TVSuite V6 works on Linux with WineHQ (personally rated 'Silver')

[Dave B]

Originally, as part of V6 beta testing, sent an overview of initial Wine testing (via email) to VideoReDo support. Decided to relay information here in case helpful, and of interest to others. This has since been expanded to include an installation how-to.

While realise VideoReDo TVSuite is intended for Windows, the following is great news for those (like me) having made the switch to GNU/Linux.

Updated 2020-06-15

- OS tested (VirtualBox 6.1.x)
Kubuntu 20.04 64-bit (winehq-devel 5.10)
Linux Mint 20.0 Cinnamon 64-bit beta (winehq-devel 5.10)

- OS tested (nativly)
Linux Mint 20.0 Cinnamon 64-bit beta (winehq-devel 5.10)

- TVSuite beta versions tested
791c, 792a, 793a, 794a, 795a, 796a, 797a, 798a, 799a, 800b, 801a
804a, 805a, 807a, 808a, 809b, 811a, 812a, 814a, 817a, 818a

- TVSuite release versions tested
802a, 803a, 806a, 816a

- Results
Version 6 seems to be working well with Wine, and is the first version to do so, prior versions couldn't be used due to various issues.
Starts bit slower than on Windows. Still very impressed how well its working.
Minor UI issues, but functional. Based on WineHQ test categories, I personally rate VideoReDo TVSuite V6 beta 'Silver'

Batch Manager doesn't work...
If see the following while trying, never run Wine as root, or use sudo, programs already believe they are running with administrator privileges.


_________________________________________________________

Installation How-to:

- Preflight

Following works best with a clean wineprefix (.wine folder). Removing or renaming a current .wine folder, then launching winetricks will create a fresh wineprefix for you.
Seeing 'Working around...' notifications while installing vcrun2017 and tahoma fonts is expected, keep clicking 'OK'.

- Prevent Winetricks 64-bit nag popup (Optional)
Using OS application editor, replace Command: winetricks --gui > winetricks


Following steps modified due to 818a changes (installation on XP is no longer possible).

1.
- TVSuite Installation and Required Settings

• Check winecfg 'Windows Version:' = Windows 7 or higher (will be changed to Windows XP later)
• Install TVSuite V6
• TVSuite > Tools > Options > Playback devices > Video Driver: Direct3D11, or GDI *** For VirtualBox use GDI ***

2.
- Wine Requirements and Aesthetic Modifications

• Winetricks > Select the default wineprefix > Install a Windows DLL or component > gdiplus (also) vcrun2017 > OK
• Winetricks > Select the default wineprefix > Install a font > tahoma > OK
• Winetricks > Select the default wineprefix > Change settings > fontsmooth=rgb > OK

Finished. Enjoy!

_________________________________________________________

- Notes on Above
*** gdiplus fixes UI issues, but breaks some font smoothing, the font install, and fontsmooth=rgb corrects this.
gdiplus is a 1.5 GB download (extracted from Windows 7 SP1 x86 and x64).
'gdiplus_winxp' no longer recommended, found fails on Kubuntu 20.04, also causes other software issues.

*** vcrun2017 sets concrt140 native, and Windows version to XP, these two changes alone fix import/export crashes using Smart/WEAVE deinterlacing, missing timer digit, 'Save Project...' issues, 'Capture Frame' save issue, 'Favorite places' save issues, TVSuite installer delay, slower encoding and 'Profile Options' opening delay (due to unsupported hardware encoding).

*** tahoma font install fixes some UI issues. Please note; copying tahoma fonts manually into the font folder may cause the main UI to appear without text, installation using winetricks works best.

- For experienced Wine users
vcrun2017 isn't required, winecfg can be used to add concrt140, and set Windows version to XP. Installation of vcrun2017 with winetricks just helps reduce setup complexity.

_________________________________________________________

Benefit of the aesthetic modifications:

Wine default (Left) - Wine + mods (Right)


Wine default (Left) - Wine + mods (Right)


Wine default (Left) - Wine + mods (Right)


Wine default (Left) - Wine + mods (Right)


Screen captures from Linux Mint Cinnamon edition
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In closing, would like to take a moment to thank all VideoReDo developers, your coding skills and hard work is greatly admired, and appreciated. Thank you!
Also, thanks to Wine developers for even making this possible.

 

[Danr]

Thanks. The GDI driver support while slower than the other drivers was added to enable this type of capability to occur.

Can you look in the log file and see what OS version is shown on the line that says: VideoReDo TVSuite started.

 

[Dave B]

You're welcome.

Can you look in the log file and see what OS version is shown on the line that says: VideoReDo TVSuite started.

Log shows whichever OS version is set in Wine config (winecfg). Default for recent Wine versions is Windows 7. If using a 64-bit Wine prefix, there's a choice from Windows XP through to Windows 10.

Edit. extra test information moved to first post, to hopefully assist those experimenting with Wine.

