Hello:

I installed this wonderful module and got it working down to having the cron do the conversion. Thanks so much. Truly.

I am doing only audio conversion aif / wav/ mp3 -> mp3

So literary the module works as described - it automatically converts files via Job Queue using cron. Now, the way I understood it - and perhaps I was wrong in doing so - is that I could use it to make the conversion happen on the fly, right after the upload, which is where I am having the problem. This is a new module and there is almost no information on it, so I am hoping you can kindly throw me a most needed bone.

So can I use ffmpeg converter this way? Was that they way it was intended to work or is this a way in which it can make it work if I configure it that way?

I keep getting the impression I am missing something, either something did not instal right or perhaps I need a more specific type cron job?

A few thing about this instal:

A) When I installed this module I think I may have done it out of order (that is, I installed FFMpeg converter first, then Job Queue) Would this affect the installation?
B) If so, is this the reason the Job Queue settings windows has no fields in it?. All I see in mine a simple table with two columns (Job Type / Priority) and one entry (All other functions, 0). There are no fileds, no menus or buttons except for one at the bottom "save settings". Should some FFmpeg Converter-related items be listed here?
C) Ok, so I set the basic Drupal cron job as described in the main cron job page listed on the README file. It is working. (I am on a VPS account)

I know this is a fairly new module but, I am betting on it for a working site and hope I can use it. It is just such an elegant solution.

Thanks

Luis

Comments

3rdLOF’s picture

3rdLOF commented
Priority: Critical » Normal

Sorry..On point C) I did not finish my question. I guess my question was...Do I need to set up some form of advanced cron task to make what I want to do happen?

Thank you

zoo33’s picture

zoo33 commented

Hi! I'm glad you like the module and that it's working alright, at least up to a certain point.

The simple answer is: no, you can't do conversion on the fly. It is designed to use a queue and convert files in the background in the order that they were added until the queue is empty. This is a way of controlling the amount of server load that the module will use. It could be rewritten to also provide conversion on the fly, and that would certainly be a nice addition, but it's not something I'm working on.

By the way you describe things, I don't think there is anything wrong with your installation.

3rdLOF’s picture

3rdLOF commented

Thanks for the reply. I will, with your permission, take a crack at adding that feature and bring back around to share.

zoo33’s picture

zoo33 commented

Well, you don't need anyone's permission to submit a patch! To commit this feature to the module, I'd like these thoughts taken into consideration:

* I think admins will have to choose between either having files converted on-the-fly or through the queue. Giving the user this choice will probably result in a too complicated interface. So, this requires a new option in the settings, possibly on a per-field basis.

* The on-the-fly conversion should preferrably use the Batch API to minimize the risk of timeouts and give the user an indication that something is happening. (Remember, the conversion process for videos involves several steps, including the generation of snapshot images.)

It would be great if you wanted to put some time and effort into this! If you need help along the way or if you want to discuss something, let me know!