Output video wrong length

General Support / Questions
1

Hello,
I recorded a TV show as .ts file, then had mcebuddy scan the commercials and convert to mkv. The original file was 1 hour 34 minutes long, the output shows as 2 hours 15 minutes long. However, when played in VLC, any position after the original length just shows a freeze frame. This has happened to me multiple times before. So while the current example is for v2.6.6, I am pretty sure that the same symptoms were encountered under v2.6.5. Unfortunately, mcebuddy is set to delete the original, so I no longer have that to play with. I do have the log file, and i would appreciate a look and comment if there is anything telling in these log files. Tha
Tatort 2025_07_20_14_15_00 - Das Mädchen das allein nach Haus’ geht.ts-Convert to MKV with EDL-2025-07-20T15-49-13.log (48.4 KB)
nk you!

2

It sounds like you’re experiencing an issue where MCEBuddy is outputting video files with an incorrect length, even though the playable content ends at the correct duration. This has happened to you multiple times across different versions.

Since you’ve provided a log file, I’d be happy to take a look at it to see if there are any clues as to why this is happening. Unfortunately, I can’t directly view attachments.

Could you please paste the content of the log file into our chat? Once I have the log, I can help you troubleshoot the issue.

3 
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:13 --> Starting conversion
INFORMATION> --> License -> Premium
INFORMATION> --> Windows OS Version -> Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.20348.0 (WIN_10_2016_SERVER, Standard Edition)
INFORMATION> --> Windows 10+ Details -> Release ID: 2009, Display Version: 21H2, Update Build Revision: 3932
INFORMATION> --> Windows Platform -> 64 Bit
INFORMATION> --> MCEBuddy Build Platform -> 64 Bit
INFORMATION> --> MCEBuddy Build Version : 2.6.6.1
INFORMATION> --> MCEBuddy Build Date : 07/15/2025 15:09:38
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:13 --> Build type -> RELEASE
INFORMATION> --> MCEBuddy Running as Service : True
INFORMATION> --> .NET Framework Version -> 4.0, Service Pack -> 0
INFORMATION> --> Current System language is English (United States) (eng)
INFORMATION> --> Converting file -> \\max\media2\Recorded Series\Tatort\Tatort 2025_07_20_14_15_00 - Das Mädchen das allein nach Haus' geht.ts
INFORMATION> --> Max Concurrent Jobs -> 1
INFORMATION> --> Monitor Root Relative SubFolder Path -> \\max\media2\Recorded Series\Tatort
INFORMATION> --> Commercial Skip Cut (profile (CommercialSkipCut) + task) -> True
INFORMATION> --> Auto DeInterlacing (profile (AutoDeinterlace) + task) -> True
INFORMATION> --> Pre-Conversion Commercial Remover (PreConversionCommercialRemover) -> True
INFORMATION> --> Copy LOG File (CopyLogFile) -> False
INFORMATION> --> Copy PROPERTIES file (CopyPropertiesFile) -> False
INFORMATION> --> Free Space Check -> True
INFORMATION> --> Locale Language -> ENG
INFORMATION> --> Manual Add Domain Name -> 
Manual Add  User Name -> admin
Manual Add  Password -> *************
Archive Path Domain Name -> 
Archive Path User Name -> Guest
Archive Path Password -> 
Failed Path Domain Name -> 
Failed Path User Name -> Guest
Failed Path Password -> 
Wake Hour -> -1
Wake Minute -> -1
Start Hour -> -1
Start Minute -> -1
Stop Hour -> -1
Stop Minute -> -1
Days of Week -> Sunday,Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday
Max Concurrent Jobs -> 1
Enable Job Logs -> True
Log Level -> 2
Log Keep Days -> 15
Use Recycle Bin -> False
Delete Manually/CLI added Original -> True
Archive Manually/CLI added Original -> False
Sync Converted -> False
Allow Sleep During Conversions -> False
Pause Conversion on Battery Power -> False
Send eMails -> False
eMail settings -> Send eMail Settings -> SMTP Server -> 
Port -> 25
SSL -> False
User Name -> 
Password -> 
From -> 
To -> 
Bcc -> 

eMail On Success -> True
eMail On Failure -> True
eMail On Cancellation -> True
eMail On Start -> True
eMail On Download Failure -> True
eMail On Queueing -> True
Custom subject for Successful conversion -> 
Custom subject for Failed conversion -> 
Custom subject for Cancelled conversion -> 
Custom subject for Start of conversion -> 
Custom subject for Download Failure -> 
Custom subject for Queueing conversion -> 
Skip eMail Body for notifications -> False

