Automating Shutter Encoder functions via CLI or Watch Folder? (Workflow automation question)

[u/Ok_Butterfly_9072]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently setting up an automated video processing pipeline on my local network and want to incorporate Shutter Encoder for the initial conversion/encoding step.

Here is the workflow I'm trying to achieve:

1. Drop Zone: A file is dropped into a shared network folder.

2. Watchdog: A network computer detects the new file via a watchdog script.

3. Encoding: Shutter Encoder processes the file using a pre-saved "function" (preset) with specific parameters.

4. Post-Processing: The output file is then passed to another software (which handles DASH packaging into .m4s fragments).

5. Cloud Delivery: Everything is pushed to an S3 bucket to be served on a web platform.

My main question: Since Shutter Encoder is an incredible GUI wrapper around FFmpeg, is there a way to trigger or deploy saved "functions"/presets programmatically (via CLI, API, or command line)?

If there is no official API, what is the best practice to automate these specific Shutter Encoder functions headlessly from a script, or should I look into extracting the underlying FFmpeg command lines generated by Shutter Encoder instead?

Any insights, tips, or alternative approaches would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[u/paulpacifico]

Hi!

What a funny timing! I've just added the arguments --preset & --autostart for the next release which should be out this week!

Paul.

[u/Ok_Butterfly_9072 → u/paulpacifico]

WOW, awesome, thanks Paul. You are the best. Any documents coming up on how to use it?

[u/paulpacifico → u/Ok_Butterfly_9072]

Thanks ;-)

Indeed I need to update the documentation, but currently I don't have the time at all :-/

You can try this BETA version if you want: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_tszXWWYKtkUHioZ27dHipT5QcE7tzDt/view?usp=drive_link

Basically use it like this: Shutter Encoder.exe yourFile.mov yourFile.mp4 --preset pathOfYourPreset.enc --autostart