Troubleshooting DVD Shrink / RecordNow DX

[mbbransc]

OK, I am new to this and have successfully backed-up a few of my DVDs onto two disk. So I wanted to try my hand at backing up just the movie on one disk.

Here is what I did:

-DVD Shrink - followed the steps on the guide from this site. Grabbed just the movie and DTS 6 speaker surround on New DVD (DVD arthuring). I saved to D:\Movie\The_Bourne_Identity\VIDEO_TS (where I created the VIDEO_TS folder as well as an AUDIO_TS folder - read to do that somewhere). Everything appeared to work fine.

-RecoredNow DX - I started a Data Disk project, and I pulled both VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders into RecordNow. Recorded on a new DVD-RW and it appeared that everything worked fine.

-Results - the DVD player on my PC will play the DVD as it should, but there is no audio. My TV top DVD player does not recognize the disk at all.

Any help is appreciated. I feel like I'm really close on this.
Thanks

[MackemX]

I'm guessingthe soundtracks you removed from the DVD was the default soundtrack

when playing the DVD try pressing the Audio button on your remote or using the Audio menu to select the audio you kept

it's a bit late now but a few simple mods in IFOedit soon overcome this before burning ;)

does your standalone accept DVD-RW?

[ddlooping]

...also, make sure your equipment is DTS compatible, if it's the only audio stream you left. ;)
(DTS normally requires a home-cinema amp when played in a set-top player)

[mbbransc]

I have a Toshiba DVD player that does play DVD-R (I assume there is no difference in accepting DVD-RW). I didn't think of trying to change the audio settings on the PC DVD player. But my main goal is to play on the home theater and not on the PC.

I have an HK AVR325 receiver and surround sound that does play DTS. But without the DVD player accepting the media, it's moot.

Any other ideas to try? Think it may have been a fluke? Think I need to add all the files to RecordNow without the VIDEO_TS folder? Think that folder is what the Toshiba DVD player is not recognizing?

Thanks guys!

One other thing... the AUDIO_TS folder is empty. Is that the correct way to do it?

[ddlooping]

"I assume there is no difference in accepting DVD-RW."
Actually, there is a difference between these two media types.
I'd suggest you try your backup in other set-top players (in a local shop or at a friend's), or take the plunge and burn to DVD-R.

"Think I need to add all the files to RecordNow without the VIDEO_TS folder?"
Nope. The "VIDEO_TS" folder is required for your DVD to be compliant.

"...the AUDIO_TS folder is empty. Is that the correct way to do it?"
Yes it is. This folder is not really required, but is included to increase compatibility with some set-top players.

[mbbransc]

Well, I tried again, and I have the audio working on my PC DVD player. Still won't play on my set top DVD player. The player is at least 3-4 years old. I'm starting to wonder if DVD-RW technology was even around then, or if only DVD-R was. I was going to try the DVD-RW in my neighbor's player, but wouldn't you know it - he's at an X-Mas party. At least I feel like I'm getting closer.

Thanks for all of your assistance!!

[ddlooping]

"At least I feel like I'm getting closer."

That's good to hear. :)

"Thanks for all of your assistance!!"

You're welcome. ;)

[writersblock29]

@mbbransc

What brand of DVD Burner are you using? Many allow for the DVD-R to be finalized as a DVD ROM rather than a DVD-R. This is what's known as a "book type setting," and may be a function that you can activate in Recordnow Max (I can't say for sure if it is, since I've never used this software). It's worth looking into, in that nearly all the studio DVDs I've run into are read as a DVD ROM -- so, naturally, all set tops are capible of reading these disks.

I was having trouble getting my copies to play in my parents' set top for years until figuring out how to change the book setting default on my burner (my folks also own a Toshiba which is several years old). Now that my burner always finalizes the disk as DVD ROM, I can play my copies pretty much anywhere. Unfortunately, I burn my disks with either Nero 6 or CopytoDVD... so my experience with Recordnow Max is limited to... well... NOTHING. But I know that many burning apps will allow you to change this setting within the program itself without flashing the firmware of your drive.

