TechFreqs Custom Video Backgrounds

The TechFreqs Custom Video Backgrounds mod V1.2G , for 7 Days to Die enhances the game by allowing players to use custom video backgrounds in the main menu. This mod replaces the default static background with dynamic video files, providing a more immersive and personalized experience.

The mod supports various video formats (WebM with VP8, MP4 with H.264, and MOV with H.264) and includes a fallback mechanism to display a static image if video playback fails.
The mod is now fully functional, with a robust set of tools to prepare video files, making it easy for users to customize their 7 Days to Die main menu with dynamic video backgrounds.
This mod uses a config.json file to control video playback settings and The mod hooks into the game’s main menu UI and replaces the default background with a video player.
The mod can load multiple video files, from the Resources folder, By default, it randomly selects a video to play each time the main menu is loaded, adding variety to the experience, and or until the video has finished playing it plays the next random video and or in sequence if you prefer configurable in the config json file.
Videos are preloaded and cached to reduce loading times.

This mod was also developed with extra batch script tools, with flexibility in mind, allowing users to easily convert and trim their own existing video files using a set of custom batch scripts readily available!. These scripts ensure that videos are in the correct format, resolution, and duration for optimal performance in the game and if not feel free to use the trim batch script to trim the video between 30 seconds or 1minute videos and rerun that through the conversion batch scripts.

Key Features:
Custom Video Backgrounds: Replaces the default main menu background with user-provided video files.
Supported Formats:
WebM (VP8 codec, non-transparent)
MP4 (H.264 codec, non-transparent)
MOV (H.264 codec, non-transparent)
Fallback Mechanism: Displays a static PNG image in Textures folder (mainmenuoverlay.png) if video playback fails.
Video Conversion Tools: Includes batch scripts to convert and trim videos into the required formats, ensuring compatibility with the game.
Video Conversion Tools Debug Logging: The conversion scripts include step-by-step debug logs to help users troubleshoot any issues during video preparation.
Mod debugging logging in F1 logs so that way the user can see what video was loaded and or skipped.

Example Folder Structure:
The mod and its associated tools are organized as follows:
Resources folder for videos
Textures folder for transparent png for background
Config folder, XUi_Menu folder for windows xml
and Root folder for mod dll and config json file.
Convert Video Formats Folder for the batch scripts as needed
Move the converted/trimmed videos to the Resources folder as needed after conversion.

Example Config Json:
{
“VideoSettings”: {
“RandomizeVideos”: true,
“SpecificVideo”: “”,
“LoopVideos”: true,
“Volume”: 0.5,
“FadeInDuration”: 1.0,
“FadeOutDuration”: 1.0
},
“FallbackSettings”: {
“UseFallbackImage”: true,
“FallbackImagePath”: “Textures/mainmenuoverlayV1.png”
},
“PerformanceSettings”: {
“MaxResolution”: “1920×1080”,
“MaxBitrate”: 10000
}
}

Using the Conversion Scripts:
The mod includes four batch scripts to help you prepare video files for use in the game. These scripts use FFmpeg (included in the Convert WEBM to WEBMVP8 folder) to convert and trim videos into the required formats. Each script includes step-by-step debug logs to help you track the process.

Prerequisites:
Ensure ffmpeg.exe is present in the Convert WEBM to WEBMVP8 folder. If it’s missing, download it from
https://www.gyan.dev/ffmpeg/builds/
(e.g., ffmpeg-release-essentials.zip) and place ffmpeg.exe in the folder.

Scripts Overview:
convert_webm_to_vp8.bat:
Purpose: Converts WebM files to WebM with VP8 codec.
Input: Any WebM file.
Output: converted_<filename>.webm in the Convert WEBM to WEBMVP8 folder.
Usage: Drag and drop a WebM file (e.g., Avalanche.webm) onto the script.
convert_mov_to_h264.bat:
Purpose: Converts MOV files to non-transparent MOV with H.264 codec.
Input: Any MOV file.
Output: converted_<filename>.mov in the Convert WEBM to WEBMVP8 folder.
Usage: Drag and drop a MOV file onto the script.
convert_mp4_to_nontransparent_mp4.bat:
Purpose: Converts MP4 files to non-transparent MP4 with H.264 codec.
Input: Any MP4 file (including those with transparency).
Output: converted_<filename>.mp4 in the Convert WEBM to WEBMVP8 folder.
Usage: Drag and drop an MP4 file onto the script.
trim_video.bat:
Purpose: Trims videos to a specified duration (30 seconds or 1 minute) and outputs either WebM (VP8) or MP4 (H.264).
Input: Any video file (WebM, MP4, MOV, etc.).
Output: trimmed_<filename>.webm or trimmed_<filename>.mp4 in the Convert WEBM to WEBMVP8 folder.
Usage:
Drag and drop a video file onto the script.
Choose a duration (1 for 30 seconds, 2 for 1 minute).
Choose an output format (1 for WebM, 2 for MP4)

Notes:
The mod supports WebM (VP8), MP4 (H.264), and MOV (H.264) files. Ensure your videos are in one of these formats.
Transparency is removed in MP4 and MOV outputs to ensure compatibility with the game.
Performance:
Videos should be kept at a reasonable resolution (e.g., 1280×720 or 1920×1080) and bitrate (e.g., 2M for VP8, 5M for H.264) to avoid performance issues in the game.
Trimming videos to 30 seconds or 1 minute helps reduce file size and loading times.
If a script fails, check the debug logs in the command prompt output to identify the step where it failed.

Disclaimer:
By using this mod, you acknowledge that TechFreq is not responsible for any issues, crashes, or conflicts caused by its use.
Use at your own risk. Please backup your game files before installing any type of mod.
Thanks for downloading and enjoy!

Installation:
Make sure harmony mod exist in the mod directory as it’s required.
Download the mod files, Extract Mod files.
Please backup your world, save, and or game files.
Place them in your Mods directory of your 7 Days to Die Game.
EAC must be disabled, although i hope in the future that can be changed, as for now DLLS are not EAC supported however XML has no issue, unfortunately this is a dll modification.
THIS IS CLIENT SIDE ONLY but maybe perhaps this is also, server side and client side compatibility?
No further setup needed. Enjoy!

CREDITS:
Thanks to TechFreq & A.I, ChatGPT or Microsoft CoPilot A.I or Grok AI from Twitter or X, for helping me create the modlet, aswell as with very little modding knowledge for the game and learning as i go i couldn’t do this without it and overall brainstorming and or the modding community.
I’d very much appreciate it and or any feedback for the mod(s) aswell

Social Media:
If you appreciate ‘TechFreqs’ work and want to show support, use this donation link, although not necessary.
Kofi Page: https://ko-fi.com/techfreq
I appreciate it in general for just checking out the mod posts, sharing and enjoying any of the mods in itself. Thank you again! and Happy gaming!

Love this mod? Got feedback or ideas or need to troubleshoot?
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Source music files are available feel free to ask away, available in the discord! or for more content!
TechFreqs Socials: https://beacons.ai/techfreq
Checkout the behind-the-scenes vibes today! Thank you again for checking out the mod post.

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Credits: TechFreq