 | Mac OS X Automation | Lion Release Notes | Automator/Services
Mac OS X Lion Automation Release Notes Encode to MPEG Audio An important aspect of creating audio content for distribution, is the encoding of source audio files to meet the hardware requirements of various computers and mobile devices. The Encode to MPEG Audio action makes the encoding of audio content an easy process, available on the desktop, and done without requiring the user to have technical knowledge of compression and audio settings. Using the Encode to MPEG Audio action, MPEG audio files can be created from audio source files of types AIF, WAV, CAF, and SDII. The Action Interface The following outlines the parameters and settings controls available in the action view: The Encoder popup menu (1) offers four options that determine the type and amount of compression to be applied to the source audio files: High-Quality (128 kbps, 44.1 kHz), iTunes Plus (256 kbps, 44.1 kHz), Apple Lossless, and Spoken Podcast (22.05 kHz). The Destination popup menu (2) lets users select the directory that will contain the output files. The particulars of the encoding parameters, determined by the combination of the two popup menus, is displayed below in the action view (3). Output format, data rate, and display size are shown. In addition, the Apple devices that support the chosen encoding parameters are listed for reference. The output settings (4) provide options for determining the directory that will contain the encoded files. In addition, an option is provided to delete the source files after they have been processed. Note that the created files retain the base name of their source files, with the appropriate name extension appended to the end of the file name. For example, a source file named Race Car.mov might produce an encoded version named Race Car.m4v. What it Does The Encode Media action accepts one or more video files as input and produces an MPEG encoded video file version of each video file, as a result. If the Audio Only encoding setting is chosen, an MPEG/AAC audio file version of the audio track of the source movie, is produced. The Built-in Encoding Service By default, Mac OS X Lion includes a built-in Automator Service for encoding video files on the desktop. To access the service, simply select one or more video source files in the Finder, and launch the service by selecting it from the Finder's contextual menuaction menu, or Services menu in Finder application menu. TOP NEW ACTIONS IN LION Text to EPUB File Website PopUp Create Banner Image from Text Encode to MPEG Audio Encode Media Create Annotated Media File Get Web Content/Save Images from Web Content ABOUT AUTOMATOR/SERVICES To learn more about how to create your own Automator workflows and services using this action, watch these short movies: Introduction to Automator Introduction to Services DEVELOPER NOTE The Encode to MPEG Audio action uses the new afconvert command-line utility to create encoded versions of existing audio files. Disclaimer Mention of third-party websites and products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. MACOSXAUTOMATION.COM assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of information or products found at third-party websites. MACOSXAUTOMATION.COM provides this only as a convenience to our users. MACOSXAUTOMATION.COM has not tested the information found on these sites and makes no representations regarding its accuracy or reliability. There are risks inherent in the use of any information or products found on the Internet, and MACOSXAUTOMATION.COM assumes no responsibility in this regard. Please understand that a third-party site is independent from MACOSXAUTOMATION.COM and that MACOSXAUTOMATION.COM has no control over the content on that website. Please contact the vendor for additional information.

Encode to MPEG Audio

An important aspect of creating audio content for distribution, is the encoding of source audio files to meet the hardware requirements of various computers and mobile devices. The Encode to MPEG Audio action makes the encoding of audio content an easy process, available on the desktop, and done without requiring the user to have technical knowledge of compression and audio settings.

Using the Encode to MPEG Audio action, MPEG audio files can be created from audio source files of types AIF, WAV, CAF, and SDII.

The Action Interface

The following outlines the parameters and settings controls available in the action view:

The Encoder popup menu (1) offers four options that determine the type and amount of compression to be applied to the source audio files: High-Quality (128 kbps, 44.1 kHz), iTunes Plus (256 kbps, 44.1 kHz), Apple Lossless, and Spoken Podcast (22.05 kHz).
The Destination popup menu (2) lets users select the directory that will contain the output files.
The particulars of the encoding parameters, determined by the combination of the two popup menus, is displayed below in the action view (3). Output format, data rate, and display size are shown. In addition, the Apple devices that support the chosen encoding parameters are listed for reference.

The output settings (4) provide options for determining the directory that will contain the encoded files. In addition, an option is provided to delete the source files after they have been processed. Note that the created files retain the base name of their source files, with the appropriate name extension appended to the end of the file name. For example, a source file named Race Car.mov might produce an encoded version named Race Car.m4v.

What it Does

The Encode Media action accepts one or more video files as input and produces an MPEG encoded video file version of each video file, as a result. If the Audio Only encoding setting is chosen, an MPEG/AAC audio file version of the audio track of the source movie, is produced.

The Built-in Encoding Service

By default, Mac OS X Lion includes a built-in Automator Service for encoding video files on the desktop. To access the service, simply select one or more video source files in the Finder, and launch the service by selecting it from the Finder's contextual menuaction menu, or Services menu in Finder application menu.

TOP

NEW ACTIONS IN LION

Text to EPUB File
Website PopUp
Create Banner Image from Text
Encode to MPEG Audio
Encode Media
Create Annotated Media File
Get Web Content/Save Images from Web Content

ABOUT AUTOMATOR/SERVICES

To learn more about how to create your own Automator workflows and services using this action, watch these short movies:

DEVELOPER NOTE

The Encode to MPEG Audio action uses the new afconvert command-line utility to create encoded versions of existing audio files.

Disclaimer

Mention of third-party websites and products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. MACOSXAUTOMATION.COM assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of information or products found at third-party websites. MACOSXAUTOMATION.COM provides this only as a convenience to our users. MACOSXAUTOMATION.COM has not tested the information found on these sites and makes no representations regarding its accuracy or reliability. There are risks inherent in the use of any information or products found on the Internet, and MACOSXAUTOMATION.COM assumes no responsibility in this regard. Please understand that a third-party site is independent from MACOSXAUTOMATION.COM and that MACOSXAUTOMATION.COM has no control over the content on that website. Please contact the vendor for additional information.