SageTV metadata, workflow, and QuickSync questions

[FlyingShawn]

I'm a relatively recent convert from BeyondTV to Sage and am trying to develop my post-processing workflow. A user on the Sage forum recommended I take a look at VAP to do what I'm looking for, so I have a couple questions.

Essentially the workflow requires two conversions/post processing actions to be performed automatically on each "Favorite" (a regularly-schedule Sage recording):

1) (I would have this performed automatically by Sage as soon as the recording is finished) A low-quality, Zune-compatible copy of the file is made to sync to my system while I'm on the road.

2) (This is the step I'm considering VAP for) The original HD recording is Comskipped and either converted (to MP4, in the case of MPEG2 files from my HDHR) or VideoReDo'd (in the case of H.264 files from the Colossus) to be more space-efficient for long-term storage and viewing on the HTPC (likely just the removal of extra audio streams, but I'd also look into cutting the commercials).

So, the three main questions I have for you are:

1) Does that second step sound like something VAP would be a good fit for? From what I've read here on the forum, it seems similar to other people's workflows, but having not tried the software I'm not positive if it's a good fit.

2) Is it compatible with SageTV metadata? (specifically, will it be able to extract and re-insert the metadata back into the files post-conversion?)

3) I see that there's an option to have Handbrake to the actual encoding externally and have the metadata reinserted. Is there a similar option that would employ an encoder that uses the "QuickSync" capabilities of a Core i5 processor? If not, would it be difficult to modify the Handbrake cmd script to use a QuickSync-compatible encoder instead?

Thanks!

[dlflannery]

Q1: Yes your 2nd step sounds like a VAP candidate.

Q2: I don't know. If SageTV metadata is a separate file from the video, then the answer is no. What is SageTV metadata?

Q3: Handbrake would be invoked in a postprocess .bat or .cmd file that VAP will automatically run after it completes VRD processing. I haven't kept up with the latest HB versions but I assume it can still be invoked in a command line version. A configurable .cmd file for this purpose, including inserting metadata into encoded .mp4 files, is included in the VAP installation. Here is what it contains:


@echo off
setlocal
rem This is a VAPpostProcess script to perform Handbrake encoding and
rem insertion of mpeg4 metadata using AtomicParsley and the .apo text file created
rem by VAP, if available.
rem When you substitute your parameters be careful to maintain the
rem formatting as regards % and " .


REM %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
rem START USER-DEFINED PARAMETERS
rem options for HB CLI. Copy from GUI Query Editor for example
set hbOptions= -t 1 -c 1 -f mp4 --deinterlace="fast" -w 1280 --loose-anamorphic -e x264 -q 20 -a 1 -E copy:ac3 -6 auto -R Auto -B auto -D 0.0 -x ref=2:bframes=2:subq=6:mixed-refs=0:weightb=0:8x8dct=0:trellis=0

rem input file extension
set inExt=.mpg

rem output file extension (.mp4 or .m4v)
set outExt=.mp4

rem all folder path values should end with the '\' character
rem destination folder for encoded output video
set outDir=C:\Videos\HB-Output\

rem path to handBrakeCLI.exe
set HBpath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Handbrake\HandBrakeCLI.exe

rem path to AtomicParsley (which is distributed with VAP)
set apPath="C:\Program Files (x86)\VAP\AtomicParsley.exe"
rem END USER-DEFINED PARAMETERS
REM %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

rem path to AP options file
set optfile="%~3%~1.apo"

rem if output file already exists, delete it
set outName="%outDir%%~1%outExt%"
if exist %outName% del %outName%

rem input file path
set inName="%~3%~1%inExt%"
if exist %inName% goto inputHere
if not exist %inName% goto done2
:inputHere

rem log HB start time to appear in VAP log
echo HB started at %time% > "VAPlog.txt"

rem run the HB encode -- log file hblog.txt created
"%HBpath%" -i %inName% -o %outName% %hbOptions% -v 2>hblog.txt

echo HB completed at %time% >> "VAPlog.txt"

rem next line creates a log file of processed videos, if you uncomment it
rem echo %outName% >> "HandbrakeBatchLog.txt"

rem now insert metadata if options file exists
if not exist %optfile% goto done2

rem Load options string from .apo file
set /p options=<%optfile%

rem Optional echo options for debug
rem echo options = %options%

echo "Started AP run at %time%" >> vaplog.txt

rem Run AtomicParsley
%apPath% %outName% %options%

rem Another VAP log message
echo "Ended AP run at %time%" >> vaplog.txt


:done2
rem Uncomment the next pause statement for debugging. Prevents command window from closing, so you can view possible error messages
rem pauseTake a look at VAP-readme.pdf here:
ftp://upload:upload@videoredo.net/VRD%20Add-Ons/TiVo-VideoReDo-AutoProcessor/
Search on key words you are interested in. If you provide more details on file types and metadata I will give more detailed suggestions.

