Hacking Windows 7 Media Center

Transcoding in Windows Seven x64 with Media Browser and Transcode 360

by Adam Plante @ 9:00 am on May 23rd, 2009 in converting files, encoding, media browser, tv listings, windows 7 with 34 Comments and Permalink

 

This is a guest post written by Adam Plante, a Hack7MC reader. Do you have a guide you’d like to share with the community? Let us know by dropping us a line through the contact form or email mhealy@hack7mc.com.

 

xbox360 This guide assumes you already have media browser installed and configured. Updated 6/3/2009 – This guide has been updated to include a different version of Transcode 360 and updated Mencoder and FFMpeg files provided by CW Kid in this post on The Green Button.

What you will need

Preperation

It is important to disable UAC before attempting any of these steps. Make sure you do not have any previous versions of transcode 360 on your computer.

Installation

Install Transcode 360 as a tray icon not as a service. Be sure to install to c:\Program Files\Transcode 360 as it will try to install to C:\Program Files(x86)\Transcode 360 by default. Reboot your computer. You will get a message saying Transcode 360 tray icon failed to load. We will fix that right now.

Click on the start menu and type msconfig. Under the startup tab disable Transcode 360 by unchecking it. Now Navigate to to c:\Program Files\Transcode 360  in explorer. Right click on Transcode360.exe and click properties. Go to the compatibility tab and select run as administrator.

Now open Notepad and paste the following lines into it:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Transcode360]
“PluginsPath”=”C:\\Users\\yourusername\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\nsiF3D2.tmp”
“InstallPath”=”C:\\Program Files\\Transcode360″
“ServerAddress”=”localhost”
“ConnectionTimeout”=”40″
“WindowsApplication”=”1″
“InterfacePort”=”1401″
“InstallationType”=”WindowsApplication”

Save the file as a .reg and run it. Alternatively, you can download this pre-made reg file and open it in notepad to replace the username. Afterward run the reg file and apply the changes to your registry.

Now extract the contents of the Mencoder and FFMpeg Update. Copy ffmpeg.exe into C:\Program Files\Transcode360\ and then copy mencoder.exe into C:\Program Files\Transcode360\Wrappers\MencoderTranscoder . You should now be able to run transcode 360 in the command prompt by navigating to the Transcode 360 directory and typing transcode360.exe –console. You should get a dos prompt that reads transcode 360 process started.


At this point you are ready to transcode but you would have to leave the console open whenever you want to transcode. That’s where hstart comes in. Extract the contents of the hstart64 directory to your transcode 360 directory. Now create a shortcut with this as the target

“C:\Program Files\Transcode360\hstart64.exe” /NOCONSOLE /RUNAS “Transcode360.exe -console”

Call it whatever you want.  Drag it into the startup folder on the start menu.

Now open the transcode360.config file in notepad and change the key that says <add key= ‘BufferDelay’ value= ‘6′ /> to something higher like <add key= ‘BufferDelay’ value= ‘30′ /> depending on your computers speed. You can also change the bitrate if your network is causing latency.

Now within the Media Browser configuration wizard on the extender tab make sure “Enable Transcode 360” is checked. You should be good to go. If it causes errors on the extender you most likely need to tweak the config file. This has a much better result than the built in MKV support.

34 Comments

Comment #1262 from Andres [Reply]

Would this work for x86 Windows 7? I tried installing Transcode 360 but I keep getting an error when I try to use it.

Comment left May 24, 2009 at 8:49 pm with Permalink
@Reply #1267 from Michael Healy [Reply]

It could have been a problem with the registry file, some of the slashes were removed accidentally. I’ve added a reg file that can be downloaded, just change the username and apply it. Let me know if that doesn’t work.

Otherwise I believe this should all work in x86 as well but Adam would be more suited to answer that.

Comment left May 25, 2009 at 8:56 am with Permalink
Comment #1270 from Andres [Reply]

I tried it and I am still not getting it to work. It has worked before in Vista and Windows 7 for me.

It has not worked since I upgraded to Win 7 build 7077. Now all I get is “unable to queue video file for transcoding and streaming”.

This has been very frustrating. Please HELP!!

Comment left May 25, 2009 at 11:34 am with Permalink

Adam Plante
Comment #1276 from Adam Plante [Reply]

Hmm did you follow the guide? Does it run when you try to execute it with the -console switch? Remember you are not going to be able to load the tray icon it will run as a process in the background. Once you have followed my guide the only place you will see it running is in task manager. Also make sure you have the correct version of transcode 360 installed.

