Movie Barcode Generator
Ever wanted to create your own movie barcode?
Like this?
Well, now it's easier than ever.
Usage
Download, unzip wherever you want, double click MovieBarCodeGenerator.exe!
Then you give it a movie (virtually all video formats are supported), and you get a nice barcode.
You can tweak some parameters, to obtain different outputs:
- Image size: width and height of the barcode, in pixels.
- If you want the maximum available quality without upscaling, you can check "Same height as the input video".
- Bar count: how many bars do you want?
- Bar width: how wide should the bars be, in pixels?
- Also generate a smooth version: output a smoothed out version as well as the normal barcode. Vertical pixels will be averaged. An example is worth a thousand words:
Examples
Feel free to experiment! Here are some examples of different outputs, using the same movie (Jumper) but with different parameters:
Featured
This program was used to design the posters and the trailer for the 2013 Brooklyn Film Festival.
Check the trailer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jDMijLkDPM
Download
This program is freely available, along with its source code, under the GPL license.
Release notes
Version 1.1, 2018-04-22 ------------------------ - Rewritten from scratch - [changed] now use FFmpeg instead of Direct Show - this means Windows 10 is now properly supported - this also means virtually all video formats can now be read! - [added] ability to generate smooth barcodes Version 0.5, 2011-02-14 ------------------------ - Second public release - [changed] multi-threaded barcode generation Version 0.1, 2011-03-20 ------------------------ - First public release
Hello I am an idiot and cannot download a dvd to avi. What is the best way to do this? I am on windows 10, I saw someone else mention it had to be done with Xvid?
Hey!
I just released a completely rewritten version that supports virtually all video formats.
If you are still interested in making your own movie barcode, you should try it!
(If you are trying to directly use a DVD, it should work if you give it the right .VOB file, located in the VIDEO_TS folder on the disc...)
Hello! I'm trying to use the program in windows 10 and it crashes right after I click on the Generate button. I'm inputing an .avi file, is there any suggestion for what could be wrong?
Hi!
I have no idea. I haven't tried running this tool under Windows 10, and given the API it uses were already deprecated when I created it, it's quite possible something has broken... I'd like to release an update some day to fix all the shortcomings of this project, but in the meantime, I recommend you find another tool. Sorry.
I found out what the issue was, I was converting the movie to .avi but with the x264 codec instead of the xvid, with the xvid it works =)
Nice! Thanks for the feedback!
Is there by any chance a Mac version?
No. You will have to look elsewhere for that. Sorry.
Hello,
I've been trying first a few short (less than 1 minute) videos before attempting one of my own films, however every time I run the software it stops after about 3 seconds with a message "MovieBarcode has stopped working". I run AVI versions that were converted from MP4 and play nicely.
My system is Windows 7 Professional 64bit, Intel Core i7 CPU, 8GB RAM.
These are the error details. Can you figure out the reason of the problem from this?
Thanks.
Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: CLR20r3
Problem Signature 01: MovieBarCode.exe
Problem Signature 02: 0.5.4427.32229
Problem Signature 03: 4f3a91ba
Problem Signature 04: MovieBarCode
Problem Signature 05: 0.5.4427.32229
Problem Signature 06: 4f3a91ba
Problem Signature 07: 34
Problem Signature 08: 44
Problem Signature 09: System.Exception
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.48
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: 0a9e
Additional Information 2: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
Additional Information 3: 0a9e
Additional Information 4: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
No idea. Sorry. You are probably better off trying something else 😕
Hello!
I had the idea to generate a bar code of a video as a gift when I stumbled across your generator, but the original video(s) is a youtube video. I converted the youtube video into both a .wav and a .avi video and as soon as I click generate the program crashes. I've had zero success generating a barcode thus far. I'm not very good with computers at all but I'm sure I'm converting the files correctly. I'm thinking maybe the issue is that I've converted the file from a youtube video? If you have any suggestions that would be a huge help, I think this would be a really good gift and I'm very excited for it so any help would be very much appreciated! Thanks.
Hello
good aftertnoon , i wonder is is possible convert movies about 25 seconds in to a barcode to impress in a rotule of a juice fruit
my idiea is to impresse the barcode in the bottle rotule and then with mobile the cient can scan and see the smalll movie !!
is possible ? what is the softwae to do it ?
best regards
Joao Bento
Hi Melvyn
The program shuts down every time I try to make a moviebarcode. Converted the movie to a avi file so I don't think thats the problem. I'm trying to make a poster of the moviebarcode of the prestige. So a moviebarcode with a high resolution. Could you help me with this? Or even make this for me? I am willing to pay!
You would help me out a lot!
Thanks
Hi. It's been a long time since I last used this program, and even then it didn't work for all formats.
There exist new codecs now that won't work for sure, probably even with an avi video. There is little I can do beside rewrite the entire program.