[FlyingShawn]

Q1: Thanks!

Q2: To tell you the truth, I'm new to Sage and don't know much about how the metadata is formatted. It is internal, but I can't tell you much more than that. I'm hoping there's someone with Sage experience on here who will be able to provide some insight.

Q3: After spending some time reading through that script, I think there's a legitimate chance of modifying it to call a different encoder than HB (as long as it has a CLI option). I guess it'll just be a matter of trial and error to see if I can get it to work.

Thanks again!

[dlflannery]

Is there a reason you don't want to use VRD to do your H.264 encoding? VAP will automatically insert metadata into output .mp4 or .m4v files (provided it has metadata for the video). VAP automatically reads metadata from input files of types .tivo, .mp4, .m4v, .dvr-ms and .wtv (if it's there). VAP also attempts to look up metadata for TV Series shows using theTVDB.com. For input file containers that can't (or don't) contain metadata (e.g., .mpg) VAP needs to parse some key info from the file name in order to perform theTVDB.com lookup.

I'm not sure how VRD being run by VAP will handle multiple audio tracks, probably some default behavior.

What file extensions do your input video files have? Do you see companion files that may be metadata files?

[KryptoNyte]

All of my SageTV files are either mpg (HDhomerun tuner) or ts (HD-PVR), so there can be no metadata in these?

I've only used VRD on the surface for h264 encoding, and I just couldn't produce the same results as I can with Handbrake. With the little bit that I fumbled with VRD, I don't recall having as many options in VRD.

[KryptoNyte]

Based on this post, it would seem that SageTV Version 7 (the last release) would embed metadata, so I doublechecked the properties setting in Sage to save the metadata and verified that it has been automatically marked to "true."

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52733

So I grabbed Gspot and:

[KryptoNyte]

Here's the Mediainfo on the MPG file:

General
Complete name : \\MEDIA2\Users\Public\Recorded TV\Fringe-S04E10-ForcedPerspective-541924-0.mpg
Format : MPEG-PS
File size : 6.52 GiB
Duration : 1h 1mn
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 15.1 Mbps

Video
ID : 224 (0xE0)
Format : MPEG Video
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : Main@High
Format settings, BVOP : Yes
Format settings, Matrix : Default
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=15
Duration : 1h 1mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Maximum bit rate : 37.8 Mbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Active Format Description : Letterbox 16:9 image
Frame rate : 59.940 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy

Audio
ID : 128 (0x80)
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Compression mode : Lossy

Text #1
ID : 224 (0xE0)-608-1
Format : EIA-608
Muxing mode : A/53 / DTVCC Transport
Muxing mode, more info : Muxed in Video #1
Bit rate mode : Constant
Stream size : 0.00 Byte (0&#37;)

Text #2
ID : 224 (0xE0)-1
Format : EIA-708
Muxing mode : A/53 / DTVCC Transport
Muxing mode, more info : Muxed in Video #1
Bit rate mode : Constant
Stream size : 0.00 Byte (0%)



Here's the Mediainfo output for a sample TS file:

General
ID : 0 (0x0)
Complete name : \\MEDIA2\Users\Public\Recorded TV\YardCrashers-S06E13-ModernCaliforniaRetreat-543101-0.ts
Format : MPEG-TS
File size : 1.72 GiB
Duration : 29mn 50s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 8 259 Kbps
Maximum Overall bit rate : 18.0 Mbps

Video
ID : 4113 (0x1011)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Codec ID : 27
Duration : 29mn 50s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 7 463 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 20.0 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Interlaced
Scan order : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.120
Stream size : 1.56 GiB (90%)
Color primaries : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4, SMPTE RP177
Transfer characteristics : BT.709-5, BT.1361
Matrix coefficients : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4 709, SMPTE RP177

Audio
ID : 4352 (0x1100)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Codec ID : 129
Duration : 29mn 50s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : -100ms
Stream size : 82.0 MiB (5%)

[KryptoNyte]

I suppose there are three possibilities;

1) Sage isn't saving the metadata at all for some reason
2) Gspot can't read embedded metadata in mpg file
3) Sage is actually saving the metadata, but in some other program file rather than embedded.

