AME Workflow

[GM Rod]

Hello!

I'll get straight to the point:

I own two systems. I do all my video edits on my 12-core Mac Pro.

But, because it's the trashcan one, I can't add storage to it, so...

I also have a 6-core PC with PLENTY of space, just added an 8TB HDD to it.

Here's what I'm trying to do:

1- Import video from GoPro HERO 5 and 7

2- Convert to ProRes 422 Proxy to allow Resolve to edit without stuttering

3- On the Mac, pull the files for each video and edit

Now, here's what I need Media Encoder to do:

1- Watch the folder the GoPro videos get dumped in (via GoPro Quik app)

2- Automatically convert them, keeping file folder structure, Quik separates them by camera and by date. For example, it'll look like this:

W:\IMPORT\2019-05-24\GOPRO HERO 5\filename.mp4

W:\IMPORT\2019-05-24\GOPRO HERO 7\filename.mp4

I need AME to put them, after conversion, in:

W:\IMPORT\OUTPUT\2019-05-24\GOPRO HERO 5\filename.mp4
W:\IMPORT\OUTPUT\2019-05-24\GOPRO HERO 7\filename.mp4
And son on and so forth...

I've gotten as far as adding the watch folder and choosing the ProRes 422 Proxy preset.

What's next?

Thanks in advance!

P.S.: I saw there's a little tutorial on how to create a watch folder server on here. It doesn't explain how to do what I'm trying to do.

[Warren Heaton]

Why not just add Thunderbolt or USB3 storage to the Mac Pro?

That consideration aside, all you have to do with a Watch Folder is put file into it to be converted.

[GM Rod]

I already have an external drive on USB 3 connected. It's too small (3TB), because it's also the drive I use for Time Machine. And the cost per gig is much much higher when we're talking about external drives.

Also even if I did that, it'd still not answer my question. If I add the folder to the watch list, does it convert keeping subfolder structure or not?

[Warren Heaton]

You should be able to find a pretty inexpensive enclosure (I spent about $300 for mine for Akito, but I think it's been discontinued) and then still go with bare drives.  So, sure, an extra $300 or so.

Files added to the Watch Folders are exported to the "Output Folder".  So, I believe the correct answer to your question is no when using Watch Folders AME does not convert keeping the subfolder structure.  It converts to the Output Folder location.