Cell comand in a dummy PGC

[FilipeAmadeuO]

I love PGCedit and the more i look into it the more i like it.
But i have an question:
Sometimes i want to remove the menu to select the language and it´s easily and beautifuly done by PGCEdit. But sometimes there are still references to button in pre-comands. Should it not be removed ?
Also sometimes there is an cell comand in the removed PGC and some players stop on it. Should it not be removed also ?

[zacoz]

You might like to briefly indicate what method you are using to "easily and beautifuly" remove the menu, as usually there shouldn't be a problem like you are indicating.

There are in fact various methods different people use to remove or bypass the initial language menu.

[FilipeAmadeuO]

I use PGCEdit Kill PGC Playback and it gives me the choice to select the predefined button

[r0lZ]

... and I suppose you are referring to the SetHL_BTN pre-commands.
The pre-commands are modified only when needed. Therefore, if a SetHL_BTN command is present, it is not removed. It is probably useless, but doesn't hurt anyway.
Also, a new SetHL_BTN command is added, to set SPRM 8 exactly like it should be if you had activated the button manually. That might be needed if the original post-commands uses SPRM 8 to test which button has been activated.
The original button command is added also, and finally the post commands.

The cell commands should be harmless. They have to be there in some cases, as they will be executed if you don't use the option to convert the PGC to dummy. If the PGC is converted to dummy, the cell commands should be ignored by the players, as they will never be called.
Therefore, I don't understand why "some players stop on it." Is it a software player? Can I test that easily? Can you provide an example (before kill playback?)

[zacoz]

I'm wondering if it's related to cases where the PGC contains multiple cells, ala Pirates of the Caribbean 2 (don't have it, but seen it recently). In this case, the initial language menu is in cell 1, with the following cells containing warnings etc. IIRC, the language menu passes playback to the following cells to display the warnings, before moving onto trailers / main menu / whatever.

I'm of course only speculating until Filipe can provide some examples.

Edit: OK, can see on testing that PgcEdit won't let you chose a button that jumps within the PGC, so scratch that idea.

[bigotti5]

If the PGC is converted to dummy, the cell commands should be ignored by the players, as they will never be called.

Maybe end action of the pgc is defined in cell command only (and not in Post commands), never seen but possible

[r0lZ]

Hum, right, I did not thought at that. Difficult to do something in this case, as a cell command might be illegal if I copy it in the pre-commands area. :scared:

[FilipeAmadeuO]

That happened to me with MI3, region 2 version after removed the language selection menu with kill pgc playback

This is the log until it stops (not in pgcedit but in at least two players that i have tried). Can you please look at it ? My language selection is portuguese (pt)
If you want i can send you the IFO.

