VideoHelp Forum
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 4 of 4
Thread
  1. Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    South Africa
    Search PM
    Hi guys,

    So, here's the thing: I have m4a podcasts with chapters and Android does NOT have a music player with the ability to skip through the embedded chapter marks (Akimbo the audio book app is the only app that can but is not developed anymore - looks TERRIBLE!)

    After spending the better part of my weekend in front of my PC getting my podcasts finally cut up into pieces I thought of sharing what I have leaned

    I know there are one-shot apps like "Bigasoft Total Video Converter", but there is SERIOUS re-encoding going on there which causes the tracks to play with gaps.

    THIS method (and Rocket Music Player) gives me totally GAPLESS playback on my phone

    Software required:
    01] GPAC libraries (http://gpac.wp.mines-telecom.fr/downloads/gpac-nightly-builds/)
    02] MP4Box GUI (https://www.videohelp.com/tools/My-MP4Box-GUI)
    03] MKVMerge (https://www.videohelp.com/tools/MKVtoolnix)
    04] WinFF (http://winff.org/html_new/downloads.html)
    05] Pass-Through presets for WinFF (https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/343895-Pass-Thru-presets-for-WinFF)
    06] Advanced Renamer (http://www.advancedrenamer.com/download)

    So, here we go...

    01] Install everything and import the pass-through presets into WinFF

    02] Extract the chapter file from the m4a with myMP4Box GUI

    Click image for larger version

Name:	Image_00.png
Views:	2616
Size:	72.0 KB
ID:	25585


    03] Open the m4a file in MKVMerge and select "mka/mkv" for the file extension (this is only a container-change process - no de/re-coding happens)

    Click image for larger version

Name:	Image_01.png
Views:	2530
Size:	139.8 KB
ID:	25587


    04] Select splitting and "all" under GLOBAL tab

    Click image for larger version

Name:	Image_02.png
Views:	2108
Size:	112.8 KB
ID:	25588


    05] "Start Muxing" and if all goes well, you should see the following:

    Click image for larger version

Name:	Image_03.png
Views:	2384
Size:	78.8 KB
ID:	25589


    06] Open WinFF, add all the mka/mkv files, select "pass-through" presets and "Convert"

    Click image for larger version

Name:	Image_04.png
Views:	2482
Size:	282.9 KB
ID:	25590


    You could stop here but the reason I extracted the chapter file is to rename all my new tracks...


    07] Open "Advanced Renamer", click "Add Method" and select "List"

    Click image for larger version

Name:	Image_05B.png
Views:	2007
Size:	110.3 KB
ID:	25591


    08] Open the chapter file in another text editor and copy and paste the text into the empty list box. Remove all text except the track names

    Click image for larger version

Name:	Image_05.png
Views:	2117
Size:	133.8 KB
ID:	25592


    09] "Add" files (or drag and drop) to the right-side window. Take note that if any text that is not compatible with filenames are detected, it will flag it and then just remove/change it on the left side

    Click image for larger version

Name:	Image_06.png
Views:	2216
Size:	170.6 KB
ID:	25593

    10] Click START BATCH at the top of the application - BOOM! You're done...
    Last edited by RedSkyRoad; 22nd Jun 2014 at 04:34.
    Quote Quote  
  2. I'm a MEGA Super Moderator Baldrick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2000
    Location
    Sweden
    Search Comp PM
    Good and detailed guide.

    But it seems odd that no android audio player can skip by chapters.
    Quote Quote  
  3. Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    South Africa
    Search PM
    Originally Posted by Baldrick View Post
    Good and detailed guide.

    But it seems odd that no android audio player can skip by chapters.
    Thanks.

    Trust me on this - I've searched high and low.
    Last edited by RedSkyRoad; 22nd Jun 2014 at 04:32.
    Quote Quote  
  4. Member AlanHK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Hong Kong
    Search Comp PM
    Originally Posted by Baldrick View Post
    But it seems odd that no android audio player can skip by chapters.

    M4B is the format used by iTunes for audiobooks (also, it's what Audible uses,but encrypted).
    This is an M4A file including a list of chapters.
    So, try just renaming the file to m4b extension. Then use an Android audiobook app like "Smart", "Listen", etc, which recognises the chapters, then you can skip from one to the next.
    VLC will do it too on Win or Mac.

    However, there are different chapter formats in use: Nero and Quicktime.
    M4B should use the "Quicktime" format (i.e., Apple's format, of course).
    If the chapters aren't recognised, try converting them using mp4chaps from Mpeg4ip
    (at https://code.google.com/archive/p/mp4v2/downloads )

    Code:
    mp4chaps.exe -c -Q filename.m4b
    Last edited by AlanHK; 18th May 2019 at 23:09.
    Quote Quote  
Visit our sponsor! Try DVDFab and backup Blu-rays!