Create chapter markers in Windows?

[Milenco]

I have some Audiobooks in mp3 format, all have multiple files (each chapter is a file). I've been succesfull converting those files in one big m4b file, and it plays just fine.

The only thing bugging me is that I don't have chapter markings in them. I've seen some tools who converts multiple mp3 files into one big m4b file and includes chapter markers in them, but...

Those problems are only for MacOS! I was wondering, are there any programs who can automate this job for Windows?

(I've been searching to forums and the internet without succes so far.)

[moriond]

I still don't know of any general Chapter marker solution for Windows. (You can do a search under my username with the keyword ChapterTool to see previous posts on this subject). I've seen some discussion about trying to create chapter markers for Windows Media "Enhanced Podcasts", but even if this works, this isn't a solution for iPod audiobook users.

I suspect it should be possible to set up Chapter markers using QuickTime Pro, just as it has been possible to merge AAC tracks in Windows if you've purchased this ($29.99). Maybe cjmnews (who gives instructions on how to merge AAC tracks with QuickTime Pro for Windows later in that linked thread) has managed to do this?

The procedure would likely be to follow Apple's instructions for adding chapter markers for movies and then to use the pass-through option to get the audio track.

There may be other Window users in the forum who have purchased QuickTime Pro in order to use features with their 5G video iPods. On the Mac side, it would require someone who is familiar with movie creation and editing with QuickTime Pro, who is also not using a more advanced software package for these functions such as Final Cut Pro, and who has explored the Chapter Tool option under QuickTime Pro for audio. Since there are other ways to handle this with the ChapterTool command-line beta, and features are also now built into the GarageBand 3 software application, it might be harder to find someone who "drops in" with this information.

Hope this helps.

[Milenco]

Thanks for the information.

I tried using Quicktime Pro to do the thing you suggested, without any succes. The problem is, I can add all the files and want and I'm even able to merge them (allthough it's a lot easier to merge them as MP3 and then convert them to AAC), but not with chapter markers. I tried to tutorial you supplied from the Apple site. This tutorial only supports video's however. I don't have the option to export them to audio files, it's just greyed out.

Seems Apple doesn't support 'merging audio files and add chapters markers to them' yet, for Windows at least. Hopefully they will in the future, or maybe there is some third party program hidden somewhere on the internet who does.

I don't mind converting any files to aac/m4a/b or whatever. I just want to merge my files and add a chapter marker after each file, which doesn't sound too hard for me. Too bad I lack programming skills.

[cjmnews]

I have not tried chapter markers. I actually read the disks in as a whole disk to reduce the amount of files I had to paste together. I'll look into it soon.

Regarding merging the audio files and can't save as audio using Quicktime Pro, just save the file as a movie (don't use EXPORT, it takes FOREVER). As soon as the save is done (about 5 minutes), change the extension from mov to m4a and you're ready for iTunes.

I have programming skills (that's my real job), is there an API for Quicktime Pro and/or iTunes in Windows? I have seen something called applescript for the Mac, but we don't have that. I'd love to automate some of the tedious tasks.

[moriond]

Originally Posted by cjmnews

I have programming skills (that's my real job), is there an API for Quicktime Pro and/or iTunes in Windows? I have seen something called applescript for the Mac, but we don't have that. I'd love to automate some of the tedious tasks.

I think you can get access to the Software Developers Kit. Check the Apple Developers Connection for documentation. Here's a conceptiual outline about QuickTime 7 from last year. You can find more on specific topics under the parent URL. Another source of information could be the Apple Mailing List for the QuickTime-API.

Macs can use AppleScripts and, under OS X 10.4 (Tiger), Automator workflows, and they do make things easier. To join AAC tracks, you select/highlight the entries and then select the option (JoinTogether, iTunesJoin, etc.) from the drop-down icon for AppleScript menu entries. I usually handle audio and video file work on my Mac, although I did finally do a Windows install of iTunes last fall to check out some problem issues in this forum.

[tom_s_tools]

Originally Posted by Milenco

(I've been searching to forums and the internet without succes so far.)

Had the same problem. But I found a tool named ssa and programmed a little GUI for it.

iChapterize

There might be several bugs, particularly with that .net installer, but for a first try it'd do it.

Cheers,
Tom

[Revo1]

Do you have an English language version of this program? I get lost in the installation not being able to read the language. Sorry.

[ejsjrnc]

Originally Posted by Revo1

Do you have an English language version of this program? I get lost in the installation not being able to read the language. Sorry.

Check out this thread. it outlines how to use SSA to create a chaptered audiobook in windows.