DVD inserted: "E:\VIDEO_TS"
DVD inserted: ""; Provider:
DVD inserted: Resetting all GPRMs to 0.
DVD inserted: Initializing the SPRMs to default/setup values.
------> Entering VMG , First-Play PGC
PUOs: 33554415 (0x01FFFFEF)
-- pre 1 : Set gprm(11) =(mov) 0
-> gprm(11) = 0 (0x0000)
-- pre 2 : Set gprm(10) =(mov) 0
-> gprm(10) = 0 (0x0000)
-- pre 3 : Set gprm(9) =(mov) 0
-> gprm(9) = 0 (0x0000)
-- pre 4 : Set gprm(6) =(mov) 0
-> gprm(6) = 0 (0x0000)
-- pre 5 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 41477
-> gprm(2) = 41477 (0xA205)
-- pre 6 : Set gprm(1) =(mov) 0
-> gprm(1) = 0 (0x0000)
-- pre 7 : Set gprm(0) =(mov) 0
-> gprm(0) = 0 (0x0000)
-- pre 8 : (JumpSS) Jump to VTSM 1, Angle menu (TTN 1)
-> sprm(5:Title number in VTS) = 1 (0x0001)
------> Entering VTSM 1 , LU 1 (en) , 2 (0:25) AngleM
PUOs: 33554415 (0x01FFFFEF)
-- pre 1 : Set gprm(15) =(mov) 99
-> gprm(15) = 99 (0x0063)
******* Start playback VTSM 1 , LU 1 (en) , 2 (0:25) AngleM...
******* Playing Program 1, Cell 1 (0:25.17) (0 buttons)
******* End playback of PGC 2.
-- post 1 : (JumpSS) Jump to VMGM PGC 2
------> Entering VMGM , LU 1 (en) , 2 (dummy)
PUOs: 33423343 (0x01FDFFEF)
-- pre 1 : Set gprm(12) =(mov) 0
-> gprm(12) = 0 (0x0000)
-- pre 2 : Set gprm(13) =(mov) 0
-> gprm(13) = 0 (0x0000)
-- pre 3 : Set gprm(0) =(mov) sprm(16:Preferred audio language)
-> gprm(0) = 65535 (0xFFFF)
-- pre 4 : Set gprm(1) =(mov) sprm(18:Preferred sub-picture language)
-> gprm(1) = 65535 (0xFFFF)
-- pre 5 : (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 5120 (button 5)
-> sprm(8:Highlighted button number) = 5120 (0x1400) = button 5
-- pre 6 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 24946 ("ar")
-> gprm(2) = 24946 (0x6172) = "ar"
-- pre 7 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 1024 (button 1) }
if ( 65535 == 24946 ) : false.
-- pre 8 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 25191 ("bg")
-> gprm(2) = 25191 (0x6267) = "bg"
-- pre 9 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 2048 (button 2) }
if ( 65535 == 25191 ) : false.
-- pre 10 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 25459 ("cs")
-> gprm(2) = 25459 (0x6373) = "cs"
-- pre 11 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 3072 (button 3) }
if ( 65535 == 25459 ) : false.
-- pre 12 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 25964 ("el")
-> gprm(2) = 25964 (0x656C) = "el"
-- pre 13 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 4096 (button 4) }
if ( 65535 == 25964 ) : false.
-- pre 14 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 26999 ("iw")
-> gprm(2) = 26999 (0x6977) = "iw"
-- pre 15 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 6144 (button 6) }
if ( 65535 == 26999 ) : false.
-- pre 16 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 26725
-> gprm(2) = 26725 (0x6865)
-- pre 17 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 6144 (button 6) }
if ( 65535 == 26725 ) : false.
-- pre 18 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 26738 ("hr")
-> gprm(2) = 26738 (0x6872) = "hr"
-- pre 19 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 7168 (button 7) }
if ( 65535 == 26738 ) : false.
-- pre 20 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 26995 ("is")
-> gprm(2) = 26995 (0x6973) = "is"
-- pre 21 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 8192 (button 8) }
if ( 65535 == 26995 ) : false.
-- pre 22 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 26741 ("hu")
-> gprm(2) = 26741 (0x6875) = "hu"
-- pre 23 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 9216 (button 9) }
if ( 65535 == 26741 ) : false.
-- pre 24 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 28780 ("pl")
-> gprm(2) = 28780 (0x706C) = "pl"
-- pre 25 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 10240 (button 10) }
if ( 65535 == 28780 ) : false.
-- pre 26 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 28788 ("pt")
-> gprm(2) = 28788 (0x7074) = "pt"
-- pre 27 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 11264 (button 11) }
if ( 65535 == 28788 ) : false.
-- pre 28 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 29295 ("ro")
-> gprm(2) = 29295 (0x726F) = "ro"
-- pre 29 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 12288 (button 12) }
if ( 65535 == 29295 ) : false.
-- pre 30 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 29548 ("sl")
