multiAVCHD - author Blu-ray/AVCHD (Blu-ray players, camcoders, Viera TV) + (HD) DVD

[deank]

Removing titles is not that easy as adding them. I never tried, but deleting m2ts/clpi/mpls files for a title and deleting a title-name line from multiMENU.txt should prevent it from showing next time you use multiAVCHD folder as input.

[lchiu7]

Removing titles is not that easy as adding them. I never tried, but deleting m2ts/clpi/mpls files for a title and deleting a title-name line from multiMENU.txt should prevent it from showing next time you use multiAVCHD folder as input.

No that didn't quite work. The menus get screwed up (wrong titles against the thumbnails), one new video I added didn't show up and one video appeared twice (once without picture and distorted sound!).

Sounds like a new feature request:)

[deank]

It should work. You must do it before adding the AVCHD folder to the compilation and DELETING the entire line from multiMENU, not just putting spaces instead of title name... ie

title1
title2
title3
title4

should become

title1
title3
title4

but not

title1

title3
title4

Have in mind that when using existing AVCHD folder as input - you SHOULD NOT rearrange the entries in media tab (no UP/DOWN/DELETE buttons!).

[gty]

It should work. You must do it before adding the AVCHD folder to the compilation and DELETING the entire line from multiMENU, not just putting spaces instead of title name...

I can confirm that this method works, I use it regularly (with also deleting the appropriate MTS/CLP/PLS files).

Is it theoretically possible to reorder titles when building a new compilation from an existing one by simply swapping names in multiMENU and renaming PLS files to reflect the same order?

[JK1974]

Hi, not having a PS3, I wanted to check out if the results also work on the PC. Unfortunately, it does not work here as it should - most people here seem to be lucky to be able to test it on standalones...

There are several options how the AVC/BD can be opened:
- Burning or creating an ISO an opening it with e.g. daemon tools. PowerDVD says: Unrecognized Format.
- Using the option "Play file from disc" (or similar, the penultimate function in the source selector of PowerDVD), it seems to analyse the data, but finally refuses to play. Works with no problems e.g. with original recorded AVCHD material selecting the "AVCHD" folder.
- Using drag & drop for moving the AVCHD folder into the main window of PowerDVD: Plays every MTS file one by one, finishing with the menu files and ignoring the desired navigation.
- I also tried to have it played back from USB stick, but this also did not work (if i remember correctly: unrecognized format again, with multiAVC as well as with multiBD.

I have tested this with PowerDVD 8 Ultimate Build 1730 (the first one), Build 2217 (one of the last) as well as with the new PowerDVD 9 Ultimate Build 1501.

Any confirmation on this?

Nevertheless, looking forward to the upcoming improvements: Fantastic work!

[deank]

I don't have PDVD to test with, but multiAVCHD is to be used with hardware players. I tested with Nero Showtime and TMT and CorelWinDVD and they all show multiAVCHD output correctly.

[zoner]

POWERDVD cant play BD/AVCHD folder from HDD.(they removed this feature in PDVD8, i recall it was possibe in PDVD7)
However the burned BD/AVCHD folder using UDF 2.5v, work with PDVD8 as expected

In order to play BD/AVCHD from HDD, you must use TotalMedia Theater or Nero Showtime. :)

[JK1974]

Sorry, not completely true. They indeed removed the support for playback of Blu-ray content from folders, but it still works with the AVCHD folder from an camcorder recording (tested here with recordings from a Panasonic AVCHD camcorder).
Furthermore, playing back an Blu-ray image e.g. mounted with daemon tools also works from my knowledge (have checked it for sure with PowerDVD 8, but don´t know if the later update might have changed that behaviour).
Maybe I am going to check that also with WinDVD, nevertheless I prefer PowerDVD - also for checking if my multiAVCHD creation is working as expected ;)...

[zoner]

playing anything mounted with daemon tools equals to burning it.
I forgot about this option, but yes, you can always make an image from a BD and it will play on PDVD perfectly fine.
and i dont know anything about playing camcoders so i wouldn't know.

[remolo]

First of all, I'd like to thank Dean for his work. Excuse me for my bad english.
I'm trying to use Multiavchd but I have a problem. When I try to create a MULTI-BD compilation (usually I put three movies) using some mkv file, I have often this message:
"Important files missing (clpi/mpls/m2ts)" etc.
These files aren't put in the compilation and the result is a folder with no videos or, when I'm lucky, only one or two films intead of three.
Can anyone help me?

[deank]

Use [x] Verbose logging in Settings and post your LOG file.

Probably you're using MKV files with incompatible contents like VORbiS audio or XviD video.

[remolo]

This is the log file.
Thank you

[lchiu7]

It should work. You must do it before adding the AVCHD folder to the compilation and DELETING the entire line from multiMENU, not just putting spaces instead of title name... ie

title1
title2
title3
title4

should become

title1
title3
title4

but not

title1

title3
title4

Have in mind that when using existing AVCHD folder as input - you SHOULD NOT rearrange the entries in media tab (no UP/DOWN/DELETE buttons!).

