GNU VCDImager Authoring Guide Series

last updated: 27-Sep-2004 | read a guide | download GNU VCDImager Tools GUI for Win32

what's new!

19-May-2004
Thank you for all those people who have supported me in purchasing VCDHelp.com Demo VCDs.  However, as VCD authoring is no longer the main thrust of development (rather DVD authoring) and it is no longer profitable for me to offer these discs for sale, from this date, the Official VCDHelp.com Demo VCDs will no longer be produced.
1-Feb-2003
GNU VCDImager Tools GUI updated to v1.1.207!  Now includes lkVCDxRIP!  Click here for more info.
31-Dec-2002
The Official VCDHelp.com PAL/NTSC Demo VCD has been released!  It's a VCD on an 8-cm disc that's full of of useful tools/tests and other goodies!  You can buy it now for $US 10 + $US 5 (p&h) shipping internationally!

Buy the Official VCDHelp.com PAL/NTSC Demo Video-CD now!
20-Dec-2002
Update to GNU VCDImager Tools GUI (ver 1.0.198).  Improved error handling, a few aethetic changes and links to this website and e-mail from the "About" window. GNU VCDImager Tools GUI for Win32

about this site:

Redirector: http://www.michaeltam.com (bookmark this)
Mirror 1: http://www.videohelp.com/~vitualis
Mirror 2: http://www.geocities.com/medinotes/vcd

Donate!If you find the guides useful or use VCDImager Tools GUI, then please donate!  Any token of you appreciation helps me to continue writing and updating the guides as well as the program.  Thanks!

GNU VCDImager is an open source project aimed at the development of tools to author "Video CDs" (VCDs) and "Super Video CDs" (SVCDs).  For a concise summary on what these are, visit VCDHelp.com or read the manual that accompanies each release of VCDImager.  At present, GNU VCDImager with its powerful XML scripting system, represents one of the best S/VCD authoring tools available and is the only open source tool.  The only thing missing is a comprehensive GUI editor, though a number of third party GUIs are available and constantly in development.

The latest version of GNU VCDImager is available from http://www.vcdimager.org

This authoring guide series is designed to demonstrate how a variety of complex structures can be authored using VCDImager.  It is hoped that this will help fellow VCD enthusiasts.

For more discussion and information, I strongly suggest you visit the VCDImager forums at http://forums.vcdimager.org  I can be further contacted by e-mail at <vitualis(at)michaeltam.com>, but I strongly suggest you try using the forum first.

 

the software
GNU VCDImager Tools GUI for Win32 (1-Feb-2003) (Version 1.1.207) This program was written as a GUI (graphical user interface) to all the tools in the VCDImager suite of programs (VCDXGEN, VCDXBUILD, VCDXRIP, VCDXMINFO, VCDDEBUG, VCDIMAGER, CDXA2MPEG).  It in addition has a GUI for lkVCDxBUILD and lkVCDxRIP.  There are now two new tools, the "Subindices Remover" and the "CUE/BIN Regenerator".  This is for Windows only.  It is open source and licensed under GNU GPL.

the guides
Structure of the GNU VCDImager XML file (20-Dec-2002) This is a guide which describes in brief and in detail on how the XML system works in context with VCDImager.  It covers most of the pertinent tags that you will ever use but is not entirely comprehensive.  Read the VCDImager manual for more detailed information.
Burning the CUE/BIN image (20-Dec-2002) A quick guide on how to burn the CUE/BIN images.

fundamental authoring

  
The CD-i application (20-Dec-2002) This is a short guide detailing how to add the CD-i application into your VCD.
Simple multitrack VCD (20-Dec-2002) A comprehensive guide that demonstrates in detail how to create the simplest of all VCD structures.
MPEG Still images (20-Dec-2002) A guide on the preparation of images for mpeg stills and how they are authored in the XML.

basic authoring

  
Simple Menu (20-Dec-2002) A guide on how to author simple menus.
Multi-menu VCD (20-Dec-2002) A guide and representative diagram and XML on the creation of a multi-menu VCD.

advanced authoring

  
Chaptering with Entrypoints (20-Dec-2002) A comprehensive guide on how to create chapters using entrypoints and the theory and logic behind it.
The Combination Lock (20-Dec-2002) An article on how to author a "combination lock" on a VCD.  There are CUE/BIN samples available for download for this guide.
In the future... A number of new exciting guides on specific authoring projects are in development... including: the "multi-default menu", the "random" function, an much more.

Damn, I need more time... ;-)   These guides are half written... I will put them up when I have some free time.

 

Michael Tam <vitualis (at) michaeltam.com>
anti-spam device - replace (at) with @ to send me e-mail

(c) 27 September, 2004