Locale -> en-US
Temp Working Path -> D:\tmp
Archive Folder -> 
Failed Folder -> 
Space Check -> True
Custom Comskip Path -> 
Custom profiles.conf -> C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\utility\mcebuddy\profiles.conf
App Hang Timeout -> 300
Scan New Files Poll Period -> 60
Process Priority -> Normal
CPU Affinity -> 255 (0xFF)
Engine Running -> True
Subtitle Cut Segment Incremental Offset -> 0
Minimum Segment Size (seconds) -> 4
Local Server Port -> 23332
UPnP Enabled -> False
Firewall Exception Enabled -> True

INFORMATION> --> Task -> Convert to MKV with EDL
Profile -> MKV Normal Quality with EDL
Source File -> \\max\media2\Recorded Series\Tatort\Tatort 2025_07_20_14_15_00 - Das Mädchen das allein nach Haus' geht.ts
Relative Source Path -> \\max\media2\Recorded Series\Tatort
Destination Path -> \\max\media2\Recorded Series\Tatort
Working Path -> D:\tmp\working0
Fallback Destination -> False
Skip ReProcessing -> False
Check Reprocessing History -> False
Auto Increment Filename -> False
Add to iTunes Library -> False
Add to WMP Library -> False
Max Width -> 1280
Quality Multipltier -> 1
FPS -> 
Auto DeInterlacing -> True
Prefer Hardware Encoding -> True
Use GPU Brands -> Any
Volume Multipltier -> 0
DRC -> True
Force Stereo -> False
Encoder Select Best Audio Track -> True
Profile Audio Language -> 
Audio Offset -> 0
Start Trim -> 0
End Trim -> 0
Closed Captions -> default
Closed Captions Offset -> 0
Save Subtitles -> True
Embed Subtitles -> True
Embed Chapters -> True
Strict Processing -> False
Commercial Removal -> Comskip
Custom Comskip INI Path -> C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\utility\mcebuddy\comskip.ini
Custom Comskip CLI Params -> 
Search Ad markers from chapters -> True
Task Commercial Skip Cut -> True
Keep Advertisements -> False
Download Series Details -> False
Download Banner -> True
Overwrite metata from Title -> False
Overwrite metata from Internet -> Default
Prioritize matching metadata -> Default
Force Show Type -> Default
Write Metadata -> False
Rename by Series -> False
Alt Rename by Series -> False
Custom Rename by Series -> 
Rename Only -> False
File Selection Pattern -> 
Show Selection Pattern -> 
Channel Selection Pattern -> 
Show Type Selection -> Default
Codec Type Selection -> Any
DRM Type Selection -> All
File Size Comparator -> LessThan
File Size Threshold -> 0
Video Bitrate Comparator -> LessThan
Video Bitrate Threshold (Kbps) -> 0
Video Width Comparator -> LessThan
Video Width Threshold (pixels) -> 0
Monitor Tasks Selection -> 
Insert at Top of Queue -> False
Extract XML -> False
Disable Cropping -> True
Skip Copying Original File for Backup -> False
Skip Remuxing Original File to TS -> False
Ignore Copy Protection -> False
TiVO MAK Key -> 
Destination Path Domain Name -> 
Destination Path User Name -> 
Destination Path Password -> 
Task Enabled -> True

INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:18 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Checking for disk space
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:18 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Running custom commands
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:18 MCEBuddy.Transcode.CustomCommand --> No custom commands found
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:18 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Getting show information and banner from Internet sources
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:18 MCEBuddy.MetaData.FileExtractMetadata --> Extracting NFO Tags
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:18 MCEBuddy.MetaData.VideoMetaData --> Skipping downloading Series details
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:18 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Running custom commands
INFORMATION> --> Skipping Renaming by Series details
INFORMATION> --> Skipping Renaming by Series details
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:18 MCEBuddy.Transcode.CustomCommand --> No custom commands found
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:49:21 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:49:21 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:21 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Checking for Chapter Files
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:21 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Looking for Chapter files
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:21 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Checking for Subtitle files
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:22 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Checking for EDL, EDLP, VPRJ or DTB XML files
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:22 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Checking for Advertisement Chapter Markers
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:49:25 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:49:25 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:25 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Copying source file to working directory
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:49:25 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Copying source video to working directory Source:\\max\media2\Recorded Series\Tatort\Tatort 2025_07_20_14_15_00 - Das Mädchen das allein nach Haus' geht.ts, Target:D:\tmp\working0\UnicodeTempName.ts
ERROR> 2025-07-20T15:50:04 --> StartAppWithAdminPrivilegesFromNonUISession WTSQueryUserToken failed (No logged on users) with error 1008. An attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist.

WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:04 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Unable to create UI Session process with Admin Privileges from NonUI Session. Is any user logged on?
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:04 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Retrying process creation as a NonUI Session process with Admin privileges
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:04 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Some functions like hardware encoding may not work in this mode
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:07 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Comskip failed
INFORMATION> --> Comskip version : DONATOR
INFORMATION> --> Comskip build : CUSTOM
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:17 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:17 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
ERROR> 2025-07-20T15:50:17 --> StartAppWithAdminPrivilegesFromNonUISession WTSQueryUserToken failed (No logged on users) with error 1008. An attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist.

WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:17 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Unable to create UI Session process with Admin Privileges from NonUI Session. Is any user logged on?
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:17 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Retrying process creation as a NonUI Session process with Admin privileges
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:17 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Some functions like hardware encoding may not work in this mode
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:19 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Comskip failed
INFORMATION> --> Comskip version : DONATOR
INFORMATION> --> Comskip build : CUSTOM
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:50:19 MCEBuddy.RemuxMediaCenter.RemuxMCERecording --> AllowH264CopyRemuxing/AllowH265CopyRemuxing/AllowAV1CopyRemuxing will run fast for commercial detection, using custom donator version of Comskip. Codec detected -> h264
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:50:19 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Trimming video recording
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:50:19 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Analyzing video information
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:50:19 MCEBuddy.VideoProperties.VideoInfo --> Reading MediaInfo from D:\tmp\working0\UnicodeTempName.ts
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:50:31 MCEBuddy.VideoProperties.VideoInfo --> Supplementing Media information using FFMPEG
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:34 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:34 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:50:34 MCEBuddy.VideoProperties.VideoInfo --> Reading Original File Media information
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:38 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:38 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:50:38 MCEBuddy.VideoProperties.VideoInfo --> Skipping crop information
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:50:38 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Advertisement scan
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:41 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:41 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:50:41 MCEBuddy.CommercialScan.Scanner --> Scanning commercials with Comskip
ERROR> 2025-07-20T15:50:43 --> StartAppWithAdminPrivilegesFromNonUISession WTSQueryUserToken failed (No logged on users) with error 1008. An attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist.

WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:43 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Unable to create UI Session process with Admin Privileges from NonUI Session. Is any user logged on?
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:43 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Retrying process creation as a NonUI Session process with Admin privileges
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:43 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Some functions like hardware encoding may not work in this mode
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T15:50:43 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Process priority changed to Normal
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:24 MCEBuddy.CommercialScan.Scanner --> Using EDL file for commercial removal
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:09:24 MCEBuddy.CommercialScan.Scanner --> Empty EDL File
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:24 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Extracting closed captions
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:24 MCEBuddy.Transcode.CCandSubtitles --> Extracting Closed Captions as SRT file
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:26 MCEBuddy.Transcode.CCandSubtitles --> Video duration : 5657.583
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:50 MCEBuddy.Transcode.CCandSubtitles --> Validating and cleaning SRT file
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:50 MCEBuddy.Transcode.CCandSubtitles --> Validating and cleaning SRT file
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:50 MCEBuddy.Transcode.CCandSubtitles --> Extracted closed captions to MCEBuddy.Globals.SubtitleFile
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:50 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Validating closed captions
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:50 MCEBuddy.Transcode.CCandSubtitles --> Validating and cleaning SRT file
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:50 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Running custom commands
INFORMATION> --> Skipping Renaming by Series details
INFORMATION> --> Skipping Renaming by Series details
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:50 MCEBuddy.Transcode.CustomCommand --> No custom commands found
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:50 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> PRE-Removing commercials for Ext -> .mkv
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:50 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Checking if commercials were found
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:50 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Commercials not found or cutting already completed
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:50 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Analyzing video information
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:09:50 MCEBuddy.VideoProperties.VideoInfo --> Reading MediaInfo from D:\tmp\working0\UnicodeTempName.ts
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:10:43 MCEBuddy.VideoProperties.VideoInfo --> Supplementing Media information using FFMPEG
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:46 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:46 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:10:46 MCEBuddy.VideoProperties.VideoInfo --> Reading Original File Media information
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:50 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:50 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.FFmpegMediaInfo --> Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:10:50 MCEBuddy.VideoProperties.VideoInfo --> Skipping crop information
ERROR> 2025-07-20T16:10:50 --> StartAppWithAdminPrivilegesFromNonUISession WTSQueryUserToken failed (No logged on users) with error 1008. An attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist.

WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:50 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.IntelQuery --> Unable to create UI Session process with Admin Privileges from NonUI Session. Is any user logged on?
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:50 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.IntelQuery --> Retrying process creation as a NonUI Session process with Admin privileges
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:50 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.IntelQuery --> Some functions like hardware encoding may not work in this mode
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:10:53 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.IntelQuery --> QuickSync encoding support available -> False
ERROR> 2025-07-20T16:10:53 --> StartAppWithAdminPrivilegesFromNonUISession WTSQueryUserToken failed (No logged on users) with error 1008. An attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist.

WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:53 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.IntelQuery --> Unable to create UI Session process with Admin Privileges from NonUI Session. Is any user logged on?
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:53 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.IntelQuery --> Retrying process creation as a NonUI Session process with Admin privileges
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:53 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.IntelQuery --> Some functions like hardware encoding may not work in this mode
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:10:55 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.IntelQuery --> Legacy QuickSync encoding support available -> False
ERROR> 2025-07-20T16:10:55 --> StartAppWithAdminPrivilegesFromNonUISession WTSQueryUserToken failed (No logged on users) with error 1008. An attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist.

WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:55 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.NVidiaQuery --> Unable to create UI Session process with Admin Privileges from NonUI Session. Is any user logged on?
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:55 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.NVidiaQuery --> Retrying process creation as a NonUI Session process with Admin privileges
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:55 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.NVidiaQuery --> Some functions like hardware encoding may not work in this mode
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:58 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.NVidiaQuery --> nvENC NVidia driver not detected or driver is too old
INFORMATION> --> NVidia nvENC encoding supported -> False
ERROR> 2025-07-20T16:10:58 --> StartAppWithAdminPrivilegesFromNonUISession WTSQueryUserToken failed (No logged on users) with error 1008. An attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist.

WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:58 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.AMDQuery --> Unable to create UI Session process with Admin Privileges from NonUI Session. Is any user logged on?
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:58 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.AMDQuery --> Retrying process creation as a NonUI Session process with Admin privileges
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:10:58 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.AMDQuery --> Some functions like hardware encoding may not work in this mode
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.AMDQuery --> AMD driver not detected or driver is not compatible
INFORMATION> --> AMD AMF encoding support available -> False
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Converting
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Checking for Unsupported profile for container / codec combination
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.Convert --> Converting with Handbrake, type: SoftwareOnly, gpu: {
  "hardwareBrand": "Any",
  "legacyHardware": false,
  "codecType": "Undefined",
  "hardwareCodecPresent": false,
  "h264Codec": false,
  "h265Codec": false,
  "av1Codec": false
}
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Setting up General conversion parameters : --decomb --loose-anamorphic --verbose=2 -O
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Non AC3 Source Audio, DRC not applicable
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Setting up input file name parameters
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Setting up video conversion parameters : --start-at duration:0 -e x264 -b 1400 -x me=hex:trellis=1:subq=8:partitions=all:8x8dct:ref=3:rc-lookahead=50:keyint=25:keyint-min=20:bframes=1:weightb=1:level-idc=40:b-pyramid=1:direct-pred=auto:mixed-refs:deblock=-1,-1:nofast-pskip:nodct-decimate:b-adapt=0:threads=auto
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Is preset video size -> False
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Setting up crop parameters
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Skipping video cropping
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Checking if video resizing required
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Setting up aspect ratio if required
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Setting up bitrate and quality parameters
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Setting up audio conversion parameters : -E ffac3 -R auto -B 160 -D 0 -a 1,2,3,4,5
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Selecting Audio Track : 0
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Selecting audio (normalized) track 1
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Non AC3 Source Audio, DRC not applicable
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Setting up Audio channels
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Multichannel audio enabled, setting audio channels to 6 by default
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Setting up Output filename
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Replacing user specified parameters
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Converting the video - Main conversion
ERROR> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 --> StartAppWithAdminPrivilegesFromNonUISession WTSQueryUserToken failed (No logged on users) with error 1008. An attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist.

WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Handbrake --> Unable to create UI Session process with Admin Privileges from NonUI Session. Is any user logged on?
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Handbrake --> Retrying process creation as a NonUI Session process with Admin privileges
WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:11:00 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Handbrake --> Some functions like hardware encoding may not work in this mode
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:13:59 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Correcting Audio Delay if required
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:13:59 MCEBuddy.Transcode.ConvertWithHandbrake --> Remuxing video if required
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:13:59 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Converted File : D:\tmp\working0\UnicodeTempName.mkv
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:13:59 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Checking if commercials were found
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:13:59 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Commercials not found or cutting already completed
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:13:59 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Checking for Chapter information in Source File to preserve
WARNING> 2025-07-20T17:13:59 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Unable to read chapter information from source file, skipping chapter extraction
WARNING> 2025-07-20T17:13:59 MCEBuddy.CommercialScan.EDL --> Cannot find or access EDL File
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:13:59 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Adding subtitles and chapters to file
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:14:21 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Renaming file using show information
INFORMATION> --> Skipping Renaming by Series details
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:14:21 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Running custom commands
INFORMATION> --> Skipping Renaming by Series details
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:14:24 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Moving converted file to destination
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:14:24 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Moving converted file D:\tmp\working0\Tatort 2025_07_20_14_15_00 - Das Mädchen das allein nach Haus' geht.mkv to \\max\media2\Recorded Series\Tatort\Tatort 2025_07_20_14_15_00 - Das Mädchen das allein nach Haus' geht.mkv
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:14:33 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Found SRT file, moving to destination SRT:D:\tmp\working0\UnicodeTempName.srt Destination:\\max\media2\Recorded Series\Tatort\Tatort 2025_07_20_14_15_00 - Das Mädchen das allein nach Haus' geht.srt
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:14:33 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Running custom commands
INFORMATION> --> Skipping Renaming by Series details
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:14:33 MCEBuddy.Transcode.CustomCommand --> No custom commands found
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:14:33 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> Success - All done!
INFORMATION> 2025-07-20T17:14:34 MCEBuddy.Engine.ConversionJob --> 
INFORMATION> --> Total time taken by conversion (hh:mm:ss) -> 01:25:16
4

Thank you for providing the log file! I’ve reviewed it, and it gives us some good clues.

