Aliens SE aspect ratio problem

[SuperSD1]

I ripped the Aliens SE vob from Disc 3 of the Alien Quadrilogy box set using DVD Decrypter, and then DVD Shrink. The VOB plays just fine on my computer in my software DVD player. However, when I try to play the same VOB on my Buffalo LinkTheater, the Fox logo intro is mangled, cuts out early, and then main film starts. The aspect ratio of the film seems to be ignored, as the image is being shown at full screen on a 4:3 TV and the images are all squished vertically. The movie is anamorphic and I should see the black bars at the top and bottom. The other 3 movies in the box set had no problems. Note, for those familiar with the LinkTheater, yes, I've tried all the different zoom settings, they make no difference. Is there a tool I can use to check that the VOB is okay, that the aspect ratio is set up correctly?
Thanks,
Dave

[Taelon]

You can view the ripped VOB in Media Player Classic or rename the VOB to MPG and view it in whatever media player. But the IFO will determine how it plays back from the DVD, use IfoEdit or PgcEdit to view and edit the IFOs if necessary.

[setarip_old]

@SuperSD1

Hi!

Does the ORIGINAL Disc 3 exhibit the same behaviour when played on your "Buffalo LinkTheater"?

[SuperSD1]

No, the original disc 3 plays fine on the player, it's only the ripped version that is off. I upgraded my firmware on the LT player and now playback is WORSE, not only is the aspect ratio off, it plays back at about 2x the correct speed. Something is definetly not right with this VOB, as every other disc I've ripped has worked fine on this player.
Dave

[CWR03]

Try the original ripped VOB (or re-rip the disk if you've deleted it) and see if that plays properly. I'm having trouble myself with Alien³ from the same set - can't seem to get the filesize where I've specified. There may be a different encryption method to it, or maybe they just weren't made well.

[SuperSD1]

I used AUtoGK on the original Aliens VOB, and the DivX file plays fine on my computer and on the LinkTheater. The original VOB however doesn't play on the LinkTheater. I just found out tonight too that my Star Wars - ANH VOB doesn't play well on the LinkTheater, the speed is all off. I suspect that the LinkTheater is struggling with these particualr VOBs, though it works fine with others. I wish there was a way to make the VOBs work, I'd rather have the full resolution of the DVD than have to use the DivX version. Oh well, thanks for the input everyone.
Dave

[CWR03]

It's likely that the network speed is insufficient for the amount of data in a VOB to transfer at the needed speed. I can't play a VOB through a networked computer without it pausing occasionally. You can set AutoGK to a specific width on the resolution and to a lower percentage on the compression and end up with a smaller-than-VOB file that will look almost indistinguishable from the original.