MPEG Still and Chaptering entrypoints problems

[spyhawk]

I currently upgraded from v1.1.2 to v1.1.4 due to the nice addition of Media Player and several bug fixes.

Problem #1:
I have had no problem of creating SVCD NTSC MPEG still in v112. It displays fine on WinDVD AND on 4x3 TV, with TV cropping 3-4%. But recently when I do it on v114, as expected displays fine on WinDVD, but on TV, it stretches and crops a huge amount horizontally. I first tried TV cropping 3%, then 5%, then 10%, still the picture stretches and crops. How far do I have to crop until I see a perfectly correct aspect ratio image? Would anyone help me out here, or is this a bug in v114? I'm going to downgrade to v112, and if it works, then I can conclude that's a bug. Speaking of downgrade, is it OK to overwrite the installation or do I have to completely uninstall v114 then reinstall v112? Is it possible to install in a different directory because the installation might overwrite some of the files in the system folder and registry. I think the Add/Remove program has only one VCDEasy entry.

Problem #2:
I notice the time in the Media Player box does not match the one on WinDVD, even on specific chaptering point. I tried to paste ChapterXtractor chapters (SVCD format), and I discover that, for example, the frame at 5:00 minutes in ChapterExtractor does not match the EXACT frame on Media Player. It will match after doing a forward or backward ticks 1-3 times, which is time consuming: you have to create the XML file, compile to cue/bin, then test it on WinDVD to see if it works. I compared the ChapterXtractor chaptering entries with the ones in IFO file from DVD, they certainly match.
One other method I try is to use the frame entry, instead of time. If I select a specific frame from TMPGEnc (in Source Range), then enter that same frame in VCDEasy, the resulting picture in Media Player is not correct (which I ignore). Even then, the resulting playback of new cue/bin is not accurate either.
An alternative method is for me to copy the chaptering points created by VCDXBuild in DVD2SVCD and paste it into the XML created by VCDEasy. It works as expected, but not all the time. Even DVD2SVCD has its flaws.
I would be greatly appreciated if anyone can share light in this. I hope these problems will be fixed in the next version.

[spyhawk]

Well, I guess I'm answering my own questions. You can install into a different versions of VCDEasy into different directory, but can only run one of them. I notice it overrides the registry of v114 with v112, so that means when you hit uninstall, it will uninstall v112, not v114.

To answer Problem #1, the MPEG Still picture created by v112 works as expected on WinDVD AND on TV (with 5% cropping for my TV). Could be different on yours. So I guess v114 has a BUG on this one. I don't know if there's a bug in the MJPEGTool or the VCDxBuild, or could be something else minor. Well, I'm just guessing...

Problem #2 still poses the problem for v112. So as a temporary workaround, after pasting the ChapterXtractor chaptering entrypoints, copy down the time as shown on the Chapters tab of VCDEasy. Once you finish everything, compile to cue/bin files. Compare the result with the original movie by hitting the Next chapter button paying close attention to where it starts. Usually the first 2 chapters you don't have to fix, but you may have to fix after that. In my case for Chapters 3-8, (this one I use v114) I just move 1-2 next possible chaptering entrypoints backward and they match. But if you don't care about 1-2 seconds difference, then you don't need to do anything.

[deramon]

I don't have much of an answer for you but a question. I have some bin/cues which are dvd rips with chapter info. Why is it that I cannot make a mpeg that also contains chapters? Bin/cue files are fine but they are also an annoyance. You have to have a separate dir for each bin/cue rather than keep all parts in a main directory. Also the names seem to the same, making id'ing them a pain.

[sterno]

Problem #1 - I haven't tried 1.14, but I know that earlier versions needed a nice "normal" rectangular picture to create a still properly. Did you try to use the recommended starting size that VCDEasy suggests?

Problem #2 - The media player box probably relies on your system MPEG-2 codec. Some of those can not seek to a particular time properly. If you go back and forth a few times you'll often get a different frame for the same time. I tried it once and didn't bother again. Also, if you trimmed the start of the movie when you encoded it you'll need to adjust the starting offset to correct for the time you cut off.

Problem #deramon - Chapter information isn't stored in the MPEG. It's stored elsewhere on the (S)VCD, which is why you need a bin/cue for it instead of just an MPEG.

[spyhawk]

Problem #1: Yes, I did try the recommended size suggested by VCDEasy: 640x480 - that's with TV cropping 0%. Then usually you don't have to down-adjust the size if you have TV cropping, for example, 4%. The resizing algorithm by spline method will do that for you. I find that v112 converts to MPEG still picture nicely, not v114. I'm not sure what the checkbox "Do not maximize small image" mean? It seems to have no effect.

Problem #2: Now that I think of it, Sterno, you're right. MPEG2 codec has Variable Bitrate, so the frame/time reference might not be the same. If I use TMPGEnc to see the picture for a specific frame, it often does not match with the specific frame in Media Player box of VCDEasy.
The starting offset is done automatically by DVD2SVCD if you encode a specific chapter of the movie, sometimes I have to adjust it by going back and forth a few frames. This is when I find v114 of Media Player useful. Just use the previous or next possible chapter entrypoints (the arrow button). Don't worry about the picture frame shown. It might not show correctly.

Problem #Deramon: Ditto! Chapter info is stored in the XML file, not MPEG. You can keep different cue/bin files in the same directory. Just rename them after everything's done. Also, you have to modify the content of the cue file using Notepad (or any editor). Change the first line "File" to the name of the renamed bin file. You're done! Mount the image and you'll see.

I'm not sure if anyone notices this, but the CDRAO burning tool of v112 and v114 seem to produce different cue/bin file sizes. After a few tries, CDRAO v117 (in VCEasy v114) produces smaller file sizes than the previous version. This does save some space, which is good.

[sterno]

Well, I don't know, maybe there is a bug in the 1.1.4 resizing, I haven't tried it. I usually don't use VCDEasy to create stills anymore. You might check the VCDEasy site to see if there are any comments about it. I think that "maximize small images" refers to taking a smaller image and scaling it up to full-screen size.

I usually just use the chapterxtractor chapters without any correction. I really only use chapters to avoid having to fast-forward through the whole movie, when I encode things from TV/VHS I'll set a chapter every 5 or 10 minutes. The problem you see may be related to the fact that you can't set a chapter just anywhere, only at I-frames. vcdimager will try to pick the closest possible entrypoint when you want one that's not on an I-frame, but if you want it to visually match the chapter point from a DVD you might want the second-closest entrypoint or something.

One little nitpicky point - the XML file doesn't actually contain the chapter information on the VCD. The XML file just tells vcdimager where to put the chapters.