Next-Gen Encoding of DVDs in Sage

[greggerm]

I have a bit of a question for those in the know regarding next-generation encoding.

As we know, SageTV supports Divx/Xvid playback in its newer versions, and can be made to see other MPEG4 containers with the installation of some DirectShow filters. (Sadly, not the Nero AVC codec yet - if ever - wake up, Nero!)

I have figured out how to encode MPEG2 files into a variety of formats using NeroDigital's Recode2 (mp4) and the open source Auto Gordian Knot (xvid), and have used them with great success to shrink down some archived television episodes recorded with Sage. Both of these tools have the ability to also reencode and package DVD movies as well. With that in mind, I'm interested in bringing some of my most-often viewed movies directly into the Sage library to prevent some wear and tear on the discs (and allow for a neat little demonstration of Sage's power!)

My question is - if I were to re-encode a DVD, will all of the chapter stops be included and functional within Sage? I know this can be done in the "native" DVD format by including the VIDEO_TS directory, but even with tools like DVDShrink, I am not comfortable with dedicating so much space to a single movie. Using a next-gen codec would further shrink the media down to a more managable size. I have PowerDVD available as well, should Sage not natively know and understand the packaging needed for chapters.

With all the information regarding the fast-changing world of digital multimedia, it's a wonder ANYone can keep up!

-Greg

[Crazedz]

I don't think so no unless the new divx 6 format includes chaptering because as far as i know none of the other formats supports chaptering and even if they did you would need an authoring program to put the chapter markers in them because they wouldn't convert over without some tool to see the markers and put them into the right places in the new format.

It's not sages fault that nobody made a mpeg4 or divx authoring tool to put in chapter markers so it doesn't work with any other players either.

[JasonJoel]

Would be nice if you could have a small tool to dump the chapters to a flat file and use them like the COMSKIP text files though.

A hackie work around, but woiuld work. In fact, maybe it could share the COMSKIP playback code...

Jason

[Cayars]

I haven't looked at the spec for DivX DVDs as I don't have a hardware based DivX player so I'd have to ask does this spec support chapters?

[stanger89]

For DVDs the chapter info is stored in the IFO files