PgcEdit v7 discussion thread

[r0lZ]

Thanks for the IFOs. I'll try to reproduce the cell table bug.

For the Blank Out problem, I agree that I should take the cell commands into account. But it's really not easy. In your case, the Set command is obviously needed. But what should I do when the PGC has several cells with cell commands? I can't assume that all cell commands are executed in sequence.

I propose to include the first cell command, but not the subsequent ones. Most of the time, a "normal" PGC has no, or only one cell command. But this method is probably not sufficient in the case of a game, for example.

To be safe in all cases, I need to do a full trace (from FP-PGC!) to know which cells are played, and which cell commands are executed. You know that the cell commands can be very complicated, in ARccOS DVDs for example. Therefore, analysing them without a full trace is definitively too difficult, and the trace requires too much user interaction.

[blutach]

Yes, maybe take the 1st cell command and then issue a warning. However, there might be a more comprehensive way.

First, for ARccOS DVDs, many modern rippers eliminate the extra ununsed cell commands, leaving only the executed cell commands. This is obviously needed.

So, if this is the case, I wonder if a better method would be for PgcEdit (http://www.videohelp.com/~r0lZ/pgcedit/index.html) to examine ALL remaining cell commands and set all required gprms according to the cell commands which are actually executed.

Another example: Suppose we have 4 cell commands, each which set a gprm but only 3 of which are referenced in the PGC Info Table (that is there 1 cell command that can't be executed because they are unreferenced). Then the normal playback (in the absence of silly ARccOS jumping around) will be to play the title sequentially and encounter those 3 referenced cell commands. So, we set the gprms according to the 3 referenced cell commands and then copy the post commands.

What do you think?

Regards

[r0lZ]

It is easy to exclude the unreferenced cell commands. But it is absolutely impossible to know which cell commands are actually executed without a full trace!
And there is another problem, when the PGC is not always entered at cell 1, like in many menus. Which cell command should I use?
As you can see, it's not so easy!

[frank]

There were no cells but some Pgc in the VMG domain. The TitleM was not referenced.
If you call cross references then TitleM will be red coloured and ALL VMG commands are lost! :(

But the TitleM can be called by remote Title button.

[r0lZ]

Are you really sure the TitleM can be accessed with the remote? Can you verify the PUOs?

I've just checked, and, IMO, it works as it should. TitleM is coloured in red only if there are no direct references to it, and all non-dummy PGCs in the titlesets have the Title Menu call PUO set. I'm almost sure it is not possible to call the title menu with the remote in this case. (However, I don't check the PUOs of the VMGM menu PGCs. I assume that it is not possible to call the TitleM when a VMGM menu is playing. But I may be wrong...)

[President]

Really great program. But... sorry r0lZ. It seems to me that the program have a little bug. I have a DVD with 8 cells movie (1 VobID and 1 to 8 CellIDs in VOBs and IFOs). I need create a separate title for each cell (don't ask me why. It's a long story). I created a new 7 titles (PGC-Clone current PGC). I removed unnecessary cells in each title (by clicking "Remove cells" button in PGC Editor), entered pre/post command and saved DVD.
I removed cells 2 to 8 for title 1 and linked cell 1/1 to title 1;
cells 1, 3 to 8 for title 2 and linked cell 1/2 to title 2;
cells 1 to 2 and 4 to 8 for title 3 and linked cell 1/3 to title 3;
and so on.
But, when I loaded VTS_01_1.IFO in IFOEdit and check a time map table, all cells has a identical "number of entries in time map". DVD has time navigation correct in the first title only. All other titles has time navigation failed. Navigational slider (Power DVD) is not locked, but don't working properly.

When I removed an unnecessary cells in each title in DVDRemakePro a time navigation is correct in all of titles. Number of entries in time map table in IFOEdit has an individual length for each title. But damned DVD Remake deleted all pre/post commands from whole DVD and damaged menu:-).

What do you think about that? Maybe I just used PGC Edit incorrectly?

[bigotti5]

Title 2 (cell order is 1,3,4-8) and title 3 (cell order 1,2,4-8) are not one_sequential and so there should not be a time map table.

