Any way to have Emby only convert files with certain extensions?

[Geeked 5]

I really like how Emby converts and transcodes video files. However, I would like to make it only find and convert mkv files or avi files so it doesnt reconvert files that have already been converted to my preferred format when I convert a library. Is this possible? I know it's a run-on sentence but I hope this is possible! I'm using version 4.8.1.0.

Edited February 13, 2024 by Geeked

[Gilgamesh_48 1240]

3 minutes ago, Geeked said:

I really like how Emby converts and transcodes video files. However, I would like to make it only find and convert mkv files or avi files so it doesnt reconvert files when I convert a library. Is this possible?

Well, in the web interface you can sort libraries by container (I have found that sort less than perfect but it mostly works) and then only select for conversion those videos with the extensions you want converted. 

There is nothing that I know of than can be done to convert an entire library but exclude "some" extensions but I have never needed that ability as I simply go into a library and sort by container and then go to and select for conversion the ones that I want. That is exactly what I have done to get rid of all avi files. I do not know why you want to convert mkv files as that is the extension I mostly have in my libraries (along with mp4 of course) and they all, so far at least, direct play and so are exactly what I want in my library. 

[Geeked 5]

4 minutes ago, Gilgamesh_48 said:

Well, in the web interface you can sort libraries by container (I have found that sort less than perfect but it mostly works) and then only select for conversion those videos with the extensions you want converted. 

There is nothing that I know of than can be done to convert an entire library but exclude "some" extensions but I have never needed that ability as I simply go into a library and sort by container and then go to and select for conversion the ones that I want. That is exactly what I have done to get rid of all avi files. I do not know why you want to convert mkv files as that is the extension I mostly have in my libraries (along with mp4 of course) and they all, so far at least, direct play and so are exactly what I want in my library. 

Hmmm. TIL I can sort by container. This is actually a big deal. Is there any way to sort by specific containers only? So the only ones showing are the container I want to convert then I can mass select them all? Thank you!

[Happy2Play 9780]

Have you looked a Emby's Filter options per library?

[Geeked 5]

2 minutes ago, Happy2Play said:

Have you looked a Emby's Filter options per library?

Yes but I want the ability to auto convert new content that comes in. I don't want to have to do it manually every time either. But if I have to I have to.

[Neminem 1519]

You can use this tool

Tdarr

[Gilgamesh_48 1240]

5 minutes ago, Geeked said:

Hmmm. TIL I can sort by container. This is actually a big deal. Is there any way to sort by specific containers only? So the only ones showing are the container I want to convert then I can mass select them all? Thank you!

I have to wonder why you cannot sort by container. I do it often in both movies and TV shows to find out if there are any containers that need conversions.

It should be noted that sort by container is, I have said earlier, somewhat flawed. For me, no matter how I sort, the first item in a container sort is always an mkv file but the sort, after that first on, is correct so if I need to sort to find avi files i start at the second file shown when sorting by container.

[Geeked 5]

4 minutes ago, Gilgamesh_48 said:

I have to wonder why you cannot sort by container. I do it often in both movies and TV shows to find out if there are any containers that need conversions.

It should be noted that sort by container is, I have said earlier, somewhat flawed. For me, no matter how I sort, the first item in a container sort is always an mkv file but the sort, after that first on, is correct so if I need to sort to find avi files i start at the second file shown when sorting by container.

It would be great if we could have it automatically convert any mkv files as they are added. Doing this manually every time is what I am trying to avoid. However, it's a start.

[Geeked 5]

14 minutes ago, jaycedk said:

You can use this tool

Tdarr

I was trying to avoid 3rd party apps as Emby does a great job at this already. It just seems to lack the ability to allow us to further customize how files are converted and transcoded. Specifically on an automated scale with specific file types.

Edited February 13, 2024 by Geeked

[Neminem 1519]

Ok, then this is a FR.

[Q-Droid 989]

1 hour ago, Geeked said:

I really like how Emby converts and transcodes video files. However, I would like to make it only find and convert mkv files or avi files so it doesnt reconvert files that have already been converted to my preferred format when I convert a library. Is this possible? I know it's a run-on sentence but I hope this is possible! I'm using version 4.8.1.0.

It should be possible but it depends on what you want in the end. How much customization do you need?

1. What is the final codec you want?

2. What is the final container you want?

3. What is the final audio you want?

4. Keep original quality or change bitrate?

5. Do you want to replace or add versions of files?

The custom profiles in the Convert tool let you adjust this to some extent and files that already meet the criteria will not be converted. In the cases where only the container is changing with no media conversion it's a very light weight process, equivalent to copying a file.

The built-in profiles are also pretty good. For example the TV profile will touch very few files, mostly audio in my case.

 

Edited February 13, 2024 by Q-Droid

[Q-Droid 989]

20 minutes ago, Geeked said:

It would be great if we could have it automatically convert any mkv files as they are added. Doing this manually every time is what I am trying to avoid. However, it's a start.

It can but it depends on what you need and it runs on a schedule.

[kbijvank 57]

Would be nice to see granular options in conversions.

[Gilgamesh_48 1240]

2 minutes ago, kbijvank said:

Would be nice to see granular options in conversions.

I have always been basically opposed to proselytizing. But, if it is allowed, then targeting exactly which subset of any particular religion you are converting to would be a pretty good thing. Then you also could customize the presentation to the current situation and thereby make the final conversion  both easier, faster and less traumatic.