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asphaltgym
18th December 2001, 22:40
I've zeroed on a few copying methods that work for me.

These methods are different than the IFOEdit methods being posted now but they seem more straigthforward to me and allow me to make my own chapter points and title menu.

DVD < 4.7 GB (easiest)
1. Use Smartripper in 'file' mode for all the files and put them in a VIDEO_TS folder on your harddrive just like they were on the DVD. (You may need to set the filesplitting setting to 'every vob' - I'm not sure but I think 'backup' mode does the same thing)
2. Copy that folder to DVR using Prassi (or other burning tool).

DVD > 4.7 GB but main movie streams are less that 4.7GB (so-so)
1. Use Smartripper in 'movie' mode for the main movie. Under stream processing only check off the Video and Audio English 6Ch streams, make sure Demux to extra file is selected for BOTH of them. (set the filesplitting setting to 'max-filesize' and make it 9999mb).
2. This should create 2 stream files m2v and ac3. If the combined size of these files is <4,382Mb (allowing 100Mb overhead) then you are all set with this method. Rename these files so they have the same base filename (eg movie.ac3 and movie.m2v)
3. Use Spruceup Authoring (or other compatible tool) and drag and drop the m2v onto the window which loads the ac3 automatically. Dbl-click on the clip and add chapters wherever you want.
4. Then have spruceup author to your hard drive (omit the optional player and demo software they try to include).
5. Spruceup has a limitation where it doesn't write the .ifo properly for 16:9 format but ifoedit can fix it. Open the VTS_01_0.IFO and dbl-click the VTSI_MAT. Scroll down to address 200, dbl-click and enter in the right value. for ntsc,16:9, letterboxed it's 19968. Save it.
6. Copy that folder to DVR using Prassi (or other burning tool).

DVD > 4.7 GB and main movie streams are more than 4.7GB (harder)
re-encode video method

1. Follow steps 1 to 3 as above to creave .m2v and .ac3
2. Open .m2v file using DVD2Avi and 'Save Project' to create a .d2v file.
3. Open VFAPIconv and open the .d2v file and press 'convert' to create an .avi file.
4. Now use Cinemacraft encoder SP to reduce the video size. Drag and drop the .avi into the encoder. Dbl-click and uncheck Video Info file and Audio file. Click the video button and check progressive, dvd compliant, 0 to 255, auto precision, and DAR 16:9. Click the quality button and uncheck Anti noise filter. The last and most important setting is Bitrate - this determines your size. I think about 5500 is 100%. You may have to experiment here. Press Encode and let it go. This creates an .mpv file which you should rename to .m2v.
5. Now follow steps 5 through 6 as above to finish

Note: I've done another method that reduces the ac3 file but that's usually not enough so I'm not even including it here.

DVD > 4.7 GB and main movie streams are more than 4.7GB (help needed here!)
keep original quality and split onto two DVRs

I need help with this one as I haven't found a working way to do it.
I wanted to have the 2 movies on 3 DVRs where one DVR has the ending of both movies via a simple menu.

Smartripper is able to create 2 .m2v and 2 .ac3 files split at the correct point (4.7G) and I can author the 1st pair as above fine using Spruceup. On the 2nd pair however Spruceup complains about the ac3 file and doesn't bring in the audio. I've tried using Smartripper to create 2 .vob files of the right size but then I can't seem to demux the 4 files I need.

Any ideas?

Commander XJL
18th December 2001, 22:47
Man I like that spruceup/Ifoedit trick to get 16:9. Does it really work where the aspect ratio is the same as the original? No distortion? And ya backup mode in Smartripper is the easiest way to duplicate DVD, even puts everything in a VIDEO_TS folder for you

mpucoder
18th December 2001, 23:03
You really should stick with adding 3072 (0x0c00) to the value in offset 200. That location contains other flags that may differ from movie to movie, so there is no single value for NTSC 16:9

Just thought I'd mention that before someone runs into a problem. This also works for PAL.

asphaltgym
19th December 2001, 01:12
Yes, while the spruceup/ifoedit trick DOES work, I agree with mpucoder (who originally told me where to find this number) that it's safest not to just blindly type in the VTSI_MAT number to 1996.

What I would suggest is to take the proper number from the ifo file on the dvd (from the set of the stream files).

I have found a problem with the spruceup/ifoedit trick that I'm worried about - the DVR plays back fine (full quality, 16:9 format) on all the pcs and software players I could find (powerdvd, windows media, etc.) but still doesn't go widescreen on my oldish standalone player (a toshiba sd-1200). Any ideas anyone? Is it just my player?

Now, the .vob files made by spruceup by themselves ALWAYS played correctly on the pcs , but not the DVR image after burning ... that's what made me look into the ifoedit thing which DID fix DVR playback on the pcs.

Commander XJL
19th December 2001, 01:45
It sounds like for doing just the movie the rip and Ifoedit method is the way to go, its aweful quick and easy