 

[Harry@SK]

Thanks for the tips!
I also started with WineHQ and VideoReDo TVsuite and seems to works fine.
The only thing I observed is the hugh time used to save the file from TS (source) to TS (destination).
With HTOP i see that pulseaudio takes the most CPU capacity.
Around 2x 30 - 35 %
and TVsuite itself only 8-11%
Now an save of about 20 min. takes more then 2 hours!
Any more people who observed this?
I will of course go on with testing and compare with my other win 7 installation on my old computer

 

[Dave B]

You're most welcome.

Based on your comments, performed simple OS speed comparison today using VirtualBox.

- Testing methodology

• Each virtual machine (vm) set up with the same specifications. Running 64-bit OS, with 64-bit Wine prefix (were relevant)
• All versions of TVSuite V6 have the same settings
• Only one vm run at a time
• Each vm left for short time after booting to make sure all start-up processes completed
• TS file opened > Add Selection > Save Video > Transport Stream

In this test Wine is a little slower, but not by much. Here's the results...



As a further test, also tried Linux Mint 19.1 Cinnamon (winehq-devel 4.6) running natively, result = Processing time (secs): 7

Out of interest, which distribution are you using, are you running natively or vm, which version of Wine, 32 or 64-bit Wine prefix? Thanks.

 

[Harry@SK]

Thx for comments Dave.
This are mine specs :

natively,

cat /etc/linuxmint/info:
RELEASE=18.2
CODENAME=sonya
EDITION="Xfce 64-bit"
DESCRIPTION="Linux Mint 18.2 Sonya"
DESKTOP=Xfce
TOOLKIT=GTK
NEW_FEATURES_URL=http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_sonya_xfce_whatsnew.php
RELEASE_NOTES_URL=http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_sonya_xfce.php
USER_GUIDE_URL=help:linuxmint
GRUB_TITLE=Linux Mint 18.2 Xfce 64-bit

wineHQ 4.0 stable

 

[Dave B]

Thanks for the specs. Downloaded and tried (as a vm) Linux Mint 18.2 Xfce 64-bit, all updates applied, using winehq-stable 4.0.

Using same testing method as before = Processing time (secs): 10



There's many factors which could be affecting performance on your system. Maybe try Linux Mint 19.1 as a live session to see how it compares?

 

[Dave B]

@Harry@SK, Newly discovered, switching Wine 'Windows Version' (mentioned in first post) may help solved your speed issue?
Update: This setting is no longer required, please see changes to first post. Thanks.

Wine is now a bit faster than Windows in these vm tests.
Update: Wine is now the same speed as Windows in these tests, please see new image compare and details in post below.

Linux Mint 19.1 Cinnamon (winehq-devel 4.7) running natively now = Processing time (secs): 4

 

[Danr]

Might be interested in trying this myself although I'm not a Linux expert.

1. Which VM hypervisor are you using?

2. What is the native OS?

3. What's the difference between Kubuntu vs Linus Mint? Why choose one over the other?

 

[Dave B]

Sorry unable to reply sooner. After lots of experiments, found why changing the Wine 'Windows Version' makes a performance difference, any setting < Windows 7 forces software encoding, while >= Windows 7 enables hardware encoding by default, even though only software encoding is detected during installation on Wine.

With this in mind, in this simple test, now able to also get Windows 7 and 10 VMs to process at 5 seconds by switching to software encoding.

Might be interested in trying this myself although I'm not a Linux expert..

Happy to help you setup Linux, and try and answer any questions you may have. I've helped others do so, and been surprised several have switched from Windows (not saying you should!).

In answer to your questions.

1. VirtualBox. After beta testing, and trying 6.0.x builds, due to issues gone back to 5.2.x builds for now.

2. Linux Mint 19.1 Cinnamon.

3. Personal preference, plus choosing the most feature complete, and stable OS. After much testing, Linux Mint 19.1 Cinnamon edition currently ticks the most boxes. I like the direction Kubuntu is heading, and keep it as backup should anything ever happened to Mint. Both are very Windows like.

While it may appear there's many GNU/Linux versions, most are built upon just a few package bases, Debian is possible the most popular base, Kubuntu and Linux Mint are both built upon Debian with elements of Ubuntu.

Edit: Retrospectively should have written, ...Debian is possible the most popular base, Ubuntu is built upon Debian, Kubuntu and Linux Mint are built upon Ubuntu.

 

[Danr]

Thanks very much, will take up your offer for assistance after we get V6 released. I'm partial to VMWare Workstation as it has good management tools for cloning and snapshots. I know enough about Linux to be dangerous Recently switched our servers, like the one that runs this message board from CentOS to Ubuntu,

 

[cp2]

I know enough about Linux to be dangerous

I think I’ve had my catchphrase stolen!