The reason why I ask what brand of burner you're using is because some drives won't allow this setting to be altered with their original firmware (ie, Sony). It's very possible, however, to safely get around this obstacle -- and well worth the time, since many set tops that are listed as compatible with recordable media WILL play a DVD-R -- just not smoothly. If you finalize your disks as 'ROM, you can pretty much play them on anything you try them on without a hitch.

[mbbransc]

I am currently using a DVR-103 that came in my Somy PC.

Funny you mentioned about how the disk is finalized. One post I found in relation to my problem stated to "make sure the recognize VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS foldres per the DVD specification is enabled". I am assuming this is what you are talking about. But I have the RecordNow DX version instead of Max (I think DX was released after Veritas bought it from STOMP). But either way, I cannot find an option to change anything like this.

I have the Nero 6 trial loaded right now, but I was getting discouraged with all the options within the suite. And since I already have RecordNow loaded with some experience, I thought I'd give it a shot. I assume you are using Nero recode? Do you just drop your VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders in there and burn?

[writersblock29]

@mbbransc

Yes, actually, I do use Recode quite frequently. Handy stuff! If the trial version you have loaded right now is the most recent, it will automatically set the book type to DVD ROM if your drive currently allows for it.

If you want to try your hand using Nero (which I'd highly recommend), then simply select "Nero Express," then click on "DVD Video." You'll get an interface which has two folders displayed: One is an empty AUDIO_TS folder, and the other (colored red) is your VIDEO_TS folder. Double-click on this red folder. It'll open, and be ready for you to put your files into. Now, click on "open," and use the browser to find the folder you've got your copy saved into. No need to select all the individual VOB files: Just single that folder out, and click "add." Nero will automatically paste all of the DVD's files into the VIDEO_TS folder of your project for burning. Now all you have to do is burn it!

Nero will automatically put both a blank AUDIO_TS and full VIDEO_TS folder on your media, with the highest compatibility settings. Even though some here have had problems (I have, too, using previous versions of Nero 6), the new updates appear to have corrected them.

If you want to check the book setting after burning, open Nero Startsmart and select "test drive" from the "tools" option. There will be an interface that opens, where you can select the drive that has your copy in it. You'll see a little section that displays the disk type. If it reads "DVD ROM," gravy! (If you use a DVD-RW, it may only say DVD-RW, as not all drives will finalize a rewritable as DVD ROM. Try your copy in your set top all the same, as Nero may have fixed some other problem that was truely to blame for the reading problem ((wrong UDF version, ect)). A write-once disk should be recognized as a DVD ROM by the drive tester once the project's burned.)

Your problems may be fixed!

[mbbransc]

writersblock29, I think you may be my hero!! I'm going to print this out and give it a shot. I'll post back my results. I have just finished my first rip using DVD Decrypter (previously used DVD Shrink and DVDX Copy). I'm going to use DVD Shrink on this newly ripped DVD and give Nero another go.

Thanks again for all the assistance!! People like you make this MUCH more tolerable!! I just didn't realize there were 8K ways of backing up a DVD. Unreal!

[DMagic1]

@mbbransc

Has any of you other two disk movies worked after being burned with RecordNow DX on that DVD player? Unlike Stomp RecordNow Max, Sonic RecordNow DX adds joilet to all data disk burns. Even movie projects. I have found that some older DVD players only like ISO/UDF. Not ISO/Joliet/UDF. Using Nero with the right settings my help you. Getting RecordNow Max would be even better.

[mbbransc]

I have only backed up 2 DVDs, both split between 2 DVDs. I actually used Nero 6 trial to burn them both but I wanted to use RecordNow since I already had it. I may end up having to stick with Nero.

I just tried shrinking the DVD I ripped with DVD Decrypter and DVD shrink is not recognizing the files. I think I ripped them wrong. I did it in the FILE mode. I'm thinking I should have used IFO mode. Oh well, I'm going to give Nero a shot with the other DVD I've already ripped and shrunk.

Thanks

[mbbransc]

Already encountered a problem. I opened Nero Express and the Wizard does not offer a "DVD Video". I have a Video/Pictures option, but the next options are VCD, SVCD, or miniDVD. Only other option I can think of would be Data Disk. I downloaded this from Nero's webpage this past weekend, so I assume it is updated. Any ideas?

