New GUI for VCDImager... Any testers?

[Belboz]

Everyone,

I'm working on a GUI interface that generates XML files for vcdimager. I mentioned this in another topic, but figured I should create a new topic to make sure those who might be interested don't miss it.

I am almost done with the first rev. My first version (mainly written to help a friend who wants to use vcdimager, but is confused about the xml syntax) should be ready sometime tomorrow.

You can see a snapshot of the current interface by clicking the below link.

http://home.cinci.rr.com/mhill/vcd2xml.JPG

Basically this first version will let you build simple to slightly more complex vcd's without touching the xml code itself.

You can use it to create an xml file for vcdimager for the following setups.

1) Single mpeg track (the current GUI out there does this)
2) Multiple mpeg tracks
3) MPG Still menu to select 1 or more mpeg video tracks
4) MPEG Intro followed by a menu as above in #3

You can also specify if the mpeg tracks should return to the menu or go on to the next track.

I know to do things like nested menus, entry points, etc I have more work ahead of me, but hopefully this first version will help some.

I could also use a few testers, as I do not have a CDRW drive (just a plain old CDR drive) so I don't want to do alot of burn tests. I know I can test them on the PC without burning, but I like to test in my standalone DVD players.

Let me know if your interested in testing.

[Rico]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
Let me know if your interested in testing.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>
¨
I would really like to try it out... I've been pondering on writing a GUI myself since I got VCDImager (which honestly isn't that long time ago), but if this is neat I guess I won't have to

I've also heard that there are some developement going on a Java GUI...

Regards,
Rico

[kHenryan]

since svcd.xml is similar to vcd.xml

I use I_Author to create the menu_structure with some small mpeg files and bmp files then output .cif image.

Then I use CDMage to convert .cif to .bin/.cue

use vcdxrip to extract the videocd.xml , then I extract the essence of this videocd.xml ...

[aldus4]

Would love to test it.

[BadAsh]

You know, I have been planning on doing the same thing.

I'd love to test out your interface and of course, I'll share mine... if it ever happens.

-BadAsh

[miguelos_net]

Would love to test it too.
I've got a CDRW writer!

[NickGardel]

Maybe you cn integrate in your GUI the possibility to mark some indexes in a long MPEG file and be able to be recognized it in a menu structure. Then we can make chapters in any standalone DVD player without pause between them.

I'm very interesting to test it

[Fantastic]

Some DVD-Players do have Problems with SVCDs burned with Nero Burning (like mine: Yamakawa 715 with Firmware A2 or Kiss54). There are a few tips in the internet how to handle Nero with SVCDs (like creating a file called SCANDATA.DAT and placing it in the EXT-Folder), but they all did not work, neither did WinOnCD 3.8 (which I was told should do it).The only burning-tools I found that worked for me were BlindWrite and CDRWin, both with Images created by VCD-Imager 0.6.2. But when I use VCD-Imager 0.7.x instead it does not work anymore either (same symptoms like Nero: No autoplay, no ff/rw possible).

So here are my questions concerning VCD-Imager and your GUI:

Do you know about the reasons why those symptoms accure with VCD-Imager 0.7.x ? Will the GUI work with VCD-Imager 0.6.2 and will it be able to creat menus with that version ?

Bye

Fantastic

[kitty]

Good work! Looking at the JPG it was unclear how you specify MPEG still vs. MPEG movie clip for the menus.

[gambit32]

I'd love to test it. I only started making menus and it was with Nero. I can be the semi-newbie guinea pig since most of the replies here are from more experienced folks. I can test to see if it's easy for a less experienced person to use.

[Belboz]

Everyone,

I will contact a few of you guys in email (if your profiles or posts have the info) probably later tonight when I get back to finish it.

The program is by no means complete, but it seems to generate valid xml files already. Need to do a little testing myself and then it should be ready. I will release it on the web fairly quickly after getting some feedback from the testers.

kitty,

I never thought about a movie versus still for the menu. My program doesn't check the mpeg files for content. It just builds the xml file so vcdimager can process. It will accept either type of mpeg menu. I will have to check and see if one should be handled differently in the xml code.

Fantastic,

You should be able to use it older rev's, but I have no gurantees. I'm running the latest beta of vcdimager. Have you talked to hvr about your problem?

Nick,

Indexes is definitlely something to add at some point. I tossed the current program together last night so feature wise it is limited. I had visions of making it fully graphical letting you specify nested menus, entrypoints, etc.


_________________
belboz@cinci.rr.com

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Belboz on 2001-07-13 13:09:47 ]</font>

[supercrew]

Count me in as a tester...

I really need something like this...

supercrew

[rickyt]

would love to test! I need this kind of prog.

[Sully]

GET IT FINISHED!!!!

Looks like exactly what a lot of people have been looking for.

[boas999]

Will it also have the ability to have chapters (with just one mpeg file) ?

[Belboz]

Everyone,

I sent out a test version to some of the people who asked here or emailed me.

If you didn't receive it, you probably don't have an email address listed in your profile on here, or you never emailed me. I also had a couple people email me whose return email address's were invalid.

Hopefully I will get some quick feedback on the program and release it to the masses very soon.

boas999,

I was planning on adding chapter support. I'm not sure how far I will develop my program since there is a GUI being worked on already for VCDImager. I have no idea how far along or what that project is planning, but originally I created my program for a friend who just wanted an easier time with simple XML file generation.

I would love some feedback on how people think nested menu's, chapters, etc should be implemented in a GUI. A couple people who emailed me mentioned they did not like the approach that WinOnCD does (the graphical approach). So any ideas for a simple intuitive way to implement it would be interesting to hear.

[vitualis]

For exploit the full features available in VCDImager and indeed the VCD2.0 standard, a reasonably complex GUI system must be used (e.g., VideoPack4 or the Philips Video toolkit).

However, if you plan on creating a tool for some relatively simple VCD PBC structures (e.g., one page menu + options, photo gallery, etc.) perhaps you can design your proggy in the manner of a step-by-step Wizard.

Keep up the good work!

Regards.