-> gprm(2) = 29548 (0x736C) = "sl"
-- pre 31 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 13312 (button 13) }
if ( 65535 == 29548 ) : false.
-- pre 32 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 29554 ("sr")
-> gprm(2) = 29554 (0x7372) = "sr"
-- pre 33 : if ( gprm(1) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 14336 (button 14) }
if ( 65535 == 29554 ) : false.
-- pre 34 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 24946 ("ar")
-> gprm(2) = 24946 (0x6172) = "ar"
-- pre 35 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 1024 (button 1) }
if ( 65535 == 24946 ) : false.
-- pre 36 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 25191 ("bg")
-> gprm(2) = 25191 (0x6267) = "bg"
-- pre 37 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 2048 (button 2) }
if ( 65535 == 25191 ) : false.
-- pre 38 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 25459 ("cs")
-> gprm(2) = 25459 (0x6373) = "cs"
-- pre 39 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 3072 (button 3) }
if ( 65535 == 25459 ) : false.
-- pre 40 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 25964 ("el")
-> gprm(2) = 25964 (0x656C) = "el"
-- pre 41 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 4096 (button 4) }
if ( 65535 == 25964 ) : false.
-- pre 42 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 25966 ("en")
-> gprm(2) = 25966 (0x656E) = "en"
-- pre 43 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 5120 (button 5) }
if ( 65535 == 25966 ) : false.
-- pre 44 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 26999 ("iw")
-> gprm(2) = 26999 (0x6977) = "iw"
-- pre 45 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 6144 (button 6) }
if ( 65535 == 26999 ) : false.
-- pre 46 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 26725
-> gprm(2) = 26725 (0x6865)
-- pre 47 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 6144 (button 6) }
if ( 65535 == 26725 ) : false.
-- pre 48 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 26738 ("hr")
-> gprm(2) = 26738 (0x6872) = "hr"
-- pre 49 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 7168 (button 7) }
if ( 65535 == 26738 ) : false.
-- pre 50 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 26995 ("is")
-> gprm(2) = 26995 (0x6973) = "is"
-- pre 51 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 8192 (button 8) }
if ( 65535 == 26995 ) : false.
-- pre 52 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 26741 ("hu")
-> gprm(2) = 26741 (0x6875) = "hu"
-- pre 53 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 9216 (button 9) }
if ( 65535 == 26741 ) : false.
-- pre 54 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 28780 ("pl")
-> gprm(2) = 28780 (0x706C) = "pl"
-- pre 55 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 10240 (button 10) }
if ( 65535 == 28780 ) : false.
-- pre 56 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 28788 ("pt")
-> gprm(2) = 28788 (0x7074) = "pt"
-- pre 57 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 11264 (button 11) }
if ( 65535 == 28788 ) : false.
-- pre 58 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 29295 ("ro")
-> gprm(2) = 29295 (0x726F) = "ro"
-- pre 59 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 12288 (button 12) }
if ( 65535 == 29295 ) : false.
-- pre 60 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 29548 ("sl")
-> gprm(2) = 29548 (0x736C) = "sl"
-- pre 61 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 13312 (button 13) }
if ( 65535 == 29548 ) : false.
-- pre 62 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 29554 ("sr")
-> gprm(2) = 29554 (0x7372) = "sr"
-- pre 63 : if ( gprm(0) == gprm(2) ) then { (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 14336 (button 14) }
if ( 65535 == 29554 ) : false.
-- pre 64 : Set gprm(0) =(mov) 0
-> gprm(0) = 0 (0x0000)
-- pre 65 : Set gprm(1) =(mov) 0
-> gprm(1) = 0 (0x0000)
-- pre 66 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 0
-> gprm(2) = 0 (0x0000)
-- pre 67 : NOP
-- pre 68 : (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 11264 (button 11)
-> sprm(8:Highlighted button number) = 11264 (0x2C00) = button 11
-- pre 69 : Set gprm(13) =(mov) 74
-> gprm(13) = 74 (0x004A)
-- pre 70 : NOP
-- pre 71 : Set gprm(2) =(mov) 41477
-> gprm(2) = 41477 (0xA205)
-- pre 72 : Set gprm(15) =(mov) 399
-> gprm(15) = 399 (0x018F)

