Workflow: DVD ->MTR-> Handbrake->MetaX->Itunes ??

[pprior]

Trying to get down the workflow of taking DVD and getting them to the apple TV with covers and information in place (the main reason I bought the ATV - WAF!).

What I'm doing so far:

DVD ripped to Video_TS by MTR (manual)
Point Handbrake to that directory and let it encode
Point MetaX to that file
Then take the final file and drag it into itunes and let it copy there.

It seems like a lot of manual steps

I do see that metaX has options for itunes plugin, but when I enable them it usually locks up and crashes. Also when I'm doing "write and share" and then dragging the file into itunes I'm frequently not seeing the cover file in itunes, just a frame capture as the icon.

Can anyone suggest if I'm going something wrong or could make this process easier? Ideally I would dream of starting the process and having it run automatically!

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[dynaflash]

HandBrake (MacGui version) has a "Send to MetaX" preference which will automatically send the completed encode to MetaX. MetaX has a send to iTunes preference so as soon as its done writing the tags it will open the movie in itunes for you. So the only real manual part of it is MTR to HandBrake.

As far as automating the whole nine yards, imho there are too many places were some user interaction is still required. ie. Deinterlacing for some dvd's in HandBrake and in Metax you will get several versions of tags for a given movie title so you do need to still choose the one you want.

But the workflow can be pretty optimized if you turn on those preferences.

 

[pprior]

HandBrake (MacGui version) has a "Send to MetaX" preference which will automatically send the completed encode to MetaX. MetaX has a send to iTunes preference so as soon as its done writing the tags it will open the movie in itunes for you. So the only real manual part of it is MTR to HandBrake.

As far as automating the whole nine yards, imho there are too many places were some user interaction is still required. ie. Deinterlacing for some dvd's in HandBrake and in Metax you will get several versions of tags for a given movie title so you do need to still choose the one you want.

But the workflow can be pretty optimized if you turn on those preferences.

The send to itunes option - do you have to have the "itunes plugin" option as well? For some reason metax keeps crashing itunes so I'm not sure if I'm missing something else.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[dynaflash]

The send to itunes option - do you have to have the "itunes plugin" option as well?

They are not mutually exclusive, you can use either or both.

 

[MikieMikie]

If MetaX is crashing on you, the best thing you can do is to email the developer. He is extremely responsive.

If you are not seeing your cover art, it is likely that you have not checked the checkbox beneath the image in MetaX.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

Why use MTR? I just rip from the DVD right to handbrake.

 

[cazlar]

Why use MTR? I just rip from the DVD right to handbrake.

I do too, but going via MTR has an advantage if you are doing lots of disks, as you can rip the disks faster than rip+encode, then encode at your leisure later. Also, it means you are not constantly running your optical drive. Of course, the tradeoff is an added step of complexity, and lots of disk space used in the meantime.


But back to the OP, if you just want to make the process simpler, then enable the options to pass to and from metaX, and maybe leave MTR out entirely. Then you can just put disk in, select in Handbrake, and hit go. Once finished, MetaX should be open and ready, select and write your tags. MetaX will then automatically send to iTunes. So down to two steps really.

 

[Chad H]

What version of MetaX are you guys using? I tried it on 2 files and it messed them both up where iTunes wouldn't play them.