Command-line operation
You can initiate some Microsoft Expression Encoder functionality with a command-line interface. If you are familiar with the basic functionality of the application, you can execute commands that encompass the whole process of encoding your video.
-
Open a Command Prompt window.
-
Browse to the Microsoft Expression Encoder install directory.
-
At the command prompt, type encoder /?. The window should list the following command syntax, in addition to the variables that you can type:
Encoder.exe /Source <FileName> /Target <FileName> [/OptionName <Value>] [/Preset <PresetFile>] [/LogOn|Off][/Time][/DefaultMarkerThumbnailsOn]
-
Type your command, and then type the options according to the guidelines in the following sections.
Type any of the following for the [/OptionName <Value>] command, specifying the file path for the source video file:
-
Source <FileName> Specify the file path for the source video file.
-
Target <FileName> Specify the file path for the final encoded video.
-
[/Preset<PresetFile>] Specify a preset to apply to the items in a particular job file. Type the file name of the job file to which you want to add the preset.
-
[/Log On|Off] Output a log file for the job preset.
-
[/Time] Output the time it took to run the process to the file stdout.
-
[/DefaultMarkerThumbnailsOn] Generate thumbnails for each marker in the input file.
-
OverlayFileName:<some string> Specify the file path of the image file that you want to use as an overlay for your video. Expression Encoder supports .jpg, .bmp, .png, and .jpg image files.
-
OverlayRect:<X,Y,W,H> Specify the placement coordinates (X [left],Y [top]) and the dimensions (W,H) that you want for the overlay file. These coordinates are relative to the output video size.
-
OverlayOpacity:<X> Specify the level of transparency for the overlay file. Note that the value must be a decimal representing percentage. For example, if you want your file to display at 45% opacity, you should type .45 for the value.
-
OverlayTransparentBackground:<true|false> Specify whether Expression Encoder should treat the solid color background as transparent.
-
OverlayLoop:<true|false> Specify whether the overlay should loop.
-
OverlayLoopingGap:<HH:MM:SS> Specify the duration before the overlay loops.
-
OverlayFadeInDuration:< HH:MM:SS> Specify how long the overlay takes to fade in.
-
OverlayFadeOutDuration:< HH:MM:SS> Specify how long the overlay takes to fade out.
-
OverlayLayoutMode:< MainVideo|WholeSequence|Custom> Specify in which part of the video the overlay should appear.
-
OverlayStartTime:< HH:MM:SS> Specify when the overlay should begin.
-
OverlayEndTime:<HH:MM:SS> Specify when the overlay should end.
-
VideoProfile:<Name of Profile> Specify the name of your saved profile if you have previously saved a profile.
-
AudioProfile:<Name of Profile> Specify the name of your saved profile. You must have previously saved a profile.
-
TwoPassEncoding:<true|false> Specify whether you want to make two passes in the encoding process.
-
VideoComplexity: <Fastest|Fast|Good|Normal|Better|Best> Specify the encoding complexity of the video stream.
-
DeinterlaceMode:<Off|AutoBob|ForceBob|AutoPixelAdaptive|ForcePixelAdaptiveTopFieldFirst> Specify the deinterlace mode.
-
ResizeQuality:<NearestNeighbor|Bilinear|Bicubic|Super|Lanczos> Specify the algorithm that is used to resize the video.
-
NormalizeAudio:<true|false> Specify whether the audio should be normalized during encoding.
-
AudioGainLevel:<X> Specify the audio gain level.
-
MaxPacketSize:<X> Specify the maximum size of a packet in bytes.
-
MinPacketSize:<X> Specify the minimum size of a packet in bytes.
-
CropRect:<X,Y,W,H> Specify the location coordinates (X [left],Y [top]) and the dimensions (W,H) that you want for the crop rectangle. The coordinates are relative to the source video dimensions.
-
VideoSize:<X,Y> Specify the final dimensions of the video.
-
VideoResizeMode:<Stretch|Letterbox> Specify whether you want Expression Encoder to stretch or display the source video in letterbox format when the target video has a different aspect ratio. Replaces VideoSizeMode.
-
FileType:<None|Audio|Video> Specifies the file type of the item. This can be set to output only the audio or video stream.
-
AspectRatioMode:<SquarePixels|FourThree|SixteenNine|Source|Custom> Specify the aspect ratio.
