Markers in VMS not being loaded into DVDA

rondi wrote on 5/8/2005, 10:25 AM

I have multiple avi clips i combine into various clips, via VMS 4.0a, and save as .avi files. i have added Markers at chapter points. then i want to take and combine the .avi files into a larger .avi files. Since the Markers were added to in the first edit/combine, i don't have to add them in the next combinations.

BUT, the markers do not show up in the 1st avi file. if i load the .vf file, the markers are there, but when i load the avi file, they are not. after hitting the play button, and then i hit the next Chapter button, the cursor skips to the end of the avi file.

When i save the avi file i do :
Make Movie, Save it to Hard Drive, uncheck Fast Render (geez i sure wish this would stick), Advanced Render, my f/n, Video for Windows (avi), NTSC DV, check Save Project Markers in Media file., hit the Save button.

I assume "Project Markers" and "Markers" are the same, since Help mentions nothing about "Project" Markers.

Previous posts mention saving as an mpg, but since i'm combining files, i surely don't want to combine mpg files---do i??? I also have NO sfl files. there are 2 on my computer--both about 6 months old--- and they have the form filename.avi.sfl, so it looks like they were generated with an avi file. I have not used the Trimmer, i just use the "default" layout.

i have added my markers using DVDA, but it is MUCH easier to do it in VMS.

What do i need to do to have this work the way i want it to?

tia,
ron

Comments

MAMF wrote on 5/10/2005, 8:27 AM

I had a similar problem before. Check out this thread:

http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=378454&Replies=7

Hope that helps.

rondi wrote on 5/11/2005, 8:31 AM

thanks for the reply--
during my search of the forum for "Marker" i came across this thread.

it did not help, since i was doing what was suggested, except i save my files from VMS as an .avi and not an mpeg2. it is was mentioned in that thread---- the mpeg file from VMS does not support markers--- of coarse i'm not sure avi files support it either.

your original post stated something to the effect---" it's stupid to put Markers in VMS, and then have to put them in again in DVDA."

maybe this is a "feature" which is missing in VMS/DVDA Sutdio, to make one buy the more expensive programs....

i guess i'll just spend the hours reinserting them into DVDA....

IanG wrote on 5/12/2005, 2:25 AM

I don't use VMS 4 (still on MS3) and I don't use DVDAS, so I'm probably not the best person to deal with this! Regardless, it looks like there might be some confusion between "markers" and "chapter markers". A marker has no real significance outside the editing process - it's just there to help you navigate your project.

Regarding saving chapter markers with AVIs, I don't know any software that will do that - chapter markers are associated with the I-Frames in MPEG2 files.

Ian G.

Iacobus wrote on 5/12/2005, 11:29 AM

Hmm...

Just for giggles, I just tried this. I seemingly can have the markers I had in Vegas Movie Studio (VMS) convert over to DVD Architect Studio (DVDAS), whether it's MPEG-2 or AVI. (Though regions convert over to a single standard marker (minus the out point) but keeps its green color.)

Tried both rendering to my hard drive (as AVI) and the "burn it to DVD" option (which renders the Movie Studio project to MPEG-2 and opens it in DVDAS). Both methods keep the markers I inserted in VMS when I go to either manually add the rendered media or send it to DVDAS.

I could then insert a "scene selection" menu by clicking the main media object and then use Insert > Scene Selection Menu command, which will create a page with links to each part of the media where there is a chapter marker.

Is the "save project markers in media file" option checked in the advanced options?

Iacobus
------- RodelWorks - Original Music for the Unafraid Buy Instant ACID by JohnnyRoy and mD! mD at ACIDplanet

MAMF wrote on 5/12/2005, 12:02 PM

rondi

I think you might have misread that thread. I don't think avi or mpeg files support markers themselves. But, if you have "save makers" option selected in VMS, it will create a sfl file with the same name as your avi or mpg. When you import the media file into DVDAS, it associates the sfl file to generate the markers.

The problem I was having is that I was moving the exported mpg files to another folder without moving the sfl file with it. As long as both files are in the same folder, the markers should show up.

Also, if you're going to DVD, why not export as mpg? It has to end up as mpg anyway.

rondi wrote on 5/13/2005, 9:23 AM

Thanks for the replies----
As mentioned in my original post:
1. my comuter contains 2 *.sfl files, and they were generated back in Oct 04.
2. I ALWAYS uncheck Fast Render.
3. I ALWAYS check "Save Project Markers in Media File".
AND i always use a Template i saved which is the NTSC DV Widescreen with the Best saved from the drop down.... i have not noticed any difference in quality in my material, but i think Best is better than Good.

I save my files as .avi because this is the "least lossy" way to save them. I may have to go in and edit them again, so i don't want to recompress them once edited. This "proceedure" was adapted from posts on this forum----but maybe i misunderstood something---ALWAYS a possiblilty.. :)

And as mentioned-- i make a clip of dog agility runs which last at the most 90 seconds from a weeknd trials, edit each one, then combine them per dog for that weekend, with Markers to seperate the 2 runs per day-- all done in VMS. IOW, for a 2 day weekend trial, i have 4 runs per dog and 2 dogs. These then get all combined to create 1 large .avi file per dog. this then becomes a sub menu in DVDA.

Perhaps it is the mutlipe combining of files which "drop" the Markers using avi files. i have NO problem with the markers added in DVDA, and as long as i save each project--i just recall it and add new markers. it's just MUCH easier to find the markers in VMS because of my Text describing the event....

It seems very strange as MAMF mentions and a previous poster mentions---i do not have a .sfl file. are you folks using 4.0a? maybe i need to remove the program and do a reinstall.....

thanks again for the help,
ron