How to Capture TV to HDD in VTS/VOB

[rckowal]

The subject briefly states my question but I'll elaborate further.

I want to capture movies from a TV receiver to a hard drive in my PC using its PCI TV tuner card - which is connected with S-video & 2 channel audio cables. I can capture TV to the HDD OK using Nero 7, but this records it in a single MPEG file (I think it maybe MPEG-2??).

Although I very much prefer to use the speedier DVD Shrink for editing & burning; it wouldn't open the MPEG file. Apparently, it can only open files that are in VTS/VOB.

Consequently, I used NeroVision to cut & clip out several minutes of unwanted footage prior to & following the movie. Then, to burn it to DVD, (not knowing any better) I continued to use NeroVision. It took over an hour while it reencoded it into an MPEG-4 format - DVD Shrink takes 8 minutes & it doesn't reencode. So I stopped there to look for a better (fast/simple) solution.

In addition to Nero 7 & DVD Shrink; my PC also has M.S. Media Center Edition, Cyberlink Power Producer 2 & Windows Movie Maker. I also have Pinnacle Studio 9 (used for editing home video). If possible, I prefer to use these rather than having to buy & learn some new software. I have no need for chapters, transitions & other goodies used to make home movies.

Guidance regarding the options - from the knowledgeable on this forum - will be very much appreciated.

[Abond]

I don't know the device you are using to capture, but if it is mpeg2 file, demultiplex it (you can use ReJig or DGIndex) to video and audio files. Multiplex it back as .vob with Imago MPEG Muxer. It has options to multiplex as sihgle vob or segmented (what suites you) and load it in DVDShrink in reauthor mode. Edit,burn and so on as you like.

[rckowal]

Hi Abond, Thanks for the reply.

Capture device is a Lumanate Angel PCI PVR MPEG-1 & MPEG-2 video tuner - came bundled with new Dell PC. It has hardware encoders. If you need more data see the attached link.

http://www.lumanate.com/Htm/LumaMenu.htm?_tg=http://www.lumanate.com/angel.htm

Using your suggestion, that would take 5 steps; capture, demultiplex, multiplex, then reauthor in Shrink & burn. It sounds cumbersome. Is there anything that can do it with fewer steps?

[setarip_old]

One set of procedures (other posters may/probably will suggest alternative methods) would be:

1) If not already DVD-compliant, use "TMPGEnc" (or "TMPGEncPlus") to convert the MPEG to compliant MPEG2-for-DVD format - Use "TMPGEnc's" DVD wizard/template to accomplish this (This step may not be necessary, if your MPEG-2 files are already in DVD compliant format)

2) Use "TMPGEnc DVD Author" (a different program than "TMPGEnc") to easily create the required additional DVD files and structure (and chapters and a menu, if you wish)
You can obtain a FULLY functional free 30 day trial version of this commercial program at:

www.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tda.html

**If the combined filesize of the DVD "package" written to your hard drive is greater than 4.37Gb, use DVD Shrink (or similar) to compress


If your O/S is either Win2000 or WinXP, TMPGEnc DVD Author can also burn your DVD. Otherwise, use NERO to burn in "DVD-Video" mode
(As an alternative to "TMPGEnc DVD Author", you could use "DVDLab")


Let us know of your success ;>}

[rckowal]

Hi Setarip_old, Thanks for the reply.

You said: "If not already DVD-compliant, use "TMPGEnc" (or "TMPGEncPlus") to convert the MPEG to compliant MPEG2-for-DVD format"

Please help me to understand what "DVD compliant" means where the files are concerned. I believe my tuner captures in MPEG-2, but when I click on properties of the file; it says "MPEG Movie". It is a single large file with no VTS, VOB, IFO, etc.

I've read a bit about TMPGEnc & TMPGEnc DVD Author. If it will readily convert my captures to VTS/VOB, allow me to edit out the commercials (or allow me use Shrink to cut & clip) then burn to DVD (I use Win XP); then I'll do the 30 day trial & probably buy it. Guide me please - Can it do these things????

[CWR03]

Depending on your device and its software, it may include a capture preset specifically for DVD compliance, which will be labeled as such.

[setarip_old]

Guide me please - Can it do these things????Yes, "TMPGEnc DVD Author" CAN do those things.

The simplest way to determine of your MPEG file is DVD-compliant would be to try to load it into "TMPGEnc DVD Author". If the program accepts it for input, you're home free. Otherwise, you'll see an error message telling you why it's not accpetable. If that should occur, then go back and use "TMPGEnc" (Different than "TMPGEnc DVD Author") as described in Step 1)...

