Decrypting/editing VOB files

[gvm]

Until a year or two ago I used DVD Decrypter to transfer a DVD onto hard disk and then used the video in Studio V9 projects after changing the file type from VOB to MPG.

My problem now is that the procedure doesn't work. What's changed? ... well I am now using Studio V12. Have VOB formats changed at all?

Studio reports a message to the effect that it has trouble reading video file information when I try to drag the video onto the project timeline.

Does anyone know the probelm, or a way around it please?
TIA ... Greg

[r0lZ]

The problem is probably caused by the new forms of protection (notably ARccOS and RipGuard.) They insert intentionally bad cells at the beginning of the DVD to confuse the rippers (and sometimes also at the end of the DVD and even at the layer break position.)
Try to remove that junk before processing the VOBs (with PgcEdit+FixVTS or VobBlanker or DVDShrink...)

[gvm]

Thanks rOIZ.

I tried using PowerDVD to play the copy created using DVD Decrypter and sure enough, it didn't play. I mustn't have tested it back then. PowerDVD does play the original DVD though OK.

So, I downloaded DVDShrink and used the Backup function with default settings to rip a new version onto the hard drive. However, PowerDVD won't play this version either.

Should I change the backup settings in order to eliminate the new forms of protection? Or am I misusing DVDShrink, or is other software required?

TIA for your help ... Greg

[linyx]

Try DVDFab Decrypter. DVDShrink does not properly handle most newer protections

[r0lZ]

You misunderstood me. I suggested to use Shrink in re-author mode to remove the beginning of the main movie (the black cells up to the first visible images) of the movie already ripped on disc. It is true that Shrink is not good as a ripper. And if you want to keep the menu and bonuses, it is probably easier to use PgcEdit and FixVTS, as you can see precisely where the protected cells are.

On the other hand, re-ripping with DVDFab Decrypter might work well, as linyx suggests. Take care however. Sometimes, that ripper produces garbage, especially if the original DVD is dirty or damaged.

[gvm]

r0IZ, thanks for the clarification. I will try re-authoring as you suggest ... I don't need to keep menus and bonuses.

FYI, DVDFab did rip the DVD so that PowerDVD could play the whole movie. However, when I renamed the VOBs as MPGs and brought them into Studio, Studio could see only the first scene of each file. ... the file size is reported to be 1GB, but they have only 20 seconds of content.

... Greg

[gvm]

I have now used DVDFab to remove the first seven seconds of black frames that precede the first frame of the movie. Unfortunately, it hasn't made a difference to Studio's ability to use the files, ie Studio thinks there is only 20 seconds or so of content in each file.

Interestingly, Windows Media Player has trouble playing the MPGs that were previously VOBs, but Nero did not have any trouble playing the entire files.

[setarip_old]

@gvm

Hi!

Is it one SPECIFIC DVD that's problematic? If so, what is the Title and Region number?

Or is it that you've been unsuccessful with all DVDs under Studio V12?

[r0lZ]

Try to demux the streams. Studio should be able to load the elementary streams.

BTW, why do you need to load the VOBs in Studio?

[gvm]

Setarip_old,
it looks like my problem is with this particular DVD, because I have just used DVD Decrypter to rip another DVD from a few years ago and Studio was able to use it perfectly OK after renaming VOBs to MPGs.

This particular DVD is produced in Australia and is not publicly available, ie it is a DVD of a special event and therefore of interest to a relatively small number of customers.

r01Z,
I have used Studio for editing DVD home movies etc for a few years now. I wanted to only take a few clips from this DVD (which I purchased) for inclusion in home movies.

DVD Shrink has created MPGs of the clips I want but they are "flaky" in that they can't be used with some players (eg WMP) and editors (Studio) but can be used with others (eg Nero).

(I think) this DVD doesn't have any streams to demux ... english is the only language, there are no bonus or special effect videos etc. Or I could be misunderstanding what you mean by demuxing streams?

Thanks again for your help .... Greg

[r0lZ]

Demuxing consists in separating the elementary streams (video stream, audio and subpic streams.) I suppose Studio can load a video stream and an audio stream independently, and remux (reassemble) them to recreate a valid MPG file.