Comment left May 25, 2009 at 4:28 pm with Permalink
@Reply #1277 from Andres [Reply]

I followed the guide to a tee. I have x86 version not x64 though. Like I said I have never had a problem before. This only happened since I did a clean install to build 7077 of Windows 7.I downloaded the exact version that is linked to here and tried that after the version that had been working would not. I looks like it is about to start in the console window but does nothing. Seems to be a permissions issue but I cannot find a resolution for this anywhere.

Comment left May 25, 2009 at 5:19 pm with Permalink

Christiano
Comment #1317 from Christiano [Reply]

I’ve followed the guide step-by-step and I cant make it work. I always have this same error :“unable to queue video file for transcoding and streaming” . I just want to use the trasncode to use subtitles on my xbox 360. I am running Windows 7 7127 RC1, 64 bits. I tried other ways to put subtitles, but the weird is that sometimes it plays with subtitles and something it doesnt. Can you help me out ?

Comment left May 27, 2009 at 9:53 pm with Permalink

Brandon
@Reply #1349 from Brandon [Reply]

You’ll need to disable (or turn all the way down) the UAC in Windows 7 in order to run transcode360 without that error.

A quick Google should get you setup!

Comment left May 30, 2009 at 7:34 pm with Permalink

Belzebutt
Comment #1359 from Belzebutt [Reply]

I followed these instructions to the letter on my Windows 7 RC x64 install, and I still get the “unable to queue video…” error. I don’t have Media Browser installed, does that make a difference?

When I run Transcode360 with the console option I can see it saying it’s starting to transcode, so up to that point it’s set up correctly. Is there anything that needs to be done about file sharing, e.g. making sure the Transcode buffer folder is shared? I had a problem in Vista where I had to move the buffer folder some place that was shared, as the default location didn’t seem to have the proper sharing set up.

By the way, version 4.6 of TS360 you have a link to doesn’t have an option to install to system tray instead of service. I had to use version 1.6.3 (which is newer) and that one does.

Comment left May 31, 2009 at 1:36 pm with Permalink

Belzebutt
Comment #1360 from Belzebutt [Reply]

By the way, I did do everything with UAC off.

Comment left May 31, 2009 at 1:37 pm with Permalink

J
Comment #1406 from J [Reply]

I could really use this but no luck here. Not nearly as smart as you guys so I could use some help. Here is what I get when I try running T360 via the command prompt…

6/2/2009 7:42:56 PM Starting Transcode360 service (1.6.0.0)

6/2/2009 7:42:56 PM *ERR* Stopping Transcode360 service due to an unhandled exce
ption: System.TypeInitializationException: The type initializer for ‘Transcode36
0.Wrappers’ threw an exception. —> System.TypeInitializationException: The typ
e initializer for ‘Transcode360.Settings’ threw an exception. —> System.Argume
ntNullException: Value cannot be null.
Parameter name: String
at System.Number.StringToNumber(String str, NumberStyles options, NumberBuffe
r& number, NumberFormatInfo info, Boolean parseDecimal)
at System.Number.ParseInt32(String s, NumberStyles style, NumberFormatInfo in
fo)
at Transcode360.Settings.Reload()
at Transcode360.Settings..cctor()
— End of inner exception stack trace —
at Transcode360.Settings.get_InstallPath()
at Transcode360.Wrappers..cctor()
— End of inner exception stack trace —
at Transcode360.Wrappers.get_ChildProcessNames()
at Transcode360.Service.Main(String[] args)

Comment left June 2, 2009 at 9:51 pm with Permalink
Comment #1410 from Gelatin [Reply]

I finally got Transcode360 to work properly on most accounts thanks to this guide. I had to replace all the quotes in the .reg file and paths so regedit processed it correctly (prob. due to regional settings).

However I’m having troubles transcoding most XVID’s, all files that worked on my previous installation with Transcode360 and Media Browser. Before I was running Win7 7057 and now I’m running RC1.

I updated/installed the codecs on my Win7 machine (Klite Full) and everythings playing perfectly using Media Player but when I try transcoding XVIDS, the Transcode360 log gives me:

WARNING: OUTPUT FILE FORMAT IS _MPEG_. See -of help.
============ Sorry, this file format is not recognized/supported =============
=== If this file is an AVI, ASF or MPEG stream, please contact the author! ===
Cannot open demuxer.