[rckowal]

The simplest way to determine of your MPEG file is DVD-compliant would be to try to load it into "TMPGEnc DVD Author". If the program accepts it for input, you're home free. Otherwise, you'll see an error message telling you why it's not accpetable. If that should occur, then go back and use "TMPGEnc" (Different than "TMPGEnc DVD Author") as described in Step 1)...[/Color]

After researching it on the web, I now know what a DVD compliant file consists of. Since Nero 7 does the same kind of file analysis, I didn't use TMPEnc Author to check for compliance. But I am certain that the captures made with my TV tuner card are MPEGs (MPEG-2) - but they are definitely not DVD compliant.

I tried reencoding one of these MPEG captures using TMPEnc Plus and TMPEnc Express as well (using the wizard in both cases). TMPEnc Plus made two files - an MPEG & a WAV - which still isn't DVD compliant since there were no VTS_IFO, VTS_VOB or VTS_BUP files created. TMPEnc Express only made another MPEG file similar to the original.

Since these suggestions haven't worked for me, I'm now thoroughly confused.

[Guest]

TMPEnc Plus made two files - an MPEG & a WAV - which still isn't DVD compliant since there were no VTS_IFO, VTS_VOB or VTS_BUP files created. Those are added by the DVD authoring program, in this case, TMPGEnc DVD Author.

An MPEG video stream will be DVD compliant if it has the right frame size, frame rate, max GOP length, etc. (Similar constraints exist for audio streams.) Those things are determined by the MPEG encoder, in this case, TMPGEnc MPEG Encoder. Most encoders allow you to choose a DVD compliant profile, so that you don't need to know all the details.

First, if your stream is not already DVD compliant, you make the DVD compliant stream, using TMPGEnc MPEG Encoder. Then you author the DVD with TMPGEnc DVD Author. You may need both of them.

Please note that there are good freeware equivalents of the TMPGEnc products.

[rckowal]

Depending on your device and its software, it may include a capture preset specifically for DVD compliance, which will be labeled as such.

Thanks for the reply CWR03, it's appreciated.

My capture device is an Angel TV Tuner pci card which outputs an MPEG-2 file. Since it is hardware based, it has no software as such. It relies on third party software like Nero, Sonic, MS Media PLayer, etc. to control it. There is no capture preset option of any kind that I can see in any of these.

Out of curiosity, can you give me an example of a device software which does what you're saying?

[setarip_old]

I tried reencoding one of these MPEG captures using TMPEnc Plus and TMPEnc Express as well (using the wizard in both cases). TMPEnc Plus made two files - an MPEG & a WAV - which still isn't DVD compliant since there were no VTS_IFO, VTS_VOB or VTS_BUP files created. TMPEnc Express only made another MPEG file similar to the original.
Since these suggestions haven't worked for me, I'm now thoroughly confused.
1) Did you, as I suggested, use the TMPGEnc DVD "wizard"/template? If so, select as output a multiplexed MPEG2 file, rather than separate videostream (.M2V") and audiostream (.WAV").

2) "DVD-compliant files" is a reference to MPEG-2 files of one of several specific video resolutions, video framerates, audio formats, and audio sampling frequencies (all of which are addressed by using "TMPGEnc"'s "wizard"/template) - NOT the DVD "package" components (.IFOs, .BUPs, .VOBs), which would SUBSEQUENTLY be created by "TMPGEnc DVD Author".

By the way, if I remember correctly, "TMPGEnc DVD Author" will NOT accept a .WAV file for audio...

[rckowal]

1) Did you, as I suggested, use the TMPGEnc DVD "wizard"/template? If so, select as output a multiplexed MPEG2 file, rather than separate videostream (.M2V") and audiostream (.WAV").

2) "DVD-compliant files" is a reference to MPEG-2 files of one of several specific video resolutions, video framerates, audio formats, and audio sampling frequencies (all of which are addressed by using "TMPGEnc"'s "wizard"/template) - NOT the DVD "package" components (.IFOs, .BUPs, .VOBs), which would SUBSEQUENTLY be created by "TMPGEnc DVD Author".

By the way, if I remember correctly, "TMPGEnc DVD Author" will NOT accept a .WAV file for audio...


Although I used the Wizard, I'm not sure that the default setting was what we needed. Then I discovered that my Nero Suite had become corrupted & wasn't burning the DVDs. What a confusing mess that was to sort out.

Additionally, since I am side tracked with "Honey Dos", it will be a day or two before I'm able to get back to this challenge.

[rckowal]

I made a small test movie by clipping it out of an MPEG2 file that I had captured from TV earlier. I then opened this clip in TMPGEnc DVD Author. Since it accepted it ok, it appears to be DVD Complant.

I then did the encode & it produced two VTS files in my hard drive; a video which contains the VOB, etc. files and an empty audio file. When I play this in my PC from the files, or from a DVD burned from the files - the video plays fine but there is no audio.

MY QUESTION: What's wrong now & how can I fix it so it will play the audio?

