How can I mark events/chapters in video while I am capturing the video?

[CIguy]

I am looking for a way to mark events/chapters in the video I am capturing while I am capturing it. I would like to be able to skip to these "markers" when I play back the video after I finish capturing it. I know of one program that can do this, but it has proven to be too costly....any suggestions?

[CIguy]

please help....

[filmboss80]

Cannot help until we know what kind of "video" it is. DV-AVI? MPEG2? Divx? Etc...?

Cannot help until we know what you are using to capture the video.

Cannot help you until you help us help you.

[CIguy]

Sorry, I'm new to the forum scene...

Ok, here is my computer stats:

Windows XP SP3
Intel Core 2 DUO 3.00 GHz
2 GB RAM
80 GB OS Hard drive
2-500 GB storage drives internal
Winnov Videum Duo Video Capture Card
nVidia GeForce 7300GS

I have tried using Windows Movie Maker and Windows Media Encoder and cannot insert chapters while caturing the video. I am open to using different software but don't know what to use. The video comes from a camera in a test tank.

[hech54]

while I am capturing it

Not gonna happen.

[filmboss80]

Sorry, I'm new to the forum scene...

Ok, here is my computer stats:

Windows XP SP3
Intel Core 2 DUO 3.00 GHz
2 GB RAM
80 GB OS Hard drive
2-500 GB storage drives internal
Winnov Videum Duo Video Capture Card
nVidia GeForce 7300GS

I have tried using Windows Movie Maker and Windows Media Encoder and cannot insert chapters while caturing the video. I am open to using different software but don't know what to use. The video comes from a camera in a test tank.

Computer specs was not what I was looking for. I was asking about video format and the interface you are using between camera and computer.

Ultimately, hech54 is absolutely correct about real-time chapter placement during capture, but I was hoping we could find some workable alternative solution for you (not automatic, but more efficient). For example, if your video format is DV-AVI, being captured to your PC through a firewire connection, you could could set capture software like WinDV to start a new .avi file at every camcorder pause location, so that you could better isolate your reference points.

Usually, chapter points are set during the DVD authoring stage, but some newer non-linear editors will allow chapter points to be set at the edting stage.

[CIguy]

Ok...I have used many different formats while capturing the video. I didn't know which would be the better to use.

The video I am capturing is coming from a camera that is watching tasks be done. I am needing to be able to mark when an "event" happens and be able to skip to it when I give the video to superiors/clients. I won't be making DVDs with the video because the video length can range from 10 to 100 hours.

[hech54]

Ok...I have used many different formats while capturing the video. I didn't know which would be the better to use.

The video I am capturing is coming from a camera that is watching tasks be done. I am needing to be able to mark when an "event" happens and be able to skip to it when I give the video to superiors/clients. I won't be making DVDs with the video because the video length can range from 10 to 100 hours.

This changes nothing. Chaptering happens during the DVD authoring stage.....period. Unless there is some off-the-wall surveillance software that can mark "events"...you simply cannot do what you want to do.

[jagabo]

I seem to recall that Pinnacle Studio had the ability to capture DV with manual clip splitting. Maybe it was Ulead VideoStudio?

[CIguy]

Ok...I have used many different formats while capturing the video. I didn't know which would be the better to use.

The video I am capturing is coming from a camera that is watching tasks be done. I am needing to be able to mark when an "event" happens and be able to skip to it when I give the video to superiors/clients. I won't be making DVDs with the video because the video length can range from 10 to 100 hours.

This changes nothing. Chaptering happens during the DVD authoring stage.....period. Unless there is some off-the-wall surveillance software that can mark "events"...you simply cannot do what you want to do.

I actually found some software that can mark events/chapters during the capturing process!!! The software is used in recording systems in interrogation rooms and police cars! I will post some specs on it after I complete the full scale test! Thanks to all those who offered some help.

BTW, Hech54, Your comment on surveillance software is what inspired me to look at these systems, so extra thanks!!

[SLK001]

A DVD recorder will insert chapters at pre-defined time intervals. I have mine set to insert chaps every 5 minutes.

A program that allows random chapter inserts as customer desires? Never heard of it. The best way to accomplish this is to sit there with a pencil and a piece of paper and write down the time where you will be placing chapters later at the authoring stage.

[CIguy]

A DVD recorder will insert chapters at pre-defined time intervals. I have mine set to insert chaps every 5 minutes.

A program that allows random chapter inserts as customer desires? Never heard of it. The best way to accomplish this is to sit there with a pencil and a piece of paper and write down the time where you will be placing chapters later at the authoring stage.

I actually found some software that will allow me to insert chapters at will while capturing video. This is actually the second software I have found that will allow this. The first is quite costly and requires annual license fees...

[filmboss80]

I actually found some software that will allow me to insert chapters at will while capturing video. This is actually the second software I have found that will allow this. The first is quite costly and requires annual license fees...

Please identify both software solutions. (After all, the purpose of this forum is to share valuable information.) It would be nice if we could look over the specifications and see what formats they actually work with.

[CIguy]

I actually found some software that will allow me to insert chapters at will while capturing video. This is actually the second software I have found that will allow this. The first is quite costly and requires annual license fees...

Please identify both software solutions. (After all, the purpose of this forum is to share valuable information.) It would be nice if we could look over the specifications and see what formats they actually work with.

Of course I will! I am awaiting the arrival of the second software so I can have the full specs to post. Should I post this in a different thread and post a link to that thread here or should I just post it here?

[jagabo]

You should post the name of the programs here so that others who find this thread will see the answer. Maybe start a new thread (and link to it here) if you want to make a guide.

[DB83]

I could do this sort of thing with one of my old VCRs. Every time I pressed the record button it would leave a 'mark' in the tape and I could then ffwd through the tape and the search would find the mark.

Of course, once that VCR 'died' the marks died as well since the next VCR knew nothing about them and could not find them by a search.

[jagabo]

I once had a similar VCR with chapter marks. Like you, when I eventually had to get a new one (same brand) but went with a cheaper model which didn't have the feature. But one day I used the remote control from the old VCR and it turned out the new one did have the feature -- the buttons just weren't included on its remote!