6.1.2.9 Chapters, Tags, Cover Art not added to MKV (MKVToolnix) downloads

JeffDavis

When downloading from Amazon Prime in MP4 format, the file includes chapters, some tags (Year, Title) and cover art. When downloading in MKV (MKVToolnix) format (I haven't tried the MKV (FFMpeg) format), the chapters, tags and cover art are not included. I usually download in MP4 format, but with a TV series (Grimm) where the video files include useful chapter marks with descriptive titles, I had been converting them after download to MKV because of the VLC player's annoying habit of treating chapters in MP4 files as subtitles. I thought I would save a step by downloading in MKV format, but discovered that the chapters and cover art are not downloaded, although the MKV format supports them.

KidJoe

@JeffDavis do you have a log you can share showing this behavior? or have you submitted feedback from inside the app?

ord1117

I think MKV is TERRIBLE for Meta Data.

I Rarely use it.

Use MP4 H265.

jpp72

I think MKV is TERRIBLE for Meta Data.

I Rarely use it.

Use MP4 H265.
ord1117

You may think that but it's not the case. What exactly you feel is terrible with MKV metadata?

Cats4U

When downloading from Amazon Prime in MP4 format, the file includes chapters, some tags (Year, Title) and cover art. When downloading in MKV (MKVToolnix) format (I haven't tried the MKV (FFMpeg) format), the chapters, tags and cover art are not included.
JeffDavis

StreamFab uses a very old version (10 versions behind the current version) of MKVToolnix. Several (half, to be exact) of these 10 versions show fixes to chapters, segment info and tag files issues in their changelog. This might be a contributing factor with your problem. The StreamFab developers have a major adversion to updating any of the program's components. It appears that their philosophy is that if it worked a year or two ago, it should work now, no need to change it.

ord1117

Cats,

StreamFab had a Problem with some AUDIO Thing---and they said they replaced it with an OLDER Audio thing.

I have been Ripping DVD's---to stay away from StreamFAB & MusicFAB

They Played with DVDfab for Years-----Now Not much with updates with it.

It takes them a LONG While----To TRY and Figure something Out.

JeffDavis

StreamFab uses a very old version (10 versions behind the current version) of MKVToolnix. Several (half, to be exact) of these 10 versions show fixes to chapters, segment info and tag files issues in their changelog. This might be a contributing factor with your problem. The StreamFab developers have a major adversion to updating any of the program's components. It appears that their philosophy is that if it worked a year or two ago, it should work now, no need to change it.
Cats4U

I use a batch file to convert the MP4 files to MKV files with mkvmerge (from MKVToolnix version 77) and it preserves the chapter marks:

for %%G in (*.mp4) do (
mkvmerge -o "mkv\%%~nG.mkv" "%%~G"
)

JeffDavis

@JeffDavis do you have a log you can share showing this behavior? or have you submitted feedback from inside the app?
KidJoe

If they ask for it, but the log file simply shows successful downloads. The same temporary files are downloaded. The only difference is the output format selected (2 presumably is MKV (MKVToolnix) and 0 is MP4). The final MP4 file has chapter marks, the final MKV file does not.

Info: [output format]: 2
Info: remux output file path check : "D:\\M\\_IN/Grimm/S01/Grimm_S01E02_Bears Will Be Bears.mkv"

Info: [output format]: 0
Info: remux output file path check : "D:\\M\\_IN/Grimm/S01/Grimm_S01E02_Bears Will Be Bears.mp4"

Here's the metadata dump for the MP4 file:

;FFMETADATA1
major_brand=isom
minor_version=512
compatible_brands=isomiso2mp41
description=A home invasion reveals a family's barbaric history -- Kate Burton "Grey's Anatomy" guest stars.
episode_id=2
date=2012
show=Grimm
album=Season 1
title=1-02 Bears Will Be Bears
artist=Grimm
encoder=Lavf60.9.100
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=0
END=8462
title=2. Opening Quote
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=8462
END=233462
title=3. Rocky and Gilda Break In
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=233462
END=342462
title=4. A Doctor Discharges Nick
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=342462
END=414462
title=5. Nick, Captain Renard, and Hank Investigate
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=414462
END=560462
title=6. Nick, Hank, and Gilda Visit the Scene
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=560462
END=586462
title=7. A Creature Subdues Rocky
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=586462
END=596462
title=8. Title Sequence
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=596462
END=727462
title=9. Hank and Nick Question Gilda
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=727462
END=846462
title=10. Nick Visits Marie
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=846462
END=1038462
title=11. Hank and Nick Encounter Bikers
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1038462
END=1091462
title=12. Adalind Meets with Captain Renard
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1091462
END=1181462
title=13. Juliette Brings Food for Nick
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1181462
END=1208462
title=14. Jason, T.B., and Barry Test the Pit
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1208462
END=1308462
title=15. Marie Surprises Nick
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1308462
END=1357462
title=16. Nick Finds a Claw
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1357462
END=1526462
title=17. Nick Asks Monroe for a Favor
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1526462
END=1590462
title=18. Nick Visits with Marie
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1590462
END=1629462
title=19. Captain Renard Pulls the Guards
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1629462
END=1697462
title=20. Nick Asks Monroe to Guard Marie
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1697462
END=1770462
title=21. Gilda Makes Bail
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1770462
END=1886462
title=22. Nick Questions Diane and Frank
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1886462
END=1979462
title=23. Nick and Frank Go After the Boys
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=1979462
END=2180462
title=24. Monroe Faces Thugs as Nick Chases the Boys
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=2180462
END=2239462
title=25. Nick and Frank Interrupt the Roh-Hatz
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=2239462
END=2332462
title=26. Emergency Personnel Collect the Injured
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=2332462
END=2425462
title=27. A Priest Surprises Marie
[CHAPTER]
TIMEBASE=1/1000
START=2425462
END=2495462
title=28. Nick Reflects & Juliette Offers Comfort

Cats4U

So, what you are saying is that there is a very good chance that the old MKVToolnix is causing your problem as I predicted. For testing purposes, if you feel like trying it, you could replace the MKVMerge.exe file from StreamFab with the one from MKVToolnix version 77 (or 78) and see if you have the chapters & etc. included if you set your download to MKV (MKVToolnix). This is how I run StreamFab. I've never really gone looking for it but on occasion when I do look at a MediaInfo of a Prime file it does have the chapters at the end. Not sure of the rest.

Cats4U

MKVMerge.exe version 78 didn't produce the results I thought it would with your Grimm example for me. No chapters & etc.

Wilson.Wang

Hi,

I will ask the dev to check it, thanks!

Wilson

MrGrackle

So, since this is the original thread for the issue, I have also noticed that chapters stopped working again as well for the MKV format. I got one random episode of a TV show with chapters. I don't particularly find Prime's method of scenes very useful, so that is fine, but it is still pointing to the original issue that JeffDavis points out.