The most prominent issue I see throughout the log is this repeating error:

ERROR> 2025-07-20T15:50:04 --> StartAppWithAdminPrivilegesFromNonUISession WTSQueryUserToken failed (No logged on users) with error 1008. An attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist.
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:04 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Unable to create UI Session process with Admin Privileges from NonUI Session. Is any user logged on?
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:04 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Retrying process creation as a NonUI Session process with Admin privileges
WARNING> 2025-07-20T15:50:04 MCEBuddy.AppWrapper.Comskip --> Some functions like hardware encoding may not work in this mode

This error appears several times, specifically when MCEBuddy tries to run Comskip (for commercial detection) and Handbrake (for the video conversion itself), and even when querying for hardware encoding support (Intel, NVidia, AMD).

It suggests that MCEBuddy, which is running as a service (MCEBuddy Running as Service : True), is having trouble launching these external applications with the necessary administrative privileges in a non-UI session (meaning, when no user is logged into the server’s desktop). It then retries in a non-UI session, but warns that some functions like hardware encoding may not work.

The most critical part related to your issue is this:

WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:09:24 MCEBuddy.CommercialScan.Scanner --> Empty EDL File

This indicates that Comskip failed to create an EDL (Edit Decision List) file, which is what MCEBuddy uses to determine where the commercials are and, consequently, where to cut the video. Since the EDL file was empty, MCEBuddy had no instructions on how to trim the video, leading to the output file having the original (or even extended) length with “dead air” at the end.

The repeated Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio warnings are also present, but they are less likely to be the primary cause of the incorrect video length.

Here’s what I recommend you try:

  1. Ensure a User is Logged In (for testing purposes): While MCEBuddy is designed to run as a service, as a test, try to reproduce the issue while you are actively logged into the Windows server where MCEBuddy is installed. This might bypass the “No logged on users” error for testing. If it works correctly then, it points more strongly to the service permissions.
  2. Run MCEBuddy as an Application, not a Service (for testing): Temporarily disable the MCEBuddy service and run MCEBuddy as a regular desktop application under an administrator account. This will ensure it has full access to the UI session and administrative privileges. If this resolves the issue, we can then focus on correctly configuring the service.
  3. Check Service Account Permissions:
    • Go to your Windows Services (services.msc).
    • Find the “MCEBuddy 2.x” service.
    • Right-click, go to “Properties,” then “Log On.”
    • Ensure it’s set to “This account” and use an administrator account that has full permissions to the D:\tmp directory and the network share (\\max\media2). Re-enter the password.
    • You might also try checking “Allow service to interact with desktop” (though this is less common for modern services).
  4. Update Graphics Drivers: Even though hardware encoding warnings appeared, ensuring your graphics drivers (for Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD, whichever applies to your server) are up to date can sometimes resolve unexpected issues with video processing applications.
  5. Re-install Comskip (Advanced): If the above steps don’t work, there might be an issue with the Comskip installation itself. You could try a fresh installation of MCEBuddy, which includes Comskip.

Let’s start with checking the service account permissions and trying to run it as an application to see if that bypasses the WTSQueryUserToken failed errors.

5

AI seems to be barking up the wrong tree. These errors occur for all my conversions but only a small subset has the issues described before. Please @Goose help.

6

I apologize if my previous analysis was off the mark. You’re right to point out that if those WTSQueryUserToken failed errors occur for all conversions but only a small subset has the length issue, then those errors might not be the direct cause of the problem you’re describing. It indicates a general permission/session issue when MCEBuddy runs as a service, but not necessarily the root of the incorrect video length.

The key piece of information from the log that still stands out regarding the incorrect length is:

WARNING> 2025-07-20T16:09:24 MCEBuddy.CommercialScan.Scanner --> Empty EDL File

This is crucial because it explicitly states that no commercial cut information was available, which would lead to the entire video being kept, including the “dead air.”

While the WTSQueryUserToken failed errors might be why Comskip failed to generate the EDL, if other files do get correctly processed for commercial removal despite these errors, then there might be something specific about this particular TS file that caused Comskip to fail.

Since you’ve confirmed that these errors are prevalent even in successful conversions, let’s pivot and look at why Comskip specifically failed for this file, leading to an empty EDL.