Edit:

@President

Sorry - above statement is wrong
titles can be one_sequential even if they are not muxed sequentially

[President]

Title 2 (cell order is 1,3,4-8) and title 3 (cell order 1,2,4-8) are not one_sequential and so there should not be a time map table.
No, no. In each title stay a one cell only. Cells 1, 2, 4-8 was removed from title 3. Cells 2-8 was removed from title 1. Cells 1, 3-8 was removed from title 2.
Title 1 contains Cell 1/1 only.
Title 2 contains Cell 1/2 only.
Title 3 contains Cell 1/3 only.
...
Title 8 contains Cell 1/8 only.
All cells placed in VOBs one by one physically.
PGC Edit can not removed unnesessary cells from each title correctly (after that time map contains 8 identical entries of first cell, or 8 copies of whole time map, in my opinion. I don't check it detailed) or I don't understand how to do it in PGC Edit. But DVDRemake do it correctly. I just notice r0lZ on this feature. I may be wrong. Sorry.

[bigotti5]

No, no. In each title stay a one cell only...

......my statement is wrong in all cases even if your titles contain cells in non sequential mux order

[r0lZ]

There is obviously a bug here. Will have a look.
Thanks for the report, President!

[frank]

Originally posted by rOlZ:
TitleM is coloured in red only if there are no direct references to it, and all non-dummy PGCs in the titlesets have the Title Menu call PUO set.Oh, I see. They disabled the TitleMenu call in the PUO of vts!
Sorry.
It was THE NET 2.0. Good movie with a new crappy Sony copy protection. :D :D

[blutach]

The bug report is fine, but can i ask why bother removing the cells in the first place?

Just Link CN## in the precommands and put a LinkTail PGC cell command. That way only the chosen cell will be played without having to go to the trouble of removing cells in each PGC :)

Regards

[President]

Just Link CN## in the precommands and put a LinkTail PGC cell command. That way only the chosen cell will be played without having to go to the trouble of removing cells in each PGC :)

Thanks for advice. I know it. Offtop discussion:-)). I told don't ask me:-). Well... listen:-). This DVD contain a movie above 6,5 hours playtime (teleserial). Each series (cell) about 50 min. Player indicate whole movie time (in case 1 VobID and 1 title DVD compiling), but I want to see playtime of each part. In addition (and more essential), PowerDVD (v.5 & v.6) have a serious bug of video decompressor. If the movie playtime over 3 hours and mux to one VobID, the video playback is jerkily (since about 2h50min...2h55min). I considered simple title divide may solve the problem. It turned out, that NO! Only VobID divide compensated this bug. I reported this bug to Cyberlink team. They promised me to solve it in near release or update:-). I wait...:-).

[blutach]

Don't hold your breath waiting for cyberlink!

I had enormous problems with subtitles in v6 which are now solved in v7 thankfully.

Regards

[jamos]

Hey Rolz,

Are you going to release the beta with seamless breaks in this thread or is it already on your site?

I am getting allot of calls for the seamless option on CDfreaks site and would like to direct them to a link on your site.

[blutach]

There's a beta directory on the videohelp site jamos.

Regards

[jamos]

There's a beta directory on the videohelp site jamos.

Regards
Thanks!:) But I am still having a hard time finding this can you post a link..

note: n/m found it. http://www.videohelp.com/~r0lZ/pgcedit/beta/

[r0lZ]

Right link! Note that there are still some bugs in this beta (not related to the seamless LB) and I will probably also change the seamless LB function to set the seamless flag when the option is selected. Currently, the seamless flag is cleared when the option is not selected, and not changed when it is selected. (BTW, it's your request, Jamos!) But I need some time. I have a difficult bug to fix! :(

[blutach]

So the seamless function is working back to front?

Regards

[r0lZ]

Yes, as far as I know, the seamless LB function works well... unless you have a picky player! And, with the current beta, you might have to set the seamless flag manually (either in the PGC Editor, or with the "Seamless Cell" button in the layer break selection dialogue.)

[jm1647]

r0lZ - any chance of a log in PgcEdit to record errors encountered when trying to open up a rip? I just had a rip that would not open in Pgcedit and a log of errors would have come in handy.

[blutach]

@jm1647 - despite the PSL2 plugin, which was not written byh r0lZ, PgcEdit is mainly used to edit non-protected DVDs. It is not a ripping tool.