 

[Harry@SK]

Thanks for all the energy Dave & Danr!!
Unfortunetly I cannot find the time right now to test more.
We have a campsite and it takes more time now then expected.
I will try of course to turn back to first posting advices and reinstall as suggested.
It will take longer then i want, because want as quick as possible change from win (bbrrr) to Linux mint.
But without VRD that's not an option here!

 

[Dave B]

Thanks very much, will take up your offer for assistance after we get V6 released. I'm partial to VMWare Workstation as it has good management tools for cloning and snapshots. I know enough about Linux to be dangerous Recently switched our servers, like the one that runs this message board from CentOS to Ubuntu,

My program of choice used to be VMware Player (For others reading, now called 'VMware Workstation Player'), but around version 6 > 7 they made changes, now every time a VM is shutdown the whole UI closes and has to be re-launched to run a VM.

While VMware Workstation can run and manage multiple VMs, Workstation Player only allows running a single VM. VirtualBox can manage and run multiple VMs, it also has great management tools for cloning and snapshots, and its main UI launches quicker then VMware Workstation Player. Since VirtualBox main program and Guest Additions (Tools equivalent) are open source, there's more freedom of use. Is vbox perfect? Nope!

Ah, noticed the message board update a few days ago, maybe it was then when you became an Ubuntu master?

Thanks @Danr, and @cp2, you both gave me a chuckle!

 

[Dave B]

@Harry@SK, No problem, real life comes first!

When you do switch, Clem (lead Linux Mint developer) just made Wine 4.0 (stable) installation simple...
Software Manager > (search) wine > Wine-installer

This not only installs Wine, it also adds useful Menu shortcuts. Software Manager can also be used to install Winetricks, job done!

 

[Infidelus]

Dan directed me here after I emailed support as I somehow missed that the thread was here when I looked the other day ...

I happened to notice the V6 beta and wanted to try it as I'd been trying to get V5 working for ages, but just couldn't get a picture (sound was fine).

Installing V6 was a doddle on wine-staging (currently 4.8) now that D3D is an option, with the only extras installed being gdiplus, vcrun2015 (for the required concrt140) and some MS fonts. Dan also pointed out that GDI is there as well as D3D, which also works.

A basic cut and save works fine and I've not noticed any speed issues, though I've been running V5 on Windows in Virtualbox for ages so it actually seems quite snappy in Wine.

The only problem I've noticed from my basic testing so far relates to the 'Manage Output Profiles' section. With V5 I can edit the profiles and change the settings to dual pass encoding, but the options seem to be disabled at the moment on V6 (tried on Windows and Linux Mint).

Other than that and a few quirks with the file menu in Linux, everything seems to be shaping up quite nicely.

 

[Dave B]

Welcome @Infidelus.

...vcrun2015 (for the required concrt140) and some MS fonts...

If helpful, vcrun2015 isn't required (I originally presumed similar). Even though, since WineHQ 4.8, concrt140 no longer appears in the Libraries search section, typing concrt140 > Add > OK is enough to add it and fix the crash issue.

Which fonts did you install?

The only problem I've noticed from my basic testing so far relates to the 'Manage Output Profiles' section. With V5 I can edit the profiles and change the settings to dual pass encoding, but the options seem to be disabled at the moment on V6 (tried on Windows and Linux Mint).

Ah, V6 defaults to match source, to unlock dual pass encoding... Manage Output Profiles > Copy & Edit (small button on the right) > Encoding type: > (for example) MPEG-2, you can then select Double Pass Encoding

This is the same for Windows, and Wine.

Other than that and a few quirks with the file menu in Linux, everything seems to be shaping up quite nicely.

Interesting, hadn't yet tried File > Save Project/Save Project As...
Hmm, saving projects is an issue.

 

[Infidelus]

If helpful, vcrun2015 isn't required (I originally presumed similar). Even though, since WineHQ 4.8, concrt140 no longer appears in the Libraries search section, typing concrt140 > Add > OK is enough to add it and fix the crash issue.

Good to know, thanks.

Which fonts did you install?

I tend to install all MS fonts that show in winetricks as a standard. Probably overkill.

Ah, V6 defaults to match source, to unlock dual pass encoding... Manage Output Profiles > Copy & Edit (small button on the right) > Encoding type: > (for example) MPEG-2, you can then select Double Pass Encoding

This is the same for Windows, and Wine.

So does that make manually setting dual pass unnecessary? I only used to set it to optimise the output, but if it's not needed just for editing a .ts then I won't bother.

 

[Danr]

The only problem I've noticed from my basic testing so far relates to the 'Manage Output Profiles' section. With V5 I can edit the profiles and change the settings to dual pass encoding, but the options seem to be disabled at the moment on V6 (tried on Windows and Linux Mint).

There are a number of issues with setting output profile parameters, especially when the output codec is Same as source (SAS). Many of these will be fixed/addressed in the next beta.

 

[Infidelus]

Thanks Dan. Looking forward to it.