Tue Feb 24, 2015 4:28 am
Define Max Bitrate / Transcoding / Serviio Report / Console+
I would love to see a "custom" field setup for transcoding quality.
Something I can define a max bitrate (passed to ffmpeg) in efforts to improve quality.
So, with that being said I should be able to customize transcoding to my available bandwidth - and not some preset "static" medium quality. TVersity allows this feature (yes, there software is **** compared to Serviio in fact I switched to yours a LONG time ago).
Eg;
My provider allows me only 6mbps upload.
Medium quality works fine.
Original quality does not (go figure - media dependant).
Correct me if I am wrong, but Serviio already does this by dubbing "medium" at a specific bitrate, but it's just hardcoded. Why not let users define what they want to transcode at?
I also think a logviewer (or a logdumper feature) would be great in Serviio - something that can capture logs (or simply cp the log file) to another directory would help users diagnose (and you) problems (those without CLI experience). Perhaps a "report function" that would run a simple script to get environmental details (inc basic hardware specs, CPU load, free space in transcode directory, ffmpeg build version, etc.). That way if posted to the forums (or sent via the website for support) you can help a heck of a lot faster. Not everyone knows how to use task manager, process monitor, or has top applications installed.
I also think a CPU load indicator [I was thinking calling runtime.exec()] would be a great idea / diagnostic tool. For those trying to use Serviio w/less than stellar systems it would be an easy way to see if Serviio is running properly on their systems. Eg transcoding works fine at 720p on a Dual Core, but 1080P does not. A CPU indicator would clearly tell the user their computer is at fault and not Serviio.
I run top and ifstat on my machine to see what Serviio is up to. It would be nice if the Console did this for me (eg: told me it's transcoding). Query process / pid for ffmpeg and stat it? I do this because I don't want CPU intensive programs like RAR / PAR taking horsepower from ffmpeg. Currently I need to use CLI tools to accomplish this.
Your ffmpeg package contains some customizations. Why not have Serviio console see if the version of ffmpeg running is "compatible" once again, those users using third party ffmpeg packages would know this immediately. Rather than bugging you / forum users, they could "certify" their ffmpeg package (as in 'certifed' to work with ffmpeg). "Sign" the ffmpeg package, or have Serviio perform a quick CRC / MD5 of the package (java implemented) check on the ffmpeg executable to validate it's your build (or whatever you want to define).
Lastly a "free disk space" indicator for the transcoding directory would also be an asset. For example a "green circle" could be present when proper R/W permissions are granted to the transcode directory with at least XGB of space free. For those users who have small hard drives without knowledge of how much disk space transcoding can use it would be a great feature and perhaps save some "R/W" topics on the forums.
Anyway, I love your program - I especially love the simplistic and the polish.
I'm a native C# / PHP coder (work) so I totally get the "request stupid idea's" and "that's not possible without a lot of work" and "you have no idea what your asking" suggestions. I hate Java - always have - now more than ever since Oracle runs the show. Just wanted to throw you my 2 cents. I've used all types of DLNA providers - free and otherwise. I've always appreciated Serviio. Great job Petr.
Something I can define a max bitrate (passed to ffmpeg) in efforts to improve quality.
So, with that being said I should be able to customize transcoding to my available bandwidth - and not some preset "static" medium quality. TVersity allows this feature (yes, there software is **** compared to Serviio in fact I switched to yours a LONG time ago).
Eg;
My provider allows me only 6mbps upload.
Medium quality works fine.
Original quality does not (go figure - media dependant).
Correct me if I am wrong, but Serviio already does this by dubbing "medium" at a specific bitrate, but it's just hardcoded. Why not let users define what they want to transcode at?
I also think a logviewer (or a logdumper feature) would be great in Serviio - something that can capture logs (or simply cp the log file) to another directory would help users diagnose (and you) problems (those without CLI experience). Perhaps a "report function" that would run a simple script to get environmental details (inc basic hardware specs, CPU load, free space in transcode directory, ffmpeg build version, etc.). That way if posted to the forums (or sent via the website for support) you can help a heck of a lot faster. Not everyone knows how to use task manager, process monitor, or has top applications installed.
I also think a CPU load indicator [I was thinking calling runtime.exec()] would be a great idea / diagnostic tool. For those trying to use Serviio w/less than stellar systems it would be an easy way to see if Serviio is running properly on their systems. Eg transcoding works fine at 720p on a Dual Core, but 1080P does not. A CPU indicator would clearly tell the user their computer is at fault and not Serviio.
I run top and ifstat on my machine to see what Serviio is up to. It would be nice if the Console did this for me (eg: told me it's transcoding). Query process / pid for ffmpeg and stat it? I do this because I don't want CPU intensive programs like RAR / PAR taking horsepower from ffmpeg. Currently I need to use CLI tools to accomplish this.
Your ffmpeg package contains some customizations. Why not have Serviio console see if the version of ffmpeg running is "compatible" once again, those users using third party ffmpeg packages would know this immediately. Rather than bugging you / forum users, they could "certify" their ffmpeg package (as in 'certifed' to work with ffmpeg). "Sign" the ffmpeg package, or have Serviio perform a quick CRC / MD5 of the package (java implemented) check on the ffmpeg executable to validate it's your build (or whatever you want to define).
Lastly a "free disk space" indicator for the transcoding directory would also be an asset. For example a "green circle" could be present when proper R/W permissions are granted to the transcode directory with at least XGB of space free. For those users who have small hard drives without knowledge of how much disk space transcoding can use it would be a great feature and perhaps save some "R/W" topics on the forums.
Anyway, I love your program - I especially love the simplistic and the polish.
I'm a native C# / PHP coder (work) so I totally get the "request stupid idea's" and "that's not possible without a lot of work" and "you have no idea what your asking" suggestions. I hate Java - always have - now more than ever since Oracle runs the show. Just wanted to throw you my 2 cents. I've used all types of DLNA providers - free and otherwise. I've always appreciated Serviio. Great job Petr.
