I don 't pay for cable, but I download each nights episodes off the interwebs, and use Plex to w...

[G+_Sam Zick]

I don't pay for cable, but I download each nights episodes off the interwebs, and use Plex to watch them. I've realized over the course of time, my video library now consists of a wild array of types of video files (mkv avi mp4 flv). My Question is, is there a way to re-encode my entire media library to the same file format? and if so, would this possibly reduce their file size if converted to x264 mkv files?

[G+_Jim Jensen]

Freemake 

http://www.freemake.com/ 

 

http://handbrake.fr/

 

Handbrake Ect.. there are tons of free converters out there you never mentioned what OS your using so cant really give you any more.

[G+_Mark Dymek]

Asm you evil pirate. Sounds like someone needs a cute bunny video for copyright reeducation.

[G+_Jim Jensen]

Mark Dymek Works at Computer Help Desk

Attends Northern Michigan University no wonder hes a pirate

[G+_Sam Zick]

I could debate my opinions on the legalities of my files. They are all tvrips, so I think it's not hardcore pirating,,, also, I operate windows and Ubuntu, using synergy to share mouse and keyboard. I want a simple solution that doesn't require me to sit at my computer clicking a lot.

[G+_Danny Autrey]

Handbrake works with about any OS.

[G+_bryant thompson]

Handbrake, convert to mp4 AC3 or MP3 for the widest potential compatability with tablets, PS3, Xbox, etc, Ipad, etc

[G+_Linvydas L]

For encoding i would use RipBot264: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=127611

 

RipBot264 uses distributed computing to speed up encoding procedure.

[G+_Sam Zick]

bryant thompson, Linvydas L, are either of these automated?

[G+_Linvydas L]

Sam Zick currently RipBot264 doesn't have this feature. Another program has this feature: http://sourceforge.net/projects/bripper/

 

According to project wiki:

http://www.codergrid.de/trac/wiki/Batch%20processing%20and%20automation

 

Also looks like Handbrake has automated encoding capability too:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/watch-folders-convert-video-files-dropfolders-handbrake/

[G+_Danny Autrey]

Sam Zick With Handbrake you can set up queue. I just would not recommend doing too many at a time. About 3 is all I do at one time.

[G+_Sam Zick]

So one last question, will converting save me any space? My 3tb server is running low on space, I only have about 250gb left

[G+_Jim Jensen]

Storage is cheap go buy another Drive.  

[G+_Sam Zick]

Jim Jensen, I just started a job, and my next purchase is a vehicle

[G+_bryant thompson]

for handbrake I have a queue'ing program that has many many features that runs things.  I apoligize for not having the exact name for the windows program but I'll take a look for it in my archives

[G+_Sam Zick]

bryant thompson, thanks

[G+_Rob Locke]

I use this script (with some modifications for my own needs) with Handbrake and Ubuntu. It scans the folders recursively, and converts any files it finds into a specified filetype. The only problem I found, is that I later have to go through and delete all the original files, as the script doesn't do that after re-encoding the videos. http://www.surlyjake.com/2010/08/script-to-run-handbrake-recursively-through-a-folder-tree/

[G+_K R]

or torrent it !