the "free" version is very slow. It has to do multiple passes to find the commercial breaks. The next to free ($10) version is extremely fast.

I would recommend you get the trial key and give it a shot as the trial is free also. If you like it, spend the $10 and enjoy the better accuracy it will provide over comskip.

[Jere_Jones]

The free version is slower than comskip. No doubt about it. The normal version is much faster though. You can always ask for a trial key and see if you like it.

Typically, if comskip takes an hour, then the free version should take about 90 minutes and the normal version should take about 15 or 20 minutes.

Jere

[blade]

I know the free version is slower than comskip and when setting SA to low priority the processing times fall in line with what they should be. My main concern was the stuttering SA was causing when processing. I guess the only way to find out is to give it a try. I'll apply for a trial key and install it when I get home tonight.

[mikesm]

Will there be a port of SA to Linux as there was for comskip? All my media are stored on a linux fileserver, so the performance of running the comskip analysis on the system with a RAID5 array is very good.

Thanks,
Mike

[Wakecrash]

If you run SA config you can set it to throttle the CPU to a specific %. Perhaps look at what the server typically requires for CPU usage lets say 30%, add 10% for a little head room, then assingn the rest 60% to SA.

When viewing CPU performance in task manager, you probably want to make sure your CPU usage stays below 90%.

[Jere_Jones]

Originally Posted by mikesm

Will there be a port of SA to Linux as there was for comskip?

In time, I'm sure there will be. I have tried to avoid windows-specific API's to make porting it easier.

Unfortunately, I have found my knowledge of Linux woefully lacking. A coworker gave me an old (Athlon 1100) computer that I installed Debian Sarge on. I was unable to even change the resolution above 800x600. After a Saturday afternoon of fussing with it, I finally wiped it and installed Mandriva. I could get the resolution where I wanted, but I ran into trouble installing two vital pieces of software needed to port SA: Eclipse and the java runtime environment. I got them both installed, but I couldn't get Eclipse to understand where the JRE was so it could run. I guess I could just install DevC++, but I wasn't real impressed with the windows version.

I think that I'm a pretty computer savy guy, but the Linux thing really humbled me. I have some features to add before a Linux port takes high priority, but it should make it eventually (after I figure out Linux!!).

Jere

[Jere_Jones]

Originally Posted by lovingHDTV

The next to free ($10) version

That's funny.

Jere

[Jere_Jones]

Originally Posted by blade

I'll apply for a trial key...

I also thought this was funny. While there is a form to fill out, I wouldn't really call it an application... unless you send your resume.

Oh, that brings up a point I'd like to make: Please fill out the form properly. Look at the fields and provide the information asked for or I won't send you a key. It's that simple. I don't ask for much. And I have a hard time believing "asdf jkl" is your real name. (Yes, someone sent me that)

Jere

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by Jere_Jones

And I have a hard time believing "asdf jkl" is your real name.

But that is my neighbor & I sent him to your site! I didn't know his first name, though -- I just know him as Dr. jkl.

- Andy

[Wheemer]

[blade]

Originally Posted by Wakecrash

If you run SA config you can set it to throttle the CPU to a specific %. Perhaps look at what the server typically requires for CPU usage lets say 30%, add 10% for a little head room, then assingn the rest 60% to SA.

When viewing CPU performance in task manager, you probably want to make sure your CPU usage stays below 90%.

The problem was when set as idle it was only pushing cpu usage to 3-50% and processing took around 6hrs. Low priority was using 60-95%, but wouldn't play nice and I was getting stuttering.

I am now running the normal trial version and it's working perfectly. My cpu usage is around 95-98% when set to idle and 1 hr shows are done in 30 minutes and I'm not having any stuttering.

As soon as I dig up my paypal account info I'll be purchasing a key. I love both SA and Dirmon, all of Jere's programs rock.

[Jere_Jones]

Originally Posted by blade

My cpu usage is around 95-98% when set to idle and 1 hr shows are done in 30 minutes and I'm not having any stuttering.

That's pretty good considering it's a 366Mhz processor! Outstanding...

Jere

[DFA]

Jere:

On the SA status dialog, a button is provided for Edge Profile which will show the channel logo image if one is found. I see also that provisions have been made to save the BMP image with a double click.

In future developement, would there be any advantage to SA automatically saving these images so that it did not have to spend the time to search for them for other files being analyzed for the same channel? No doubt such things have crossed your mind.

DFA

[malore]

I like DFA's idea, not only for the speed implications, but possibly also for accuracy. I've seen several edge profiles that have shown a long 1-800-BLA-BLAA banner ad instead of a channel logo. Also it might then be possible to clean up the noise in the image. Of course the usefulness of this all depends on how consistent the channel logo is between programs. Anyone know the answer to that?

Edit:
From my small collection of files the channel logo and placement seem to have good consistency week to week and show to show. The only exception I can think of would be specialized logos for different times of day/shows. Ex. Cartoon network's Adult Swim.

[Mike Young]

Anybody have a decent way to "refresh" the comskip files that sage is aware of ? I run Sage off a client machine with Mapped drives to the same letters as on the server so if I reboot, I get the most current set of comskip files, but I would like to not have to reboot.
I saw the other posting that for at least one of the STV's the code was built to do that but anyone have another method...say with Cayars ?

mike/

[blade]

Originally Posted by Mike Young

Anybody have a decent way to "refresh" the comskip files that sage is aware of ? I run Sage off a client machine with Mapped drives to the same letters as on the server so if I reboot, I get the most current set of comskip files, but I would like to not have to reboot.
I saw the other posting that for at least one of the STV's the code was built to do that but anyone have another method...say with Cayars ?

mike/

Sage will see the new files as they're created, you don't need anything special. You definetly shouldn't need to reboot to see new comskip files. If you have to reboot to see them then there's something wrong with your setup.

Re-reading of comskip files applies to watching a show that is currently being processed.

I know the v3 comskip import rechecks the txt file during playback. I'm not sure about other STV's. This is a feature most everyone wants. If you're using the v3 beta then I'd suggest choosing the STV you want based on other features then request rechecking of the file during playback if it doesn't do it already. I would be willing to bet it gets added.

If you're still using v2.2.8 then I guess you need to find an STV that already supports the feature because I doubt anyone is going to be actively developing them.