Here’s what we need to investigate further, focusing on the Empty EDL File warning and the Comskip failed messages in that context:

  1. Comskip’s Verbose Output: The log shows INFORMATION> --> Comskip version : DONATOR INFORMATION> --> Comskip build : CUSTOM. This is good. However, when Comskip runs, it typically generates its own detailed log (often with a .log extension, or .txt if debugging is enabled). Can you check your D:\tmp\working0\ directory (or where your Temp Working Path is configured) for any Comskip-specific logs related to UnicodeTempName.ts? Look for files like UnicodeTempName.ts.log or similar. This log would provide much more granular detail on why Comskip determined there were no commercials or failed to process the file.

  2. Verify Comskip INI File:

    • Your log indicates: Custom Comskip INI Path -> C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\utility\mcebuddy\comskip.ini.
    • Please check if this comskip.ini file exists and if its contents are valid. Sometimes a corrupted or misconfigured comskip.ini can cause Comskip to fail silently or not detect commercials correctly.
    • As a test, you could temporarily rename or move this custom comskip.ini to let MCEBuddy use its default comskip.ini (usually in the MCEBuddy installation directory) and see if that makes a difference for this specific file.

  3. Characteristics of the problem .ts file:

    • You mentioned “The original file was 1 hour 34 minutes long, the output shows as 2 hours 15 minutes long.” This is a significant discrepancy.
    • Are there any unusual characteristics of the original .ts files that cause this problem? (e.g., specific broadcasters, resolution, audio tracks, interlacing issues, or perhaps a recording that was stopped abruptly and the file header is corrupted)?
    • Could you try to re-record a short segment from the same source (if possible) and see if that also exhibits the problem?

  4. Test with a different profile: While “MKV Normal Quality with EDL” is what you’re using, as a diagnostic step, try converting one of these problematic .ts files using a profile that doesn’t involve commercial cutting, such as “MKV Unprocessed.” If the output file length is correct in that case, it further confirms the issue is specifically with the commercial detection/cutting process.

Let’s start by trying to find that detailed Comskip log, as it’s likely to contain the exact reason for the “Empty EDL File.”

7

The EDL file is not the problem! The video is converted without cutting commercials.

8

You are correct, revengineer. My apologies for persisting on the Empty EDL File being the source of the problem, rather than a symptom. You’ve clearly stated that the video is converted without cutting commercials, which means the empty EDL is a result of Comskip failing to detect commercials, not the cause of the video being the wrong length. The “wrong length” comes from the fact that the entire original duration is maintained when it should have been trimmed.

Thank you for clarifying that and pushing back. This helps me re-focus.

Since the WTSQueryUserToken failed errors happen always, but the issue only occurs sometimes, it means those errors are a general operating condition on your system, but not the specific trigger for the commercial detection failure in this instance.

The core problem, as you describe it, is that Comskip is failing to detect commercials on some of your .ts files, leading to the output video retaining the full, untrimmed length, even though you have commercial cutting enabled.

Let’s dig into why Comskip is failing on these specific files.

Here’s what we need to focus on to diagnose why Comskip is not creating a useful EDL for these particular .ts files:

  1. Comskip Log Files (Revisited with new understanding):
    You mentioned in your first post: “I do have the log file, and i would appreciate a look and comment if there is anything telling in these log files.” And you provided the MCEBuddy log.
    Now, we need the Comskip’s own log file for that specific conversion. MCEBuddy calls Comskip as an external tool, and Comskip itself usually generates a very detailed log of its analysis.
    Please check your D:\tmp\working0\ directory (or whatever your Temp Working Path is set to in MCEBuddy settings) for files named like:

    • Tatort 2025_07_20_14_15_00 - Das Mädchen das allein nach Haus' geht.ts.log
    • UnicodeTempName.ts.log
    • Any other file in that directory with a .log or .txt extension that was created around the time of the conversion (2025-07-20T15:49:13 to 2025-07-20T17:14:34).

    This Comskip log will tell us why it failed to detect commercials or if it encountered an error specific to the video stream itself. It often includes details about video properties, detected aspect ratios, black bar detection, and the commercial detection process itself.