[bigotti5]

LinkNoLink, LinkTopC, LinkNextC, LinkPrevC, LinkTopPG, LinkNextPG, LinkPrevPG, LinkTopPGC cant be used in such a case (remain in PGC), LinkTailPGC cant occur too

Remain LinkNext/Prev/GoUpPGC , evaluate Next/Prev/GoUp links and tranlate to LinkPGC or similar commands :D
What an effort for such special cases

[zacoz]

@FilipeAmadeuO

While not removing the menu, a possible workaround for you in such cases might be to edit the menu buttons of the cell as follows:

On each of the languages you don't want, "Hide Button --> Jump to Non-deleted Button"
On the language you do want, select "Auto Activate (Execute the command directly when the button is highlighted)"

In a hardware player the language selection should flash up and be gone between the blink of your eye - probably won't see it.

In a software player, if your mouse isn't anywhere over the video (which would have the effect of making the remaining button not highlighted) then similarly the menu will be gone in a split second. If your mouse is over the video and thus affecting the highlighting, then simply click the only language available and you're on your way.

If the menu is for some reason animated or has music you may wish to then "still" it in MenuShrink or VobBlanker.

[r0lZ]

@Bigotti
Yes, and it's even more difficult, as I have to follow the navigation to be sure that I use the right cell command! Pity!

@FilipeAmadeuO
Yes, send me the original IFOs, and if possible, the original menu VOB (menushrinked if you wish.) If you cannot provide the VOB, send me also the modified IFOs, and let me know what PGC has been killed. Thanks!

[r0lZ]

@Zacoz
Are you sure? I think an auto-activating button is not activated when the menu is opened. You have to move from another button to auto-activate it.
However, it should be possible to activate it automatically by setting the force action button number to 1 (or the number of the button you want to activate) and the force action button delay to 0.

[zacoz]

@Zacoz
Are you sure? I think an auto-activating button is not activated when the menu is opened. You have to move from another button to auto-activate it.
However, it should be possible to activate it automatically by setting the force action button number to 1 (or the number of the button you want to activate) and the force action button delay to 0.
May not be universal then, however it is the effect I see in my main software player (WinDVD) and standalone (Omni DX-4200 with hacked firmware). Will check wife's software player and some others later tonight.

[FilipeAmadeuO]

Can the problem be here :
-- pre 5 : (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 5120 (button 5)
-> sprm(8:Highlighted button number) = 5120 (0x1400) = button 5

If there is no vob (removed) some player can stop in this part searching for it.

Rolz: I only have the modified ifo´s and vob´s, but i can tell you where i have killed the pgc
Please send your e-mail by private message

[r0lZ]

No, you can issue a SetHL_BTN everywhere. It will be used the next time a menu with buttons is entered.

Send your files to pgcedit [at] scarlet [dot] be.

[FilipeAmadeuO]

I´me going to send you right now.
The hardware dvdplayer stop after the paramount picture (VTSM1, LU1,2) and the language selection vob that i killed pgc playback has on VMGM, LU1, 2
Please check why some players stop.

[zacoz]

May not be universal then, however it is the effect I see in my main software player (WinDVD) and standalone (Omni DX-4200 with hacked firmware). Will check wife's software player and some others later tonight.
Tested, and interestingly, other 3 software players I have installed display the menu and wait for the selection. On changing it to select action button 1 and force action after 0 seconds, I get the following:

WinDVD 5: waits for selection 1/2 the time, forces button before you even see the menu the other 1/2
MPC: forces button before you even see the menu
Nero Showtime: displays menu for about 1.5 seconds then forces button
MS MP: forces button before you even see the menu

From memory. standalone player used to have problems with forced action buttons, which was why I stopped using them in favour of auto activate.

Seems my setup is likely in the minority though.

[r0lZ]

Great test!
It confirms one more time that it is impossible to trust one player, and that the DVD specs are just crap!

So, to bypass an AR selection menu safely, there are still some other methods:

1. Use the jump to PGC upon DVD insert function. However, with this method, you have to bypass everything that is before that menu, and one drawback of the method is that some important initialization based on the configuration of the player might become hardcoded.

2. Shorten the menu cell either by physically cutting it with VobBlanker or using the end VOBU trick with the VOBU plugin, and removing the loop (if any.)

3. If the menu is a still frame without audio (often the case with AR selection menu), remove the infinite pause and copy the menu button to the post-commands section. Might be difficult for a beginner, as some commands valid in a button are illegal in the post commands, as explained above (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=909111#post909111) by Bigotti.

4. Fix the bug in PgcEdit's Kill Playback function! :p

[FilipeAmadeuO]

Great !!!!!
This situation it´s strange because it works in some player....


rolz:
Do you figured out what was the bug in PGCEdit ? It has the infinite pause ? Or some question of comands ?

Waiting for an better version of PGCEdit :thanks:

[blutach]

Hum, right, I did not thought at that. Difficult to do something in this case, as a cell command might be illegal if I copy it in the pre-commands area. :scared:We've had this discussion a couple of times, r0lZ, where a cell command of set gprm(x) = #; link Tail PGC was used. As a result, I am certain you have made PgcEdit strip off the Link Tail PGC.

