SVCD Chapters from multiple Files

[calvore]

I just finished encoding a bunch of home videos of my kids. I split them out into separate files, and would like to add them to a disc with some chapters separating each file. I have used TSCV in the past, and I thought leaving these as separate files would be a great way to keep my chapter points separate. Unfortunately, now I can't get the files to play straight though, there is a pause after each clip for about half a second and a sound blip before it moves to the next track.

Are there any tools that can remux these files together and keep track of where each file changed for my chapter points? I am sure I could remux them together in TMPGEnc, but then I have to somehow go back through and identify the break points of all 24 clips. And this is only the first tape of home videos.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[LeonMcNichol]

Unfortunately, I only know of the way you mentioned. One giant SVCD and finding the chapter points. Usually the process I use, is I decode the mpeg with DVD2AVI (leaving forced film _off_) and open the d2v file in TMPGEnc and use it's Source Range feature and seek to the point where I want to chapter to. Then I write down the frame number. I keep doing this until I get all the chapters I want. Once I'm done there, I load the mpeg into VCDEasy and put a chapter to each of those frame numbers. It's a little tedious, but it works. Sometimes I like to add chapters that are nonexhistant in the DVD. A lot of times they put a chapter only in the middle of an episode. I like it to go opening-chapterpoint-partA-chapterpoint-partB-chapterpoint-ending-chapterpoint-preview. That way I could jump the opening credits and ending credits if I want to.

[jorel]

@LeonMcNichol
works for vcd too?:)

thanks in advance!

[LeonMcNichol]

Same process, different program. I load the mpeg-1 file in virtualdub and go to the point where I want the chapter. Then I write down the frame number. The one thing I do differently with virtualdub, I always press the jump to keyframe button (forward or backward, depending on where you want the chapterpoint to be). To make sure the chapter point is set to the I-frame. Can't really tell with tmpgenc and d2v, but this usually is no problem for mpeg2 files. When you jump to the chapter on your dvd player, there is a lag anyways.

[calvore]

Hmm, tried remuxing them in TMPGEnc. Now I have really bad audio sync after combining the 17 files.

I am using VBR MPEG2 files, will it work better if I use CBR?

[htc10825]

use it's Source Range feature and seek to the point where I want to chapter to. Then I write down the frame number. I keep doing this until I get all the chapters I want. Once I'm done there, I load the mpeg into VCDEasy and put a chapter to each of those frame numbers. It's a little tedious, but it works.use the tool "chapterXtract" and vcdeasy "import raw data" to import the chapter marks is much comfortabler.
For joining mpeg2 files use the program "M2-Edit Pro 4.0/5.0"

[LeonMcNichol]

@htc10825
This is for chapters that are nonexhistant in the dvd. ChapterXtractor would be useless if I only get 2 chapter points when I want 5. It's also for avi to svcd conversions where there is no dvds to extract from.

[htc10825]

I load the mpeg into VCDEasy and put a chapter to each of those frame numbers. It's a little tedious, but it works. Sometimes I like to add chapters that are nonexhistant in the DVD.This time I've quoted a little more. Your sentence about the extra chapter points appeared after the "tedious" work. So every one must so understand like me(=assume all the "tedious" work also for the regular chapter points).

By the way, you do not have to write down the frame number(and then type it again in VCDEasy) if you want to instert a chapter point. In VDub press Ctrl-G then you can copy the timecode in SVCD format to clipboard, then paste it into the chapter file, which is the output of chapterXtract(a text file). Use a good text editor like "Textpad" you can easily make a chapter point free with the column-editing(=moving) function. I recommend this way to create all the chapter points also for non-dvd source conversion: the resaulted textfile for chapter points is easy to edit and to expand, with two mouse clicks you can import it into the mpeg stream again.