My XBOX360 gives me “Could not start transcoding.” on these files.

Comment left June 3, 2009 at 7:17 am with Permalink
Comment #1411 from Gelatin [Reply]

I’ve got Transcode360 working on Win7 RC1 using the files suggested in this post. However I get these errors on most XVIDS (all files that played on my last setup of Transcode360)

WARNING: OUTPUT FILE FORMAT IS _MPEG_. See -of help.
============ Sorry, this file format is not recognized/supported =============
=== If this file is an AVI, ASF or MPEG stream, please contact the author! ===
Cannot open demuxer.

I’ve upgraded mencoder and installed klite full but still get this error.

Comment left June 3, 2009 at 7:25 am with Permalink
Comment #1414 from Michael Healy [Reply]

I’ve updated the guide with a new version of Transcode 360 and updated mencoder and ffmpeg files.

Comment left June 3, 2009 at 3:59 pm with Permalink

Anonymous
Comment #1418 from Anonymous [Reply]

Isn’t the quality of the vid decreased when transcoding? I tried the native windows 7 transcoding to xbox 360 just now, it definitely does not qualify as high def and its stuttering as it tries to buffer. I suppose transcode 360 might do a better job of it. But I’m trying to decide whether to go this route or go through my movies and convert them to a format readable by the xbox. I’d prefer the solution that I don’t have to sacrifice quality.

Comment left June 3, 2009 at 6:02 pm with Permalink

Belzebutt
Comment #1420 from Belzebutt [Reply]

Still doesn’t work for me. A couple of notes/questions:
- I never got an error message saying the tray icon failed to load.
- The the quote marks in the registry file and the example on the page are actually a bunch of various kinds of quote marks, you might want to clean that up.
- The User you’re supposed to paste in, that’s the user you normally run as, or your Extender’s user name?
- The .tmp file referenced in the plugins directory does not exist on my system, is that normal?
- When I create a shortcut with that exact command line I get an error saying “Cannot start service from the command line or debugger. A Windows Service must first be installed… blah blah blah”. I can still run it from a command prompt though, and it launches Transcode360.
- Where in Media Browser am I supposed to have the option to transcode? All I see is play, there’s no change from before.
- After doing all this I still get the “Cannot queue video…” error. How can I troubleshoot that problem further?

Comment left June 3, 2009 at 11:26 pm with Permalink

Anonymous
Comment #1421 from Anonymous [Reply]

I’m having the same problems on Windows 7 RC1 x86.. it says “Unable to queue file for transcoding and streaming” when i try to transcode it in xbox 360… please help!

Comment left June 4, 2009 at 12:03 am with Permalink
@Reply #1426 from Michael Healy [Reply]

I’ll check it out and probably do another guide myself on Transcode 360. I don’t use it personally, this guide is from a reader Adam Plante. I will get it setup and running though and post detailed instructions in the next few days.

Comment left June 4, 2009 at 9:13 am with Permalink

Anonymous
Comment #1433 from Anonymous [Reply]

After going through the entire guide, it still doesn’t work on x86. ive tried with and without mediabrowser.. transcode 360 still won’t work on Windows 7 RC1 32bit systems.

Comment left June 4, 2009 at 2:02 pm with Permalink

Anonymous
@Reply #1439 from Anonymous [Reply]

i’ve followed both guides.. installed both as a service and a tray icon with all the permission settings… no method is working on my 32-bit Windows 7 RC1

Comment left June 4, 2009 at 6:06 pm with Permalink

Belzebutt
Comment #1434 from Belzebutt [Reply]

I keep seeing this error in the log, any idea what this might be?

04/06/2009 2:49:46 PM
Launch
Variable Information file:///D:/User/Videos/Movies/Movie.mkv 0 transcoding

04/06/2009 2:49:46 PM
TranscodeAndPlayMedia
Start Transcode

04/06/2009 2:49:46 PM
TranscodeAndPlayMedia
Unable to transcode: file://D:/User/Videos/Movies/Movie.mkv

04/06/2009 2:49:46 PM
MceUiAddIn.Launch
System.Exception: Unable to queue video file for transcoding and streaming.
at Transcode360.AddIn.NewModule.TranscodeAndPlayMedia(String filePath, Int64 timestamp)
at Transcode360.AddIn.NewModule.Launch(AddInHost host)

Comment left June 4, 2009 at 2:53 pm with Permalink

Peter
@Reply #1492 from Peter [Reply]

Hallo, install directly to the root. Not in Program Files. It run on my Win7 RC wihout problems. Peter

Comment left June 7, 2009 at 8:53 am with Permalink

Belzebutt
Comment #1497 from Belzebutt [Reply]

Peter, could you tell me if you’re running x64, and also what codecs you have installed, what folders your movies are stored in, if you had to set up any extra file sharing beyond what Media Center sets up when you connect your Extender, where your Transcode360buffer folder is, and if you installed .NET or anything else beyond the basic Windows 7 install?

