Mpeg2, need keyframe at merge points

[JN]

I want to join several music videos (mpeg2, 352x288, CBR, 2200 KBps). Strange thing, though all files have the same parametres and all were created by TMPGEnc, the TMPEnc refuses cca 20% of them. So I tried another ways. First was mpeg2vcr , which gave proper result, but with one shortcoming. The key frames were not at places, where original files started. When I wanted to author DVD and make chapters, every chapter started either before of after beginning of former video. So I tried Ulead Media Studio. It has that needed option to place keyframe at start of every merged video. But, it always reencode all files. My questions are:
- Is there some option in Ulead Media Studio to prevent reencoding mpeg2 files? (both sources and destination are the same type, resolution, bitrate,...)
- Any other utility which can join mpeg2 files solving the keyframe problem described above ?

Thanks.

[proxyx99]

Look up in Tools for file joiners. All NLE's when it comes to joining MPEG will attempt to reencode, to create new header. Btw. TMPEG often "refuses" to handle its own files. You are not the first. Safer way is to reencode with at least the same bitrate as 1 file in NLE. Compare the quality, if good go with it. Joining process can be flaky especially with questionable files.

[proxyx99]

PS. If you are making a DVD u don't need to join, just chain-link them in DVD creation program u use.

[JN]

I think the joined file is necessary for proper functionality of prev/next button on various DVD players (mostly SW). See my another post concerning this problem.
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=187768

[Ejoc]

I made a DVD of AMVs(Anime Music Videos) it had like 40-50 on it, and I left them as seperate mpegs, and I've played the disc on multiple DVD players and the next/previous or >>| and |<< buttons, and it works just as it should. So I say leave them seperate, TMPGEnc DVD Author worked just fine as the authoring software I used.

[Gazorgan]

Mine are seperate and it works fine. The next button skips to the next video, which is what we really want anyway.

[JN]

I made another attempt after I found so far the best joining program. It's Ulead MediaStudio. It can join mpeg files without reencoding and even insert pictures at particular frames. I also found what's wrong with those files which TMPGEnc refused - good files has in properties 'Field A' whereas 'bad' files have none of this description. I don't know what it means though, maybe someone will help? But back to keyframes - there are 2 options: Add keyframe at cue position (you can define them) and add keyframe at clip edge. Even if I found out the exact frame, where clip begun or where I put the cue mark, the joined file wasn't ok. Tried Ulead DVD Movie Factory and DVD-lab to make chapters, but both were not able to add chapter at that particular frame. I'll make my last attempt on MediaStudio forum a then I'll create my DVD from single files.

[JN]

As I wanted maximum compatibility, I stayed with one file solution. By Ulead MediaStudio I put at every joining place cca one second of black picture. It did't affect the joining process at all. When authoring DVD with DVD-lab, I put chapter at last offered black frame before new clip. It works fine.