Regards

[jm1647]

@blutach - I know PgcEdit is not a ripping tool and I was not using the plugin that r0lZ did not write. It was a backup of a DVD that was ripped by another program that I was trying to blank out some titles on to get rid of. PgcEdit could blank out some but could not blank out others. I wound up running FixVTS on it and then PgcEdit was able to blank the titles it had trouble with. I was asking for a log to record what PgcEdit was reporting it had trouble with.

[setarip_old]

@jm1647

I don't know if this helps you but, I believe PGCEdit generates a log when you use "Trace" mode...

[jm1647]

@jm1647

I don't know if this helps you but, I believe PGCEdit generates a log when you use "Trace" mode...

@setarip_old - Thanks, I know one rip was so bad I could not get to trace mode. When I could get the rip to open there was trouble blanking a couple titles. PgcEdit reported these in a popup window and I woulda liked to save these in a text file/log of some kind. I'm using the latest beta4.

[blutach]

@jm1647 - I understand now. Sorry, I misread you. My mistake.

And I think I know what error you are referring to. You don't need to run FixVTS (www.videohelp.com/~FixVTS) on that titleset actually. Despite the PgcEdit (http://www.videohelp.com/~r0lZ/pgcedit/index.html) warning, it DOES append the tiny cell (just look at the project folder) and fixes the IFOs (save and close and re-open and all is 100% cool).

Regards

[President]

Note that there are still some bugs in this beta (not related to the seamless LB) and I will probably also change the seamless LB function to set the seamless flag when the option is selected... But I need some time. I have a difficult bug to fix! :(
I constantly adding a work for you, r0lZ:-). Sorry.
To the SM flag discussion. (LB - layer break or letterbox? You complicated me:-) ). If user added some cell commands and entered a command number in the PDC Editor proper window (non zero), then SM flag MUST be cleared (according to Scenarist manual and my own practice). In other case any cell command will not execute. As a professional tool the PGC Edit don't must do it automatically, but a warning message (like proposal to edit a chapter table and red highlight an appropriate button) may be shown. Just the user don't forgot to reset this flag. Thank's.

[jm1647]

@blutach - I understand, no problem :D When I got the popup can not blank, thats why I used FixVTS.

About the log, I'm just trying to get away from having to do screen shots, one isn't bad but when there are multiple warnings or error messages working on a already ripped DVD it can be a pain.

[r0lZ]

I constantly adding a work for you, r0lZ:-). Sorry.
To the SM flag discussion. (LB - layer break or letterbox? You complicated me:-) ). If user added some cell commands and entered a command number in the PDC Editor proper window (non zero), then SM flag MUST be cleared (according to Scenarist manual and my own practice). In other case any cell command will not execute. As a professional tool the PGC Edit don't must do it automatically, but a warning message (like proposal to edit a chapter table and red highlight an appropriate button) may be shown. Just the user don't forgot to reset this flag. Thank's.
That's right, the seamless flag must be clear on the next cell, or the cell command will not be executed. BTW, I've just changed the trace mode to not execute the cell command (with a warning in the log) when the seamless flag is set.
I don't like too much the idea of changing the flag automatically, and outputting a warning in a dialog can be annoying if you have several cell commands to add, but maybe I'll display the LB checkbox in red when the flag is still set...
Thanks anyway for the idea.

[EDIT] OK, done. Now, the LB checkbox of the cell following a cell with a non-zero cell command number is now highlighted when it is not ticked (ie, when the seamelss flag is set.)

[r0lZ]

@jm1647
There is no log in PgcEdit. Originally, I've designed it to load a good DVD. PgcEdit is not a verifier! But with the new protections, authoring errors are now very common in commercial DVDs, so, maybe it's time to add a log. However, I will not do it in the next version. I have too many work for now. Maybe later...

[jm1647]

@jm1647
There is no log in PgcEdit. Originally, I've designed it to load a good DVD. PgcEdit is not a verifier! But with the new protections, authoring errors are now very common in commercial DVDs, so, maybe it's time to add a log. However, I will not do it in the next version. I have too many work for now. Maybe later...

@r0lZ - Thanks!!

[voo_doo99]

It happened when adding a new tool configuration or editing an existing one. The error message is:

Application Error
Error: can't read "::config(fixvts_exe)": no such element in array

The Tool menu configuration dialog box became unresponsive after the error. Had to end PgcEdit process to close out.