[KryptoNyte]

... I'm not sure how VRD being run by VAP will handle multiple audio tracks, probably some default behavior.


One TV show that's given me a bit of trouble in the past is Criminal Minds. On rare occasion, the overlay audio track [that is verbal annotation for the visually impared] will occasionally be the top audio track, and I believe that VAP+VRD will always pick the top track. I always notice this while I'm manually checking and adjusting the commercial cuts.

I have found that setting VAP to send processed files to the recycling bin saves the show on these rare instances, and I can restore the original file and process it manually if I wish.

[FlyingShawn]

Is there a reason you don't want to use VRD to do your H.264 encoding? VAP will automatically insert metadata into output .mp4 or .m4v files (provided it has metadata for the video). VAP automatically reads metadata from input files of types .tivo, .mp4, .m4v, .dvr-ms and .wtv (if it's there). VAP also attempts to look up metadata for TV Series shows using theTVDB.com. For input file containers that can't (or don't) contain metadata (e.g., .mpg) VAP needs to parse some key info from the file name in order to perform theTVDB.com lookup.

I'm not sure how VRD being run by VAP will handle multiple audio tracks, probably some default behavior.

What file extensions do your input video files have? Do you see companion files that may be metadata files?

My setup is very similar to what KryptoNyte posted, with an HDHR outputing .mpg files and the Colossus giving me .TS files. Sage version 7 claims to embed metadata in the recordings, but I've been away for work the last few days and wouldn't have the tools to check it even if I was home.

As KryptoNyte and the thread about Handbrake and VAP said, it seems that HB creates smaller files with higher picture quality than VRD, and does so faster to boot. I'm actually looking to modify that functionality to use a QuickSync compatible program instead, which would cost me some picture quality compared to HB, but would come at the advantage of a HUGE speed increase by employing the hardware trancoder built into Sandy Bride Core i5 processors.

I'd like to add a HUGE Thank You! To KryptoNyte for posting all that metadata and file information. I'm still fairly new to Sage, so I don't even know where to begin for how to access its embedded metadata.

[KryptoNyte]

Mediainfo is probably your goto tool for seeing what's going on with a video file/container. It has a nifty feature where you can right-click on a video file, and Mediainfo is in the right-click context menu.

Yeah, one of the gents in the Sage forum confirmed that the metadata is buried in some proprietary package.

What the VAP author has done, is given us a replacement to the original metadata with theTVdb.com. So VAP will scan your input directory (SageTV save directory), then based on your direction, will make the connection with theTVdb.com and your target saved tv program, and then rename the file exactly you you tell it to, then drop it into your specified directory, AND do and encoding to that particular file based on final directory location.

[KryptoNyte]

I'll be honest with you here, I'm still renaming files manually, because I just haven't had time to figure out the VAP syntax of cross-referencing the files with thetvdb.com and renaming them as I wish.

When I first started using VAP, I had to visualize all the tools like Handbrake CLI, videoredo and the likes as the software that does all the heavy lifting, and VAP is the genius coordinator that brings it all together in an automated package.

[FlyingShawn]

I'll be honest with you here, I'm still renaming files manually, because I just haven't had time to figure out the VAP syntax of cross-referencing the files with thetvdb.com and renaming them as I wish.

When I first started using VAP, I had to visualize all the tools like Handbrake CLI, videoredo and the likes as the software that does all the heavy lifting, and VAP is the genius coordinator that brings it all together in an automated package.

Your visualization is almost exactly what I'm envisioning for my ideal workflow!

Renaming files and mis-matches with theTVDB.com lookups are one of the main reasons I decided to move away from BeyondTV. Since Sage puts S00E00 information in the file name, I'm guessing it'd be less of a problem if you can figure out the syntax, but I hope you'll understand that such a strategy doesn't jump out at me as being exactly appealing.

I know you have a fair amount of hands-on involvement with your VAP workflow (tweaking commercial cuts, etc), but the "genius coordinatior" that I'm looking for needs to be capable of 100% automation with 95+% reliability (not counting commercial cut accuracy, I know that sort of accuracy is impossible right now, just that the rest of the steps will happen, in the right order, for every recording).

