Creating lots of video files has never been a problem in the Media Center world. Thanks to the ‘Record Series’ option, I’ve currently got nearly 1 terabyte of media, a big chunk of which I’d like to edit down and archive elsewhere.
VideoReDo TVSuite is a commercial product that aims to allow ordinary consumers to easily manipulate video (from sources such as Media Center) and export the files to other formats, including DVDs (replete with a basic menu structure.)
Importing Video
The range of import options is substantial. Media Center users will be pleased to see native dvr-ms and wtv support (including support for FreeviewHD wtv files – many thanks to Ian for supplying with me with some BBC HD to play with.) DVD structures may also be imported and there is support for h.264 video. VideoRedo plan to enhance the h.264 functionality in future versions with support for multiple audio streams.
Importing itself is a simple matter of selecting the file (or VIDEO_TS folder, if importing from DVD) and opening it. With DVD import, VideoRedo will convert the main movie on the disk into a single file which requires the user to select the video and audio tracks. Help is given (for example, video files for which there is no audio are hidden) but the process can be daunting for a casual user and it is quite easy to accidentally select the wrong audio track (for example, a commentary.) Some form of preview of the file contents would be useful in a future version.
Editing Video
As covered in my previous article (Using VideoReDo To Manually Remove Adverts) the editing environment is a joy to use. Clearly laid out, and with simple editing tools, there is a surprising amount of power beneath the surface. Making cuts in the video (for example, to remove unwanted commercial breaks) is achieved by selecting a cut, using either of the sliders (one to navigate rapidly through the file and another for fine tuning) or the cursor keys for absolute frame accuracy, and adding the cut to the list (see screen-shot.)
In addition to cutting, audio streams may be selected, the volume of the audio may be adjusted and the synchronisation of audio to video may be altered.
Ad-Detective
VideoRedo TVSuite also features a tool called Ad-Detective, which automatically removes commercials from recorded TV (on demand; there is no automated monitor in the current version, although see below for some options offered by the community.) This tool is not for the faint hearted and, certainly on the Freeview files I tried, it needs some set-up before it will work.
The detection works by spotting scene changes and noting black thresholds (when a frame fades to black before a commercial break.) With some tinkering, I was able to automatically detect most commercial breaks for one broadcaster, but another broadcaster would do things slightly differently and require further modification to the settings. Such is the on-going arms race between broadcasters and ad-removal software!
Exporting
Edited video can be saved back in the same format (preserving functionality such as close captioning in dvr-ms, for example) or exported to a different format (for example, converting a recorded .wtv file to .mp4 for playback on a mobile device such as an iPad or Windows Phone.) The process is quick, painless and results in high quality files, with options specific to the export format available if required as well as compression settings.
In addition to saving direct to file, it is also possible to create a list of files to burn to a DVD or .iso image, replete with a basic menu structure.
Batch Manager
Finally, all edits and saves may be batched up. Since defining the cuts in a video file is invariably quicker than the saving process this tool allows a number of files to be edited and then saved overnight.
Community
The forums at VideoReDo are very active and monitored by support staff. Direct requests for support via email are also quickly and professionally responded to. In addition, the programming interfaces for the VideoReDo are well documented and have resulted in a number of community utilities, such VAP (VideoReDo-Autoprocessor Program) which addresses one of the missing functions in the current incarnation of TVSuite – a folder monitor to automate VideoReDo functions (for example, commercial removal.)
Conclusion
I have to declare an interest at this point – I have purchased a copy of VideoReDo TVSuite myself, so impressed am I with its ease-of-use, stability and all round functionality. I can recommend it whole-heartedly for anyone wishing to manipulate recorded TV files. Three versions are available, and the h.264 version (able to edit .wtv files) retails at $95.99. This may seem steep when compared to the fr
ee tools available, but for me has been money well spent.
A trial version can be downloaded from the VideoRedo site.
I have also recently purchased the h.264 version of the app and find it very reliable.
I am hoping that future updates will help with an issue I see on certain TV recordings – HD recordings (h.264) often include a secondary audio track (SAP) and VideoRedo will sometimes struggle to separate them, even when they appear correctly in the ‘select stream screen’.
There are ways to split the audio tracks before importing the file into VideoRedo, but this obviously involves an addidtional step.
Since the Microsoft Zune software suffers the same problem when syncing shows to my WP7 device, I’m reluctant to lay the blame at VideoRedo’s door for this issue!
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As covered in my previous article (Using VideoReDo To Manually Remove Adverts) the editing environment is a joy to use. Clearly laid out, and with simple editing tools, there is a surprising amount of power beneath the surface. Making cuts in the video (for example, to remove unwanted commercial breaks) is achieved by selecting a cut, using either of the sliders (one to navigate rapidly through the file and another for fine tuning) or the cursor keys for absolute frame accuracy, and adding the cut to the list (see screen-shot.)
Finally, all edits and saves may be batched up. Since defining the cuts in a video file is invariably quicker than the saving process this tool allows a number of files to be edited and then saved overnight.
Nice article, thanks a lot!
+1 nice article.
I have also recently purchased the h.264 version of the app and find it very reliable.
I am hoping that future updates will help with an issue I see on certain TV recordings – HD recordings (h.264) often include a secondary audio track (SAP) and VideoRedo will sometimes struggle to separate them, even when they appear correctly in the ‘select stream screen’.
There are ways to split the audio tracks before importing the file into VideoRedo, but this obviously involves an addidtional step.
Since the Microsoft Zune software suffers the same problem when syncing shows to my WP7 device, I’m reluctant to lay the blame at VideoRedo’s door for this issue!