ShutDown 1.1 Filter for VirtualDub

1. Table of Contents

2. What is it for?

3. Configuration

4. Filter function

5. Version History

6. Author and History

7. Frequently Asked Questions

8. Credits

2. What is it for?

The ShutDown filter is designed to shutdown the PC after the VirtualDub has finished a lengthy video processing. It doesn't do any video processing at all. It can be used as a cropping filter however, just the same way the famous null filter is used.

3. Configuration

The filter configuration dialog looks like this:

In the configuration, you can se the shutdown type and a waiting period before the shutdown itself.

Graceful shutdown does the same as normal shutdown selected via the Windows Start button. It lets all applications to save their unsaved data and finish work. This type of shutdown may fail sometimes waiting for user input in case some application refuses to finish this way. On Windows 2000/XP a "forced if no answer" shutdown type is used for graceful shutdown to shutdown even if some applications don't respond.

Forced shutdown works the same way as if you press the power button - all applications are closed regardless on their state and the powerdown comes really quickly. Be warned that forced shutdown may damage your data. Use at your own risk only if graceful shutdown doesn't work.

Shutdown timeout is a period of time in seconds while the filter displays an information dialog and lets you prevent the shutdown by pressing a button. The period can be set anywhere between 2 seconds and 2 minutes. Default value is one minute.

The filter can be used both in normal processing and in batch processing. When used in batch processing, put the filter to the last job in batch because any jobs after that one will not be processed. It is a good idea to put the filter to the filter chain just before you do the processing or put the job into the jobs table.

It is not a good idea to use the filter more than once in the filter chain. The best place for the filter is the chain end because VirtualDub (at version 1.4.10) finishes all filters in the chain order and this way all other filters are finished before shutdown is started.

4. Filter Function

During the video processing, the filter behaves just like the null filter. After the processing has ended, the filter displays the following dialog:

The progress meter fill speed depends on the Shutdown timeout configuration value. When the progress meter reaches the right end, the dialog closes automatically, the Windows shutdown procedure of selected type is started and the filter lets the VirtualDub to finish the cleanup. Even with Forced shutdown, VirtualDub usually manages to mark the job as Done but even if this doesn't happen, the result of video processing should be safe because it has been saved and flushed even before the filter displayed its warning dialog box.

5. Version History

1.1

1.0

6. Author and History

My name is Karel Suhajda and currently I am 35 years old. I designed this filter because I didn't want my computer to waste energy doing nothing after it finished lengthy video processing while I was sleeping or at work.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What VirtualDub version do I need to use this filter?

A: I always recommend to use the newest version of VirtualDub. Tested on 1.4.10 but it should run smoothly on any 1.4 version.

Q: The filter displayed an error message. What does it mean?

A: The filter doesn't display error messages. Look for some other reason.

Q: Does your filter support batch processing?

A: Yes, batch processing is fully supported. Keep in mind that it is a good idea to put the filter to the last job only.

Q: Are you sure the resulting video file will be safe if I use the Forced shutdown?

A: No, I am not sure. As I tested it on VirtualDub 1.4.10, it seems that the filter EndProc procedure is called when the video file has been successfully finished and flushed but this may change in future versions of VirtualDub. After the shutdown starts, the filter still leaves VirtualDub some time to do some more finishing. Microsoft rates forced shutdowns as a very dangerous operation for your data.

Q: Is the filter working with Direct stream copy jobs?

A: As of version 1.4.10, direct stream copy jobs generate a warning about unused filters when using Direct stream copy on video but the filters get started and stopped anyway so the filter is functional even with Direct stream copy. This may change in future versions of VirtualDub though.

Q: Where am I supposed to put the filter in the filter chain?

A: Video processing is not affected by the filter at any place. However, putting it to the last place lets VirtualDub to finish all filters before the shutdown is started. 

Q: I have some other question.

A: Mail me to kasuha@post.cz.

8. Credits

Avery Lee for VirtualDub

Donald Graft for hosting this filter

Pavel Pilat for betatesting