Powershell Script to transcode MP4 & MKV files to HEVC/AAC

[Maximus1]

Hello folks, 

I needed space on the disks and have written one (two) script(s) in PowerShell to convert my MP4 and MKV files into HEVC/AAC.
I decided to use Handbrake for Video and Audio Transcoding and FFmpeg for Audio Transcoding only because Handbrake has a better resulting quality at a lower file size. FFmpeg works better with multiple instances simultaneously. So FFmpeg was better for Audio transcoding.
I would like to share the result with you.

You need to install a PowerShell module called Get-MediaInfo
Instructions on powershellgallery


Warning!!
 
I Transcoded hundreds of files with no error, but this doesn't mean it will do the same at your PC. 
Please take a look at the code and change it to your needs.
 
 
What does the 1st script do:

• Read the folder you choose, recursive into an Array.
  
• Checking for Codecs used in the Files.
  
• Deciding how to convert.
  
• Runs 1 instance of Handbrake and up to 5 FFmpeg instances at the same time.
  
• Runs on CPU only to get the best visual results.
  
• Setting different parameters for Movies and Series (Series are scaled to 720P if resolution >720P (-w 720 --keep-display-aspect)).
  
• Generating a ".ignore" file so Emby ignores the actual folder.
  
• Converting into same Directory, but not deleting old file.
  
• Checking if file was converted.
  
• The path of the currently converting file is written to a .txt file.
  
• Writing every step into the console.
  
• This Script removes all Audio tracks except the first one
  
• This Script removes all Subtitles
  

How the script decides to convert:

Checking for Codecs used in the Files

• If Audio not AAC and Video not HEVC → convert Video and Video (Handbrake)
  
• If Audio not AAC and Video is HEVC → convert Audio copy Video (FFmpeg)
  
• If Audio is AAC and Video not HEVC → convert Video copy Audio (Handbrake)
  
• If Audio is AAC and Video is HEVC → do nothing 
  

Audio Transcoding (FFmpeg) :

The script differentiates between Mono/Stereo and Surround

Mono/Stereo :

• $aacbitrate = '128k'  (lower is possible, but not recommended)
  
• $aachz = '44100'
  

Surround : 

• $aacbitrate = '256k'
  
• $aachz = '48000'
  

Video Transcoding (Handbrake): 

Handbrake Series :

•  -e x265 --encoder-preset medium -w 720 --keep-display-aspect --vfr --quality "$videoquality" -E "$handbrakeaudiocodec" -B "$handbrakeaudiobitrate" --normalize-mix "$handbrakenormalize" -i "$oldfile" -o "$newfile""
  

Handbrake Movie : 

• -e x265 --encoder-preset medium --vfr --quality "$videoquality" -E "$handbrakeaudiocodec" -B "$handbrakeaudiobitrate" --normalize-mix "$handbrakenormalize" -i "$oldfile" -o "$newfile""
  

---

Here is my 2nd Script.

This Script cleans up after the 1st script has done his job.

What does the 2nd script do:

• Read the folder you choose, recursive into an Array.
  
• Comparing old file and new file → duration and file size
  
• deleting old file if checks are OK
  
• Renaming new file to old file
  
• Checks for files maybe generated by Emby while transcoding 
  
• Deleting these files if found.
  
• Deleting ".ignore" file if found
  
• Counting Videos "cleaned/renamed"
  
• Counting Errors for file size and duration
  
• Writing every step into the console.
  

Files to search for:

   '.neu' + $file.Extension
   '.nfo'
   '.neu' + '.nfo'
   '.neu-clearlogo.png'
   '.neu-fanart.jpg'
    '.neu-poster.jpg'
    '.neu-discart.png'
    '.neu-thumb.jpg'
    '.neu-landscape.jpg'
    '.neu-banner.jpg'
    '.neu-clearart.png'

Proof will come, I have to make something to clean :-)