Utility: KJake CreateDVD 0.5.3 Alpha (03 Feb 2006)

[KJake]

0.5.3 Alpha -- Testers needed!

Added:
1) Build DVD Structure XML file
2) Build DVD Structure
3) Find and convert comskip commercial points into DVD chapter timecodes
4) Create DVD Image

Fixed:
1) Dumb problem with the Build directory location (thanks Henki)

Read-on for some updated documentation...

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0.5.2 Alpha -- Testers needed!

1) Added logging ([Work]\kjake_dvd_create.log); with roll-over
2) Added Error catching and abort (logging and using exit codes too)
3) Completes Top Menu MPG now
4) Demux/Mux of Show files is done (UNC paths work)

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Features:
1) Dynamic Menu creation
2) Info screen for each program
3) Programs are translated to be DVD compliant, so it should not matter what quality you record in
4) XML driven
5) Creates an ISO file for burning later
6) Places chapter points to allow skipping of commercials (if comskip output file is found)
7) [Will?] Cut commercials before muxing the final title
8) [Will?] Burn the DVD-Video ISO for you

Requirements:
1) Meekell STV
2) com/kjake folder (included in installer)
3) Java binary in your $PATH (or %PATH%)
4) NTSC (for now)

Installation:
1) Uninstall the old KJake CreateDVD
2) Delete the CreateDVD folder just incase it isn't gone (this is in the SageTV folder)
3) Shutdown SageTV (service too)
4) Run the new installer from the link below
5) Start SageTV
6) Activate Meekell STV

Usage (first time only, else skip to step 8):
1) Start SageTV after Installation
2) Select/Activate Meekell STV
3) From the Home/Main Screen, Right-click (ESC or Yellow button)
4) Choose Advanced
5) Choose External Setup
6) Enable DVD Burning
7) Choose the Setup option for DVD burning too
7.1) What you put here isn't important anymore, but required by the STV still
8) Go back to the Home/Main Screen
9) Select My Shows on the menu and cursor to the right and then move up
10) Select Recordings
11) Choose a Program and then Select More Options on the popup
12) Select Add to DVD List
13) It confirms, Select Ok
14) Select Done on the Program pop-up
15) Go back to the Home/Main Screen
16) Select Media on the menu and cursor to the right and then move down
17) Select DVD Burner
18) You'll see a list for all of the programs that you added to the DVD list
19) Remove programs from the list if you need/want
20) Select Burn
20.1) On first run, CreateDVD will complain about missing an .ini file. It will then run it's config tool. Choose your options and then Finish so that it writes the .ini file out.
20.2) From here on out on the new version, you don't know what's going on - this will need to be improved either by the STV authors or I will need to show a progress dialog.

You can watch the progress in [Work]\kjake_dvd_create.log.

When completed, you should be presented with an ISO file in your [Work]\SageDVDBuild\ folder.

New installer:
http://www.kjake.net/sage/CreateDVD_0.5.3_alpha.exe

Meekell STV from Crashless:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12344

[bebanovich]

OK, I'm excited now. Are there still plans to make this an import or will we only be seeing it in Meekell?

[KJake]

We're going to try making it into an import once we get the interface completely working in the Meekell STV. Right now, there are some unfinished features that are being worked on.

[justme]

Excellent! Glad to see you continued to work on this and found someone(way to go crashless ) who had the STV skills/time to provide what you needed. I look forward to seeing where it goes in the future. As far as coming features... it seems the order you have them listed in would be logical to me. I may not have much time to play with it but hopefully I'll get a chance to play a little soon. Very busy with personal life so I haven't had a chance to try the STV/utilty out yet.

Does it already use srt/smi files, if available, to mux in subtitles for the show when played back on the compiled DVD? If not, this seems like something that might be easy(you may know much better though ) and usefull.

Anyway, I really just wanted to say great job guys. This is something I've wanted to see added to Sage for literally years.

/justme

[KJake]

Subtitles are a great idea, and I can get them from show analyzer, I've added that to the coming features area.

[kendryk]

I am using meekell.stv trying to get burning of a 1 hour show to work, so far this is what I get:

I have a show "Lost.mpg" in the Lib. directory I have a created .txt/xml/vprj/ccno file(s)

I go to the Burn section of the STV, and I see:

Starting.....
Building Top Menu...
Adding text for "lost-xxx....

nothing past that, there is a "movies" subfolder in the work directory that remains empty. There is a .png file for the menu with the filename/date/time in it.

in the CreateDVD folder there is lost.xml with all the correct info in it.

