Codecs and media inspection

Find movies in an old or large codec and look for better copies.

A codec is the way the video is compressed, such as H.264 or AV1. Newer codecs give the same picture in a smaller file. You need permission to manage the Library.

Find copies by codec

1. Open Library > Video codecs.
2. Type in Search movies to match the start of a title.
3. Pick a codec in Codec.
4. Pick an order in Sort: Title, Codec or Added.

The list shows main movie files that are present, with their Version, 50 rows a page. Your ticks stay while you change pages.

Search again for better copies

1. Tick the copies you want.
2. Select Review. HolyArrs checks each copy again and shows what it will search.
3. Select Start. You should see results saved for each Version.

HolyArrs searches each Version with its current Pick rules. It does not pick, grab, replace or delete anything, and it does not change your rules. A better Release may not exist.

Where the codec comes from

HolyArrs reads the part of the file that lists its tracks, when it imports a movie or show, takes over a file already on disk, or rescans. The release name never counts. Anything it cannot read shows Unknown.

It reads	It records
Matroska (.mkv), WebM, MP4 or QuickTime (.mp4, .mov)	Container
One of H.264, HEVC, AV1, VP9, MPEG-2, Xvid, VC-1	Video codec
Each audio language, cut to its base code (en-US counts as en)	Audio languages
Count of audio tracks	Audio tracks
A track with no language, und or a bad value	Unknown audio
How far reading got	Status: complete, partial or unsupported

Audio languages also decide whether a file meets a Version. See Original and dubbed audio.

Inspection does not play or decode the file, so it cannot prove every frame works. It uses no network and runs no other programs. Music files are not inspected.

If it does not work

Symptom: A copy cannot be ticked. Cause: It is protected. See Protected copies.

Symptom: Codec shows Unknown. Cause: Another container, a codec outside the list, or an unreadable file.

Symptom: A file is reported as damaged. Cause: Its track details are cut short or do not add up. Fix: Get a fresh copy.

Symptom: Review refuses a copy. Cause: The file moved, is missing, is not a main movie file, left that Version, or is protected.

Symptom: The search says it is out of date. Cause: Something changed after you reviewed. Fix: Select Review again.

For experts

API

These routes need the manage Library permission:

Route	Does
GET /api/v1/library/copies?q=&codec=&sort=&limit=&offset=	Lists copies
POST /api/v1/library/copies/search/preview	Reviews a selection, returns review_token
POST /api/v1/library/copies/search	Runs the search

Preview body:

{"selections":[{"file_id":12,"version_id":7}]}

Send the same selections plus review_token to the search route. A change since review returns 409 Conflict.

Related

• Protected copies
• Original and dubbed audio