I still think that SJQ might be capable of that, I just don't know how to use it. The same goes for VAP: if the theTVDB.com lookups can be automated to be correct 95+% of the time, it still has a great deal of potential for me.

[dlflannery]

Please post one, preferably several, examples of input file names, and describe how you want to rename output files and the folder structure you want to place them in. I will provide the input file name parsing template and the output renaming/locating template you need to enter into VAP advanced configuration. If your input files include the series name and the S##E## info, it should be straightforward.

[KryptoNyte]

First example (source = 1920x1080 interlaced mpeg @ 29.97fps, SageTV, HDHomeRun Digital Tuner, Time Warner Cable):

CriminalMinds-S07E12-UnknownSubject-531260-0.mpg


I manually alter to this filename:

CRIMINAL MINDS S07E12 - Unknown Subject.mpg


I then manually encode to mkv the file using Handbrake, with the following CLI settings:

--decomb -w 1920 -l 1080 --crop 0:8:0:0 -e x264 -b 2000 -2 -a 1 -E copy:ac3 -6 auto -R Auto -B auto -D 0 -x b-adapt=2:rc-lookahead=50 --verbose=1

Target save directory for encoded file:

E:\TV Archive\Criminal Minds

[KryptoNyte]

Second Example (source = 1280x720 progressive mpeg @ 60fps, SageTV, HDHomeRun Digital Tuner, Time Warner Cable):

MasterpieceClassic-DowntonAbbey-548013-0.mpg


Well, I can't really even figure out what season or episode this is at this point, so I'll just show the target form (this is public TV, not really sure if possible):

DOWNTON ABBEY SXXEXX - Episode Name.mpg


Then Handbrake encode to mkv using:

-w 1280 -l 720 --crop 0:0:0:0 -e x264 -b 2000 -2 -a 1 -E copy:ac3 -6 auto -R Auto -B auto -D 0 -x b-adapt=2:rc-lookahead=50 --verbose=1


Target save directory:

E:\TV Archive\Masterpiece

[KryptoNyte]

Third and last example, a movie, so may not be applicable for autoprocessing, but I'll throw it out there anyways (source = 1920x1080 interlaced mpeg-ts @ 29.97fps, SageTV, Hauppauge HD-PVR USB version, Time Warner Cable set-top-box via Component HD):

OpenSeason3-546006-0.ts


I manually alter filename to:

Open Season 3 (2010) - HDTV.mpg


I then manually encode to mkv the file using Handbrake, with the following CLI settings:

--decomb -w 1920 -l 1080 -e x264 -b 2000 -2 -a 1 -E copy:ac3 -6 auto -R Auto -B auto -D 0 -x b-adapt=2:rc-lookahead=50 --verbose=1


Target save directory:

E:\Movies

[KryptoNyte]

My current workflow on all files is QSF and Adscan (Videoredo), then manually commercial cut with VideoRedo, re-start VAP processing for target commercial cut file, then manually encode to h264, then manually rename file. The first example I posted is probably pretty straight forward, the other two, not so much.

[dlflannery]

First example (source = 1920x1080 interlaced mpeg @ 29.97fps, SageTV, HDHomeRun Digital Tuner, Time Warner Cable):

CriminalMinds-S07E12-UnknownSubject-531260-0.mpg


I manually alter to this filename:

CRIMINAL MINDS S07E12 - Unknown Subject.mpg


I then manually encode to mkv the file using Handbrake, with the following CLI settings:

--decomb -w 1920 -l 1080 --crop 0:8:0:0 -e x264 -b 2000 -2 -a 1 -E copy:ac3 -6 auto -R Auto -B auto -D 0 -x b-adapt=2:rc-lookahead=50 --verbose=1

Target save directory for encoded file:

E:\TV Archive\Criminal Minds
After a change made in the input file name parsing in Ver. 0.92, just released, VAP can automate this entire process IF you will accept adding a QSF step to your process flow. QSF will take only a few minutes or less even for a large .mpg file and may clean up errors in the file. The input file does not have to be manually renamed as you are now doing. Here are the set up instructions and note these settings will take effect only on files that are newly deposited in the monitor folder, since input file name parsing and theTVDB search take place when the file is first "discovered" by VAP:

1. On the "MetaData Templates" tab of Advanced Configuration, add a line to the "Templates for parsing metadata from input file names" list as follows:
Extension = .mpg
Template = {title}-S{seasonnum}E{epnum}-
Be sure to include the final dash ('-') in the Template and it is always best to use the Tag Grabber to insert template tags (the strings enclosed in curly braces). Click "Save Edits" when done editing.