I'll get back to you via email concerning your demand...
Mr Melvyn, I've just discovered this project and I find it amazing.
I've tried to download the source code, but the link isn't working. Could it be possible to get a copy?
Thank you very much
Oh sorry about that, I updated the link...
Incredible! Will this work with Mac?
No, this is a Windows only app.
Display all the remaining comments...
Hi,
I keep getting an error message when trying to barcode .wmv-files. I'm using a Windows 7 64bit version. The program just stops working an I get the message that an error ocurred and the program could not work. I don't have these problems with .avi-files, but I don't want to convert everything . . .
Also, could you add the possibility to use .mp4-files? Or is that too complicated? (I have no idea about coding and programming 😄)
Sorry about that.
Unfortunately, this program relies on obsolete components, unable to properly read new video codecs. If one does not work, you are out of luck... 😕
This applies to mp4 files too: without a complete rewrite of the application, this format cannot be supported. (Such a rewrite might happen in the future if I can find the time though...)
Hey folks ... (and creator!) -- I'm only on a mac, but I really, really want one of these made. I'm a director, and I'd like a print made for my film's producers .... can I pay someone to make one for me? vosskirby@gmail.com
I can do that. Tell me which video you want, and how you want it to look (size, number of frames...) and I'll get back to you.
No need to pay me, though you can still make a donation via my donation button if you want 😉
Hi, i keep trying to use the program, but every time i press generate it crashes the program, im not sure if it downloaded properly, can anyone help me please?
Hi can I sell the results for money ?
on ebay etc.
thANKS!
sure.
Hello! I love this idea so much and was really happy when I stumbled across your blog with the download! But I was wondering if you could suggest something for someone who wants to do this with photos instead of videos? 🙂
Thanks!
Hi, I never tried to do that actually, but if you're not afraid of getting into command line tools, you could give a shot to this method, based on ImageMagick: http://wordpress.mrreid.org/moviebarcode/
Good luck!
Hi! I'm using your program for an essay at school and I want to write the reference correctly. Could you tell me your name and the year the program was relesed? Thanks!
Sure! My name is Melvyn Laïly, and this program was first released on 2011-03-20.
Thank you so much!! You have been indredibly useful, I'm working with the movie Hero, from Zhang Yimou, You should check it out, it makes an awesome barcode. The movie is divided in difren sections which are made in one particular color. Your program was perfect for it and you made my teacher very happy. And me, of course.
I ment incredibly helpful. Sorry, English isn't my first language.
Haha thank you! I'm glad you and your teached liked it and found it useful. 🙂
Hey, I LOVE THIS! But... Every time I install it on my computer it works until I close it for the first time. Then any time after that I run it, it crashes. I have to remove it from the computer completely, restart it, and download it again. It takes two or three cycles of downloading, deleting, restarting, downloading again before it will work for me. I'm not a computer idiot, but I am willing to admit this could be a user error. Suggestions?
Er... what does the error message says?
I can't possibly see what could be happening... 😕
It just says a problem has caused the program to stop working. I haven't gotten it to work since the last post 😦 I'll keep trying!
Sorry, this just doesn't work. It either outputs a black image, or it repeats the first frame of the video for whatever number of iterations is declared without progressing through the video. I've tried both .avi and .wmv, using Windows Movie maker and Adobe Premiere Pro to do the encoding. I've tried compressed (Cinepak) and uncompressed video files, and have tried converting many different video file types (.mov, .mpg, etc.) to both .wmv and .avi formats, as well as using files in their original .wmv or .avi formats. I have had a 0% success rate in creating a movie barcode. And I am fairly certain it isn't the fault of the video files used.
Any advice? Can you describe what filetype/sort of compression you've successfully used? Does it not work on certain versions of Windows? Can you provide an example of a video file that you know works successfully so I can use it to figure out what's wrong here?
Hi. First, I appreciate all your efforts in trying to make this work, and I'm sorry you didn't succeed yet.
IIRC, only avi and wmv video are supported (as long as you have the right codec, I think) but I just successfully used a mp4, so I'm not sure of anything anymore...
There might be some threading problem with some video apparently (with another mp4 I had), which could result in the first image being repeated all along. I need to look into it.
Try with this video http://cash.x2a.yt/bccb6469c90f4a71b08acf3ab156a144.wmv which works on my machine.
I don't know about OS limitations, but I suppose it should work on anything as long as you can start the program. I'm using Windows 7 (x64) here.
Let me know if you have any more question.
Hey. All get when I generate is a black png. any help?
Did you make sure the video doesn't have black bars on the left and on the right?
That's the only thing I can think of right now...
Hello!
I have Samsung galaxy s2. i scan movie bar code with WIMO reader for 1 min nothing happen. pls give me movie bar code reader app link or video tutorial pls.
