Easy Chaptering.Any ideas?

[sstavross]

Hi!

I have an old PC(Celeron 900MHz) and I want to author mpeg2 files that i have capture from DVD recorder(after I have rip and turn them to mpeg2 program files). The problem is that I want to author dvd with a lot of chapter(the movies are dance figures) and I want to find a QUICK way to add MANUALLY chapters at certain points. When I try the TMPGEnc DVD Author I dont have a smooth playback in the chatper edit window and I can not move the cursor smoothly so to find the point I want easyly. Is there a program that I can do it more easily. From example video redo has this smooth slider, I can easily navigate throw the movie and find the point I want to make chapters, make a chapter text file, but no TMPGEnc import of this... or I have try SpruceUp, it has this smooth slider but it doesn't accept mp2 files(this is the audio from DVDrecorder). I am looking for a programme that has a easily smooth preview and slider so to insert easily chapters.

Any ideas?

[dimad]

Try DvdReMake Pro: http://www.dimadsoft.com/dvdremakepro/ht_insert_chapter.php

[wwaag]

You might try the new PRO version of TDA author. The chapter edit window is a lot larger (roughly 13 frames visible) and the cursor moves a lot smoother compared to the old version. However, given your machine, it still may not be very smooth. But it might be worth a look. You can get a free trial download.

wwaag

[mikiem]

There are a number of authoring apps that can use a text list of chapter points -- you could determine the times where you want chapters in a media player, editor etc. On the downside, you might find you have to adjust one or two & re-render your layout to HD, but that's not cpu intensive and shouldn't take long.

[borax]

According to a german forum (DVBTechnics) TDA (1.6) imports chapters automatically if the chapter file is named videoname.keyframe (if the video is named blabla.mpg, the chapterfile should be named blabla.keyframe). The chapter file must exist in the same directory as the video and is loaded when you import the video. It can not be loaded manually afterwards.

[sstavross]

Thanks for the sugestions!

Borax this is really a very good thing about TDA but how it works? I mean I tried to test it but nothing happend. How must be the chapter file? In frames or in time code? and you mean that it must be a text file with the name blabla.keyframe.txt or a file with the extention "keyframe"(does this exist?)

[borax]

I don't have nor use TDA. I use my own program all the time BTW: GFD can import chapter files very easily. Therefore I can only tell you, what I've read in that forum. I think it is a text file, same name as the video, with the extension .keyframe (NOT .keyframe.txt!). IMHO it will use a format like ifoedit, that means, each line is a chapter where the chapter is the framenumber of the I-Frame which starts the GOP for that chapter.

I found this hint in this thread:
http://forum.dvbtechnics.info/showthread.php?t=2297

In case of doubt, ask Syncroniza again in this forum. AFAIK he/she understands english as well.

[sstavross]

Well, the chapter hide in TDA works. I was able to create achapter file from VideoredoPlus with the extension .keyframe(you can do it under the chapter marks opsions, changing the format of the creating file from .txt to .keyframe) and TDA found it and asked me if I want to import the chapter marks! So, it is working.

Borax I download and test your programm! It is really excellent!! As about the chaptering matter, it has all the possible options to insert a chapter! I think it is the most complete programme in this subject. You have also the option to create chapters unter the extended chapter editor, but again the slide of the curson is not smooth. Can you change it?You may small the preview window, and the analysis may not be so big. The preview window of SPruce up is so good.Have you tested it? maybe you can do somthing similar.
Also why i can not import multiplexed streams from Videoredo. The message says that my stream has not navigation packs, but help file of video redo says that is has.

[borax]

Thanks for your commendation!

the slide of the cursor is not smooth

This has several causes...
1. You may only insert chapter points at GOP bounderies (usually I-frames).
=> There are 'jumps' (the smallest is 1 GOP, usually ~0.5 sec)
2. As mpeg2 is (normally) vbr, the positioning is not linear (the half of the file in terms of bytes is not the half in terms of time).
=> As the cursor uses a linear positioning in terms of bytes, you may see another frame after releasing the cursor. Use the (bold) cursor buttons to 'fine tune' the position.

I don't have SpruceUP, therefore I can't compare it.

Concerning Videoredo, look here:
http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/showthread.php?t=622

[sstavross]

Thanks for the Videoredo link! May I ask you what is faster? Loading in GFD multiplexed streams or elementary?

As about spruce up, I downloaded it from http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd-r_tools/spruceup.cfm
It is a trial version, as no longer sold, and you can test this chapter preview it has. I don't know how it looks in the final DVD because I haven't make any DVD with this!(anyway it allows you to make only 2 outputs).You may try it to see what I am talking about.(it has 2 preview windows, I am refering to the botton small one in the video properties menu)

The problem with the "smooth" cursor is not that it has "jumps". I am talking about the response of the cursor. I want to "scan" my capture in order to find quiclky the point I want to make chapters, I don't care if they are exaclty at the point of I frame,the progamme may put it in the correct possition. I want the response of the cursor to be perfect because I have to find in an 1 hour capture about 20 chapter points and I don't want to loose any scenes.

Anyway, I'll use the GFD.It's really great tool!
Sorry for bothering you!

[borax]

Don't be sorry! I'm always interested in critics/improvement proposals.
So you are talking in terms of speed (response time)...
Ok, I will see if there is room for improvement (within my possibilities, which are limited as VB is not the fastest language and the mpeg2lib.dll also has some difficulties to deal with...)

Authoring with multiplexed streams if much faster than with elementary, as multiplexing needs time. I don't know how much time videoredo spends on its own 'multiplexing'. Therefore you need to test the 'duration' for the whole process yourself.
As I always demultiplex my streams as the very first step in my workflow (I usually have DVB-S streams, where demultiplexing with projectx is highly recommended), it makes no difference for me. I don't know your captures, neither your workflow. But maybe you can try my workflow, as you would have the possibility to use mpeg2schnitt for cutting AND chaptering. The preview in mpeg2schnitt is VERY fast (=> smooth cursor ), includes audio (mp2 or ac3), but can be used with elementary mpeg2 streams only. Mpeg2schnitt creates an index for the frames, therefore positioning is much faster and more precise than in my chaptereditor. This index can also be created during the demultiplexing with projectx (than it doesn't need additional time).