MKV - how to add global tags?

[mr.duck]

I can't work out how to add or change global tags using mkvtoolnix (apart from the 'title' tag).

I was trying to do it with mkvpropedit.exe

Anyone know how it is done?

[Selur]

global tags have to be given via xml if you use it via command line:
i.e.
mkvmerge --ui-language en -o "D:\Encoding Output\test.mkv" --global-tags "D:\Encoding Temp\tag.xml" -d 0 --default-track 0:yes --default-duration 0:25fps --aspect-ratio-factor 0:1/1 --no-chapters --forced-track 0:no --no-audio --no-subtitles "D:\test - clips\test.avi"
with tag.xml to be:
<Tags>
<Tag>
<Simple>
<Name>TITLE</Name>
<String>Container Name Tag Text</String>
</Simple>
<Simple>
<Name>GENRE</Name>
<String>Container Genre Tag Text</String>
</Simple>
<Simple>
<Name>DESCRIPTION</Name>
<String>Container Comment Tag Text</String>
</Simple>
</Tag>
</Tags>

Cu Selur

[mr.duck]

It doesn't work.

No new tags are written. The existing tag (title) doesn't even change. There are no errors. I'm using mkvmerge v4.5.0.

I am using mkv as input if that makes a difference?

[mr.duck]

I tired it with mkvmerge v4.1.1 but still the same.

I also tried it with mpeg2 audio and video for input rather than a mkv and it still doesn't work. There are no tags at all on the output mkv file.

[Selur]

What did you use to check for the tags?
I just opened a file created with a mmg.exe (mkvmerge gui) and it indicates that there are three global tag entries,...
They show up if I use the gui (mkvinfo -g) and select 'Options' > 'Show all elements'
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/1148/globaltags.png
(mediainfo doesn't show them)

Cu Selur

Ps.: might be interesting: http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/326119-%5BSOLVED%5D-How-to-tag-an-mkv-mka-file

[mr.duck]

I used MPC-HC to check tags.

mkvmerge.exe --title "some text" <-- this works and in MPC-HC it shows up OK

But setting the title in the XML file does not show up in MPC-HC. :confused:

Using mkvinfo it shows up just like in your screenshot. But what is the use of tags if you can use them?? Is there a bug in mkvmerge or is there any way to get it working inside MPC-HC? Some other crappy media player I would not expect it to work, but MPC-HC I would.

[Selur]

You better ask that in the MPC-HC and/ord mkvtoolnix thread. :)

Cu Selur

[sneaker_ger]

AFAIK:
1.) mkvmerge --title does not set global tags. Those are two different things.
2.) MPC-HC's internal splitter does not support global tags. Use Haali's splitter instead. You can then see tags at the bottom (activate View->Information) and a few basic tags under Play->Properties

[mr.duck]

1.) mkvmerge --title does not set global tags. Those are two different things.

Makes sense. But what does --title do to it? MPC can pick it up no problems. Maybe there is another program that could tag MKVs with the same sort of tag so that MPC can read it?


2.) MPC-HC's internal splitter does not support global tags. Use Haali's splitter instead. You can then see tags at the bottom (activate View->Information) and a few basic tags under Play->Properties
Installed Haali splitter. It does show global tags now. BUT... only title and description. Genre and any custom tags do not show up. I don't know where you mean by "Play->Properties". I can't see it.

[sneaker_ger]

Makes sense. But what does --title do to it? MPC can pick it up no problems.

It sets the title element. (http://www.matroska.org/technical/specs/index.html#Title)

Maybe there is another program that could tag MKVs with the same sort of tag so that MPC can read it?

Not possible, title (for the file) and name (for tracks) are the only elements that come close to something like you want to do with tags.


Installed Haali splitter. It does show global tags now. BUT... only title and description. Genre and any custom tags do not show up. I don't know where you mean by "Play->Properties". I can't see it.

http://www.abload.de/img/global_tagsfxri.png

Only the tags Title, Author, Copyright and Rating will show up under properties.
I don't know whether it's possible with MPC-HC to view all kind of custom tags - probably not. Better take this into the MPC-HC thread.

[mr.duck]

Ok thanks. I think I will just put the description into the --title option. It should work better in my setup.