DVDPlanner

[Zeul]

I am looking for beta testers (or even alpha :D ) for a new authoring app I have written. Its still in its infancy - no subs or command table - but it works i think.
Anyone interested please send me a pm.

Zeul

[drpaulng]

I think it would be more interesting to make a DVD-Audio authoring tool.
No offense. My personal interest.

[Zeul]

I disagree. There are many authoring tools available (most at a hefty cost), that do not do everything we want. ie all 8 audio streams (some don't even except 5.1!), 32 substreams, angles, multistorey etc. Even the goliath scenarist has failings.

[Matthew]

There are certainly some gaps there, the biggest one IMO being the lack of a feature rich authoring app that supports scripting. MuxMan is filling that void, obviously. Shame there is no free version which supports multi-segment/VTS/menus though.

[Zeul]

The beta list grows :D

[Zeul]

Quite a response from you guys. The beta list is now large enough to give the app some good tests.

[Zeul]

To all those who have pm'd me for a beta. I have just finished encoding and muxing of the subs. A couple of GUI adjustments need to be made, and then you will receive your first beta :D

[Zeul]

You should now have received the first e-mail.

[sajlc]

look good, easy to find your way though will keep playing

[Sir Didymus]

Hi Zeul !

I like very much the GUI layout of your new authoring application...

Some very initial requests/remarks...

1. Some way for importing chapters from a file would be very useful (I am almost sure this is already in your todo list, I think...)...

2. Selecting a wrong sst file (I mean a file with some picture size mistakes inside...) is accepted from the application, but selecting the "view" button makes the Planner abruptly terminate... If instead of pushing the "view" you go on with the authoring process, the planner just produces (almost immediately) the VIDEO_TS.IFO and BUP files and nothing else...

3. A log file where to check for some additional information on the process would also be useful...

Cheers,
and compliments!!!
SD

Edit: hmmm. Just completed my first FULL project with DVDPlanner (1 audio stream, 2 subpicture streams, 25 chapters); trying to demux with PgcDemux the result of the mux leads to an "Unsynchronised VOB" error, just at the end of the demux... It seems the demuxed video file is complete but the audio and the subpicture are truncate...

[Zeul]

There must be a dodgy pack header at the end (somehow??), are you able to locate it with vobedit and send me a section of the vob?

[Sir Didymus]

Yes...
I mean, I'll try asap to replicate the condition on a short segment and to send to you some more specific info...

SD

Edit: ok. Sorry, it was not possible to replicate the problem using short assets...
Anyway there are some corrupted pack headers at the end of the VOB...

video asset PAL, 239602 frames, 9584080 ms., 2:39:44:02
audio asset ac3, 299502 frames, 9584064 ms.

Looking at the last VOBU produced by DVDPlanner,
VOBU Start PTM 862549257 --> 9583881
VOBU End PTM 862592457 --> 9584361

Just sent to you the last 240 frames of video,
the last 300 frames of audio, and the last 10 VOBUs
from the vob... Hope it is sufficient to nail the
problem...

[Zeul]

SD

The problem lay in the source having no seq_end_code and there being a whole frame in the last pack. The additional 4 bytes required for the seq_end_code were not being included in the padding stream, so all subsequent packs were 4 bytes adrift.

Import chapter added. Formats supported are a list of frame numbers, timestamps 00:00:00:00 and also 00.00.00.00 Any other formats wanted?

Any subpics that were smaller than 720*574 / 478 were being resized. This is wrong. Only subpics larger than required should have been resized. Repositioning of subpics is now working, just need to correct the command data in the subpic to reflect the new positions. This will be needed for storyboard subs.

[Sir Didymus]

GREAT!!!

I just verified: your analysis is definitely right.

A big thanks for the chapter import, it is a very useful feature...

Cheers,
SD

[DaRat]

I've made my first test and so far (and afait) it's no problem, tough I'd like to make a feature request: it would be great if I could import segmented video. Dunno how hard it is to implement tough.

[Zeul]

there are many things on the to do list .... and now another one :)

[bigotti5]

Did some tests today.

Import of sst files is strange.
Sometimes I got a runtime-error 9 (Scenarist imports it without complaining).
Figured out that if there are spaces between SP_NUMBER, START, END, FILE_NAME the runtime-error occurs.
If there are 2 tabstops between SP_NUMBER and START (Subrip creates sst files this way) entrys are shifted (START will become END...)

If you import fieldencoded video play-length is shown twice as long (in the Ifo too).