2. On the same tab, put this in the "Output file name/path renaming template" entry box:
E:\TV Archive\{title}\{title} S{seasonnum}E{epnum} - {eptitle}

3. On the "Other" tab of Advanced Configuration, add a line in the "String translations for Series Name and Episode Title ...." list as follows:
Title Type = Series
Replace this = CriminalMinds
With this = CRIMINAL MINDS
Note that case matters here and note where spaces are used or not used.
Click "Save Edits" when done editing.

4. Also on the "Other" tab, you might want to check "Run post-processing scripts by default", although this can be set for each file on the main VAP form.

You may close, minimize or leave-open the Advanced Configuration form, it makes no difference.

4. In "Default Settings" on the main VAP interface, check "DoQSF" and nothing else, although you also could check either "Delete processed inputs" or "Move processed inputs" if either action is desired.

5. Select Output Profile: MPEG2 Program Stream (MPG)

6. Use the VAPpostProcessHBandAP.cmd script (described in post #2 of this thread and installed with VAP) to do your HandBrake encoding. Edit your local values in the "USER DEFINED PARAMETERS" section. This script needs to be renamed to VAPpostprocess.cmd and placed in the output folder configured for VAP -- OR -- distinct customized versions can be placed in the meta-renamed output folders, in this example E:\TV Archive\Criminal Minds\. VAP looks for the script in the meta-renamed folder first then, if not found there, looks for it in the configured output folder. Note that if you were outputting .mp4 files you could also insert metadata with this postprocess script, in which case you would check "Generate Atomic Parsley Options File" on the "Other Tab" of Advanced Configuration.

[dlflannery]

Second Example (source = 1280x720 progressive mpeg @ 60fps, SageTV, HDHomeRun Digital Tuner, Time Warner Cable):

MasterpieceClassic-DowntonAbbey-548013-0.mpg


Well, I can't really even figure out what season or episode this is at this point, so I'll just show the target form (this is public TV, not really sure if possible):

DOWNTON ABBEY SXXEXX - Episode Name.mpg


Then Handbrake encode to mkv using:

-w 1280 -l 720 --crop 0:0:0:0 -e x264 -b 2000 -2 -a 1 -E copy:ac3 -6 auto -R Auto -B auto -D 0 -x b-adapt=2:rc-lookahead=50 --verbose=1


Target save directory:

E:\TV Archive\Masterpiece
Unfortunately VAP can't look up metadata for this either, so there's not much it can do to automate this.


Third and last example, a movie, so may not be applicable for autoprocessing, but I'll throw it out there anyways (source = 1920x1080 interlaced mpeg-ts @ 29.97fps, SageTV, Hauppauge HD-PVR USB version, Time Warner Cable set-top-box via Component HD):

OpenSeason3-546006-0.ts


I manually alter filename to:

Open Season 3 (2010) - HDTV.mpg


I then manually encode to mkv the file using Handbrake, with the following CLI settings:

--decomb -w 1920 -l 1080 -e x264 -b 2000 -2 -a 1 -E copy:ac3 -6 auto -R Auto -B auto -D 0 -x b-adapt=2:rc-lookahead=50 --verbose=1


Target save directory:

E:\Movies
VAP doesn't have any metadata lookup capabilities for movies.

There is a free utility program, Metagenerator 3, that facilitates looking up metadata for both movies and TV series shows here:
http://pytivo.sourceforge.net/forum/metagenerator-version-3-t1786.html
It's primary purpose is creating pyTiVo style text metadata files, but it can be used just to search and display metadata and it also uses metadata-based file and folder output renaming to move and rename files. You would just have to delete the small text files if you didn't need them.

[KryptoNyte]

Thank you for the detailed instructions. A couple questions.

After dialing in the suggested settings, does VAP understand the partial path "E:\TV Archive\{title}" as:

E:\TV Archive\CriminalMinds
or
E:\TV Archive\CRIMINAL MINDS
(I'm not sure when the string translation occurs, and correlates with the metadata templates)

Additionally, in the postprocessing command file, it refers to output file extension of .mp4 or m4v. Can I use mkv?

