Allow language code as argument to --main-audio option in transcode-video

[JMoVS]

I called thr script with this:

transcode-video --output titlesmall.mkv --add-audio language=deu --audio-width all=double --no-auto-burn title01.mkv

My file has an audio track 1 with english and a track 4 which is german. According to help, main output is number 1 by default, so shouldn't need to change/specify it as "adding" means additional audio tracks beside the main track. Resulting video only had the german audio track

[lisamelton]

@daDnaK No, this is the intended behavior. If you read the --help output again, notice that it says, "default: 1 or first in selected language." With your --add-audio language=deu option, you've selected something other than English. This means the main audio track will become will be the first German track.

It was actually extra work to implement it this way. :) Without this feature, the power of adding by language is somewhat limited.

To get the behavior you want, simply add --main-audio 1 to your command line.

Anyway, this is technically not a bug, so I'm closing this now.

[JMoVS]

yeah, but "adding" is for me "I have something and add something to it, that's why I'm confused. The reason speciifcally is that I specify a language to be added, not chosen. But maybe I'm to pedantic with words.

Please tell me what you think and whether you understand my reasoning

[JMoVS]

long story short: If there'd be an option of "--main-audio language=deu", I'd understand it but right now, I think the prefix of "add" for "language" is (in my mind) misleading.

Nevertheless, aside from these subtelties, thank you very much for the terrific work with all this transcoding stuff. I read somewhere you recommended storing --big files if originals can't be kept but can't find it anymore. Where's that gone?

[lisamelton]

@daDnaK The "README" file has a section toward the bottom titled "Recommended transcode-video usage" containing what I think you're looking for. There it says:

Use the --big option if you can't retain your original source rip or you just have plenty of storage space.

[lisamelton]

@daDnaK I really like your idea of a --main-audio language=CODE feature. That's really useful.

And if I add that, I will reconsider your (not really) pedantic concern for the semantics of --add-audio too.

So, I'm re-opening this so we (and hopefully) other folks can discuss it.

[JMoVS]

providing an --main-audio language=CODE option would also ease mass conversion as it would obliviate the need the first scan the title (if that's the sole reason for scanning) as it would select the language's track(s) automatically.

[lisamelton]

@JMoVS Agreed! That's exactly why I like the idea. Can't believe I didn't think of that.