[Zeul]

thanks for the info

[Zeul]

Next release
Bigotti - your issues are unresolved at this time

[Cheesus]

Hi Zeul

just a few points that I'm sure you are already aware of.

Planner can't read the timecode stamp in video streams as yet (I think) and because of this I couldn't import a .sst file that matched the timecode of my video stream. I also got a runtime error 9 "subscript out of range" and the program closes.

Still video segments only recognise .mpv or .m2v not graphic files like .tif or .bmp

I'm coming from a creating a new DVD from raw assets point of view not a reauthoring one, so I'm not sure how relevent my points are for you. Are you primarily developing a reauthoring tool or is that just a starting point?

I like the program, it has a nice simplicity too it and the GUI is not overwhelming (although no doubt it will get a lot more complex;) ) like say DVDLab can sometimes be. Response time seems to be very quick too.

Are you planning a simulator? A lot of work for you, I would've thought but extremely useful.

[Zeul]

Next release now available - you should all have received your e-mail confirming this. See the changelog inc.

[Skelsgard]

Still testing it, don`t have much time right now, but really nice on what i`ve tested already..
DTS and MP2 on the to-do list, I guess. Also BMP (or even layered PSDs) too for "from-the-scratch-DVDs"?. Scenario-like edition?. Just hoping.

[bigotti5]

Just did a test with fieldencoded streams - works like a charm

and beside Scenarist, Maestro and DVD Architect the first authoring app that can handle field streams with a bottom field as first field.
DVDs produced with all other authoring apps, including muxman, with bottom field as first field cannot be played up to 32x speed....

Pgcedit complains the end byte of VMGI_MAT (offset 0x80)

[Zeul]

Just did a test with fieldencoded streams - works like a charm

and beside Scenarist, Maestro and DVD Architect the first authoring app that can handle field streams with a bottom field as first field.
DVDs produced with all other authoring apps, including muxman, with bottom field as first field cannot be played up to 32x speed....

Pgcedit complains the end byte of VMGI_MAT (offset 0x80)

:D cool - glad you tested the field stuff for me. The more field tests you can carry out the better (any chance of you testing any ntsc stuff or will it be just pal?)

The pgcedit error has already been fixed - i found that yesterday.

I am currently altering the gui to accept multi file data for video & audio. Also adapting the script to accept scenarist files (although that will take time).

[Zeul]

@wonderbra
I will be adding support for bmps as the still file - but at this moment i do not know anything about mpeg2 encoding - so this will be at a later date.

The next major things i will be looking at will be slideshows, highlight info and angles. These will be before mpeg2 encoding ( although in the interim i might add some functionality for running a third party encoder - HC - for example, so support for bmps and avi files can be added.)

[bigotti5]

...any chance of you testing any ntsc stuff or will it be just pal?

Living in a PAL country I have to create NTSC streams first - will do it the next days

[Skelsgard]

I did some further testings but the lack of many of my usual basic Scenarist options cripple my whole authoring process.
I´m gonna have to pospone further testing until new versions with some of the lacking support.
Just a few things (I imagine they´re on the to-do list):
1. Delete option for tracks, right now I´m closing/opening the program to reset the project.
2. The constant opening of the video import window when selecting the track can get a little annoying after a while.
3. Menus are still to hard to accomplish so only tested for Movie-only DVD.
4. Totally and absolutely love and embrace the PGC control window (I´ve gone berzerk trying to delete links on Scenarist cause of the lack of a simple "delete link" kind of option.) All the options right there, in your face, so you´ll have to be a complete dumbass not to get what u want.
It is in a very infant stage (like u said "or even alpha") but I like where it´s heading.
Keep up the good work.

[Trahald]

I´m gonna have to pospone further testing until new versions with some of the lacking support.Well.. he needs a variety of users testing the muxing function of the abilities that are there now. its better to troubleshoot basic muxing issues now then after all the other stuff is added. better to test the foundation before you build all the floors on top of it.

[Skelsgard]

Well.. he needs a variety of users testing the muxing function of the abilities that are there now. its better to troubleshoot basic muxing issues now then after all the other stuff is added. better to test the foundation before you build all the floors on top of it.
And where in my post did it become obvious that I have a problem with that?

Why do you have to find something negative in my review?
Basically, when what I´ve tested has shown me an great performance of the program and the functions I want aren´t there yet, to do any further testing would be pointless. Imagine if I were to constantly bitch about the lack of those extra features just for being an a-hole that can´t wait for the new releases. That´s all I´m saying. That right now there´s nothing else for me to test. The program has proven itself worthy of all the time we might have put in the testing. So now i´m anxious to see the next releases.

