Auto-Convert files to ATV + Add to iTunes

[davez0r]

Just bought an ATV 3 last night.

I'm trying to set up Automator to watch a folder (through a Folder Action) and then auto-convert files added to it to .m4v plus add the file to iTunes so it'll appear on my Apple TV.

However, I downloaded the Handbrake CLI + the automator actions at https://github.com/paulgrav/Handbrake-Automator-Action/downloads but there isn't a preset for the ATV 3 to do this.

How would I go about adding an ATV preset to the automator action? Is there an easier way of doing this than through Automator?

 

[98EXL]

Just bought an ATV 3 last night.

I'm trying to set up Automator to watch a folder (through a Folder Action) and then auto-convert files added to it to .m4v plus add the file to iTunes so it'll appear on my Apple TV.

However, I downloaded the Handbrake CLI + the automator actions at https://github.com/paulgrav/Handbrake-Automator-Action/downloads but there isn't a preset for the ATV 3 to do this.

How would I go about adding an ATV preset to the automator action? Is there an easier way of doing this than through Automator?

-e x264  -q 20.0 -r 30 --pfr  -a 1,1 -E faac,copy:ac3 -B 160,160 -6 dpl2,auto -R Auto,Auto -D 0.0,0.0 -f mp4 -4 -X 1920 --decomb="7:2:6:9:1:80" --loose-anamorphic --modulus 2 -m -x b-adapt=2

Use custom preset 1 in the BE settings

 

[elduderino69]

I also just bought an Apple TV, and I'm a little disappointed that every single video file i have has to be converted to MP4.

This idea sounds perfect to me, but until now I have never used automator.
If you could post a step-by-step setup of getting automator to handle my files and have them ready for iTunes via Handbrake that would be awesome.

I downloaded the .zip files, and started using automator but I got lost and didn't know how to make it happen

sorry for my lack-of-knowledge in advance

 

[heisenberg123]

I also just bought an Apple TV, and I'm a little disappointed that every single video file i have has to be converted to MP4.

This idea sounds perfect to me, but until now I have never used automator.
If you could post a step-by-step setup of getting automator to handle my files and have them ready for iTunes via Handbrake that would be awesome.

I downloaded the .zip files, and started using automator but I got lost and didn't know how to make it happen

sorry for my lack-of-knowledge in advance

what format are you files currently

 

[davez0r]

-e x264  -q 20.0 -r 30 --pfr  -a 1,1 -e faac,copy:ac3 -b 160,160 -6 dpl2,auto -r auto,auto -d 0.0,0.0 -f mp4 -4 -x 1920 --decomb="7:2:6:9:1:80" --loose-anamorphic --modulus 2 -m -x b-adapt=2

use custom preset 1 in the be settings

be?

 

[davez0r]

Still looking for help on this. Thanks.

 

[chrisrodney]

Let me save you a WHOLE lot of trouble here...

Go to Mac App Store and download a program called iVi (pronunced 'ivy'). It will do everything you are asking for automagically.

- Watches a scanned folder as much or as little as you like
- Determines if it's a movie or a TV show (customizable)
- Downloads TV/Movie information and Cover Art/Movie Poster
- Handles the conversion into iTunes format at the quality of your choice
- Inserts it into your iTunes library in the right way
- This app has lots of options. Even for subtitles, languages tracks, and Automator-esque rules.
- And it's a GUI! No CLI required

Seriously, this program is good. Just set it and forget it. I find it chokes a bit (freezes) when it's reading hundreds of TV shows - like an entire series - but give it some time for scan, check it's queue to make sure that it's actually converting, and go to bed. Worst case scenario, force quit the app, and restart it.

The vendor has a Pro version as well that can handle DVDs. It's available on their website, not the App Store.

Anyways go ahead and give it a try. It's been purring along on my iMac for months, scanning my downloads folder with no issues. My wife loves it (even though she doesn't really know it exists), because her shows and movies just magically show up on the AppleTV and her iPad everyday for her to watch.

FYI. It doesn't handle auto adding music to iTunes, but I use Hazel for that and a lot of other things too. Look it up.

 

[jdag]

+1 for iVI.

I've tried many of the apps suggested on this and other sites and find iVI by far the most complete and flexible.

I do also use Handbrake, but for re-encoding jobs. iVI for remuxing and/or just adding into iTunes.