avconv-based timelapse script.

timelapse.sh

#!/bin/bash

# Usage:
#   timelapse.sh root rate quality
#
# Join with something like:
#   avconv -f image2 -r 15 -i "%05d.jpg" -r 24 -s 1680x1050 -vcodec mpeg4 -pix_fmt yuv420p -q 8 output.mp4

# Root path
root=$1

# FPS; defaults to 15s delay: 1/15 = 0.06~
rate="${2:-0.06}"

# Image quality; lower = better; defaults to 6
# 4-8 is usually what you want
quality="${3:-6}"

if [ -z "$root" ]; then
	echo "usage: timelapse.sh root rate quality"
	exit
fi

avconv=avconv
screen=":0.0"
position="0,0"
size=$(xdpyinfo | grep dimensions | cut -d ' ' -f7)

datetime=$(date "+%FT%H-%M-%S")
path="$root/${datetime}"

echo "root = $root, rate = $rate, size = $size"
echo "writing to: $path"

if [ -d "$path" ]; then
	echo "!! path already exists"
	exit
else
	mkdir -p "$path"
fi

echo

$avconv \
	-f x11grab -s $size -r $rate -vsync 1 -i $screen+$position \
	-q $quality "$path/%05d.jpg"