RetroPie - Convert Non-Functional videos to functional videos - Easy free batch method on Windows - also size reducer

[DTEAM]

Here is a simple method to convert non-working videos on RetroPie to functional videos

1 - Download ffmpeg

2 - Follow the instructions from this link but use my command lines instead of his in the batch.bat file.

for %%a in ("*.mp4") do ffmpeg -i "%%a" -pix_fmt yuv420p -crf 30 -vcodec libx264 -acodec aac "newfiles\%%~na.mp4"
pause

You can modulate the bit rate adding -crf xx (xx = 20 to 30 where 20 = better quality )

You can also use it as a video file size reducer

that's it !! Easy and fast

[DTEAM]

@dteam

To convert your personal Pi .mkv recorded videos to .MP4 files, create a new .bat file (00 -mkv to mp4.bat) and use this command line:

for %%a in ("*.mkv") do 01-ffmpeg -i "%%a" -pix_fmt yuv420p -crf 30 -vcodec libx264 -acodec aac "newfiles\%%~na.mp4"
pause

[GreenHawk84]

@dteam it looks like there are a few options to download, source code, PGP signing key, packages and executable (which lead to more options).

[DTEAM]

@greenhawk84
Your main folder should look like this

I created the 2 .bat files with the command lines above and the "newfiles" folder.

You need the fullbuild . Mine is ffmpeg-2021-03-09-git-c35e456f54-full_build but take the last version.

Go here : https://www.gyan.dev/ffmpeg/builds/

release section ---> Version 4 , 4 (first link) . Copy ffmpeg.exe from your bin folder in your main folder.
Doubleclick on desired .bat file with your videos in your main folder. Your new videos will be in your "newfiles" folder.

[GreenHawk84]

@dteam so I have the batch.bat file and I start it, it says "press any key" so I did and then it disappears.

[GreenHawk84]

@dteam

[DTEAM]

@greenhawk84
Go in your newfiles folder. Your new videos should be there

In your case, use batch.bat = mine (renamed) ---> 00 -batch264.bat

for %%a in ("*.mp4") do ffmpeg -i "%%a" -pix_fmt yuv420p -crf 30 -vcodec libx264 -acodec aac "newfiles\%%~na.mp4"
pause

00 -mkv to mp4.bat is for your personnal videos on RetroPie
NEW EDIT
Don't forget to copy ffmpeg.exe from your bin folder to your main folder.

[GreenHawk84]

@dteam okay great, this works now. Perfect, I can use this tool whenever there are bunk videosnaps out there. Very much appreciated!

[DTEAM]

@greenhawk84
Try with the videos from the entire MAME romset. You will have a great surprise 😉

[DTEAM]

You can also shrink your Daphne .m2v video files with

for %%a in ("*.m2v") do 01-ffmpeg -i "%%a" -crf 30 -vcodec mpeg1video -acodec copy "newfiles\%%~na.m2v"
pause

Before
abelt.m2v = 460 MB
After
abelt.m2v = 67.4 MB

I named It 00 -m2v to m2v .bat