How to desactivate the cover

Supermann

Hello,

I just updated my StreamFab and there is a cover.png in my mkv file. How can I disable the addition of this unwanted image file?

Germania

I'm afraid this feature hasn't been implemented.
If that is the case, I would also support the feature request.

I tested a workaround:
Look in your SF Settings where is "Temp Directory",
open this directory, rename the "MetaPicture" Directory
and create a file with the name MetaPicture (without extension).
So SF can't create the Directory new.

Cats4U

Hello,

I just updated my StreamFab and there is a cover.png in my mkv file. How can I disable the addition of this unwanted image file?
Supermann

This was just added in SF versions 6.1.5.4 and 6.1.5.5 at the request of another user here. As in most cases, it should have been made optional by the Developer. I will see about getting that changed.

Besides Germania's excellent workaround, you could easily remove the cover using MKVToolNix.

MrKrawk

This was just added in SF versions 6.1.5.4 and 6.1.5.5 at the request of another user here. As in most cases, it should have been made optional by the Developer. I will see about getting that changed.

Besides Germania's excellent workaround, you could easily remove the cover using MKVToolNix.
Cats4U

Actually, cover attachment has been a function of the program, but was lost during remux due to some bug. As are other pieces of data that stay intact with the mp4 but do not copy over.
The default image Windows uses sometimes is worthless, so the one the provider supplies is often the best choice. It adds a minuscule amount to the overall file size.
Much like chapters from Prime, the option to toggle is not there. Sometimes there are 100 chapters in a 45 minute TV show, other times 3 or 4.

Wilson.Wang

Hi,

BTW, why do you want to remove the cover for the files?

Wilson

jpp72

Hi,

BTW, why do you want to remove the cover for the files?

Wilson
Wilson.Wang

That is my question too. Most people want this so IMHO, we gotta use the 80/20 rule. 80% want that feature vs 20% who don't then feature stays. I personally don't want to see dev cycles wasted on making this optional that but it's obviously not my call and not sure the way this has been coded. Perhaps it's easy to add an "if clause" but yeah i'd want to know why you wouldn't want that.

I use Kodi and Plex and i can force both of them to use a different cover rather than the one built in.

Germania

Personally, I would generally always support optional,
as a multiple choice would always be a product upgrade.

chapter, cover, mark forced subs as forced - yes/no

But of course you are right that there are more important things.

btw: Nice to see you back, Jack

jpp72

Personally, I would generally always support optional,
as a multiple choice would always be a product upgrade.

chapter, cover, mark forced subs as forced - yes/no

But of course you are right that there are more important things.

btw: Nice to see you back, Jack
Germania

Yes i agree with you 100%. Any new feature should be optional but going back to make it optional now is what i feel is overkill.

They should for sure think about making things optional when possible...

You gave a great workaround so as far as i am concerned, that's now a non-issue. It can be added to the very very distant backlog

Glad to be back... I tried many times to get back to the forum and every time i had 5 minutes, i would get called into a meeting 30 seconds later or my autistic son decided now would be great time to have a full blown meltdown

I am now caught up so hopefully 5 minute bursts throughout the day is all i need

Cats4U

You could put me down as "I couldn't care less either way". More times than not, I watch my shows/movies on my Chromebook rather than the TV. If you must know, due to a prior neck injury I feel much more comfortable on my back, pillow under my neck with the Chromebook on my chest than sitting upright which causes pain after a short amount of time. With the Chromebook, I use one of two methods to watch a show. One is Emby. I've tried Kodi and Plex and I like Emby better. Using it, I see the covers and can change them if I want. If I stuck with Emby, I'd be asking "Why do you want to remove the cover" as well. The only problem with Emby is they take forever between stable releases. It's been like 2 years of beta releases now. I don't like being a constant guinea pig. So, in the meantime I found an absolutely wonderful Android player that works on the Chromebook named Nova Video Player, and I've been using it exclusively for 6 months or more. All the videos are listed in List form, no graphics. So, that has me asking "How can I disable the addition of this unwanted image file?â", just like the OP. I'm even thinking of switching Emby over to List format after they finally release a stable version. It makes the operation much faster. So, I see it both ways.

jpp72

If you must know, due to a prior neck injury I feel much more comfortable on my back, pillow under my neck with the Chromebook on my chest than sitting upright which causes pain after a short amount of time.
Cats4U

You need to buy this and have your wife take a picture. Then you can send me that picture! :D:p

Cats4U

You need to buy this and have your wife take a picture. Then you can send me that picture! :D:p

jpp72

I think I'm going to pass on that idea. :cool: I look silly enough without them.

Supermann

Hi,

BTW, why do you want to remove the cover for the files?

Wilson
Wilson.Wang

Because 99% of my files don't have it. As a result, it no longer looks neat and tidy.

jpp72

Because 99% of my files don't have it. As a result, it no longer looks neat and tidy.
Supermann

Since this is definitely not a priority, here is way to remove the ones already there before you used @Germania's workaround

Install MKVToolnix
Make sure it is added to your PATH environment variable
Run the below script in the folder that contains the .mkv files

Just save this script as a .cmd or .bat with something like Notepad++ or any text editor. If you use Windows Notepad, make sure the extension is .cmd/.bat and not .cmd.txt/.bat.txt


@Echo off
REM ************************
REM  Remove MKV Attachments
REM
REM  (c) 2024-01-09 - jpp72
REM ************************
setlocal ENABLEDELAYEDEXPANSION
for /r %%l in (*.mkv) do mkvpropedit "%%~nxl" --delete-attachment 1
powershell -Command "& {Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms; [System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox]::Show('Finished Removing All Covers', 'Removing MKV Attachments', 'OK', [System.Windows.Forms.MessageBoxIcon]::Information);}"

The last line is just to inform you the operation completed. It is not necessary. If you run this from the GUI instead of from the command-line, i suggest keeping it or at least replacing it for a pause so you can see the process completed correctly.

Before:

During:

After:

MrKrawk

jpp72

Eeek, you leave the film reel look intact with the "321"?

Excluding the example you show here of Below Deck, most shows or movies have a more exciting image attached, Peacock, Prime, Disney, whatever.

Because 99% of my files don't have it. As a result, it no longer looks neat and tidy.
Supermann

Neat and tidy? Before the bug was fixed, the images were completely random and 20% of the time, completely useless, ie: a frame from a screen dissolve or something, so it would be a grey image, no actual visual from the show or movie.

Every media file has a cover image of some sort, if you don't have the baked in one that is downloaded, Windows takes a frame from somewhere within the file to create it. The fact that you cannot visually see it because your setup is not programmed to show it ... The Icaros plugin has some very nice options. (easiest way is via the K-Lite Codec Pack).

jpp72

Eeek, you leave the film reel look intact with the "321"?

Excluding the example you show here of Below Deck, most shows or movies have a more exciting image attached, Peacock, Prime, Disney, whatever.
MrGrackle

I have a proper media library. I don't watch stuff with MPC-HC so what do i care what it looks like in Windows Explorer. I don't use the cover.jpg/.png from Amazon. I use the actual thumbnail from the original Network. In this case, BravoTV:

AGuyWithAComputer

Hi,

BTW, why do you want to remove the cover for the files?

Wilson
Wilson.Wang

This is why I download to MP4 and convert to MKV on my own still.

I use Plex for viewing and there is a bug that crashes the player, or at least there was don't know if they fixed it, when there is a cover image in the MKV file that is too big.

For what it's worth thou, always best to make something an option for the end user. Default to on if you want but make something that some people want off to be able to be turned off.