-
CustomAspectRatio:<X,Y> Specify the custom aspect ratio.
-
VideoSizeMode:<ProfileAdaptive|Profile|Source|Custom> Specify the video size mode. Replaces VideoPixelSizeMode.
-
ScriptCommandOutput:<Header|Stream> Specify the value that indicates whether the script commands should be written to the header or the stream.
-
ThumbnailMode:<None|BestFrame|FirstFrame|Custom> Specify thumbnail options, according to the following explanations:
-
If you do not want a thumbnail associated with the video, select None.
-
To use the first non-black, non-solid color frame as the thumbnail, select Best Frame.
-
To use the first frame of the video as the thumbnail, select 1st Frame.
-
To choose your own thumbnail from the video, select Custom.
-
-
ThumbnailTime :<HH:MM:SS> Specify the location of the frame that you want to use as your thumbnail. When you type a variable for this option, it forces the thumbnail mode to Custom (see earlier in this topic).
-
ThumbnailCodec:<Jpeg|Bmp|Png|Gif> Specify how you want your thumbnail to be compressed.
-
ThumbnailJpegCompression:<X> Specify the quality of the JPG compression for the thumbnails that will display next to your file name. You can enter values from 1 to 100. If you enter no value, Expression Encoder uses a default value of 75. Higher compression means higher quality, but a larger file.
-
ThumbnailSize:<X,Y> Specify the dimensions of your thumbnail.
-
MarkerThumbnailCodec:<Jpeg|Bmp|Png|Gif> Specify how you want your marker thumbnail to be compressed.
-
MarkerThumbnailJpegCompression:<X> Specify the quality of the JPG compression for the thumbnails generated at markers. You can enter values from 1 to 100. If you enter no value, Expression Encoder uses a default value of 75. Higher compression means higher quality, but a larger file.
-
MarkerThumbnailSize:<X,Y> Specify the dimensions of your marker thumbnail.
-
LeaderFileName:<some string> Specify the file path for the video that you want to use as your leader video. Replaces LeadingClip.
-
LeaderVideoResizeMode:<Stretch|Letterbox> Specify whether you want Expression Encoder to stretch the leading clip or display it as letterbox when resizing to the main video size. Replaces VideoSizeModeLeadingClip.
-
TrailerFileName:<some string> Specify the file path for the video that you want to use as your trailer video. Replaces TrailingClip.
-
LeaderDuration:<HH:MM:SS> Specify the duration of the leader. If the leader is an image or XAML file, this can be used to change the duration. Replaces LeadingImageDuration.
-
TrailerVideoResizeMode:<Stretch|Letterbox> Specify whether you want Expression Encoder to stretch the leader video or display it as letterbox when resizing to the main video size. Replaces VideoSizeModeTrailingClip.
-
TrailerDuration:<HH:MM:SS> Specify the duration of the trailer. If the trailer is an image or XAML file, this can be used to change the duration. Replaces TrailingImageDuration.
-
StartTime:<HH:MM:SS> Specify the video In point. Use to trim your videos.
-
EndTime:<HH:MM:SS> Specify the video Out point. Use to trim your videos.
-
OverlayAudioGainLevel:<X> Specify the audio gain level for the visual overlay.
-
AudioOverlayFileName:<a string> Specify the file path of the audio file that you want to use as an audio overlay for your video.
-
AudioOverlayLoop:<true|false> Specify whether the audio overlay should loop.
-
AudioOverlayLoopingGap:<HH:MM:SS> Specify the duration before the audio overlay loops.
-
AudioOverlayLayoutMode:<MainVideo|WholeSequence|Custom> Specify in which part of the video the audio overlay should appear.
-
AudioOverlayStartTime:<HH:MM:SS> Specify when the audio overlay should begin.
-
AudioOverlayEndTime:<HH:MM:SS> Specify when the audio overlay should end.
-
AudioOverlayGainLevel:<X> Specify the audio gain level for the audio overlay.
Type encoder /<command> to access any of the following features:
-
Help Display the contents of the Help file for Command Prompt.
-
ListProfiles Display all the custom and default profiles available to you.
-
JobFile <XEJ file|XML file> Open the job file that you specify. Replaces JobFile:<XML file>.
-
ListTemplates Display the default and custom templates that you have installed.
-
ValidateTemplate <Template Name> Compile and report the errors in the custom template file that you specify.