I attempt to run make.bat E: "C:\work" and I get:
Remove old DVD build directory....
Building top menu....
1 Title(s) found.
Adding text for "lost-xxx.xml"...
Placing "lost-xxx_sagetopmenu.xml.stamp.png" on final background...

then the cmd line simply vanishes.... there might be one more line after that, but I am not quick enough with the pause key to catch it. Nor do I know where to put a pause line in the .bat file

There is no additonal CPU usage, or any associated processes running... so I guess it just dies somewhere.

Any Ideas?

[KJake]

Sounds like it is dying and exiting. Check the error log in CreateDVD\dvdburn.log and send it to me via email or PM. If there isn't an error in the log, PM me and I'll send you or post a different version that doesn't exit like that and will allow you to see all of the output.

[KJake]

Just a reminder that I'm here to help you with this error.

[kendryk]

I have just did a fresh install of everything, still no go. I get nothing out of the log files.

Last thing I see on the screen is Adding Text for "FamilyGuy.....

What is the next piece I should be seeing? how long does it take to Add Text?

[insomniac]

Just wanted to say thanks for this great feature. Its been needed for a long time. I cannot wait until its a plugin!

I actually cannot believe that there hasnt been a hundred posts yet on this topic!

Keep up the good work.

I.

[KJake]

Originally Posted by insomniac

I actually cannot believe that there hasnt been a hundred posts yet on this topic!

me too!

[KJake]

Originally Posted by kendryk

I have just did a fresh install of everything, still no go. I get nothing out of the log files.
[snip]
What is the next piece I should be seeing? how long does it take to Add Text?

kendryk,
Sorry you're having this problem. It is really odd that nothing is getting written to the log. To help you out (and anyone else having problems) install this debug version that won't automatically exit the script so you can see everything printed out. Just download this and install as normal, it will overwrite anyfiles. Then run it from the command line as you've done before. My only thought on this right now is that perhaps my the weird 1 title record problem has come back, but I'll wait to hear from you on that.

Thanks!

Debug Version

[owilsky]

Originally Posted by KJake

me too!

Well, I guess I have an idea why you have so little feedback:
I looked at your tool, but find it way too complicated, because I do not use Meekell. Make it an easy to use import.stv, than many people will kiss your ass

[JasonJoel]

Yup, I'm sure you are right. I don't plan on using Meekel's STV either right now as I'm fine with the v3 STV + Imports. I'm sure a lot of others are in the same boat.

Nice feature though for people who want to archive to DVD! I don't, as I cut the commercials out and convert to Xvid first in the rare occassion I archive something to DVD. But I'm sure a lot of people could use this.

Jason

[kendryk]

I think this is just an alpha build, that's why it looks/feels a bit complicated right now. I burn series shows every now and again for someone, this will be an easy way to do that. I also want to try it out for the Movies I have.

With harddrives comming down in price, I personally don't see a reason to do the Xvid/Divx thing anymore, besides I could never get the quality to my liking.

I also have videoredo, for the comm skip. I see the program has some sort of basic integration with it, but unfortunatly I have to get through one more bug to test it out.

Maybe when this program is good and stable, Kjake could add some more features.. such as Music burning? Maybe some "in program" conversion, to other bitrates and types.. ie Xvid? I think it will be a very good import... Kjake needs more beta testers though.

Just my thoughts on how I will use it....

[KJake]

Yes, I called it beta, but it really wasn't out in the wild that long, so I'm not hurt if anyone thinks it is Alpha. It definately needs some more testers....anyone?

[owilsky]

Originally Posted by KJake

Yes, I called it beta, but it really wasn't out in the wild that long, so I'm not hurt if anyone thinks it is Alpha. It definately needs some more testers....anyone?

Well, I would like to test it, but I do not want to use Meekel-STV, I use SageTV3 with some imports.

But I am willing to test it manually, please tell me what to do, some documentation would be nice.
I like the ability to skip commercials on DVDs by going to the next chapter...

[bclenney]

I'd love to be able to use the program but I too use SageTV3 with some imports. Come on KJake, make it an import instead!

[KJake]

I'll see what I can whip up. One of the main reasons that Meekell is only supported is because it is writing out specific XML files for my scripts.

[insomniac]

would it be safe to assume that these xml files are the same as the ones written from cayars?

If so, could we not test it out with the one that nielm unlocked