Like I said before:
really nice on what i`ve tested already.
And after:
I like where it´s heading.
Keep up the good work.

Does this actually look to you like I was bitching?

[Zeul]

1. Delete option for tracks, right now I´m closing/opening the program to reset the project.

In the works now

2. The constant opening of the video import window when selecting the track can get a little annoying after a while.

I am not sure i know what you mean by the import window - do you mean the video attributes window?

3. Menus are still to hard to accomplish so only tested for Movie-only DVD.

Highlight info will follow soon - before i can do that i need to ensure that scenarist.scp files can be imported and the highlight info gleemed from the scp file (the GUI enhancements will come later)

4. Totally and absolutely love and embrace the PGC control window (I´ve gone berzerk trying to delete links on Scenarist cause of the lack of a simple "delete link" kind of option.) All the options right there, in your face, so you´ll have to be a complete dumbass not to get what u want.
It is in a very infant stage (like u said "or even alpha") but I like where it´s heading.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks

[Skelsgard]

I am not sure i know what you mean by the import window - do you mean the video attributes window?
Once a track is created in the Motion or Still Video folders, the Video or audio file selection window for the Video or audio stream part of the track is prompted whenever u select or surf over with the cursor buttons in the the Video stream or audio stream tree-branch. Is not an issue, since I now is just for purposes of simplicity, so I don`t care much wether is changed or not in the new releases (and pay attention to the fact that I said "changed" and not "fixed").

But honestly, IMHO if u can get where u say you`re heading, I have no doubt that this program is gonna be able to kick some serious Scenarist`s ass.

[Trahald]

@wonderbra

Actually i was chatting with zeul about your reply (post#27) and told him I Agreed with it! I found nothing 'negative' about it. the only thing i was commenting on was the fact that you seemed to have ended any testing for that version.. my point was even if the only thing that needed testing was pure mux, its best to have lots of sources tested against lots of dvd players.

Trust me, your help in testing the application is truely appreciated and your comments were welcome. :)

[Skelsgard]

the only thing i was commenting on was the fact that you seemed to have ended any testing for that version..
I must have expressed myself poorly (maybe the word "cripple" sounded to hard, just any other words didn´t come to mind at the moment), but I´ve tested without having error messages or posible bugs, so basically I have nothing to report as "not working".

[Zeul]

New Build should now be available for you beta testers.

Changelog:

0.1.3
Fix:
Incorrect byte length being written for FirstPGC
Seq_End_codes are now removed by default to allow mux to continue (Options Menu to turn this default action to OFF)
If only 1 AC3 Audio frame was being written (eg Dummy AC3 files) then the padding stream did not take account of the 3 additional bytes in the header
VTS 2+ -> the Video / Audio / Subtitle attributes were not being written into the VMG correctly
Illegal playback time in FirstPGC
Total rewrite of the PTS/DTS timestamps - they were totally wrong for NTSC / FILM sources

Correction:
Letterboxed source for menus and titles is now set at the VTS level

Addition:
Menu PGC ID now accurately set. Root/angle IDs etc can be altered. If no Root is specified then mux will not start (A warning is given)
Scenarist script support
Abitlity to set the stream id's to be used at the PGC level (for audio & subs). The id's written into the scenarist script file are honoured.
--This basically means that independant audio & subpictures can be set for each PGc (including the menu domains)
Multi file data for video and audio can now be used (or imported from a scenarist script file [file with extension .cfx will be analysed])
GUI Enhancements
Highlight information is now muxed if written into the script file
Each Subpicture can have its' start time and duration adjusted in the analyser
The first GOP timestamp is now analysed and subsequent sst timestamps adjusted accordingly (also via scp)
Seamless flag and restricted flag can now be set (NB Seamless flag is NOT corrected in the following cell at this time if a stilltime / cell command is used)
SlideShows now supported - Default to 10s - each slide can be adjusted. Also chapter support for slides (A chapter can be anywhere within the slide - this may affect highlights)
Deleting tracks / Structure items now supported (Not fully tested)
The project can now be Saved As... and therafter just with the Save button

Zeul

[Zeul]

I have just noticed that field based encoding now fails. :rolleyes:

[Amnon82]

I'll start testing your software now. Lets see how it works ;)

... for the bug: Take your time. It happens me all the time with my tool autoq2 :D

Here some test results:

* added motion track1 with two ac3 streams
* added a second audio.ac3 stream and wanted to change english to german. I got an error message and dvdplanner closed it self.
* restart it and reload the project.
* I releazed that the bug is this: If I change the language in AudioStream1 (Lan=English) (Ext=Normal) it works but not in the line with the filename.
* analysed video and added 1 chapter
* drag and drob scenes to VTS1_Title1_PGC1
* saved project
* hit create dvd
* log: creating title1
* error: somehow I'm trying to write < 0 bytes - please advise me

Has this somthing to do with the bug you posted at 06:55 AM today, or missed I something?
Also is there a short guide to do a movie only dvd?