I am sure I did that. I ended up with strange things such as

1. Titles not matching the clips
2. A title that played only audio, no video and it was repeated with a different name but had video in this instance

Possibly screwed up how I removed things so will try again.

[deank]

It could be... Until I implement such rearranging/reordering things like this can happen.

I'm glad to say that XMB style menu is working. It needs improvements but I think of releasing a test version tomorrow. Those of you who experience problems with it should either not use it or report the problems :)

Next build requires full download or update+dat_update.

[deank]

New version: 2.5 build 430
======================
* Added XMB-style menu
* Fixed color palette for thumbnail menu
* Added "Skip welcome screen" in Author tab
* New options in Menu tab

http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/multiAVCHD_menu.jpg


If [x] Grayscale thumbnail background is checked, then current title thumbnail will be previewed in grayscale as in next image:

http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/multiXMB_gray_s.JPG


If [x] Grayscale thumbnail background is NOT checked, then current title thumbnail will be previewed in color as in next image:

http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/multiXMB_col_s.JPG

Thumbnail opacity slider defines how transparent title thumbnail will be. The more transparent it is - the more visible will be your custom background image. If slider is moved to the right to FULL opacity then your background will not be visible as in this image:

http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/multiXMB_gray_full_s.JPG

I included three predefined XMB backgrounds: blue, red and green. You can find them in "Background image" drop-down list.

****

Avisynth 2.58 is required.

[~bT~]

^ :thanks: deank!!!

edit: may i know y avisynth 2.58 is required?

[remolo]

This is the log file.


Excuse me Dean, did you see my log file? Do you understand where is the problem?
Thank you

[asherungar]

WOW dean!

come on...one more small thing... NC movies for PS3 ;)
im just kidding, i know its very hard, i have faith in you!

Thanks!

[deank]

y avisynth 2.58 is required?

There are functions that I use not available in older avisynth versions. Plus - there are a lot of fixes in 2.58 compared to 2.5-7. If you have older version - try XMB menu. I believe it won't work if [x] Grayscale is checked.

[~bT~]

its just that a lot of ppl have stuck with 2.57 as there is no MT version of 2.58 avail yet.

i'll try it without greyscale.. cheers! and wonderful work dude!

[drelin]

Thank you for this new version.

I've a little mistake.
After install multiAVCHD (2.5 430), when I start for the first time the soft, It launch normaly but if I close multiavchd and restart I see this error message :
= (RT) Invalid array index. Array is empty - Line 1847
If I delete the ini file multiavchd restart normaly
Any idea for this problem ?
N.B : avisynth 2.58 is installed.

[~bT~]

(RT) Invalid array index. Array is empty - Line 1295

greyscale unchecked. avisynth 2.57

[deank]

its just that a lot of ppl have stuck with 2.57 as there is no MT version of 2.58 avail yet.

i'll try it without greyscale.. cheers! and wonderful work dude!

Can you execute multiUPDATE.exe. I changed the way grayscale is handled and used a function present in older versions. Check if it will work.

Sorry for the error.. It has to do with these predefined xmb-red/blue/green.jpg images. It is fixed I think,.

[~bT~]

^ still getting above error..

[deank]

Did you update your DAT file?

[~bT~]

^ yup

edit: have to go now, will try it again later :)

[deank]

Anyone else with BT's error? Or other errors?

I guess most of you will figure out how to navigate the XMB-styled menu. Also - chapter thumbnails are not always matching the jump points but I'll work on this later.

[kenguru2005]

No errors here on mac and PS3. But thumbs/chapters are not working here: I can select them, but when pressing to play nothing happens. Perhaps that´s because of the length of my test movies (each one has only 1 minute). Also when moving down with PS3 controller, it does not automatically aktivate the next movie: people have to press X.

After all: I love this build. Thank you dean

[deank]

Yes, chapters depend on movie duration, so to have all 12 working you need at least 60min video...

And up/down navigation is a bit tricky and I lost few days trying to make it as in real XMB but dropped back to standard buttons. I'm still trying to make it work :) with up/down.

This menu took a lot of avisynth and multiAVCHD programming but at least this test version came out :)

[kenguru2005]

Yes, chapters depend on movie duration, so to have all 12 working you need at least 60min video...

And up/down navigation is a bit tricky and I lost few days trying to make it as in real XMB but dropped back to standard buttons. I'm still trying to make it work :) with up/down.

This menu took a lot of avisynth and multiAVCHD programming but at least this test version came out :)

Dean, keep up this work ... it is just great. Even your "test version" is worth to compare with commercial bd authoring applications. Trust me, I had the chance to test two of them under mac os x (Toast 10 and Adobe Encore PS3).

[DLynch]

Dean,

I am trying Version 2.5 Build 431, with new DAT file, with XMB menus and 6 titles that have all worked with previous versions.

I am using AviSynth 2.58.

I have the program set to create XMB menus and to skip the welcome screen.

The program gets all the way through creating chapter thumbnails. While "Preparing XMB menu. Please wait ...(16%)", I get the following run time error.

"(RT) Invalid array index. Array is empty. Line 1295" When I click Ok the program closes.