[r0lZ]

Right! I have fixed the bug. Thanks!

If you have FixVTS, just call the FixVTS option in the Tools menu, and browse to FixVTS.exe. Then, close the FixVTS window. Save the tools configuration. You should not have the problem any more.
If you don't have FixVTS, let me know. I'll explain how to avoid this problem. But anyway, you should have FixVTS! It's an invaluable tool.

[voo_doo99]

Right! I have fixed the bug. Thanks!

If you have FixVTS, just call the FixVTS option in the Tools menu, and browse to FixVTS.exe. Then, close the FixVTS window. Save the tools configuration. You should not have the problem any more.
If you don't have FixVTS, let me know. I'll explain how to avoid this problem. But anyway, you should have FixVTS! It's an invaluable tool.
OK, I do have FixVTS so I will install the workaround. Thanks for the tip.

[jagman]

I tried to use a guide and they assume more knowledge than I have at this point.
Thought PGCEDIT would be the answer but as far as I can tell, it will only let me open up a DVD not a ripped copy file that is the output from DVDDecryptor in the VOB format.

Is this true??

I want to do the same thing u are looking for.
Want to stack some files that are currently in MPEG, AVI etc. Combine them and put menu (titles??) and burn to a DVD in VOB format so I can play them on my Sony DVD player.

If you get an answer, would appreciate letting me know.

Thx.

[r0lZ]

... it will only let me open up a DVD not a ripped copy file that is the output from DVDDecryptor in the VOB format.You mean in ISO format, right?

PgcEdit can open the DVD files only. If you want to modify your DVD with PgcEdit before burning it, you should rip the original with DVD Decrypter in file mode.

Anyway, PgcEdit is not a tool to convert your videos to the DVD format, nor to create menus. It's a reauthoring tool, to modify an existing DVD to suit your needs, or to remove unnecessary material. It can also be used to create compilations of titles imported from several DVDs.

To create a DVD from AVI or MPEG files, with menus, you have to buy an authoring program. None are free, I'm affraid. I recommend DVD Lab (Pro), but it's a complex and relatively expensive program. You can also do it the hard way, with an MPEG encoder and muxman. There are guides on this matter on the main Doom9 site.

[President]

Hi, r0lZ!

A next portion:-). Cosmetic bugs. Just note for future. We will make your program a really perfect.

First.
1. Start windows explorer.
2. Start PGC Edit.
3. Open any DVD in PGC Edit.
4. Run "Clear all VOB PUOs".
5. Switch to windows explorer.
6. Switch back to PGC Edit.
7. That's all. You will see a parts of PGC Edit interface window and wait until PGC Edit go end of current task.

Second.
1. Start PGC Edit.
2. Open any DVD.
3. Open PGC Editor (double click on any Title).
4. Click on any "Prog" button. Warning window appear.
5. Don't click the "Ok" button. Continue clicking "Prog" button time and again:-).
6. Fun bug:-). Isn't that so?

[erdoke]

Using latest beta version of PgcEdit and latest official version of ImgTool Classic files, I've found this strange error message from mkisofs.exe:

[r0lZ]

@President

First bug is a Windows bug! When a program is busy, its GUI is not refreshed, unless the program pauses a little bit from time to time, just to allow Windows to refresh the GUI. That's totally stupid, and I don't want to waste some time in long operations like "Clear all VOB PUOs" just for cosmetic purposes. But maybe I can display something in the status line, for example each time a new cell is encountered. That's sufficient to force Windows to refresh the GUI.
Anyway, a good OS should not react this way. In the good old days, Intuition, the Commodore Amiga GUI manager, was well designed. The GUI was refreshed automatically by the OS whevener needed. Bill Gates has still many things to learn!
Linux has a similar problem, though less noticeable.

The second bug is my fault. I used a wrong window ID for the warning dialog, and therefore it is still possible to use the PGC Editor window when this dialog is present. I've fixed this little problem. Thanks.

[r0lZ]

@erdoke

Could you post your screenshot at ImageShack (http://imageshack.us/index.php)? It takes usually a long time before an attachment is approved.

[blutach]

In the 2nd bug, most people would click OK anyway and there would be no problem.

Interesting find President!

And I like the idea of the little slider when a long operation is in progress.

Regards

[President]

In the 2nd bug, most people would click OK anyway and there would be no problem.