Hello. You can't use the WiMO app on any barcode. The image must have been processed by WiMO first, before it can be recognized by the app.
i like this, but it would be nicer to have a mp4 input, could you please realise this?
greets
srone
I'd like to, but this is impossible with the current method used to extract images from the videos.
Most of the program would need to be rewritten.
Can you please add more detailed instructions for batch mode. I am having trouble running the program in cmd.exe
What do you want to do?
You should just have to open a cmd.exe in the folder where MovieBarCode.exe is, then you can start it from here. If you add anything to the command line, the program will start in console mode.
-h option just shows all available parameters.
try -i "pathToAVideo" for a start.
Then you can try -d -i "pathToADirectory" to process all the videos in the folder.
you can of course specify the number of iterations (-I), the bar width (-b) the image size (-w and -H) etc...
hi everybody!
seems that it does not work with win8.. anything can do?
Would love to use your amazing tool..
thx for your help!
Andreas
I just tested, and it works fine on Windows 8.
The problem is probably specific to the video you used...
This program can only handle basic avi files and some wmv. Nothing too fancy.
You should maybe try to convert your video beforehand...
I know it sucks. Sorry.
Hi Yaurthek,
this is the error-file i've got after starting creating barcode-pic:
Problemsignatur:
Problemereignisname: CLR20r3
Problemsignatur 01: moviebarcode.exe
Problemsignatur 02: 0.5.4427.32229
Problemsignatur 03: 4f3a91ba
Problemsignatur 04: mscorlib
Problemsignatur 05: 4.0.30319.18033
Problemsignatur 06: 50b5a536
Problemsignatur 07: 1705
Problemsignatur 08: 25
Problemsignatur 09: System.IO.FileNotFoundException
Betriebsystemversion: 6.2.9200.2.0.0.768.101
Gebietsschema-ID: 1031
Zusatzinformation 1: 5861
Zusatzinformation 2: 5861822e1919d7c014bbb064c64908b2
Zusatzinformation 3: f3d5
Zusatzinformation 4: f3d5be0cad2787556264647dc02181c3
--> may this be the problem?
Problemsignatur 09: System.IO.FileNotFoundException
I tried different types of movies, got allways the same error..
Can you discribe "not too fancy"? 🙂
Are there special settings to convert movies?
Thx! 🙂
The error says File not found. After some testing, turns out I have the exact same error if I delete the dll...
Are you sure you have the "Interop.DexterLib.dll" file in the same directory as "MovieBarCode.exe"?
thx for testing.. yes, I do have the "Interop.DexterLib.dll" in the same directory.
could there be error by having anti-virus-software activated?
The headline you can read in the error-window says:
MoviebarCode Generator doesn't work "any longer"..
strange..
I don't think your antivirus has anything to do with the error, but you can still try to disable it and test...
I really don't see what could be wrong... did you test with another video?
I can say for sure this one works with my program: http://ompldr.org/vaTE0ag/2_Hamsters_1_Wheel.avi
I tested disabled antivir --> negativ
I tested your *.avi --> negativ
guess, there are some option activated in my win8 that
makes these kind of trouble.. but no idea, wich one..
thx for your help anyway.. 🙂
Awesome bit of 'ware. Thanks
I didn't see this anywhere on the site so am asking if there is a Mac version available?
No, this program can only run on Windows.
If you need a bit more control over the design of your barcode I wrote a set of instructions here.
J'y pense à l'instant : pourrait-on également imaginer, avant génération du code barre, de pouvoir classer les "slices" par nuances ? Cela permettrait de mettre en évidence l'utilisation parfois abusive du bleu dans les films d'horreur, etc.
Tout est possible... ^^
J'avoue que je ne voyais pas l'intérêt, avant votre remarque, à part faire des arcs en ciel, mais l'exemple que vous donnez est assez pertinent.
Plutot que d'intégrer ces fonctions dans le générateur de code barres, j'ai créé un projet secondaire qui prend en entrée un barcode et crée une nouvelle image avec les tranches triées par teinte. Il est téléchargeable ici : http://hg.arcanesanctum.net/slicesorter/downloads
Peut-on imaginer une option dans laquelle on extrait, à chaque image extraite, sa couleur dominante ? Si l'on ne conservait que cette teinte dominante pour créer les barres d'1 pixel de large, on obtiendrait sans doute un véritable effet "code-barre".
J'aimerais tester cela, mais je ne sais absolument pas coder.
Il y a une façon très simple de tester ceci : prenez n'importe quelle image, redimensionnez la pour qu'elle fasse un pixel de hauteur, puis à nouveau à sa taille normale. L'écrasement permet d'obtenir la moyenne des couleurs et on obtient un code barre ! (oui, ce n'est sans doute pas à propre parler la couleur dominante, mais on s'en rapproche)
Personnellement, je préfère la version originale et tous ses détails...
