Ipodsoft Chapter Master

Chapter Master makes it easy to add chapter stops (permanent 'bookmarks') and images to an AAC (*.m4a or *.m4b) file for use as an audiobook or enhanced podcast on the iPod. Audio files like this can be generated by iTunes, my companion software MarkAble, or by software such as dbPowerAmp.

At the moment, it's Windows based, but it's likely there will be a port to the Mac in future.

I have designed it to be extremely easy to use. You simply open an AAC file and can add and remove chapter stops at any time point within the audio, naming them and optionally associating an image with each. You can, if you choose, listen to the audio, or fast forward through it, and by clicking a button insert a chapter at the current play time. Or you can simply choose to add regular chapter stops at say 15 minute intervals throughout the file.

You then just save the file and it is ready for import into iTunes and transfer to your iPod. Once on the iPod you can navigate between bookmarks using forward and back controls. On later model iPods you'll also see a list of the named chapters when you first go into the book/podcast.

One important feature (compared to some alternative tools) is that you can load, edit and save an AAC file any number of times. If you have previously put images and bookmarks into the file, you'll see those on reload, and can edit or remove them at will.

You can also process a number of audio files in a single batch operation. This mode is ideal for audiobooks.

system requirements: Pentium - 800 mHz, 256 Mb RAM, Windows XP/ Vista/ 7