Automatically Skip Commercials in NextPVR with Comskip
Eliminating Commercials in NextPVR Recordings with Comskip
Having successfully configured live TV viewing on your computer using NextPVR, and potentially extended this functionality to stream across multiple devices within your home network, a common frustration arises: the presence of commercials within your recorded programs.
This guide details a method for the automated removal of these interruptions.
Introducing Comskip: Automated Commercial Detection
Comskip is a complimentary software application designed for Windows operating systems. Its primary function is the identification of commercial breaks within recorded television content.
The program facilitates the skipping of advertisements automatically, requiring minimal user interaction, regardless of whether playback is occurring through VLC media player or a media center application such as Kodi.
This allows for uninterrupted viewing enjoyment, achieved through a straightforward initial configuration process.
How Comskip Works
Comskip analyzes the audio and video streams of your recordings to identify patterns characteristic of commercials.
It then creates a file containing markers indicating the start and end points of each detected commercial break.
Playback software, like VLC or Kodi, can then utilize this information to seamlessly skip over these sections, providing a cleaner viewing experience.
The process is largely automated, freeing you from manually fast-forwarding through advertisements.
- Automatic Detection: Comskip identifies commercials without manual input.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works with popular players like VLC and Kodi.
- Streamlined Viewing: Enjoy uninterrupted television programs.
A small amount of initial setup is required to integrate Comskip with your NextPVR setup, but the benefits of ad-free viewing are significant.
Initiating Comskip: Download and Installation
The initial step involves downloading Comskip from its official download page. Obtain the latest software version, which will be distributed as a .zip archive named "comskip" followed by the version designation. Select the version with the highest number, or the most recent publication date. Currently, version 81_092, released on March 7, 2016, is the most up-to-date.
Extract the contents of the downloaded ZIP file to a directory of your choosing. A recommended location is C:\comskip, which will be utilized throughout this guide; however, alternative destinations are permissible.
The extracted archive contains numerous files. To begin utilizing Comskip, the application "ComskipGUI.exe" will be employed for commercial identification. Open a separate Windows Explorer window and navigate to the directory where your PVR stores recorded television episodes. Select a video file that you wish to view without commercial interruptions.
Drag the chosen video file onto the icon representing ComskipGUI.exe to initiate a real-time demonstration of Comskip’s functionality.
The video will be displayed in real time, accompanied by graphical representations illustrating Comskip’s efforts to detect commercial breaks. The tool may revisit sections for re-evaluation, and the process duration can vary. Observing this process is quite insightful. The software will identify broadcast network logos, detect black frames, and analyze volume fluctuations.
Upon completion, Comskip generates a text file containing the identified commercial break timings.
This file lists, in seconds, the start and end points of the commercial breaks detected within the analyzed video. This is a preliminary step, and further configuration will be required.
Configuring Comskip for Real-Time EDL File Generation
While NextPVR requires an "EDL" file to facilitate commercial skipping, it cannot directly utilize a simple text file. Fortunately, Comskip possesses the capability to generate these EDL files, but it must be explicitly instructed to do so. Two distinct methods are available for this configuration.
The initial approach involves modifying the comskip.ini file, which resides within your Comskip installation directory. A standard text editor, such as Notepad, is sufficient for this task. Ensure the following lines are set to "1" rather than "0":
output_edl=1live_tv=1The appearance of these lines within the text document should be as follows:
The setting output_edl=1 directs Comskip to create the necessary EDL file. This feature is typically enabled by default in newer Comskip versions, but verification is recommended.
The second configuration, live_tv=1, instructs Comskip to generate this EDL file in real time. This is particularly beneficial for ad skipping during live television viewing.
Alternatively, instead of directly editing the text file, the "ComskipINIEditor" program can be utilized. This program provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for configuration. The "output_edl" option is located within the "Output Control" section:
Similarly, the "live_tv" option can be found under the "Live TV" section:
The method of configuration – GUI or text editor – is a matter of personal preference; choose the approach that best suits your needs.