[KryptoNyte]

Okay, so the answer to the above questions is that the file lands in the correct path, and the file encodes just fine to mkv.

Any way to delete the QSF'd/commercial cut mpg file in the final target directory, and just leave the mkv file?

[dlflannery]

You can delete it at the end of the VAPpostProcess.cmd file.

I'm curious why you call it "commercial cut". Are you using Ad Scan in your VAP process flow? If not, are you aware that VAP can do the ad scan either with VRD's Ad Detective or using ComSkip? And if you don't check Auto-cut it will hold the file in "AWAITING CUTS" status, you stop VAP processing, select the file in the Monitored Files list, then click the VRD button and it brings up the project file in VRD ready for you to review and adjust cuts. After you save the adjusted project file(s), exit VRD, and restart VAP processing it runs VRD to apply the cuts and then does postprocessing.

If you use vAP to run ad scans, you don't have to include QSF in the process flow, although it can have advantages as mentioned before.

[KryptoNyte]

Hi, DL,

My workflow is exactly what you mentioned above, now including the additional automation.

- Show records using SageTV to my TV directory
- VAP in autoprocessing mode QSF's and ad-scans (I don't use comskip as some files are TS and it's far too slow for those h264's), then waits for me to stop processing and check/adjust all the commercial cuts in VideoRedo as you mentioned
- I re-start autoprocessing, VAP finishes the modified cuts, renames the file, and saves the final file to the specified TV Archive directory (in either mpg or ts)
- I also now have the post-processing included, so VAP fires up handbrake and creates the mkv file, and drops it beside the mpg/ts file in the TV archive directory.

I have noticed that the QSF step does something to the file that makes navigation in VideoRedo (manually adjusting the commercial cuts) quite a bit smoother/faster. I really don't know the ins and outs of QSF and when and why it is or isn't necessary.

I'll fool with the VAPpostProcess.cmd this evening and get that mpg/ts file automagically deleted as you mention. Thank you for the step by step help.

[KryptoNyte]

Okay, I didn't realize that as soon as I setup the metadata template that VAP would attempt to rename every single show that lands in the input directory. For example, I lost the episode name completely for "ThisOldHouse S32E17 -.mpg"

Additionally, I frequently just choose to record a random TV program, that may not be on thetvdb.com I suppose.

Is there some way I can tell VAP to auto rename only specific programs?

[dlflannery]

What happened is that "ThisOldHouse" (i.e., no spaces between words) was not found as a Series Name by theTVDB.com. Thus the episode name could not be obtained and an empty string was inserted for it in the output file name. "This Old House" is found and the proper episode name is used.

Since your input file parsing yielded some metadata (series name, season# and ep#), the available items were used to complete the output file renaming/folder process. But one item you wanted (episode name) was not there.

There is a general issue of what behavior is desired if only some of the metadata items specified in a renaming template are available. One choice would be to do no renaming or folder relocation if any of the template-specified items are empty strings (i.e., are not available). The original file name would be used and the output file would be put in the configured output folder. VAP already does no template renaming if the metadata does not indicate a TV Show episode.

Another issue is how to handle series names without spaces, such as "ThisOldHouse". I note this is UpperCamel formatted, i.e., each word begins with a capital. Thus an algorithm could easily insert a space in front of each uppercase letter (except the first one) and arrive at a title much more likely to succeed in the TVDB search. However I can imagine cases where this would not be desirable too. One way to minimize undesirable changes would be to only insert spaces if there weren't any spaces in the original name.
EDIT: Of course the no-spaces case can be handled on a case-by-case basis as done in my setup example for CriminalMinds, Step 3 in post #19 of this thread. But this requires you to anticipate in advance every such series name. I don't know if this is a practical solution for you.

[KryptoNyte]

...One choice would be to do no renaming or folder relocation if any of the template-specified items are empty strings (i.e., are not available). The original file name would be used and the output file would be put in the configured output folder...

That sounds perfect, but I'm not clear on how to configure that.

[KryptoNyte]

Alternatively, could a "File Ignore Match String" be setup to achieve something similar? Something like this:

If PersonofInterest is recorded, but there is no string translation for "personofinterest", the show is ignored, or only processed through QSF and Adscan and dropped in the preconfigured VAP output folder.