[setarip_old]

1) Don't confuse your lack of audio with the fact that the DVD "package" created by "TMPGEnc DVD Author includes an empty "AUDIO_TS" folder. That empty folder is just part of the official DVD standard

2) I made a small test movie by clipping it out of an MPEG2 file that I had captured from TV earlier.If you play this original clip (NOT the DVD "package"), does it have audio? If so, what is the format of the audio?

3) When you load this clip into "TMPGEnc DVD Author", what is indicated as the audio information?

[rckowal]

Thanks for the speedy reply Setarip,

1) Don't confuse your lack of audio with the fact that the DVD "package" created by "TMPGEnc DVD Author includes an empty "AUDIO_TS" folder. That empty folder is just part of the official DVD standard

2) If you play this original clip (NOT the DVD "package"), does it have audio? If so, what is the format of the audio?

3) When you load this clip into "TMPGEnc DVD Author", what is indicated as the audio information?

1) Thanks again, for explaining the empty "AUDIO_TS" folder.

2) Yes, the original (capture) clip does have audio. When loaded into DVD Author, it says it's Dolby Digital (AC-3) 48000 Hz, 448 kbsp. Is there any other way of verifying the audio format - other than what I did here?

3) DVD Author says the clip audio input format is MPEG-1, Audio Layer-2, 44100 Hz Stereo, 224 kbps.

[rckowal]

Setarip,

Looks like I have issued a "false alarm" about the lack of audio. As mentioned earlier, I've been having trouble with Nero Suite. I was trying to play back using Nero Show Time when I had the lack of audio.

I since reinstalled the Suite & now Show Time plays the audio on the test clip. As a more conclusive test, I'm re-authoring the entire movie using the original capture as the source.

[rckowal]

I just used DVD Author to re-author an entire movie using the original TV capture as the input source. The only editing done was to clip the commercial footage that was captured just prior to & following the movie. No menues, chapters or other editing was done.

Since Nero Show Time was reinstalled, the audio plays now. The audio however, is out of (lip) synch with the video in the VTS files & (of course) the burned DVD as well. Although the synch at the beginning of the movie is not too bad; it progressively gets worse as the movie plays. Near the end, it's way out of synch.

I checked the source audio & it is in synch through out the entire movie. If it matters, the audio continues after the lip movement ends.

I'm lost again. What's causing this & how can I fix it?

[setarip_old]

Since you previously mentioned that you had difficulties with the NERO suite of programs, I'd suggest you try using a different software player to play the DVD "Package" (created by "TMPGEnc DVD Author) from your hard drive to determine if the audio and video are actually asynchronous. My suggested software player is the freeware "VLC" player (formerly "VideoLAN").

You're almost there ;>}

[rckowal]

Since you previously mentioned that you had difficulties with the NERO suite of programs, I'd suggest you try using a different software player to play the DVD "Package" (created by "TMPGEnc DVD Author) from your hard drive to determine if the audio and video are actually asynchronous. My suggested software player is the freeware "VLC" player (formerly "VideoLAN").

You're almost there ;>}

As you suggested, I played the "Package" from the hard drive. It's asychonous with four players including your recommendation "VLC", Cyberlink Power DVD, Windows Media Player and Nero Show Time. I'd say that's pretty conclusive.

Point me in the right direction for the next step "Teach", I can smell that success may be just around the corner (grin).

[setarip_old]

Are you sure this isn't related to your earlier thread?:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=783418#post783418

[rckowal]

Are you sure this isn't related to your earlier thread?:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=783418#post783418

If it is, I don't see how since these are two different captures (not even the same movie) that were done using different devices at different times. In the link post referred to above, the capture device was a stand alone DVR which burns DVD compliant files direct to a DVD. The DVD was then opened & edited using DVD Shrink.

In the current issue, the capture device is a TV Tuner card in my computer. I don't remember which software was used to control the card but it was probably Nero Vision. In fact, I tried so many tings during that part of the learning curve that I may not be remembering exactly what I did.

However, If it will help, I'll do a fresh capture to work with & I'll keep notes so I know what I did. Do you have any suggestions regarding which software I should use to do a fresh capture using the TV tuner card?

[setarip_old]

if they'll work with your card, you could use the capture software built-in to VirtualDub or VirtualVCR - both are freeware and both capture in .AVI format. Make certain to set audio to 48,000Hx (48KHz) and not 44,100Hz (44.1Hz)...

Perhaps someone else may have a suggestion regarding capture software that captures as MPEG...

[rckowal]

Are you sure this isn't related to your earlier thread?:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=783418#post783418

I decided to try to use Nero Vision again to capture a TV movie using my TV tuner card - rather than branching off to learn another new software.

In the process of setting it up, I noticed some audio settings not unlike those that helped me to get the audio "in synch" on my DVR movies. There are options for 5 channel as well as 2 channel AC-3 and LPCM. Since LPCM worked with the DVR captures, I'm going to try it in a fresh tuner capture.