by Jason Snell
Melton’s new script makes video transcoding faster
I use Plex as a media server, a collection of movies and TV shows that I can stream to my Apple TV or load into my iPad for a trip. To get those movies and TV shows there, I use Don Melton’s Video Transcoding scripts to convert them from their Blu-Ray or DVD versions.
Now Don has released a new video transcoding project called Other Video Transcoding, which uses FFmpeg instead of HandBrake and automatically selects a platform-specific hardware video encoder. As Don explains:
Using an encoder built into a CPU or video card means that even Blu-ray Disc-sized media can be transcoded 5 to 10 times faster than its original playback speed, depending on which hardware is available.
I did a couple of encodes with Don’s old and new scripts, and the new ones were dramatically faster. Thanks, Don!