This solution is used to move Tablo Ripper MP4 files out of the MCEBuddy Que without processing commercials. It will save enormous time and resources processing files that do not need or you do not want to remove commercials from.
I use this to move PBS shows that do not have commercials to a directory where I view programs from. It can be easily expanded (shown at the end) to include other channels as well.
To make this solution work you will need both
- Tablo Ripper and
- MCEBuddy
This solution requires the “Add channel” option on the Tablo Ripper Configuration page to be enabled and we will be using the “Post Processing” option on that page as well. The “Add channel” option places the channel number, in my case ch4.1, ch4.2, ch4.3 and ch4.4, in the file name. We will filter for “ch4” to get all of them.
I use the following three directories on my local hard Drive:
- Tablo Ripper Raw Files – This is where Tablo Ripper downloads the Tablo files and stores them as MP4’s
- Tablo with Commercials – This is where we will store files that we what MCEBuddy to remove commercials from. MCEBuddy needs to be configured to monitor this directory for new files.
- Tablo Commercials Removed – This is where all the MP4’s will end up for viewing.
Three directories are used to ensure that Tablo Ripper “Post Processing” has a chance to process the file before MCEBuddy grabs and locks the file for commercial removal.
On the Tablo Configuration page click the “Output Folder” browse button and browse to and select the “Tablo Ripper Raw Files” directory. This is where Tablo Ripper will place all of the MP4 files it creates when it pulls files from your Tablo.
Create the cmd file:
A cmd file is a batch file that contains a series of DOS (Disk Operating System) commands which are executed in order, top to bottom. It has been around since Windows NT.
Open Windows Notepad, not a word processor, and paste the code at the end of this post into it. Save the file with a .cmd extension. In the “Save As”, “File name:” box type the filename you choose followed by .cmd and click the save button. I use I use “tablo_post_processing.cmd” and save it in the “Tablo Ripper Raw Files” Directory. It is the only file I have in that directory.
On the Tablo Ripper Configuration page select the “Post Processing” browse option and browse to and select the cmd file you just created. I store my cmd file in my “Tablo Ripper Raw Files” directory. This cmd file will be executed moments after Tablo Ripper creates the MP4 file. It will sort the MP4 files between the directories; 1: Tablo with Commercials and 2: Tablo Commercials Removed.
That’s it, now Tablo Ripper will store the MP4 files from your Tablo to your hard drive “Tablo Ripper Raw Files”. Then Tablo Ripper will execute the “Post Processing” cmd file and in this example it will look at the file names for “ch4”.
If it finds ch4 in the file name it will move the file into the “Tablo Commercials Removed” Directory for viewing.
If it does not find “ch4” in the name it will move the file to the “Tablo with Commercials” directory where MCEBuddy will process the file, removing the commercials. MCEBuddy should be configured to use the “Destination” of “Tablo Commercials Removed” directory so that all of your output files end up in the same place for viewing.
Once you are absolutely certain that the system is working for you, you can configure MCEBuddy to delete the original files to eliminate duplication and save hard drive space. In your MCEBuddy “Monitor Locations” task, which you set to monitor the “Tablo with Commercials” directory, go to the “Expert Settings” option. Then select the “Delete original file” option and click “Ok” MCEBuddy will give you a warning click “Yes and “Ok” to close the “Expert Settings” window. Click “Ok” again to close the “Monitor Location” window and once more click “Ok” to close the MCEBuddy Settings window.
"ch4" Only
This Code (Goes into a MS Notepad file with a cmd extension (I use tablo_post_processing.cmd) it monitors the “Tablo Ripper Raw Files” and moves files with “ch4” in their file names to the “Tablo Commercials Removed” Directory . All other files will be moved to the “Tablo with Commercials” directory.
@echo off
@setlocal enableextensions enabledelayedexpansion
rem check for commercial-free channels
set str1=%1
if not x%str1:ch4=%==x%str1% goto no_mcebuddy
endlocal
:run_mcebuddy
move /y %1 “D:\Tablo with Commercials”
goto exit
:no_mcebuddy
move /y %1 “D:\Tablo Commercials Removed”
:exit
"ch4" and "Ch5.2"
This Code monitors the “Tablo Ripper Raw Files” and moves files with “ch4” or “ch5.2” in their file names to the “Tablo Commercials Removed” Directory . All other files will be moved to the “Tablo with Commercials” directory.
@echo off
@setlocal enableextensions enabledelayedexpansion
rem check for commercial-free channels
set str1=%1
if not x%str1:ch4=%==x%str1% goto no_mcebuddy
if not x%str1:ch5.2=%==x%str1% goto no_mcebuddy
endlocal
:run_mcebuddy
move /y %1 “D:\Tablo with Commercials”
goto exit
:no_mcebuddy
move /y %1 “D:\Tablo Commercials Removed”
:exit
Best wishes and good commercial hunting!
CycleJ was instrumental in developing this solution. I could have never done it myself.
CraigM
