plex_compress.sh

A Bash script for compressing large video files (MKV/MP4) in a Plex library using HandBrakeCLI. The script supports both interactive and automatic (cron) mode, and can run in dry-run mode to simulate actions without changing files.

Features

• Automatic encoder selection (x264/x265) based on CPU support
• Configurable source directory via flag or environment variable
• Intelligent dependency checking - only what's required for the selected mode
• Interactive mode: Select files with fzf and see detailed preview
• Cron/auto mode: Automatically finds large video files (default: >10GB)
• Dry-run: Simulates actions without changing files
• Detailed progress: File sizes before/after, savings and statistics
• Safety checks: Write access and collision-safe temp files
• Error handling: Robust handling with status reports
• Help system: Built-in help and usage information

Dependencies

• HandBrakeCLI
• fzf (interactive mode only)
• mediainfo (interactive mode only)
• numfmt

Interactive Mode Preview

The interactive mode provides a rich file selection experience with detailed media information preview:

The interface shows:

• File list: Movies sorted by size with both file size and full path
• Preview panel: Detailed media information including:
  • File format and container details
  • Video resolution, framerate, and codec information
  • Audio format, channels, and language
  • File size, duration, and bitrate
  • Technical metadata for informed selection

Flag Overview

Flag	Short version	Function
--dry-run	-d	Simulates actions without changing files
--interactive	-i	Interactive file selection with fzf and preview
--source DIR	-s DIR	Specify source directory (default: /whirlpool/media/data/movies)
--help	-h	Show help and usage

You can combine flags, e.g. run both interactive and dry-run:

./plex_compress.sh --interactive --dry-run --source /my/movie/folder

Usage

./plex_compress.sh [OPTIONS]

See the table above for details about individual flags.

Examples

• Automatic compression of large files:

  ./plex_compress.sh

• Interactive file selection:

  ./plex_compress.sh --interactive

• Simulation with different directory:

  ./plex_compress.sh --dry-run --source /my/video/folder

• Combination of options:

  ./plex_compress.sh --interactive --dry-run --source /test

Environment Variables

• SOURCE_DIR (path): Override default source directory
• ENCODER (x264/x265): Override automatic encoder selection
• Q (quality): Override default quality (lower = better quality, larger file)
• EPRESET (HandBrake preset): Override preset (e.g. fast, medium)

Typical Workflow

1. Script checks for required programs.
2. Selects encoder based on CPU or ENV.
3. Finds relevant video files (interactive or automatic).
4. For each file:
   • Checks write access and if output already exists
   • Runs HandBrakeCLI with selected parameters
   • On success: deletes original and saves new file
   • On error: original is kept

Error Handling

• Missing dependencies stops the script
• Missing write access gives message to run with sudo
• Output file exists: file is skipped

Author

• k-dannemand

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See the script for more details and customizations.