Transcoder broken for the Creative Zen?

[lcddream]

Hi,

I just recently got the new zen and have been playing with getting sage to transcode video for Zen playback.

I got it working with Sage version 6.0 using the following:

transcoder/formats/Zen-High\ Quality\ AVI=f\=avi;MCompressionDetails\=-vtag xvid -deinterlace;[bf\=vid;f\=mpeg4;br\=750000;w\=320;h\=240;fps\=29.97;][bf\=aud;f\=mp3;sr\=44100;ch\=2;br\=128000;]
transcoder/formats/Zen-Low\ Quality\ AVI=f\=avi;MCompressionDetails\=-vtag xvid -deinterlace;[bf\=vid;f\=mpeg4;br\=250000;w\=320;h\=240;fps\=29.97;][bf\=aud;f\=mp3;sr\=44100;ch\=2;br\=128000;]
transcoder/formats/Zen-Medium\ Quality\ AVI=f\=avi;MCompressionDetails\=-vtag xvid -deinterlace;[bf\=vid;f\=mpeg4;br\=500000;w\=320;h\=240;fps\=29.97;][bf\=aud;f\=mp3;sr\=44100;ch\=2;br\=128000;]

Now I have upgraded to the latest Sage version 6.2, the file will convert and play properly within Sage, however the zen tells me when I try to play it, that it is an unsupported video format.

Also one thing I noticed is when you look at the properties of the file within windows by right-click>properties and look at the summary the "Video Sample Size" # bit, and "Video Compression" XVID do not show up like it does on many of my other xvid files.

Does anyone know if something about the transcoder changed in Sage 6.2? Do I have to change the syntax in the Sage.properties file?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[lcddream]

Update:

I went back to my old installation, the file works fine on the ZEN and has the Video Sample Size and Video Compression labels in the File Properties.

I guess something is not right with the updated Sage install and the transcoder...

[kfk]

I tried to add the Transcoder lines to the properties file but cannot see them added when I go into the Setup screens in SageTV client?

Sorry I am new to Sage and need to be able to record and then sync the files using Windows media 11. Everytime I try one of the formats it tries to convert in Windows Media and gets an error...

Thanks for any assistance on this!

[maxpower]

Originally Posted by kfk

I tried to add the Transcoder lines to the properties file but cannot see them added when I go into the Setup screens in SageTV client?

Sorry I am new to Sage and need to be able to record and then sync the files using Windows media 11. Everytime I try one of the formats it tries to convert in Windows Media and gets an error...

Thanks for any assistance on this!

Make sure that before you make changes to the sage.properties file that the SageTV service is stopped. Then you can make the change, save the file and restart the service. Then all new transcoding profiles should show up.

[kfk]

I added the lines to the file and restarted the service and PC.

In what screen in SageTV menus should it showup in?

Thanks
Karl

[maxpower]

Originally Posted by kfk

I added the lines to the file and restarted the service and PC.

In what screen in SageTV menus should it showup in?

Thanks
Karl

Do it like this:

1. Exit SageTV and stop the SageTV service
2. Edit the sage.properties file adding the transcoder/formats lines
2a. Save that file
3. Start SageTV service

You should see the new formats if you choose Sent To-->Compress from the Program Info screen.

[kfk]

Thanks! Sorry the option was a little hidden since you have to select the recording and then convert to the new format.

Is there an option to automate this after each recording is finished?

Thanks
Karl

[maxpower]

Originally Posted by kfk

Thanks! Sorry the option was a little hidden since you have to select the recording and then convert to the new format.

Is there an option to automate this after each recording is finished?

Thanks
Karl

Yes, SageMC has this functionality built in. There are options for each series/favorite that specifies whether to auto compress and also whether to compress in place (overwriting the origional or not). Make sure the global setting is also enabled to auto compress.

[r4qm4n]

Hi lcddream (anyone):

"Now I have upgraded to the latest Sage version 6.2, the file will convert and play properly within Sage, however the zen tells me when I try to play it, that it is an unsupported video format."

Did you get this fixed ? cos I'm having exactly the same problem. I had this working in 6.0, but 6.2 is doing something different, and the creative software refuses to upload the files because they're not compatible.

cheers

[gplasky]

If it is fixed you would probably find it in the latest version of Sage, 6.3.10, and not in 6.2.

Gerry

[r4qm4n]

Actually I forgot I downloaded the latest version when I did the rebuild. I am on version 6.3.10.166, and the problem is not fixed.

Anyone got any ideas ?

thanks

[daytonlisa]

Has anyone gotten this to work? I keep getting a message that it FAILED about 5 seconds after it starts...
I haven't played with the settings at all... curious if anyone had any recommendations.