Convert VOB to MPG + DTS Audio

[mf168600]

I have been looking and playing around with compression and just decided it wasn't worth the hassle to me. I am building a fairly large NAS which should allow me instant access to my 200 or so favorite movies. I want to be able to stream the content to me PS3.

I have been using DVDShrink with no compression and just getting the main movie with the best audio track (DTS to my ears; if available). I found an app called VOB2MPG which seemed to do a great job converting the VOB files outputted by DVDShrink to one nice MPG. It streams perfectly to my PS3 from the computer and I am as happy as can be. The problem I have encountered is those VOBs where I selected a DTS track.

So, for example, I am trying to archive my copy of Minority Report: if I select just the DD audio track in DVDShrink, VOB2MPG works fine; if I select just the DTS audio track in DVDShrink, VOB2MPG throws the following error:

"ffmpeg.exe has stopped working"
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: ffmpeg.exe
Application Version: 0.0.0.0
Application Timestamp: 4497cc6c
Fault Module Name: ffmpeg.exe
Fault Module Version: 0.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 4497cc6c
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 00006e55
OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

I am running Vista Ultimate and have tried running both VOB2MPG and ffmpeg in Windows XP compatibility mode and also the Run as Administrator option.

I see from searching the internets that there is an "enable-dts" parameter when using ffmpeg.exe but maybe VOB2MPG isn't invoking it correctly?

If there is another program that can convert VOB files with a DTS audio track to an mpg please let me know. If invoking ffmpeg directly would do the job; any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help. If I can get past this I will be well on my way.

[dat720]

Theres no point trying to pack DTS audio in a mpg containers as the PS3 won't play it!

Trust me i tried last night with my Predator Blu-ray, i had to convert the audio to ac3 with eac3to.

What works for me is encode video with x264 then mux it with a ac3 audio track into a m2ts file using tsRemuxR..... PS3 seems to be very happy with the m2ts container.

[mf168600]

Thanks for the reply dat720. PS3 is not a big deal. If need be, I can just string a DVI cable from my computer to the receiver. Should VOB2MPG be able to create an MPG w/ a DTS audio track?

My preference would just be to get the main movie and the best audio track into an MPG and I can figure out how to watch it later.

Thanks again.

[setarip_old]

@mf168600

Hi!My preference would just be to get the main movie and the best audio track into an MPGYou can (continue to) use DVD Shrink (and ONLY DVD Shrink) by:

1) In DVD Shrink: Edit>>Preferences>>Output Files - UNCHECK "Split VOB files into 1GB size chunks"

2) As you presently do, in "Re-author" mode, select only the main movie and the one audiostream you wish to retain (UNCHECK all other items) - and then "Save"

3) You will now have ONE .VOB that is actually an MPEG-2 file containing only one videostream and one audiostream. Simply change the extender from ".VOB" to ".MPG" and you'll be good to go ;>}

BTW - Make sure that in Preferences>>Stream Selections, you have set the right side option to "All types"

[mf168600]

Hey setarip_old,

My only complaint with that approach was that the timecode (or whatever it's called) is all goofed up and therefore it doesn't load in a navigable form with any DVD player. Is there a way to reprocess the file so that the timecode is restored?

[dat720]

If all you want to do is play the files as they are why dont you just leave it as a dvd structure?

[setarip_old]

I just ran a test on a DVD and I see what you're talking about (I never noticed this before, I guess because I've watched such files from start to finish on my PC, without regard for timestamps). This can be cured in one simple procedure that takes all of 5-10 minutes, as follows:

1) Load the file into "MPEG2CUT2.exe" (No need to set start and end points)

2) From the "Output" dropdown menu, hover over "Parse Options" and select "Adjust timestamps-Experimental"

3) From the "File" dropdown menu select "Save this clip" and enter a new name

Let us know how it goes...

[mf168600]

Thanks setarip_old. I'll try it when I get home and report back.

[setarip_old]

@mf168600

Please see my correction of typo regarding the program name in Post#7.

The correct program name is "MPEG2CUT2.EXE"...