Help w/chaptering on big Mpg not from a DVD

[jweisler]

I had a question that I couldn't find exactly answered. I am new to the whole VCD deal, but have read a ton on the site.

Here's my question:

I have one huge mpeg for a VCD I want to make. I know how to use TMPGEnc to make it the right format for VCD or SVCD.

1. But is there a way to tell if the file I downloaded is already in an okay format, or do I have to run it through TMPGEnc to make sure?

2. And I know how to burn it with VCD Easy.

3. What I don't fully understand is an easy way to cut the file into chapters. It is not from a DVD. I need to actually go through and tell it where (at what time points) to put in the chapters. Can anybody point me somewhere (not XML) where it tells me how to do this w/VCD Easy? The only guide I found spoke about ChapterXtractor or SmartRipper, but that is if it is from a DVD.

How can I do this?

Thanks in advance.

jweisler@yahoo.com

[gonzalimator]

I just typed a huge reply and windows internet explorer lost it and now I'm typing a short response.

to check the file:

open it in media player. right click on the playback screen
select properties
click the details tab and check the resolution
click the advanced tab and highlight MPEG Video Decoder under 'filters in use'

press the properties button and check the bitrate

if you see the following you do not need to re-encode:

resolution: 352x240 (ntsc) or 352x288 (pal)
format: MPEG1
bitrate: 1150kbps

This are the MPEG1 standards. If your DVD can play XVCD's (VCD's that deviate from the standards) then you shouldn't worry too much. Just watch out for whacked out resolutions. stick to multiples of 16 and to the same aspect ratios as above

I myself am learning to make a vcd's with menu's for chapter selection (using VCDeasy) and I too am not using ChapterXtractor or anything like that. In VCDeasy I MANUALLY entered the chapter entry points (it's the only way that I know) and it seemed to work but so far i had some trouble playing it on a standalone DVD player. It might be because it's an XVCD. This player can play this XVCD as long as you don't skip to any chapters. As soon as you do... it craps out. The picture is scaled up and there's all kinds of funky colours! Oh well. It DOES skip though so I'm close to figuring it out.

let me know how you do.

[gonzalimator]

sorry, I forgot to say WHERE in VCDeasy that i entered the chapter entry points...

open VCDeasy and load your clip(s) as usual
click the tab called Chapters
select your movie clip from the drop-down window
press that button that looks like it means 'eject' (by those other playback-type controls)
now you can scroll through your movie and when you want to create an entry point, press the OK button beside either the "Chapter at" or "Chapter at frame".

That's all I did. good luck.