Problems with DVD Shrink, DVDFab Decrypter and Nero

[LunaMoon]

I hope I'm posting this in the right place. Apologies in advance.

I'm trying to back up some DVD's recorded from a DVD recorder. Just general stuff taped off the TV. When I go to copy them with DVD Shrink, I get the error message "Invalid DVD structure". So I thought I'd use DVDFab Decrypter. Tried one out as a test, decrypted fine. Couldn't copy it thru DVDShrink (error message is "Invalid data in file "D:\Movies\DVD\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_4.VOB") Ok, I think to myself, I'll try it thru Nero. Worked fine on this one, but the audio is out by about 3 seconds. Have no clue on how to fix this, or what went wrong.
Second time I tried to copy, a different disc this time, the same error message came up in DVD Shrink. So I try burning it thru Nero again, and I get this error message. "The file "D:\Movies\DVD\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_2.VOB"does not contain any video information". I'm to understand this would be section 2 of the disc. (I have four sections in the folder) So I tried to watch this section of the DVD (thru the file) and it worked perfectly. So there must be video information on there. Is there any way I can get around this to make it copy? I can't understand why one program will read one portion fine when the other won't. I do understand about this arcoos (sp?) thing with Sony movies etc, but these are just blank DVD-R's taped with stuff from the tv. And it's not the discs I'm using either, because some copy fine.
Sorry for the lengthy post, but I've tried to put in as much info as possible. If there's anything I left out, feel free to ask. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and I'm hopeless with technical talk too, so please forgive me if I don't understand the jargon. Bear with me! :)

[wmansir]

What brand DVD Recorder is it? I would search the forum and see if anyone else has had problems with that brand's recordings.

It sounds like the recorder's discs may have unusual specs. They may be legal, but just uncommon. That's why these tools are having problems fully processing them. If they are already on DVD-R then you shouldn't need to compress them with DVDShrink, just rip them and burn with DVD Decrypter or DVDFab. I would try DVD Decrypter in ISO READ mode, then use ISO WRITE mode. This method is pretty close to a direct bit-by-bit copy.

If that doesn't work, try ripping the disc in FILE mode, then open the VIDEO_TS.IFO file in PCGEdit. It will detect several structural problems and prompt you to fix them.

Also, VTS_01_2.VOB might not be the second section of the disc. VOB files are limited to 1GB in size, the often exceed this and so you will have several 1GB files VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB, etc. Together they make up VTS_01 and are read as one big file.

[LunaMoon]

If that doesn't work, try ripping the disc in FILE mode, then open the VIDEO_TS.IFO file in PCGEdit. It will detect several structural problems and prompt you to fix them.



I tried your other suggestions but, as I kept getting errors, I'm resorting to PgcEdit. Is it supposed to take hours? It says "Scanning VTS_01_4.VOB for BOV's:Cell 104 (V\CID: 1/104, starting LBA:0)...
Am I supposed to be doing this "Find VOB's" thing? If I'm only up to cell 104...I can imagine how many cells there are! It's taking on average about 4 minutes to scan one cell. It's also making my comp run verrrrry slowly. Is this normal?

Edit: This is my 4th attempt. Twice now the program's stalled, twice it's just disappeared. I'm trying "Scan only one VOBU every 30 VOBUs" instead of 4. I have no idea what this is but at the moment I'm willing to try anything.

Edit numero 2: Perserverence always works. I gave up on PcgEdit. So I thought I'd attempt the DVD Decrypter again, even though I'd had errors with it. Forgive me for shouting, but....IT FECKING WORKED!!! wooooooo! Thank you so much for your help! And it's easy as anything! Yes, I'm excited :D :D :D