Interesting find President!
I am not finding easy ways:-).

Of course, I find this bug by pure accident. I want to remove all programs from Title and clicking on Prog buttons fast and successively. I had time to do 3 or 4 clicks before observe a warning:-).

[r0lZ]

I haven't noticed this problem, because I usually work in expert mode, and in this mode, this warning is never displayed (though the Edit Chapter button turns red.)

Note that there is already a progress bar displayed when the VOBs are scanned for PUOs. When this progress bar is updated, a short pause occurs, and Windows should have some time to update the GUI. But the progress bar is updated only when the VOB file changes, and that's not frequent. Anyway, I have increased a bit the delay to let Windows refresh the GUI on slow machines. Of course, I can't use a very long delay, or the processing will be slowed down too much, and I don't want to penalize Linux and Mac users for a Windows limitation! Aaargh! I hate Windows! :devil:

[erdoke]

@erdoke

Could you post your screenshot at ImageShack (http://imageshack.us/index.php)? It takes usually a long time before an attachment is approved.

Sorry, I thought that this approving problem disappeared long ago.
Here is the screenshot:
http://erdoke.uw.hu/Pix/mkisofsError.png

[President]

I haven't noticed this problem, because I usually work in expert mode, and in this mode, this warning is never displayed (though the Edit Chapter button turns red.)
Maybe I will work in the same mode in future, but now I must learn many things before changing mode.

Of course, I can't use a very long delay, or the processing will be slowed down too much, and I don't want to penalize Linux and Mac users for a Windows limitation! Aaargh! I hate Windows! :devil:
:-)).

Thank's for your work.

[r0lZ]

@erdoke

This message is strange, indeed.
Could you send me your IFOs (if possible, the original ones, before the burn, and the IFOs modified by PgcEdit for the burn), and a list of the VOB files with their sizes? (The output of the DIR command is sufficient.)
Also, do you use the 32K gap option? And is it a DL-DVD?

I don't think it's a PgcEdit bug, but I want to verify...

[erdoke]

I can send you DRM Pro output files (which are PgcEdit input files) and PgcEdit modified files. Originally VOB files were not modified by PgcEdit but after this error I tried to blank out everything in VTS2 (left only for intact navigation). It didn't help BTW.
Size is 4454.41 MB, target size is DVD+R.

[President]

@erdoke

What version of DRMP you using? If it non-official release (cracked), then you can take a fully broken DVD include menu VOB (VTS_XX_0.VOB).

[erdoke]

I know about DRM issues when using a cracked version, but I'm a beta tester (or sg like that) of DRM so I only use official versions when not testing. ;)
It was DRM Pro 3.5 (latest public) this time.

@r0lZ

PM was sent with link to requested files.

[ocular]

Thanks for a great program, Am new to all this burning and DVD authoring stuff. But have started to collect some edited mpeg2 files from DVB-T recordings- edited out the commercials and then made DVD compliant mpegs and then authored them with Tsunami DVD author. End up with VIDEO_TS folder. For 3 hr recordings to maintain quality I have migrated to DL DVD. After a frustrating time I have learnt to steer clear of DVD -R DL and have much better success with DVD+R DL (especially with a DVD burner that came be bit set to DVD-ROM).

If I open the VIDEO_TS folder in PgcEdit and Burn DVD/ Create Iso I get this

5831

seems that PgcEdit is seeing the VIDEO_TS folder as 22GB and includes the DVD-ROM files!

and get a message DVD size too big to fit on DVD-9. Please remove some material or shrink the DVD. The VIDEO_TS folder only has 7.7GB and so should fit on a DVD-9.

But if I use RecordNow 7.3 and I can copy the VIDEO_TS folder to a DVD+R DL as a Data Disc. The resulting DVD-ROM seems fine on standalone DVD Players (few frames stall on the DL break) but the DVD plays all chapters and the menu works.

I then copy the VIDEO_TS folder back to the Hard Drive and open up the folder in PgcEdit and then this time the BurnDVD shows
5832

The DVD-ROM files are excluded and the folder is the correct size.

I do a sfv crc check and compare the folder and find out that it is the Vts_01_0.ifo and Vts_01_0.bup files that are different. How can I edit these or get PgcEdit to see the VIDEO_TS folder's true size?