Powershell Script to transcode MP4 & MKV files to HEVC/AAC

[maximus1 2]

Hello folks, I needed space on the disks and have written one (two) script(s) in Powershell to convert my MP4 and MKV files into HEVC/AAC.

I decided to use Handbrake for Video and Audio Transcoding and FFmpeg for Audio Transcoding only because Handbrake has a better resulting quality at a lower file size. FFmpeg works better with multiple instances simultaneously. So FFmpeg was better for Audio transcoding.

I would like to share the result with you.

Warning!!

 

I Transcoded hundreds of files with no error, but this doesn't mean it will do the same at your PC. 

Please take a look at the code and change it to your needs.

 

 

What does the 1st script do:

• Read the folder you choose, recursive into an Array.
• Checking for Codecs used in the Files.
• Deciding how to convert.
• Runs 1 instance of Handbrake and up to 5 FFmpeg instances at the same time.
• Runs on CPU only to get the best visual results.
• Setting different parameters for Movies and Series (Series are scaled to 720P if resolution >720P (-w 720 --keep-display-aspect)).
• Generating a ".ignore" file so Emby ignores the actual folder.
• Converting into same Directory, but not deleting old file.
• Checking if file was converted.
• The path of the currently converting file is written to a .txt file.
• Writing every step into the console.
• This Script removes all Audio tracks except the first one
• This Script removes all Subtitles

How the script decides to convert:

Checking for Codecs used in the Files

• If Audio not AAC and Video not HEVC → convert Video and Video (Handbrake)
• If Audio not AAC and Video is HEVC → convert Audio copy Video (FFmpeg)
• If Audio is AAC and Video not HEVC → convert Video copy Audio (Handbrake)
• If Audio is AAC and Video is HEVC → do nothing 

Audio Transcoding (FFmpeg) :

The script differentiates between Mono/Stereo and Surround

Mono/Stereo :

• $aacbitrate = '128k'  (lower is possible, but not recommended)
• $aachz = '44100'

Surround : 

• $aacbitrate = '256k'
• $aachz = '48000'

Video Transcoding (Handbrake): 

Handbrake Series :

•  -e x265 --encoder-preset medium -w 720 --keep-display-aspect --vfr --quality `"$videoquality`" -E `"$handbrakeaudiocodec`" -B `"$handbrakeaudiobitrate`" --normalize-mix `"$handbrakenormalize`" -i `"$oldfile`" -o `"$newfile`""

Handbrake Movie : 

• -e x265 --encoder-preset medium --vfr --quality `"$videoquality`" -E `"$handbrakeaudiocodec`" -B `"$handbrakeaudiobitrate`" --normalize-mix `"$handbrakenormalize`" -i `"$oldfile`" -o `"$newfile`""

 

 

Download:

Video Transcoder.ps1

Edited November 7, 2023 by maximus1

[maximus1 2]

reserved

[maximus1 2]

reserved

Here is my 2nd Script.

This Script cleans up after the 1st script has done his job.

What does the 2nd script do:

• Read the folder you choose, recursive into an Array.
• Comparing old file and new file → duration and file size
• deleting old file if checks are OK
• Renaming new file to old file
• Checks for files maybe generated by Emby while transcoding 
• Deleting these files if found.
• Deleting ".ignore" file if found
• Counting Videos "cleaned/renamed"
• Counting Errors for file size and duration
• Writing every step into the console.

Files to search for:

•    '.neu' + $file.Extension
•    '.nfo'
•    '.neu' + '.nfo'
•    '.neu-clearlogo.png'
•    '.neu-fanart.jpg'
•     '.neu-poster.jpg'
•     '.neu-discart.png'
•     '.neu-thumb.jpg'
•     '.neu-landscape.jpg'
•     '.neu-banner.jpg'
•     '.neu-clearart.png'

Proof will come, I have to make something to clean :-)

Download:

Video Transcode cleanup.ps1