Hey everyone, let's dive into the fascinating world of TVheadend post-processor commands. For those of you who are new to this, TVheadend is a super versatile TV streaming server that lets you watch and record TV from various sources. And the post-processor commands? They're the secret sauce, the magic wand, the thing that lets you do some really cool stuff with your recordings. Whether you're looking to automatically rename files, convert them to a different format, or even add custom metadata, post-processor commands are your best friend. In this article, we'll break down everything you need to know to get started, from the basics to some more advanced tricks. So, grab your coffee, sit back, and let's get started. We'll explore how these commands can streamline your TV viewing experience and make managing your recordings a breeze. Get ready to level up your TVheadend game!

What are TVheadend Post-Processor Commands?

Alright, so what exactly are these TVheadend post-processor commands? Think of them as scripts or programs that run after TVheadend finishes recording a TV show or movie. They give you the flexibility to customize how your recordings are handled. When TVheadend finishes recording, it doesn't just sit there. It looks for a post-processor command to execute. This command can do a whole range of things, such as renaming your file, changing its format, compressing it, or even uploading it to a cloud service. The post-processor command is essentially a way to automate and customize the processing of your recordings. You can define what happens to your recordings after they are recorded. This is very useful when you want to automate tedious tasks, such as renaming or converting the video format to be compatible with your devices. You can also add metadata such as episode name, show title, etc. Without post-processor commands, you would have to manually handle these tasks. Now, that's not fun, is it? These commands are usually written in a scripting language like Bash or Python, and they can be as simple or as complex as you need them to be. This means you have a ton of flexibility when customizing the behavior of TVheadend and tailoring it to your specific needs. Understanding and using post-processor commands empowers you to take full control of your recorded content.

Now, let's look at a concrete example. Let's say you record a show called "The Great British Bake Off." You want the file to be named "The Great British Bake Off - S01E01.mkv" (assuming season 1, episode 1). Without a post-processor command, the file might just be named something generic like "2023-10-27_20.00.00_CET_BBC_One.mkv." A post-processor command could automatically rename the file to your desired format. You could also include the metadata, the title, the episode name, etc. This is useful for organizational purposes. Post-processor commands are powerful tools. They let you automate tasks and add a level of sophistication to your TVheadend setup.

Why Use Post-Processor Commands?

So, why bother with TVheadend post-processor commands in the first place? Well, there are several compelling reasons. Firstly, automation is key. Imagine not having to manually rename every single recording. Post-processor commands automate this, saving you time and effort. This is particularly useful if you record a lot of content. Secondly, customization is king. You can adapt how your recordings are handled to meet your specific needs. Maybe you need to convert recordings to a specific format for playback on your devices or automatically move them to a different storage location. Post-processor commands make this all possible. Thirdly, organization becomes a breeze. Consistent file naming and the addition of metadata make it easier to manage and find your recordings. No more hunting for the right episode. Finally, there's the element of convenience. Once set up, post-processor commands run automatically in the background, making your TV viewing experience seamless. You set it and forget it!

Let's break these down a bit further. Automation is all about making your life easier. Post-processor commands free up your time so that you can focus on more important things. Customization lets you tailor your setup to your exact requirements. Whether it's format conversion, metadata insertion, or any other processing task, you have complete control. The organization is a real game-changer. Imagine having all your recordings neatly organized, with clear names and detailed information. This is a blessing for those with extensive media libraries. The convenience factor is simply unmatched. You set your recordings, the post-processor commands run, and you are left with perfectly processed content, ready to watch. All of this is done without any manual intervention.

Common Uses of Post-Processor Commands

Okay, so we've established why you should use TVheadend post-processor commands. Now, let's look at what you can actually do with them. The possibilities are vast, but here are some of the most common applications.

• File Renaming: This is probably the most popular use. You can rename your recordings to a consistent and informative format, such as "Show Title - S01E01 - Episode Title.mkv." This makes it super easy to identify and locate specific episodes.
• Format Conversion: Convert recordings to different formats (e.g., MP4, MKV) for compatibility with various devices. This is great for streaming to tablets, phones, or older TVs that might not support the native format of your recordings.
• Metadata Insertion: Add metadata like episode titles, descriptions, and artwork. This improves the viewing experience on media players and makes your library look polished.
• Compression: Compress recordings to save space without significantly affecting video quality. This is especially useful if you have limited storage space.
• File Transfer: Automatically move recordings to a different storage location, such as a network drive or cloud storage. This is a great way to back up your recordings or share them with others.
• Notification: Send notifications (e.g., email or push notifications) when a recording is finished. This lets you know when your content is ready to watch.