Regards

[r0lZ]

Blu, LinkTailPGC is not the problem. I have to convert all Link commands (except those with a cell, PG or PGC as argument.)

FilipeAmadeuO, no I haven't analysed your IFOs yet, but I have them. I'll have a look tomorrow...

[2COOL]

We've had this discussion a couple of times, r0lZ, where a cell command of set gprm(x) = #; link Tail PGC was used.Hmmm....where did I see this technique before? It's been awhile...

[r0lZ]

Filipe, I had a look at your files, but you gave me the wrong menu VOB. I need the original VIDEO_TS.VOB (menushrinked), or at least the VM command of button 11 of the original VMGM, LU 1, PGC 2.
It's probably, as blutach suggested, Set gprm(13) =(mov) 74; LinkTailPGC. Can you confirm that?

@2COOL: I don't remember the thread, but it's probably the main PgcEdit thread. Anyway, if the command is what I think, there is no bug in the method. :confused:

[2COOL]

Hi r0lz

It was here (http://download.videohelp.com/r0lZ/pgcedit/third_party/2cool/remove_language_aspect_ratio_menus/remove_language_and_aspect_ratio_menus_2.htm). My guide needs to be updated to current PgcEdit one day whenI get a round TUIT.

[blutach]

@2COOL

Looks like you had a not so busy New Years Eve 2004 :D Live it up this year!

Regards

[FilipeAmadeuO]

rolz:
I don´t have that files anymore but i can confirm that has Set gprm(13) =(mov) 74; LinkTailPGC

[blutach]

When you killed playback, the Set gprm(13)=74 would have been placed in the precommands and the LinkTail would not have been.

Regards

[r0lZ]

According to the log posted by Filipe here (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=909107#post909107), it's exactly what PgcEdit did.

...
-- pre 67 : NOP
-- pre 68 : (SetHL_BTN) Set Highlighted Button =(mov) 11264 (button 11)
-> sprm(8:Highlighted button number) = 11264 (0x2C00) = button 11
-- pre 69 : Set gprm(13) =(mov) 74
-> gprm(13) = 74 (0x004A)
-- pre 70 : NOP
...
Therefore, I don't understand the problem. Maybe a playback problem later?

[FilipeAmadeuO]

Strangely if i remove pre-comands 5 to 63 and 68 it works on the players.
I guess is that it´s because the highlighted button.
Can you test in some hardware players ?

[r0lZ]

No, I can't test your DVD, because the VOBs are missing. But if I use the trace, I see that the first menu with button that is called is the PGC 2 of the VMGM. The highlighted button is originally forced to the button matching your language. After Kill Playback, it is forced to button 11. Then, the nav continues and finally reaches PGC 12 of VTSM 2 (the main menu), where the highlighted button is forced again to 1.
Nothing is abnormal.

It is perfectly legal to use a SetHL_BTN command in the VMGM (and even in the FP-PGC), even if there are no menus in that domain. However, all PGCs are now dummies, and perhaps your player doesn't like that. Therefore, I suspect a bug in the player.

Anyway, removing all SetHL_BTN commands in the killed PGC should be harmless, as the correct button is forced again later.

BTW, as nothing is played before the main menu, you can also use the Jump to PGC upon DVD insert function, to jump directly to the menu, therefore bypassing the problematic PGC. You will miss the Paramount intro, though.

[FilipeAmadeuO]

I agree with you (a bug in the player) but i´ve tested in at least two players that hang in this part. And i think it´s because of the SetHL_BTN commands. Is there any problem removing it ? And using only the Set gprm(XX) =(mov) XX ?
Why not implement it on PGCEdit ?

[r0lZ]

In this case, the SetHL_BTN command added by Kill Playback is useless. But in many cases, you need it, when the post commands test the SPRM 8 to decide what to do, according to the user choice. The SetHL_BTN command sets the SPRM to the right value, and it is impossible to do that in a different way. Therefore, no, I can't remove it, or Kill Playback will fail.

[r0lZ]

Beta 2 is out. See this thread (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=119030).