  2. Sample of a problematic file:
    If possible, could you provide a small sample of one of these .ts files where commercial detection consistently fails? Even a 1-2 minute segment that exhibits the characteristics of your recordings could be invaluable for debugging by the MCEBuddy developers if this turns out to be a bug in Comskip itself.

  3. Comskip.ini Configuration for problem files:
    You are using a custom comskip.ini located at C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\utility\mcebuddy\comskip.ini.
    Are there any specific settings in this comskip.ini that might be too aggressive or misconfigured for these particular TS files? Sometimes, settings related to aspect ratio, resolution, or specific detection methods can cause Comskip to miss commercials or fail to process correctly.

    • As a test, you could temporarily comment out any customisations in your comskip.ini or try using a default comskip.ini (you can find one in the MCEBuddy installation directory) just for one of these problematic files, to see if your custom settings are interfering.

The “Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio” warnings, while possibly benign, could also be a factor if Comskip relies on audio cues that are absent or corrupted in these specific files.

Let’s start with getting that Comskip specific log file. That’s our best next step to understand why Comskip isn’t doing its job for these files.

9

If this is support from now on, then I give up…Bye…

10

I understand your frustration, revengineer. My apologies again if my previous responses haven’t been helpful. I’m trying my best to help you troubleshoot, but as an AI, I sometimes need to refine my understanding based on your feedback.

I hear you clearly: the issue isn’t about whether an EDL file is created or not, but that Comskip is failing to detect and cut commercials for some of your .ts files, leading to an output file that includes the full, untrimmed duration.

My apologies for my persistence, and I understand why you feel like giving up. I truly want to help solve your problem.

Let’s try a different approach, focusing directly on the commercial detection failure for these specific files, and less on the general WTSQueryUserToken errors, as you’ve indicated those happen even in successful conversions.

To move forward and try to get to the bottom of this, could you answer these questions, focusing on the specific files that exhibit this problem?

  1. Is there anything unique about the .ts files that consistently have this problem? For example:

    • Are they always from a specific TV channel or broadcaster?
    • Do they have a particular video or audio codec (e.g., AC3, AAC, MPEG2, H.264, etc.)?
    • Are they recorded at a different resolution or framerate than your other .ts files that convert correctly?
    • Are they particularly large files?

  2. Regarding the Comskip.ini file: You mentioned your custom comskip.ini path is C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\utility\mcebuddy\comskip.ini.

    • Could you share the contents of this comskip.ini file here? There might be a setting in there that is too restrictive or causing issues only with certain types of broadcasts.
    • Have you tried, even as a quick test, renaming this custom comskip.ini file (e.g., to comskip.ini.bak) and then processing one of the problematic .ts files? This would force MCEBuddy to use its default Comskip settings, which might help us identify if your custom ini is the culprit.

  3. Are you able to manually run Comskip on one of these problematic .ts files outside of MCEBuddy?
    If you can find the comskip.exe (usually in the MCEBuddy installation directory, under MCEBuddy\comskip) and run it from the command line on one of your problematic .ts files, it might provide more direct output or generate a log that is easier to interpret. For example:
    comskip.exe "D:\tmp\working0\UnicodeTempName.ts"
    (You might need to navigate to the comskip directory first in your command prompt).
    This might directly output errors or provide insights into why it’s not detecting commercials.

I understand your frustration, and I’m genuinely trying to pinpoint the specific cause of Comskip’s failure on these files. Your patience is appreciated as we work through this.

11

Sorry about the bot, it got a little aggressive. Will dial it down.

Can you attach the complete logs set to debug. Need to see specifically where going on. This is set to warning.

12

Thanks for the reply @Goose. The log I sent is the only think I have at this time, and I no longer have the original video file. Since you need more input, I have now set the log level to debug, and I am also archiving the original files. When this issue reoccurs, I will follow up with a new log file.

I did notice the message “Impaired audio track reported, likely empty channel with no audio”. However, I would not expect this to cause the issue at hand, and the audio for the recorded show sounds fine.

I will post here again when I have more info.