PS - when I open Data Disk, the ruler on the bottom of the screen is for a CD.

[DMagic1]

You have to change the dropdown bar at the top from CD-R to DVD.

[mbbransc]

LOL!!! I knew that!!! I think I'm getting a little dilerious!!

[writersblock29]

@mbbransc

Sounds like only the CD burning options are selected. At the top of the screen will be a drop-down list. Click on the little "down" arrow, and you'll see selections that will have your recorder along with either a (Cd) or (DVD) listed. You'll want to select the option with (DVD).

[writersblock29]

Oops!

Beat me to it, DMagic1!
;)

[writersblock29]

@mbbransc

Sorry for the choppy replies! Got some other fish frying while popping back and forth on this forum!

When ripping your files with DVD Decrypter, so long as you're ripping ALL files using file mode, DVD Shrink usually won't have any problems with importing them. If you select the VIDEO_TS.IFO rather than any of the VTS_01.IFO... et al, DVD Shrink will load everything in your folder. Unless there's another issue, that is!

Since Recode's author is the same guy who penned DVD Shrink, you'll find tons of similarities if you play around with Recode. But with Recode, all you need to do is select the file with your DVD project in it, rather than IFO files FROM that folder. When in doubt and offered a choice, however, most of the time the main IFO -- VIDEO_TS.IFO -- will take you where you want to go with these little one-click programs.

[ddlooping]

Hi all. :)

mbbransc, I don't know the exact version of Nero Express you have, but some users have reported a bug with Express.
Some backups are falsely reported too big to be burned on a DVD-R.
If this happens to you, I'd suggest you use Nero in "normal" mode.
You can find a user-friendly guide at:
http://www.dvdshrink.info/nero-video.php

[mbbransc]

writersblock29

No need to appologize for anything. Everyone has been a great help. There is just so much to learn. As far as using DVD Decrypter, I was in file mode and ripped just the main movie and ACS 5.1 and DTS 5.1. If using file mode and planning on using DVD shrink, should I have grabbed everything? In the future, if I plan on just ripping the movie, should I use a different mode prior to importing to DVD Shrink?

Anyway, I used DVD Shrink to rip the main movie only, with two sound tracks, and shrunk it to size. I then used Nero Express to burn to DVD-RW. Again, everything worked gerat on my PC. Took it to my STB DVD player, and nada. I got an error message this time telling me corrupt disk. So, for the hell of it, I desided to go ahead and burn the project to a DVD-R since it was working on my PC DVD player. And viola!! DVD-R works great in my STB DVD player!! Picture looks good and all my surround sound is working.

So now I'm going full circle and am curios about RecordNow DX. I wonder if it would have been fine the second time if I was using DVD-R media instead of DVD-RW. There sure is a lot of trial and error involved with this!! So, here I go. I'm going to rip another movie with DVD Shrink and resize it. Then drop it in RecordNow DX and burn to DVD-R and see if it works. If it doesn, then I know all my pieces are working except DVD Decrypter. Then I can give it another shot.

Thanks so much everyone!!

[writersblock29]

@mbbransc

*High Five* Well, at least you have a playable copy now, and a sense of direction for future projects!

In answer to your question about DVD Decrypter, yes; you'll want to rip all files when you intend on going to DVD Shrink afterwards. Of course, DVD Shrink will automatically decrypt *most* DVDs that it runs into -- so you may do well just working off the original DVD, creating a movie-only project that you can then burn with whatever consistently works. The only time I've had trouble with using DVD Shrink "on the fly" is when the original disk is scratched or dirty. My present method with all of my projects is to first clean the reading surface of the disk, then use DVD Decrypter to rip the entire disk into a folder on my hard drive. Then I'll figure out how I want to do it: Most projects get the "movie-only" treatment for disk one, while I'll create a Mini DVD (DVD file structure, only recorded onto a CDR -- works great on little 15 minute features) if there happens to be a special feature that I'd like to keep handy. Then my original gets stowed away safe from young'uns and accidents!

Once you've done this for awhile, no doubt you'll have your own "signature" way of doing them as well. Unfortunately, this whole process has more than it's fair share of "trial and error" involved... but once you've got the hang of it, your sucesses quickly pay off the debts of your mistakes!

Happy burning!