⚡ Features

Enhanced Screens Comparison offers a comprehensive set of features designed to make video comparison effortless and professional.

🖼️ Screenshot Generation

Automatic Processing

• Multi-source comparison: Compare unlimited video files simultaneously
• Frame selection: Choose specific timestamps or use interval-based sampling
• Batch processing: Handle multiple comparisons efficiently
• Progress tracking: Real-time progress with detailed status information

Smart Frame Selection

• Interval mode: Evenly spaced screenshots across video duration
• Custom timestamps: Specify exact frames for comparison
• Fallback frames: Default frames (100, 500, 1000) when custom frames aren't available
• Skip detection: Automatically handle problematic frames

🎨 Video Processing

Intelligent Cropping

• Letterbox removal: Perfect for cinema content (2.40:1, 2.35:1, 1.85:1)
• Pillarbox handling: 4:3 content on 16:9 displays
• Logo removal: Presets for major streaming services
• Dirty line correction: Remove encoding artifacts and overscan issues
• Custom crops: Manual crop specification for unique scenarios

Resolution Management

• Smart resizing: 4K → 1080p without breaking aspect ratios
• Multiple targets: Support for 480p, 720p, 1080p, 1440p, 4K
• Aspect ratio preservation: Maintains proper proportions
• Quality optimization: Resize-first processing for consistent results

Processing Backends

• VapourSynth: Professional-grade video processing (optional)
  • High-quality filtering and processing
  • Advanced color space handling
  • Professional encoding workflows
• OpenCV: Reliable computer vision processing (default)
  • Broad format support
  • Stable and well-tested
  • Good performance across platforms
• PIL (Pillow): Basic image processing (fallback)
  • Universal compatibility
  • Lightweight processing
  • Handles edge cases gracefully

🖱️ User Interface

Dual Interface Design

• GUI Mode: Point-and-click interface for casual users
• CLI Mode: Command-line interface for power users and automation
• Seamless switching: Use whichever interface suits your workflow

Modern GUI Features

• 🆕 Drag & Drop Support: Simply drag video files from Windows Explorer
• Persistent Drop Zone: Visual feedback and multi-file handling
• Smart File Validation: Automatic format detection with helpful error messages
• Auto Configuration: Configuration dialogs open automatically
• Scrollable Interface: Works on any screen size
• Progress Monitoring: Real-time processing updates

Enhanced Usability

• One-click stop: Instant processing termination
• File management: Auto-clear screenshots before/after generation
• Folder access: Direct access to output directories
• Settings persistence: Remember your preferences
• Error recovery: Robust handling of edge cases

🌐 Upload Integration

Automatic Hosting

• slow.pics integration: Automatic upload to comparison hosting
• Browser opening: Results open automatically in your browser
• Smart collection naming: Automatic "ShowName S01E01 source vs encode" format
• Episode support: Choose between single episode or season pack uploads

Upload Management

• Retry functionality: "Upload Existing" for failed uploads
• Progress tracking: Upload status and completion feedback
• File organization: Smart matching of screenshots to videos
• Collection management: Organized comparison galleries

🚀 Launcher System

START_HERE.bat Menu

A comprehensive launcher with 10 organized options:

1. 🖼️ Launch GUI Application - Full graphical interface
2. ⌨️ Run Console Version - Command-line interface
3. 📦 Install/Check Dependencies - Automatic dependency management
4. 🔨 Build Windows Executable - Create standalone .exe file
5. 🧹 Clean Build Files - Remove temporary build artifacts
6. 📁 Open Screenshots Folder - Direct access to output
7. 📋 Show Project Info - Version and system information
8. 📖 View Documentation - Open README in default viewer
9. 🌐 Upload Existing Screenshots - Retry failed uploads
10. ❌ Exit - Clean application exit

Smart Dependency Management

• Automatic checking: Verifies all required packages
• Installation prompts: Guides through missing dependencies
• VapourSynth detection: Optional high-quality processing
• Graceful degradation: Works with minimal dependencies

🔧 Advanced Features

File Management

• Format support: MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, FLV, WEBM, M4V
• Path handling: Robust file path parsing from various sources
• Multiple file operations: Batch addition and configuration
• Validation: Comprehensive format and accessibility checking

Customization Options

• Processing modes: Multiple Sources vs Source vs Encode
• Output configuration: Custom resolutions and quality settings
• Crop presets: Extensive library of common crop scenarios
• Frame timing: Flexible timestamp specification

Error Handling

• Graceful degradation: Automatic fallback between processing backends
• Comprehensive validation: Pre-processing checks prevent errors
• Recovery mechanisms: Robust handling of corrupted or problematic files
• User feedback: Clear error messages and suggested solutions

🎯 Workflow Features

Comparison Modes

• Multiple Sources: Compare different releases of the same content
• Source vs Encode: Validate encoding quality against original
• Custom configurations: Flexible setups for unique scenarios

Processing Intelligence

• Smart defaults: Sensible settings for most use cases
• Adaptive processing: Adjusts methods based on content and system capabilities
• Memory optimization: Efficient processing of large files
• Thread safety: Reliable multi-threaded operations

Output Organization

• Structured folders: Organized by video source and timestamp
• Naming conventions: Clear, descriptive file names
• Metadata preservation: Source information in output structure
• Easy sharing: Direct integration with hosting services

🛠️ Technical Features

Cross-Platform Compatibility

• Windows native: Optimized for Windows 10/11
• Python portability: Core functionality works across platforms
• Dependency flexibility: Minimal requirements with optional enhancements

Performance Optimization

• Efficient processing: Optimized algorithms for speed and quality
• Memory management: Smart handling of large video files
• Progress reporting: Real-time feedback without performance impact
• Background processing: Non-blocking operations where possible

Build System

• PyInstaller integration: Create standalone executables
• Version management: Automatic version tracking and metadata
• Icon and resources: Professional appearance with custom icons
• Deployment ready: Single-file executable distribution

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Every feature designed to make video comparison faster, easier, and more professional! 🚀