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/411/dvdplanner0133yv.th.png (http://img82.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dvdplanner0133yv.png)

I'm planning to add DVDPlanner support to my tool AutoQ2. Will DVDPlanner freeware or do you plan other things with it?
Also in what language do you code? I'm a delphi coder.

[Zeul]

grrr
Nothing infuriates me more than a dumb GUI crash. Will fix that after work.
The error report is right at the end of the mux before pass2 - i need to replicate that.
A freeware a more advanced version will be available.

The default command structure is geared towards a movie only mux; dropping the scenes to the PGC is all you need to do.

[Amnon82]

K, so I did it right till now. I'm waiting for the fix.
For menues: The second tab is empty. I think your working on that.
Also for the still.m2v. Why not add a feature to use jpgs for menues. You need a freeware mpg2encoder to do the 1 frame job. I'm thinking of the feature you can find in vcdeasy.

[Zeul]

Jpegs or bmps for stills is a feature i will add - i need to learn more about mpeg encoding first though.

[bigotti5]

If you import 4:3 m2v with a sequence_display_extension dvdplanner interprets it as panscan and flag the ifo as 16:9

Tried to make a vts with a motion video segment (title 1) followed by a still video segment (title 2). The result is TTN1 and a dummy TTN2. The last VOBU (one nav-pack) in vts contains two GOPs, the last GOP from the motion video segment and the still GOP.
The VTS_C_ADT in the ifo file will show
Number of VOB IDs in VTS_VOBs 2
but only one vobid is present in the vob file.

If you mux a still video segment followed by a motion video segment it works as it should.

[Zeul]

@bigotti5

Just to clarify that you created 2 tracks. One a motion the other a still. You created 2 titles ; 1 PGC in each Title all in a single VTS. The still never got created or was joined to the first vobid.

It is not unusual for the last VOBU to be longer than 1 GOP. In my tests with this arrangement the 2nd vobid is always created.

[bigotti5]

You created 2 titles ; 1 PGC in each Title all in a single VTS.
yes

The still never got created or was joined to the first vobid.
controlled once more - the still never got created

if sequence is 1.still-2.motion -> ok
if sequence is 1.motion-2.still -> motion only

[Zeul]

Hopefully you got my e-mail

[Amnon82]

I hope 0.1.3.1 will come out soon ;)

[Zeul]

I hope 0.1.3.1 will come out soon ;)

I am working on it now. I have discovered a problem that cannot be resolved without a re-write of the muxer :( .This is being done now.

[bigotti5]

Creation of more than one Vobid seems to be problem at all

If I create a combination of motion video and slide show (one pgc,non seamless) it does not work at all
1.slide-2.motion ->only slide (and error in VTS_C_ADT)
1.motion-2.slide ->only motion (and error in VTS_C_ADT)

If you create two or more tracks (motion) and you want to play it sequentially in one pgc second asset will not be muxed (and error in VTS_C_ADT).
It does not work even if you create different titles.

missing:

Delete inadvertent set chapter marks in track creator

disturbing:

If you replace an asset in segment creator, track appears two times in Structure-Available Tracks
If you have created a dvd, change anything and recreate dvd only video_ts.ifo and bup is created so you have to restart dvdplanner. Reload project is not enough.

[Zeul]

I don't know whats going on with your structures, but i have just imported a scenarist scp file with >250 vobids. Each one was muxed in order.

To delete a chapter press the actual scene in the track. You will be asked if you want to remove it. If you hover the mouse over the scenes it does tell you this.

btw those files you sent me the link too - i am unable to d/l them. My e-mail will handle the file size.

[Zeul]

Whoa!!
Just seen that the uplaoded build is corrupt. This is the cause. I need to find out what got corrupted. I am going away for a couple of days, so will investigate when i'm back.

[bigotti5]

Just seen that the uplaoded build is corrupt
:rolleyes: solves the riddle :D so mail not send

[Amnon82]

Nice 'whateveryouhave' for your couple of days ;)