Let's dive deeper into some examples. With file renaming, you can use scripts that pull the show title, episode number, and episode title from TVheadend's metadata or from online sources. Format conversion involves using tools like ffmpeg to transcode the video and audio streams into a different format. Metadata insertion can be achieved with tools like atomicparsley or ffmpeg, which can embed information into the video file itself. Compression will use encoders such as x264 or x265 to reduce the file size. File transfer commands, which can use scp or rsync, will automatically back up or move your files to your NAS or cloud service. Notification scripts can send an email or a message to your phone when the recording is ready. The possibilities are endless!

Setting Up Post-Processor Commands in TVheadend

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of setting up TVheadend post-processor commands. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.

1. Access the TVheadend Web Interface

First things first, you'll need to access your TVheadend web interface. Open your web browser and navigate to the IP address or hostname of your TVheadend server, followed by the port (usually port 9981). For example, http://192.168.1.100:9981. Log in with your username and password.

2. Navigate to the Configuration

Once you're logged in, go to the "Configuration" section. This is usually found in the main menu at the top of the page. It’s where all the magic happens.

3. Select the "Recording" Section

Inside the "Configuration" section, find and click on "Recording." This will open the recording settings, where you can configure various recording-related options.

4. Locate the "Post-processor command" Field

Look for the "Post-processor command" field. This is the place where you'll enter your post-processor command. It's usually a text field where you can type in your script.

5. Write Your Post-Processor Command

This is where you'll write your post-processor command. This could be a simple command like rename.sh or a more complex script. Make sure the script is executable and that the user running TVheadend has the necessary permissions to execute it.

6. Test Your Command

Before you start recording, it's always a good idea to test your command. You can do this by manually running the script with a test video file. This will help you identify and fix any errors before they mess up your recordings.

7. Save Your Changes

Click the "Save" button to save your changes. Your post-processor command is now active and will be executed after each recording.

Let's go into more detail. Accessing the web interface is the starting point. Next, you need to find the configuration settings. Within these settings, find "Recording." This is the place where you configure your recordings, including the post-processor commands. You will see a text field labeled "Post-processor command." This is where you will add your command. This can be the direct command or, more commonly, the path to a script. Next, you can manually test this script. This will help you troubleshoot. Lastly, save your changes, and you're good to go!

Example Post-Processor Commands

Okay, now let's look at some practical TVheadend post-processor commands to get you started. Remember, these are just examples. You can customize them to fit your specific needs.

1. Simple File Renaming (Bash Script)

Here’s a basic Bash script to rename a recording based on the show title and start time. Save this as a .sh file (e.g., rename.sh) and make it executable (chmod +x rename.sh).

#!/bin/bash

# Get the original file name
INPUT_FILE=$1

# Extract the show title (you might need to adjust this depending on how your recordings are named)
SHOW_TITLE=$(basename "$INPUT_FILE" | sed 's/${.*}$.*\.//g' | sed 's/ - ${.*}$//g')

# Extract the start time (adjust as needed)
START_TIME=$(basename "$INPUT_FILE" | cut -d'_' -f2)

# Create the new file name
NEW_FILE="${SHOW_TITLE}_${START_TIME}.mkv"

# Move the file
mv "$INPUT_FILE" "/path/to/your/recordings/$NEW_FILE"

exit 0

In TVheadend, set the "Post-processor command" to: /path/to/your/rename.sh "$1" (replace /path/to/your/ with the actual path to your script).

2. Convert to MP4 (Using FFmpeg)

This script uses ffmpeg to convert a recording to MP4 format. Save this as convert.sh and make it executable.

#!/bin/bash

INPUT_FILE=$1
OUTPUT_FILE="$(basename "$INPUT_FILE" .mkv).mp4"

ffmpeg -i "$INPUT_FILE" -c:v copy -c:a aac -strict experimental "/path/to/your/recordings/$OUTPUT_FILE"

exit 0

In TVheadend, set the "Post-processor command" to: /path/to/your/convert.sh "$1".