Thanks for this 🙂!
I just made a 100x70cm poster that includes three personally important films, using your generator. (Here's a small preview, though it looks a lot better in actual size: http://taival-ambient.com/valolla/mbarcjuliste_p.jpg . The three films are Cries and Whispers, The Mirror & Songs from the Second Floor.)
Nifty output w/ some AVI's I had laying around.
If you update your code, please offer a top to bottom (instead of left to right) (i.e. 90 degree rotate) feature.
Love it! Thanks again.
Thanks for your comments.
Regarding the VOB files, my program is based on some outdated Microsoft apis I don't control, so I really can't add support for any format, would I be willing to, sorry. 😕
All the code would need to be rewritten, and this is not going to happen anytime soon.
As a workaround, you still can convert your files to a supported avi format with another utility though.
For the 90 degree rotation, this could be a nice addition, but this is as easy to do it with any drawing application out there...
I will think of it if ever I update my program.
GREAT WORK! Love the simplicity.
Doesn't work on VOB's under Windows 7 32bits though. Just crashes.
Can I offer a bounty payment to get it to open DVD's group VOB's into TITLES and generate multiple images per TITLE? Please contact me if interested.
Hi!
Firstly, thank you for the awesome work!
However, it doesn't work for some files...
and I'm quite the noob when it comes to coding.
Is there an updated version available for download?
Thanks!!
Hello,
It works with most of avi files, and some wmv... I can't do much if it doesn't, sorry 😕
The api I use is deprecated (if you are curious) so it is not going to change soon.
That said, the best thing you can do is convert your video to a working format. Do some try out with standard codecs and avi format...
I'm afraid I can't help you much with that, sorry again.
I just wanted to leave a thank you for this! It has worked beautifully for me so far, and I cannot thank you enough!
You are welcome 🙂
I have been playing around with the settings some and currently anytime I try to use an image size of greater than 21,000 x 7,000 with greater than 21,000 iterations and a bar with of 1 the program crashes. Am I hitting a limit of some kind? I was trying to see if it would be possible to actually do every frame of a film and in order for me to keep reaching the higher iterations I had to keep a 3:1 ratio and keep the iterations the same as the width. However anything over the 21,000 x 7,000 seems to not work.
You are probably, indeed, hitting a limit.
Keep in mind that to be able to manipulate images, the program uses uncompressed bitmap format. In this format, the image you want to create is about 420Mo, which means a chunk of 420Mo of contiguous memory (RAM) to allocate, which is a lot...
I see two possibilities:
-the huge image you are trying to create does not fit in a free contiguous chunk of memory.
-the .Net Framework or a wrapped native method does not allow to allocate enough memory for the image, even if you does have enough free memory.
In the first case, closing some other programs or buying more ram could help.
In the second case, the entire program should be rewritten, using different method. (and before anyone asks, I tried to recompile the program in x64 mode, but the Interop.DexterLib.dll library is not compatible and the source is not available, so, unless someone wants to rewrite it, this can't be done.)
Not cool, I know, sorry.
That said, I don't think creating such a huge image is a good idea. That's fun for sure, but very few programs will allow you to actually open the result... (a one hour movie at 24 frames per second would result in a 86400 pixels wide image)
And if you want to extract every frame of a video, there is much better solutions (ask Google) ...
The video is http://vimeo.com/12979044
Trying to make it as its my friends own film so it would be brilliant for him to have! Tried it with a longer short film (Flowers by same guy) and it came out really well, but that film is 14 mins. Maybe this one is just too short? x
I don't think its shortness alone makes it bad.
I think it's mainly because there is a lot of almost static shots, so the images are very similar and give the impression that a single image was taken then stretched when dozens are actually taken. Of course, the shortness of the video doesn't make it better.
I'm afraid nothing much can be done, sorry...
ahhhhh i see.... that would make sense I suppose! Thank you very much for your help and for your fab app 🙂 Works perfect for one of them so thats a good enough present I think 🙂 x
Glad I could help 🙂
I can't help you much without seeing the video you are using...
What I can say for sure though, is that you will never have the same type of image with a short film and with a long film.
the output will be very smoother with a short film, as the images coming from a same plan will be very similar...
Managed to get it to work! I think it was due to the file. However I am trying to generate a bar code for a short film (4 mins long) and its coming out as if the literations are set to a very low amount, say 10 with a high bar width, but I want it the very thin bar width. Aiming for 1, but it won't come out like that! 😦 Any ideas?
Thank you! x
Hello!
I downloaded this but it just crashes and doesnt work 😦 Any ideas?
Thanks!
What is your operating system ? (Windows XP, Vista, Seven...? 32 bits or 64 bits version?)
What kind of message is displayed ? (a screenshot or the error text would be nice)
The first thing that comes to mind is a .Net framework error. You need to have it installed to run this program...