Configuring NextPVR for Comskip During Recording
The next essential step involves instructing NextPVR to utilize Comskip. Initially, locating the NextPVR configuration directory is necessary. Typically, this directory resides at
C:\Users\Public\NPVR\, however, its location may vary depending on any customizations made during the NextPVR installation process.
Once the configuration folder is identified, navigate to and open the "Scripts" subfolder contained within it.
Within this window, initiate the creation of a new file by right-clicking, selecting "New," and then choosing "Text Document".
Assign the filename
ParallelProcessing.batto the new document, ensuring the complete replacement of any existing
.txtextension.
Open the newly created file using a text editor, such as Notepad. Subsequently, copy and paste the following three lines of code into the file:
@echo offcd /d "C:\comskip"comskip %1
This configuration instructs NextPVR to execute Comskip concurrently with the recording of television programs. Alternatively, if you prefer Comskip to operate after recording completion, simply rename the file to
PostProcessing.bat.
Regardless of the chosen method, Comskip will now automatically process each recorded show. Confirmation of this functionality can be obtained by examining the recordings folder, where the associated TXT and ELD files will be present. Playback of the recording through NextPVR will demonstrate the successful removal of advertisements.
Configuring Kodi for Ad Skipping
It’s probable that viewing isn’t occurring directly within the NextPVR application itself; instead, it's happening through a comprehensive media center application such as Kodi. Unfortunately, the official NextPVR add-on for Kodi streams content originating from NextPVR, and Comskip support isn’t integrated. A change to this functionality appears unlikely in the near future, which is regrettable, but viable solutions exist.
- Access the actual files within Kodi, rather than utilizing the "Recordings" library for playback.
- Employ the X-NEWA add-on as an alternative to the standard NextPVR add-on for Kodi, to view your recordings.
The initial approach, while less refined, is considerably simpler to implement. Adding your recorded videos to Kodi as a video source is required, allowing you to browse to them when desired. Navigate to "Videos" and then select "Files".
You will then be presented with the following window:
Choose "Browse" and locate the directory containing your recorded shows. Ensure you exclude this folder from library scans during the subsequent step. The source is now incorporated into your "Files" section, enabling commercial-free viewing of your videos.
This method can be somewhat awkward, as it necessitates adapting to a new user interface that may not fully integrate with all Kodi skins. However, some skins may allow you to designate this folder as a "Favorite," simplifying access. Furthermore, episode summaries will not be available, which may be a drawback.
Should this be a concern (and it was a significant one for me), exploring X-NEWA is recommended. This represents an alternative Kodi plugin designed for NextPVR, and it offers Comskip support. However, due to its complexity, a detailed discussion falls outside the scope of this guide.
Optimizing Comskip: Achieving Precise Ad Detection
While a powerful tool, Comskip isn't infallible. Distinguishing between commercial breaks and program content can present challenges, leading to occasional inaccuracies. When recurring errors are observed, the "comskip.ini" file can be modified to enhance identification capabilities.
Many users find the default settings to be highly effective. Consistent ad-free playback has been reported, with only infrequent instances of station identification segments remaining. However, television broadcasting practices differ globally, and variations exist among TV service providers.
Therefore, some degree of adjustment and experimentation may be required to achieve optimal performance tailored to your specific setup. Utilizing the "ComskipINIEditor.exe" application allows for fine-tuning when desired results aren't immediately obtained.
Furthermore, pre-configured "comskip.ini" files designed for specific countries and providers are available on the official support forum. Several options are provided for users in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
These region-specific configurations can serve as valuable starting points, guiding your customization efforts and potentially accelerating the process of achieving accurate ad detection.
Refining Comskip Through Configuration Files
The official forum hosts a collection of community-contributed "comskip.ini" files. These files are often optimized for particular broadcast standards or television networks.
Exploring these resources can provide insights into effective settings for your region. They can also offer a shortcut to improved performance, reducing the need for extensive manual adjustments.
- Consider downloading and testing files tailored to your country.
- Look for configurations specific to your TV provider, if available.
- Remember to back up your original "comskip.ini" file before making changes.
By leveraging these resources and carefully adjusting the "comskip.ini" file, you can significantly improve the accuracy of Comskip and enjoy a more seamless viewing experience.