Article:		Schedule HackTV with iCal
Subject:		Suggestions...
Date:		2005-02-07 09:32:13
From:		jecwobble
I posted similar instructions at www.macosxhints.com for using iMovie (which is also not AppleScriptable) as a PVR. AppleScript 'delays' tend to be CPU intensive (at least in my experience). I would recommend using do shell script "sleep X" instead. For a few seconds, it doesn't make much difference, but if using it for 30 minutes or more, I would assume it makes a big difference. Also, the HackTVCarbon app isn't the only show in town. Besides the previously mentioned iMovie which saves only big, fat DV files, you could use QuickTime Broadcaster or GCam.

Showing messages 1 through 4 of 4.

• Suggestions...
  2005-11-12 19:14:49  GT-DVR [Reply | View]
  
  
  Also available is Quicktime Pro 7 via the QuickTime Player (Scripts above).
  
  It is also non applescriptable when recording. But GUI Scripting works quite well.
  
  The same might be easier than other Video Capture apps. Recording raw DV works great, but does require 36 Gigabytes of harddrive space for 5 hours of recorded Digital Video.
  
  The only drawback I found is there is about a 2 hour limit to a recording. If a show is longer than 2 hours, it is best to break it up by scheduling additional start/stops. For most sitcoms and drama's won't reach the 2 hour limit.
  
  Good luck and have fun,
  
  Goodtime
  
• Correction
  2005-11-12 20:47:29  GT-DVR [Reply | View]
  
  
  25 GB of uncompressed Digital Video w/Sound = approx. 2 hours recording time
• Correction
  2005-11-12 20:52:32  Erica Sadun [Reply | View]
  
  
  Actually DV *is* a compressed format. (5:1 if I recall correctly.)
  Also, this article predates the QuickTime recording features suggested here.
• Compressing DV Video to a smaller size.
  2005-11-14 19:11:41  GT-DVR [Reply | View]
  
  
  Thanks for your input!
  
  Also if you are intererested in compressing DV down further (25:1) you can export to MPEG4 with H264 Video and AAC audio. Below is an applescript that will do this for you. Be sure to edit the in and out folders at the beginning of the script. This can be scheduled via iCal as well. I run mine when I am not using my computer. After recompressing the movie to MPEG4, it will automatically move the old files to the trash and empty it. It is designed to be self sufficient. If this is not desired, you can comment it out. Below is the Script:
  
  -- Export to H264 MP4 Post Process
  -- Change path to your own location.
  -- path must exist.
  -- aka GT-DVR Trash Compactor
  -- GT-DVR 2005 v1.02
  -- added multi file export support
  -- Requires Quicktime Pro 7 & Tiger 10.4.x
  
  global mov_counter
  
  -- Path to write MP4 files
  
  set hd_path to "MIRAGE:MP4_SHOWS:GT-DVR_" -- Enter your own Out Folder on your Hard drive (out folder)
  
  -- Original Path were you keep your movies, it will attempt to trash after converting to save disk space
  set org_hd_path to "MIRAGE:TV_SHOWS" -- enter your own Hard drive path (in folder)
  
  -- Make sure a Movie is Ready to Compress
  try
  tell application "Finder"
  set all_movies to every file of folder org_hd_path
  set mov_counter to count of all_movies
  end tell
  
  repeat with next_movie from 1 to mov_counter
  tell application "QuickTime Player"
  open item next_movie of all_movies
  end tell
  end repeat
  on error errMsg
  display dialog errMsg
  end try
  
  
  repeat with next_movie from 1 to mov_counter
  set get_name to getName(next_movie)
  tell application "QuickTime Player"
  activate
  --display dialog next_movie
  try
  if not (exists movie next_movie) then error "No movies are open."
  
  stop every movie
  
  -- get the name of the movie
  set the movie_name to the name of movie next_movie
  set the new_file to (hd_path & get_name)
  -- export the movie as MPEG4 H264 Video Format using LAN/Intranet Setting
  export movie next_movie to file new_file as MPEG4 using settings preset "LAN/Intranet"
  --close movie next_movie -- not good for multi files
  on error error_message number error_number
  if the error_number is not -128 then
  beep
  --display dialog error_message buttons {"Cancel"} default button 1
  end if
  end try
  end tell
  
  -- Trash export movie based on org_hd_path location
  set trash_me to org_hd_path & ":" & movie_name
  tell application "Finder"
  try
  move file trash_me to trash
  end try
  
  end tell
  end repeat
  
  -- clean up, save some HD space for future recordings
  tell application "Finder"
  tell application "QuickTime Player" to quit
  delay 2
  
  try
  empty trash
  end try
  end tell
  -- Return a name for the file based on current date & time
  on getName(next_movie)
  set datewords to words of ((current date) as string)
  set rstring to (item ((month of (current date)) as integer) of {"01", "02", "03", "04", "05", "06", "07", "08", "09", "10", "11", "12"})
  set rstring to rstring & (((day of (current date)) as integer) as string)
  set rstring to rstring & next_movie -- added "next_movie #" to make sure each movie name is unique, otherwise the script likes to skip
  set rstring to rstring & item 5 of datewords & item 6 of datewords & item 8 of datewords & ".mp4"
  return rstring
  end getName