Automatic Conversions Question

[sfatula 207]

Let's say I want to have Embu automatically convert to mp4 all my antenna recordings. I have a few concerns, let's say I ideally want to replace the original file. 

1. There is a hiccup on the antenna signal and ffmpeg fails to convert a recording, but there were 2 videos that finished recording at the same time. Does 1 simply not get replaced, but the other will continue? I don't want to lose the original is a conversion failed. I get these now and then and Emby can't even play them at times due to signal issues at the time of recording, maybe a thunderstorm, etc
2. Let's say I am watching a recording that just completed, and, the conversion started since automatically convert new content is on. Now, 20 minutes or whatever in the conversion is done, and, it deletes the one I am watching and the mp4 is moved in. What happens in the client where I am watching the .ts original since it went away?
3. What does original quality really mean in the TV profile? If the original is 8mbps, and the converted one is 3mbps (per Emby), how is that original quality? That's what happened on mine. I used original as I don't want to convert a 4mbps original to a say 8mbps copy for example, which happens on a few subchannels where there are lots of them. 

[Luke 42077]

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There is a hiccup on the antenna signal and ffmpeg fails to convert a recording, but there were 2 videos that finished recording at the same time. Does 1 simply not get replaced, but the other will continue? I don't want to lose the original is a conversion failed. I get these now and then and Emby can't even play them at times due to signal issues at the time of recording, maybe a thunderstorm, etc

They both should get converted.

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• Let's say I am watching a recording that just completed, and, the conversion started since automatically convert new content is on. Now, 20 minutes or whatever in the conversion is done, and, it deletes the one I am watching and the mp4 is moved in. What happens in the client where I am watching the .ts original since it went away?
•  

There's no handling for this in place right now, so you might want to keep that in mind about when you schedule the conversions for.

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What does original quality really mean in the TV profile?

It tries to match the original bitrate. Also it could be less if converting to hevc because it does not need as high of a bitrate to match the quality.

[sfatula 207]

4 hours ago, Luke said:

They both should get converted.

There's no handling for this in place right now, so you might want to keep that in mind about when you schedule the conversions for.

It tries to match the original bitrate. Also it could be less if converting to hevc because it does not need as high of a bitrate to match the quality.

Yes, so, no handling for watching while converting when recording done. Obviously not ideal. So, there goes that idea. Emby has a lot of limitations for antenna users. It doesn't make it of much use if I schedule the conversions, as then I cannot watch what was recorded, probably until the next day. The only use for antenna users would be as the recording finishes, but to figure out what happened when just isn't worth it. 

My conversions were mpeg2ts 8mbps keep original quality, and it made a mp4 with 3mbps h.264. Strange

Is there an api call to trigger converting a given recording?

Edited August 12, 2025 by sfatula

[Luke 42077]

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Is there an api call to trigger converting a given recording?

No, there is only an api to schedule one and then it happens during the convert media scheduled task.

[sfatula 207]

On 8/14/2025 at 2:38 PM, Luke said:

No, there is only an api to schedule one and then it happens during the convert media scheduled task.

But, there is the auto convert you can set on a library, that seems to instantly start the conversion, not wait on a scheduled task?

[Luke 42077]

18 hours ago, sfatula said:

But, there is the auto convert you can set on a library, that seems to instantly start the conversion, not wait on a scheduled task?

It simply kicks off the scheduled task as a convenience right after creating the job. And to prevent reports of "not working".