Can't rip DVD with AutoGK method

[KuroNeko]

It's been years since I had time to work with video and DVD ripping, seems I've forgotten even the most basic stuff. :confused: Baka Neko :mad:

I ripped the DVD "Initial D Season 1 disc 1" to HD, and tried to encode the episodes to Xvid for my portable, using 720x480 resolution, nothing fancy.

I loaded the IFO file, and was told to choose the right PGC. There are 9 to choose from, the first 6 are junk, stuff from the menu, extra's etc. 7 and 8 are the real thing, and they're identical. You can choose between the untouched video and an "enhanced" crap version. PGC 7 is the one I want, the untouched version. I selected the original Japanese audio with English subs.

The preview is screwed. The subs are there, but instead of limiting the video to PGC 7, AutoGK 2.55 decides to load PGC 1-6 and 8-9 as well. The subs are however timed for 7 alone, so they play over PGC 1-6 etc. I tried anyway, hoping it would be preview problem only, but no go.

When I use DVD Decrypter to just rip PGC 7, I can even select each episode seperately by selecting the appropriate chapters. Much handier. But AutoGK and Mediaplayer Classic as DVD player don't find any subs in those ripped IFO/VOB.

Either I'm missing something crucial (probably), or this is one screwy DVD build.

Does anyone have time to lend a hand? Thanks!

[manono]

When using AutoGK, never decrypt the entire DVD to the hard drive using DVD Decrypter in the default File Mode. Set it up for IFO Mode and get just what you want.

Apparently all the episodes are in the same PGC, so the only way to separate them out is by decrypting chapters? Tough break when you want subs. You have 2 choices; encode all the episodes together as one AVI and then split them when all done, or encode each episode separately, but all the subs after the ones for the first episode will have to have a proper delay set.

What you have is fairly unusual, but not unheard of.

My suggesion is to find the subs for each episode online and then add them into the encodes using the CTRL-F8 trick.

Why do you want 720x480? Is that what you got? So you fooled around in the Hidden Options?

[KuroNeko]

Hello Manono

thanks for taking the time to reply

When using AutoGK, never decrypt the entire DVD to the hard drive using DVD Decrypter in the default File Mode. Set it up for IFO Mode and get just what you want.

That's what I did the second try. The problem is the subtitles are gone. A DVD player also does not find any subtitles.

Apparently all the episodes are in the same PGC, so the only way to separate them out is by decrypting chapters? Tough break when you want subs. You have 2 choices; encode all the episodes together as one AVI and then split them when all done

That's what I want to do now, but if I just rip PGC 7, no subs. Only when I rip the entire DVD do I get subs. This seems to be the main problem now, if I can get this fixed, I can manage cutting the avi later easily.

My suggesion is to find the subs for each episode online and then add them into the encodes using the CTRL-F8 trick.

That's an option, but a very time consuming one (finding and retiming). AutoGK is supposed to be a 'quick and dirty easy solution'.

Why do you want 720x480? Is that what you got? So you fooled around in the Hidden Options?

It's what I got. I changed none of the hidden options, only tried the resize/place subs properly option, but it didn't help any.

Neko

[manono]

Did AutoGK find any subs for you at all? If so, open an IDX and you'll probably find the timings are way off. You could always get the subs yourself using VobSub Configure and then add them into the encode, perhaps after adjusting the delay.

If you find some subs online, unless you get something from a PAL DVD, they should already be timed properly. I went looking for some, but apparently there are all kinds of Initial D DVDs out there, movies as well as series, and I had no idea what to look for.

I find it a little hard to believe that you got back 720x480 unless at some point you had been into the Hidden Options changing things. AutoGK always resizes to a 1:1 square pixel AVI unless something's been changed. If you set a 720 width, then it should give you 720x544 or some such if these things are 1.33:1, and maybe 720x400 or similar if 1.78:1. Do you have any of the logs for any of these encodes?

[KuroNeko]

I'll try the VobSub method. AutoGK finds subs only when I rip the entire DVD, and then the timing is way off.

I'm using the R1 Tokyopop DVDs, so maybe the fansubs/subtitles online will be OK, I'll try.

As far as the resolution is concerned, that's what I saw in the status window. I didn't keep the logs, sorry.

Lots of things to try, I'll get back when I have more information. Thanks for your help!

Neko

[KuroNeko]

Well now, I've got it to work. Not with separate episodes, I have to encode the entire PGC but that's OK, cutting these is easy.

The problem was with DVD Decryptor, and it's a bit weird. I don't remember it doing this last time I used it (years ago).

I have to select the PGC I want, but also deselect all chapters of those PGCs that I don't want. Then it will work. Otherwise, AutoGK somehow tries to add those other chapters in anyway. Bizarre. I don't know enough of the DVD structure, but is it possible DVD Decryptor makes the IFO file wrong, adding in those unselected PGC anyway, unless you deselect the chapters?

Also, there were always subs. The problem was that because of massive mistiming due to above problems, they would not be visible. Finally, you were right, the destination resolution is not 720x480, that's just the source, the result is square pixel 500 something vertical resolution. I'm now cropping a bit too because of a bit of black border, so I don't remember the exact final resolution.

Thanks for your help getting this working!

Neko

[manono]

I have to select the PGC I want, but also deselect all chapters of those PGCs that I don't want. Then it will work. Otherwise, AutoGK somehow tries to add those other chapters in anyway. Bizarre. I don't know enough of the DVD structure, but is it possible DVD Decryptor makes the IFO file wrong, adding in those unselected PGC anyway, unless you deselect the chapters?
Apparently you have one of those Anime DVDs where all the episodes are contained within a single PGC. It's rare but by no means unheard of. So, each episode will take up only a set number of chapters. Yes, it's easier to do the whole thing at once and then split it up afterwards.

To answer your question, no, DVDDecrypter didn't mess anything up. You just have one of those where to split it by episodes for AutoGK you have to split it by chapters in DVD Decrypter.

Most DVDs are way simpler than this one. Good going that you stuck it out and completed it successfully!