How To Batch Convert/Transcode Videos Using VLC Media Player

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name of Allah. The Most gracious, The Most Merciful

Synopsis:

This is a tutorial on how to Transcode and Convert Video Files into MP4 (MPEG-4) format with 1024kbps bitrate using the H.264 Video Codec and the MP3 Audio Codec.

Assumptions and Prerequisites:

• OS: Microsoft Windows 7
• VLC Media Player (Version: 2.0.2) is already installed. 
• Type of Videos: Home Movies.
• User Level: Administrator
• Scripting Language: Visual Basic Script (VBS)
• Working Folder: D:\VLC
• Script File Path and Name: D:\VLC\vlc.batch.transcode.videos.to.mp4.vbs
• Source Folder: D:\VLC\Source
• Target Folder: D:\VLC\Target
• VLC Program Path:  C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC 
• Video Bitrate: 1024kbps
• Video Container: MP4
• Video Codec: H.264
• Audio Codec: MP3
• Audio Bitrate: 128kbps
• Audio Channels: 2 (Stereo)
• Audio Sample Rate: 44100Hz (CD Quality)

Instructions:

1. Download the VLC Script Directory from here and save it on your Computer.

2. Extract the "VLC.rar" file to any Directory of your choice. eg. "D:"

3. Copy the Videos you want to transcode/convert into the "D:\VLC\Source" Folder.

4. Right-Click on  "D:\VLC\vlc.batch.transcode.videos.to.mp4.vbs" file and select "Run with Command Prompt".

5. The new transcoded files will be saved in the Target Folder.

Conclusion:

When the Transcoding is in progress, the VLC Media player window will stay open but no video output will be available and then close after the video has been transcoded. And this will repeat for each video transcoding.

When the Transcoding has been completed, you should see all the video files converted in the Target Folder. Any non-video files (eg. *.JPG) available in the Source Folder will be copied to the Target Folder without any change. When you have verified the files in the Target Folder, you can then go on and delete everything underneath the Source Folder.

If you aspire for  a better video quality, then increase the Video Bitrate(strBitrate) in the D:\VLC\vlc.batch.transcode.videos.to.mp4.vbs file before Transcoding. If you increase the Video Bitrate more than 1024kbps, then you would end up with a larger file size with no significant increase in Video quality and that would defeat the purpose of Transcoding these video files. For home movies recorded with a typical Sony Cybershot or a Canon DSLR camera, the 1024kbps bitrate strikes the perfect balance between quality and smaller file size for the video.

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Links:

1. http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/12009443/m/516001349831
2. http://wiki.videolan.org/How_to_Batch_Encode 
3. http://wiki.videolan.org/Transcode
4. http://taylor.veltrop.com/software/transcode%201.1%20release.vbs
5. http://www.jaleeltech.com.au/download/VLC.rar