Comment left June 7, 2009 at 10:15 am with Permalink
Comment #1992 from Leigh Rogers [Reply]

Does this work with .isos? :)

I have it working perfectly (Albeit after some significant troubleshooting) but was expecting it to stream ISOs.

My windows 7 MC not automatically mounts the isos and plays them, but when I click on “play” on my xbox, the pc does not mount, not transcode. And the xbox screen freezes….

Ta – thanks for the superb work. I’ve been waiting years for a working solution for integrated digital media. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

Comment left July 4, 2009 at 5:15 am with Permalink
Comment #2187 from MrMarc [Reply]

I wouldn’t recommend giving the media extender’s account, let alone the guest account, admin access, but if that works for you, go for it.

For everyone else who’s a bit apprehensive, you can check out my post over at thegreenbutton.com explaining what I did to get it working on a fresh installation of 64-bit Windows 7: http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/permalink/376239/376155/ShowThread.aspx#376155

Comment left July 20, 2009 at 1:22 am with Permalink

Shane
Comment #2882 from Shane [Reply]

I have RTM windows 7, media browser works great on PC. On my extender, i get the famous “unable to transcode” message.
I have tried this method, and have not been able to get it work. Here are my problems:

1) after installing, I had no errors, and the transcode tray started just fine. I killed the .exe, and edited MSCONFIG anyway.

After creating the registry file and making sure the .exe starts as administrator, loading from console failed. I am presented with a message about a windows server cannot be started from command line.

Thinking to my self, hey, maybe this works in RTM, i re-select auto bootup for Transcode 360 in msconfig, reboot.
Transcode 360 starts in the tray. I have no idea if this is good, or a desiered result.
I open media browser configuration, and there is no extender tab to fill in this information.

Any help would be appreciated.

Comment left August 24, 2009 at 9:12 pm with Permalink

Anonymous
Comment #3105 from Anonymous [Reply]

Transcode360 works flawlessly for me in RTM x64 build of Win7. No hacks needed, although I did force it to install to Program Files instead of the x86 folder.

Comment left September 5, 2009 at 4:08 am with Permalink

Anonymous
Comment #3106 from Anonymous [Reply]

Oh, and I didn’t disable UAC.

Comment left September 5, 2009 at 4:09 am with Permalink

Anonymous
Comment #4041 from Anonymous [Reply]

Installed okay for me on RC Win7 64bit

Disabled UAC
Changed install path to c:\program files\transcode 360

Worls a treat on Linksys DMA2200

Comment left October 17, 2009 at 5:25 am with Permalink

Anonymous
Comment #4902 from Anonymous [Reply]

Worked perfectly on 1st installation for me, however the next day get error: “unable to transcode” with the following in event viewer: “MEncoderTranscoder unable to handle request”
Very frustrating – I was sooo pleased to finally get it working on Windows 7 x64

Comment left November 17, 2009 at 4:36 pm with Permalink

Anonymous
Comment #4944 from Anonymous [Reply]

I’ve got it setup, but when I use Mencoder, I get random languages. When I use VLC, I get NO audio, only video. Anyone ran into this issue and fixed it?

BTW, there is an x64 version of VLC that you can use for transcoding.

Comment left November 19, 2009 at 9:36 am with Permalink

carter
Comment #6329 from carter [Reply]

when i get to the step and try to “Right click on Transcode360.exe and click properties. Go to the compatibility tab and select run as administrator.” command promt opens with another error window with windows service start failure. this has a whole paragraph explaining that a windows service needs to be installed.
what now, will this affect things?

Comment left January 5, 2010 at 1:47 am with Permalink
Comment #8215 from Jimothyk [Reply]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E-IlZR_770

Comment left March 2, 2010 at 8:47 am with Permalink

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