Jarhead- Menu Processing

[JohnG]

First of all, jdobbs you are a genius and tireless worker. I just wanted to mention that I experienced a problem with menu encoding on Jarhead. I should point out that I did pre-process with VobBlanker first...but I have never had a problem with this procedure before. Anyway, when accessing "Special Features", nothing is highlighted and obviously nothing can be changed. I re-did the whole thing with the same blanked files without "menu encoding" checked and everything came out fine. I still need to reprocess the original decrypted files with "menu encoding" checked for a true comparison, but I am happy with the results for now. Just an fyi.

[JFerguson]

Just did Jarhead today, with menu processing, straight from a DVD Decrypter v3.5.4.0 ripped ISO, with no problems.

I believe you when it comes to minimal problems with preprocessing... I don't do it often, but I have encountered problems that could be traced to it (and with VobBlanker v2.1.0.0).

Here's my project file (below) -- note my VTSM_MIN_SIZE setting (process 2MB menus and larger). This menu, Menu 12, or VTM_01 V/C:12/01 is a STILL FRAME however, so I don't think DVD-RB touched it (in an encoding sort of way). Also, I blanked V02,04,07 (Trailers, Full Interviews, post splash/DVD production credits).

If you want to try possibly a quick fix to this problem, load your original DVD in VobBlanker v2.1.0.0 and extract that menu to some temporary file. Then load you nonworking files and replace that menu with the one extracted from the original DVD. This might fix it.

[Options]
TargetSectors=2282567
vts_min_size=1
vtsm_min_size=1024
Mode=1
OneClick=0
ReduceOpt=1
NoWarn=0
AdditionalOutput=1
LogFile=1
QuEncHQ=1
EncoderMinimized=0
RemoveDTS=0
HC_Quality=1
HC_Matrix=1
SkinVersion=12
Skin=Teck Original
AudioDub=1
QuEncodeType=0
iDCT=0
GOP=0
DCPrec=0
MainMatrix=Encoder Default
LowMatrix=Same as Main Feature
VLowMatrix=Same as Main Feature
ExtraMatrix=Same as Main Feature
ProCoder_Quality=4
DVD_Label=JARHEAD
DVD_Name=JARHEAD.ISO
MovieOnly=0
HalfD1=00000000
Convert_16_9=00000000
DisableInterlace=00000000
ConvertToYUY2=1
CCE=3
SkipPrepare=1
Encode_Menus=1
[Paths]
Source=V:\VIDEO_TS\
QuEnc=D:\Program Files\DVD Rebuilder PRO\Encoders\QuEnc\QuEnc.exe
ReJig=D:\Program Files\DVD Rebuilder PRO\Encoders\ReJig\ReJig.exe
HC=D:\Program Files\DVD Rebuilder PRO\Encoders\HC Encoder\HCbatch.EXE
ProCoder=D:\Program Files\DVD Rebuilder PRO\Encoders\EclPro\EclPro.exe
DECOMB=D:\Program Files\AviSynth 2.5\plugins\Decomb521.dll
MPEG2DEC=D:\Program Files\DVD Rebuilder PRO\DGDecode.dll
Working=G:\!DVDWork\!DVDRB4\
Output=H:\!DVDWork\!DVDRB4\
CCENew=D:\Program Files\Custom Technology\CCE SP Trial Version\cctspt.exe
[Audio]
Selected=10000111111111
[Subpictures]
Selected=100

[JFerguson]

Just another note -- I postprocessed this run with VobBlanker v2.1.0.0, cleaning up 30MB of unreferenced material in the V00 menus. This partially explains the intended oversize to approximately 4.41GB.

[jdobbs]

I did Jarhead earlier this week... I just tested it and it works ok (NTSC, R1).

Just as a note, though, I recently corrected a bug related to menus for v1.09 (coming out very, very soon) -- it pretty rare, though, and only happens when the VTSM_MIN_SIZE is set to a very low value (like 1) and the last cell process prior to the menu happened to have the same VOBID/CELLID combination as the first cell of the menu.

From what you're describing, though, I don't think this is it... since it's unlikely that the "Special Features" menu would be the first in the VTSM. It sounds more like something odd happened in the preprocessing.

[DVD Maniac]

I am getting similar problems with v1.801 and Alias Series 1 & 2.

Pre-Processing -

1. PGCedit to eliminate the need for language selection
2. VOB Blanker to remove the non english vob's

Rebuilder -

File mode with Menu processing enabled, 3 click

The resulting output loads OK on my set-top player but when I select the "Episodes" menu I can see the menu selection icon (which is active) but the text that goes with each episode is missing. Once the audio track has cycled once though, the text magically appears!

Its not really a major issue as all I have to do is wait for the audio track to cycle once but obviously it would be nice fo this to work correctly.

Jdobbs, I can send you each of the 3 ifo's if you want (original, post processing and rebuilder output)

[jdobbs]

Please try v1.09 (released yesterday) and see if it is related to the fix I mentioned above. All you should have to do is the REBUILD. In this case sending the IFO's probably wouldn't help. The highlighting action is actually activated in a NAVPACK within the VOB files.

Also, I ask that everyone please always test without preprocessing, as I can't predict what other packages do or don't do and it makes it very difficult to chase any possible errors...

[DVD Maniac]

Sorry jdobbs, I hadn't got to my email.

Tried the new version with same source and still getting this problem with missing episode text on the first pass of the related audio stream - wierd.

I have backtracked to the pre-processed version and all is well there so its definitely occuring after Rebuilder processing.

Another odd thing about this problem is it appears to be set-top related, ie - when softplayed or from the authored output on PC from disk the problem is not there.

[jdobbs]

Sorry, I know you've probably done successfull preprocessed backups in the past... but I just can't respond to problems with preprocessed sources. It takes too much time and almost always leads to a dead end because I can't predict what the other packages or the instructions to the other packages may or may not have done. Looking back I can say that probably 90% of all problems reported on preprocessing sources go away without it...

Looking at the preprocessed source before DVD Rebuilder doesn't mean there isn't a problem already -- it just means you can't see it...

[jdobbs]

One other note... I'm not sure if this is the case with this disc, but you (actually everyone) should also note the sometimes when you think you are viewing a menu -- you may be viewing a button-over-video display that is present in one of the VTSs. In that case they can really get screwed up if you have selected to remove any of the subpictures for that particular VTS...

[DVD Maniac]

I hear what you say and try running some tests involving Pre-processing with Vobblanker vs using Rebuilder after step 1 to remove unwanted vob's.

BTW - Are you familiar with the Vobblanker process for Subpicture removal? If you try to blank at cell level and those cells are referenced by other vob call items (pre or post) it flashes up a warning. I typically then choose to keep them just in case. In the particular example (Alias) the structure has separate language streams on the episode menu so the Button over Video case should not apply (ie - no warning messages).

[jdobbs]

No I'm really not that familiar with it... I would appreciate it, though, if you would run it without preprocessing just to clear the air or establish a bug.