Parallel Media Encoder Parallel Media Encoder
Pro Feature

Watch Folder Encoding for Mac

Point a folder at a preset and walk away. New files get transcoded automatically — on local drives or network shares.

Download Free

Requires macOS 14.5 or later. Apple Silicon required.

Watch folder

New files arrive

.mov .mxf .mp4

Auto-Encode

with Preset

Polling every 1–60 min

Output

Transcoded files

ProRes H.265 DNx
Hands-free transcoding

Configure once, encode forever

Choose a folder to watch, assign a preset, and set how often to scan. PME handles the rest — queuing new files and encoding them with the exact settings you chose.

  • Assign any saved preset — ProRes, H.265, DNx, or custom
  • Poll every 1–60 minutes
  • Optional filename suffix for easy identification
  • PickedUp tracking prevents re-encoding
Add Watch Folder dialog showing folder path, preset selection, polling interval, and suffix options

Set It and Forget It

Pick a preset and polling interval. PME scans for new files every 1–60 minutes and encodes them without you touching anything.

Network Share Ready

Watch folders on SMB, NFS, or AFP shares. Credentials stored in Keychain with auto-remount if the connection drops.

Parallel Encoding

Watched files feed into the parallel queue. Multiple files encode simultaneously on Apple Silicon — no bottleneck.

Full CLI Control

Create, list, start, and stop watch folders from the terminal with pme watch. Script your ingest pipeline or run headless.

Works with your NAS, LucidLink, or any shared volume

Enter your network credentials once — they're stored in Keychain and never leave your Mac. If the share disconnects mid-poll, PME remounts it automatically and picks up where it left off.

  • SMB, NFS, and AFP protocols
  • Credentials secured in macOS Keychain
  • Auto-remount on disconnect
Network share watch folder configuration with username and Keychain password storage

How to Set Up Watch Folder Encoding on Mac

1

Create a watch folder

Pick a folder, assign a preset, and set a polling interval. PME scans for new media files every 1–60 minutes and queues them automatically.

Add Watch Folder dialog in Parallel Media Encoder showing folder path, preset selection, and polling interval
2

Drop files and walk away

Add files to the watched folder — from a camera card dump, Finder, or another app. PME picks them up on the next scan and starts encoding.

Watch Folders panel showing active folder monitoring with preset and scan interval
3

Pick up your transcoded files

Encoded files land in your chosen output folder, ready for editing. Originals move to a PickedUp folder so nothing gets processed twice.

Parallel Media Encoder main window showing completed encodes in the queue panel

Frequently asked questions

Is watch folder encoding free?
Watch folders are a Pro feature. Pro is a one-time $39 purchase — no subscription. The free version handles manual encoding with full settings control.
Can I use watch folders with network shares?
Yes. SMB, NFS, and AFP shares are all supported. Enter your credentials once and PME stores them in macOS Keychain. If the share disconnects, PME remounts it automatically on the next poll.
How many watch folders can I set up?
As many as you need. Each folder gets its own preset, output path, and polling interval. The only constraint: folders can't overlap or nest inside each other.
Can I manage watch folders from the command line?
Yes. pme watch add, list, start, stop, and remove give you full control from the terminal. Add --json for machine-readable output — useful for scripting ingest pipelines or integrating with automation tools.
Will the same file get encoded twice?
No. Processed files are moved to a PickedUp folder (or a custom destination you choose) before encoding starts. To re-process a file, move it back into the watch folder.
Does it work with all codecs and presets?
Any preset you've saved in Parallel Media Encoder works with watch folders — H.264, H.265, ProRes, DNx, or custom presets with LUT baking. The output is identical to a manual encode.

Related features

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MXF to ProRes

Convert Sony and Canon MXF files to ProRes, H.265, or DNxHR with metadata preservation.

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Compress Insta360

Compress .insv and .lrv footage while keeping 360 metadata intact for Insta360 Studio.

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Ready to automate your transcoding?

Download free. Watch folders unlock with Pro — $39, one-time.

Download Free

Requires macOS 14.5 or later. Apple Silicon required.

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