VCDMeta, a Perl script, simplifies the creation of VCD by making it easy to navigate.
VCDMeta is a powerful tool that simplifies the process of creating navigable VCDs. This powerful Perl script takes in XML documents that list the videos you want to include and how you want them arranged. With this information, VCDMeta quickly generates an XML document suitable for use with vcdimager, complete with easy-to-navigate menus. Additionally, it creates a text file "0VCDINDX.TXT" that contains the complete contents of the CD for easy navigation when reading the VCD on a computer without VCD menu support.
Even when images are not provided for the menus, VCDMeta can create menus for you. The supplied patch can be applied to VCDImager to generate special MPEG files for use on a computer, complete with an HTML index. Although VCDMeta has so far only been tested on Linux, it should work on any Unix-like operating system. With a little effort in installing the correct Perl modules, it should work on Windows too. Although it has not been tested yet, all the required libraries and tools have been ported to Windows.
To install VCDMeta, all you have to do is unpack the tarball somewhere like /usr/local. Afterward, add the directory to your path or create a symbolic link to VCDMeta. Be sure to edit the paths at the top of the VCDMeta script so that it can find the data files correctly.
VCDMeta also has some specific requirements that must be installed on your system. You will need Perl and the XML::Twig Perl module for verifying the input XML file. For creating and converting images, you will need the Image::Magick Perl module. For converting images into MPEG stills, you'll need netpbm and mjpegtools.
By default, VCDMeta uses free Type 1 fonts for menu creation. However, you can enable nicer looking menus by using True Type fonts. Simply refer to the top of the VCDMeta script to learn how to enable this feature.
In conclusion, VCDMeta is a versatile and efficient tool for automating the process of creating navigable VCDs. Its ease of use, flexibility, and compatibility with various operating systems and font options make it a great software to have in your toolkit.
Even when images are not provided for the menus, VCDMeta can create menus for you. The supplied patch can be applied to VCDImager to generate special MPEG files for use on a computer, complete with an HTML index. Although VCDMeta has so far only been tested on Linux, it should work on any Unix-like operating system. With a little effort in installing the correct Perl modules, it should work on Windows too. Although it has not been tested yet, all the required libraries and tools have been ported to Windows.
To install VCDMeta, all you have to do is unpack the tarball somewhere like /usr/local. Afterward, add the directory to your path or create a symbolic link to VCDMeta. Be sure to edit the paths at the top of the VCDMeta script so that it can find the data files correctly.
VCDMeta also has some specific requirements that must be installed on your system. You will need Perl and the XML::Twig Perl module for verifying the input XML file. For creating and converting images, you will need the Image::Magick Perl module. For converting images into MPEG stills, you'll need netpbm and mjpegtools.
By default, VCDMeta uses free Type 1 fonts for menu creation. However, you can enable nicer looking menus by using True Type fonts. Simply refer to the top of the VCDMeta script to learn how to enable this feature.
In conclusion, VCDMeta is a versatile and efficient tool for automating the process of creating navigable VCDs. Its ease of use, flexibility, and compatibility with various operating systems and font options make it a great software to have in your toolkit.
What's New
Version 0.20: N/A