issues splitting files with MKVMerge

[Beatslars]

I've got a file that's about 1 GB and I specify it to split at a time duration of 22:36, and it automatically splits at 22:37. If I split at 22:32-35 it will still split at 22:37. Any ideas?

[poisondeathray]

probably because that's the nearest keyframe

you can't just "cut" anywhere, it has to be at end of a GOP , right before the next IDR-frame

[Beatslars]

How do I figure out where to split then?

[poisondeathray]

How do I figure out where to split then?

you don't

you just "cut" approximately where you want to and it will automatically go to the nearest keyframe

if you open up in avidemux, it will show your where I-frames are and navigate to keyframess (you can also do your editing there)

[PuzZLeR]

I'm delivering similar news as PDR.

You likely have AVC/H.264, video in your MKV file which is a pain to edit due to its key frame structure with current tools. This is more rule than exception today.

You can use AviSynth and/or re-encode it, or use some AVCHD editors that take forever (or crash, maybe produce some bad quality, and can still be inaccurate), but it's not so easily placing simple cuts just like that.

I do believe that in a few years this will be easy with better processing and better tools, but for today, you have to assume that your AVC/H.264 clips, or anything MKVMerge outputs, are final formats.