3. Add Metadata (Using AtomicParsley)

This script adds metadata to the video file. Save it as metadata.sh and make it executable. Make sure you have atomicparsley installed (sudo apt install atomicparsley on Debian/Ubuntu).

#!/bin/bash

INPUT_FILE=$1
SHOW_TITLE="$(echo "$INPUT_FILE" | grep -oP '(?<= - ).*(?=${)' | head -1)"
EPISODE_TITLE="$(echo "$INPUT_FILE" | grep -oP '\[.*}$' | tr -d '[]' | head -1)"

atomicparsley "$INPUT_FILE" --title "$SHOW_TITLE" --comment "$EPISODE_TITLE" --overWrite

exit 0

In TVheadend, set the "Post-processor command" to: /path/to/your/metadata.sh "$1".

Let’s break down these examples. The file renaming script extracts the show title and start time from the original filename and creates a new one. The conversion script uses ffmpeg to change the format to MP4. The metadata script uses atomicparsley to add episode information to the file. Remember to adjust the paths and file names to match your setup.

Troubleshooting Post-Processor Commands

Even the best of us run into problems sometimes, right? Let's talk about troubleshooting TVheadend post-processor commands. Here’s how to handle common issues.

1. Permissions Problems

One of the most frequent culprits is permissions. Make sure the user that TVheadend runs under (usually hts) has execute permissions on your script and read/write permissions on the files. If the script can't access the files or write the changes, it will fail.

2. Incorrect Paths

Incorrect paths are another common issue. Double-check that all file paths in your script are correct. This includes the path to the input file, the output file, and any other files your script uses.

3. Script Errors

Script errors themselves are a possibility. If the script has syntax errors or logical problems, it won't work. Test your script from the command line (outside of TVheadend) to identify and fix any errors. Use echo statements to debug and print out variable values.

4. TVheadend Logs

Check the TVheadend logs for error messages. These logs can provide valuable clues about what went wrong. The logs will tell you if the command failed, and sometimes provide specific error messages.

5. Command-Line Testing

Always test your scripts from the command line. Run your scripts manually with a test file to make sure they're working as expected before integrating them into TVheadend. This helps isolate problems.

Let's get into more detail. If the script can't read or write, it won't work. Check the owner and permissions of the script and the files. If your paths are wrong, the script won't find the files it needs. Use absolute paths, not relative ones, to be safe. Errors in the script's code will prevent it from running correctly. Use debugging techniques such as echo statements to find the errors. Check the logs, as these can tell you the specific problems. Test your script before integrating it with TVheadend, using the command line.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Ready to level up your TVheadend post-processor commands game? Here are some advanced tips and tricks.

1. Using Environment Variables

Leverage environment variables within your scripts to make them more flexible and easier to maintain. TVheadend provides several environment variables, such as %f (the original filename) and %d (the directory where the file is stored), that you can use in your scripts.

2. Conditional Logic

Use conditional logic (e.g., if, else) in your scripts to handle different scenarios. For example, you might want to convert a file to MP4 only if it's not already in that format.

3. Error Handling

Implement error handling in your scripts to gracefully manage potential issues. This could involve checking if a command was successful and taking appropriate action if it failed (e.g., sending an email notification).

4. External APIs

Integrate external APIs into your scripts to enhance their functionality. For example, you could use an API to fetch episode information or artwork for your recordings.

5. Scheduling and Automation

Combine post-processor commands with scheduling tools (e.g., cron) to automate tasks. For example, you could schedule a script to clean up old recordings automatically.

Let’s dive a bit deeper into these advanced tricks. Using environment variables allows you to write scripts that are more versatile. With conditional logic, you can adapt the script's behavior based on specific conditions. Error handling ensures that your scripts will not just fail quietly. External APIs can add great value. Automation and scheduling can save you time and effort.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks! A comprehensive guide to mastering TVheadend post-processor commands. We've covered the basics, shown you practical examples, and given you some advanced tips and tricks. Now it's time to unleash the full potential of TVheadend! Go ahead and experiment with different commands, customize them to your needs, and enjoy a streamlined and organized TV viewing experience. The possibilities are endless. Happy recording!