View source for Mythtv:Remove Commercials

[[Category:Tutorials]]

== Remove Commercials From Your MythTV Recordings ==

This is a detailed tutorial on how to remove the commercials from your MythTV recordings. I have tested it, and using some of the information from this wiki [[Mythtv:Skipping_Commercials]] and provided a method to do this automatically, and reduce the size of your recordings.

== Whats Required ==

1. MythTV configured and working in LMCE

2. Script to flag commercials, generate cutlist, and transcode out the commercials.

3. Changes must be made on all Backends with a tuner card (I have an MD with tuner cards, so the script had to be copied to the MD's /usr/local/bin folder)

== The Script ==

Here is the web link to where this information was acquired. [http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Removing_Commercials MythTV Wiki]

 #!/bin/sh
 VIDEODIR=$1
 FILENAME=$2
 # Sanity checking, to make sure everything is in order.
 if [ -z "$VIDEODIR" -o -z "$FILENAME" ]; then
         echo "Usage: $0 <VideoDirectory> <FileName>"
         exit 5
 fi
 if [ ! -f "$VIDEODIR/$FILENAME" ]; then
         echo "File does not exist: $VIDEODIR/$FILENAME"
         exit 6
 fi
 # The meat of the script. Flag commercials, copy the flagged commercials to
 # the cutlist, and transcode the video to remove the commercials from the
 # file.
 mythcommflag -f $VIDEODIR/$FILENAME
 ERROR=$?
 if [ $ERROR -gt 126 ]; then
         echo "Commercial flagging failed for ${FILENAME} with error $ERROR"
         exit $ERROR
 fi
 mythcommflag --gencutlist -f $VIDEODIR/$FILENAME
 ERROR=$?
 if [ $ERROR -ne 0 ]; then
         echo "Copying cutlist failed for ${FILENAME} with error $ERROR"
         exit $ERROR
 fi
 mythtranscode --honorcutlist --showprogress -i $VIDEODIR/$FILENAME -o $VIDEODIR/$FILENAME.tmp
 ERROR=$?
 if [ $ERROR -ne 0 ]; then
         echo "Transcoding failed for ${FILENAME} with error $ERROR"
         exit $ERROR
 fi
 mv $VIDEODIR/$FILENAME $VIDEODIR/$FILENAME.old
 mv $VIDEODIR/$FILENAME.tmp $VIDEODIR/$FILENAME
 mythcommflag -f $VIDEODIR/${FILENAME} --rebuild
 ERROR=$?
 if [ $ERROR -ne 0 ]; then
         echo "Rebuilding seek list failed for ${FILENAME} with error $ERROR"
         exit $ERROR
 fi
 mythcommflag --clearcutlist -f $VIDEODIR/$FILENAME
 ERROR=$?
 if [ $ERROR -eq 0 ]; then
         # Fix the database entry for the file
         cat << EOF | mysql mythconverg
 UPDATE 
         recorded
 SET
         cutlist = 0,
         filesize = $(ls -l $VIDEODIR/$FILENAME | awk '{print $5}') 
 WHERE
         basename = '$FILENAME';
 EOF
         exit 0
 else
         echo "Clearing cutlist failed for ${FILENAME} with error $ERROR"
         rm /usr/video/$FILENAME.tmp
         exit $ERROR
 fi

Save this file in /usr/local/bin as removecommercials.sh
 sudo vi /usr/local/bin/removecommercials.sh  (and paste)
And make it executable
 chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/removecommercials.sh


== CLI Example ==
Now the script requires 2 arguments - It averages from 15 to 25 minutes to complete, depending on available resources, and size of recording.
 %DIR% %FILE%
It can be run from command line on any file, but works great as User Job 2:
 /usr/local/bin/removecommercials.sh /home/public/data/videos/tv_shows_1 2135_20080904010000.mpg

== Setting Up The User Job for Automagic Use ==

This can be done easily in 2 ways

1. Use the "Computing" LMCE menu item and run mythtv-setup (or from the cli if you prefer as root)

2. Use [http://dcerouter/mythweb MythWeb] (The Easiest)

== Method 1 - Using MythTV-Setup ==

Now from the mythtv-setup option, Go to:

General > and navigate to the User Jobs portion. 

Insure to 'tick' 'Allow User Job 2", and in the line for User Job 2 add the following:
 Replace "User Job 2" with "Remove Commercials" (No quotes of course)
 Job line "/usr/local/bin/removecommercials.sh %DIR% %FILE%" (No quotes of course)
This should be located directly below the Save Recording to Pluto DB job (User Job 1)

NOTE!!! It is very important to add this job as Job 2, as Job 1 is always overwritten by LMCE to the Save Recording Job.

== Method 2 - Using Mythweb (Easiest) ==

Go to [http://dcerouter/mythweb/ MythWeb] (Note here that I use /usr/pluto/bin to run the script, this is not required)

Move your mouse to "Settings" and click "MythTV Settings Table"

Scroll to the bottom, to where you can see the User Job Entries

[[Image:Mythweb.png]]

Under "UserJob2" enter the line
 /usr/local/bin/removecommercials.sh %DIR% %FILE%
Under "UserJobDesc2" enter the text
 Remove Commercials
Now at the bottom click "Save"

That's it your done!

== Usage ==

The easiest way to use this function, and schedule your recordings is through [http://dcerouter/mythweb/ MythWeb]

While scheduling your recordings, make sure to put a check in the box next to your new job: (See image)

[[Image:Mythrecord.png]]

This can also be done while scheduling the recordings through MythTV's Guide feature, when you choose the show to record, go into the "Post recording Options" and Choose "Run Remove Commercials"

But I personally think Mythweb is the best way to do  your scheduling.

== Warnings ==

The script does not delete the original recording. It renames it in the working directory to 2135_20080904010000.mpg.old.

After you verify and are happy that the commercial removal went as expected, (its about 98% accurate) then go back through and delete the .old file to free up hard drive space!

== The End Result ==

This can very effectively remove the commercials from your favorite shows, and at 1/3 the size of ripping a set of dvd's of your favorite show, it can greatly reduce the cost of storage space. The new file is also reduced in size anywhere from 100MB to 400MB for SD, and as much as 1.5GB of HD recordings, so this will also help reduce the cost of storage.

And did I forget to mention, that now all those pesky, money grubbing commercials are now gone, and your show is no longer interrupted?!?!?!

I hope this helps someone. It definitely makes for a better viewing experience in LMCE/MythTV terms.

Regards, 

Seth
[[User:Seth]]