There is no log file and I can't cut and paste the log text from the window.

This happens if I use a custom background or one of the predefined XMB backgrounds.

Any ideas?

[deank]

Do you get the error when you press the PREVIEW button?

Please execute multiUPDATE.exe, run your compilation again and report the exact EXEPTION error.

I found the problem. :( And it is a major one. I'll post in few mins.

[vpapanik]

Nice work deank, checked the XMB menu and it is awesome !

A small bug :

[18:16:27] Modifying subtitle file (S05E08 - LaFleur.srt)
[18:16:27] First subtitle time changed to (00:00:01,295 --> 00:00:02,676)

It seems that when time correction is applied, 1.381 seconds are added to the first subtitle time instead of replacing it. However, I have tested PS3 with much lower first subtitle timings and it works fine (for example 00:00:00,300).

[deank]

It is not a bug. SRT start time change uses 1,295 since version 1.4. You can uncheck [x] Change first srt line timing. It was a problem with tsmuxer, not PS3. Probably tsmuxer is fixed in the last version, but I will not change multiAVCHD to use it as it seems to have other issues.

[deank]

There is a problem with NTSC XMB menu generation. Please update to build 432. It is fixed.

[DLynch]

Do you get the error when you press the PREVIEW button?

Please execute multiUPDATE.exe, run your compilation again and report the exact EXEPTION error.

I found the problem. :( And it is a major one. I'll post in few mins.

Preview works fine. I am trying now with updated file.
The videos are all approximately 22 mins in length.

Just to complete this....

"multiAVCHD.dat exeption error (01411.xPLSNTSC - 01411.xPLSNTSC)"

The error message is:

"(RT)Cannot open file C:\...\BDMV\PLAYLIST\01411.mpls - Line 4787."

Apparently you were quicker. I'll update and try again.

[v_o_r_t_e_x]

Is the new version supporting more than 40 movies for the classic menu?
What about XMB style?

I prefer "classic" menus, it's faster to navigate.
Altough XMB is way cooler...

[deank]

No - 40 is the maximum. May be next time.

[kenguru2005]

Yes, chapters depend on movie duration, so to have all 12 working you need at least 60min video...


Is there a way to adapte the "chapter markers" to the duration of the movie or the count of thumbs/chapters to the duration of movie? :)

i.e:
On DL-DVD you get 40 min. full-HD-25-MBit, so 40 min. and 12 thumbs/chapters results in a chapter every 3min20s (200 s).

Or 40 min. of full-HD-25-MBit with a thumb/chapter every 5 min. results in a count of 8 thumbs/chapters.

[deank]

Yes, that's why it is a 'test' version :) I'll fix it.

***

edit: In build 433 you will see the right count of chapter images (5min - one chapter).

[kenguru2005]

I mean ... you are the fastest programmer ever seen ... thanksX1000

[deank]

Ok, I released 434. One thing - navarrow will go to all 12 chapter positions. I'll fix it tomorrow. :)

[nwg]

Wow, I like the new menu. I will do a test and see what it is like.

Just curious on this. How easy would it be able to use the original chapters when importing a BDMV folder? Does it cause problems if there is a certain number (it is not uncommon to have 20-30 chapters)?

edit.
Nice work on the new menu. I see the disc does actually keep the chapters just doesn't show all of them. I see you said up to 12 for the menu but would it be possible to show all the actual chapters?

[~bT~]

I see you said up to 12 for the menu but would it be possible to show all the actual chapters?

that would be a bonus. who needs full bd rebuilds :rolleyes:

[deank]

Build 437:
------------

* Fixed: chapter thumbnail count
* Fixed: navigation arrows for XMB menu. Now they will go only where supposed to :)
* Fixed: chapter jumps for non-compliant video (those with 1sec video to clear PS3 frame buffer). Jump points were incorrect.
* Fixed: NC titles ignore [-] Sequential title playback and [x] Quit on last title finish options.
* Fixed: After NC title finish and playing next title - wrong jump-in instead playing from the beginning.
* Fixed: first chapter thumbnail always black

* Updated download links and tutorial/guide

* Known issues: mplayer will not generate thumbnail at requested video position (in seconds). This is mplayer problem and I'm looking for a workaround.

Dean

[videobelu]

I am new with multiAVCHD
A question....is possible to import a folder contain several clips
from a AVCHD Sony camera and produce a folder with a single file .m2ts or a BD structure with a single large .m2ts file with chapter inside referring to original clips???

Thanks

[deank]

It is possible to add AVCHD folders with multiple clips but the result will be another folder with multiple clips, not one with merged m2ts files.

[videobelu]

It is possible to add AVCHD folders with multiple clips but the result will be another folder with multiple clips, not one with merged m2ts files.

Thanks for your reply
My problem was to avoid a disturbing vision of the individual clips with a short break between one and the other way 'that the result would be more' fluid

[fbimatrix]

Can someone help me , after I updated , my multiAvchd closes by himself , how can I fix it?

[drpaulng]

To which folder do we need to install Avisynth? Thanks