encoding with chapters

[RioCreations]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if it is possible to convert AVI, OGM and MKV containers directly into VIDEO_TS with champers instead of one full length VIDEO_TS file?

Also, is it possible to cut up the same Video containers into the same containers WITH chapter marking (every 5 min)?

I have not found a way to do this yet...Maybe an expert out there has more knowledge.

Rio.

[dizzie]

It sounds like you are attempting a very complex procedure! I wonder if iMovie/ iDVD would read your different file types, or if you could convert them to .mov files, or better yet to DV that iMovie would read. Then, you could author it however you liked. An alternative would be to try using pgcedit, a tool that was suggested to me in the following thread: https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=322613
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!!!

[RioCreations]

Hi dizzie,

Thanks for your response and for the thread link you provided. It was very informative.
Trying to create the Chapters with ffmpegx seems to be giving me a headache and I have put that aside for now.

I'm encoding my .avi, .ogm and .mkv containers into AVI XviDs since they are readable in QuickTime, iDVD and Toast. I'm also a cheapskate in some cases since I still refuze to purchase the QuickTime MPEG-2 Component. I have tried to Author my container directly into VIDEO_TS with ffmpegx but the sound was somewhat dimmed and when I previewed it with Apple's DVD player, I had no options to skip through chapters. There was only one big file. Maybe I was doing something wrong...

I know I must sound difficult by insisting on Chapter markings but I get annoyed at fast forwarding DVDs to where I stopped movies last time viewed before interuptions. I don't want to missuse the laser or the Discs either by always fast forwarding. I'd rather use the Skip button and it damages the DVDs less.

The solution I found since I already have iDVD and Toast:
1) Encode containers into AVI XviDs with MP3 Audio.
2) Use either iDVD or Toast with Chapter markings settings to create a .dmg
3) View the .dmg with Apple's DVD player to compare quality between iDVD and Toast encoding.
4) Burn the winner with Toast.
5) Watch finished DVD on standalone DVD player and relax.

I have since moved on to recording Cable TV programs with a PVR hooked into my MacPro. Sure, there is some quality loss since it only captures mpeg-2 video but it's fine with me for now. The cable TV programs that play in HD look pretty good and I fit close to 7 GB onto a single layer DVD. I do cut out the commercials and create Chapter markings and enjoy the DVDs.

My next step is to encode my PVR recorded program with ffmpegx to compare results.

Thanks again for your input.

Rio.

[dizzie]

Wow, thanks for letting us know your method. Good to meet a fellow frugal. I have seen several people who posted questions about how to create a DVD with several unrelated video clips that this will be helpful to. I'm now inspired to try it myself with some home movies! Feel free to update the thread if you get better results doing your PVR material through ffmpegx.

[RioCreations]

Hi dizzie,

I forgot to mention to you that I use ffmpegX 0.0.9u instead of the latest version. The latest version never RECOGNIZED my AVI, OGM or MKV containers. The only version of ffmpegX that actually worked for me is 0.0.9u.

I must also specify that I need to run it from my Desktop instead of from within the OS X Applications Folder since it does not work from there either. It is weird but it is like that and I gave up on trying to figure out why...

I have more experimenting to do with recordings done via my PVR (VHS > PVR > ffmpegX > DVD and Cable TV > ffmpegX > DVD).

I will post results when available.

Many people have helped me greatly on this forum so if my findings can give others a hand...so be it...What comes around, goes around.

Rio.

[dizzie]

Wow - totally weird. Whatever works, though! I'm the same way.