How to handle episodic DVDs (tv shows)

[fuji250]

I tried using the Big 3 and I can't get the last part to work (IFO Update and stuff), so basically I lost all patience with that method. Is there a way to get DVD2SVCD to transcode the entire DVD down to DVD5 size, similar to what DVD2ONE does but with MUCH better quality?

[Kedirekin]

Nope. DVD2SVCD is strictly movie only. As far as I know, the closest thing to a fully automated full-disk CCE method is the Big 3.

[Psychotourist]

I use 1 of 2 methods depending upon the size of the data on the disc.

1. Split it to 2 discs using DVDFab
2. Use DVD Shrink and raise with menus and extras getting the highest compression.

I've had good luck with both on Monty Python Complete Collection, Black Adder, Mr. Bean, South Park, etc...

[Imperial Zeppelin]

I've been doing episodic TV shows for quite some time. Depending on the quality of the show you can range from DVD2ONE, InstantCopy or whatever one-touch you use, to a full blown war using CCE and DVDMaestro or their equivalents.

For example, I just finished The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the first pass using InstantCopy didn't meet my quality requirements so here's what I did...

1. Ripped DVD to HDD using DVDDecrypter & mounted using Daemon Tools

2. Captured Scene Selection menu and converted to JPEG. Used ChapteXtractor to get chapters in DVDMaestro format.

3. Demuxed each episode with DVD2AVI. For this DVD watch it...Episode one was VTS set 1, but Episode 2 was VTS 6, then it ran E3-VTS2, E4-VTS, E5-VTS4, etc. Take home message is check structure of each episodic DVD very carefully. They can all be different, even one in a multi-DVD set.

4. Adjusted size and rendered using Robshot CCE technique, but with 2-pass VBR at the end. Since these were already interlaced, the only switches I threw were "Add Sequence End Code," "Linear Quantizer Scale" and "DVD Compliant."

5. Re-assembled to whole thing in DVDMaestro, added menus and navigation, and remuxed.

6. Burned with my burning program.

Yes, it was a lot of work, but this is what I do if the one-touches can't make the grade. The result here was fabulous.

Zep

[Angelus]

@fuji250

Have you had a look at Eyes`Only IFOUpdate Guide? It's a lot simpler than the one in the guide and easy to follow. I almost gave up on the Big 3 method but then tried that guide and haven't looked back since.

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63841

[fuji250]

Originally posted by Angelus
@fuji250

Have you had a look at Eyes`Only IFOUpdate Guide? It's a lot simpler than the one in the guide and easy to follow. I almost gave up on the Big 3 method but then tried that guide and haven't looked back since.

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63841

I did, and I still can't get that method to work 100% right. This time around, my output gave me some error saying it's not formatting for my region, which makes absolutely no sense. Other times I have gotten the menus and stuff but the chapter points were way off and it caused my DVD to skip around because the chapter references were way off (even after using IFOupdate and stuff). The big 3 is a great method, too bad i just cant figure it out.

[OvERaCiD23]

Originally posted by fuji250
I did, and I still can't get that method to work 100% right. This time around, my output gave me some error saying it's not formatting for my region, which makes absolutely no sense. Other times I have gotten the menus and stuff but the chapter points were way off and it caused my DVD to skip around because the chapter references were way off (even after using IFOupdate and stuff). The big 3 is a great method, too bad i just cant figure it out.

Don't give up so soon on it. It takes a little bit to understand everything, but once you do it will be your new preferred method. I wouldn't even think about using a 1-click tool on episodes, unless you really don't care about the quality and just want a copy of it.

[fuji250]

DVDFab and IFOEdit wont work with the Sopranos DVD's...does anybody have any idea why it wont? My Family Guy backups went without a hitch

[Psychotourist]

Hmmmm. I used DVDFab to back up seasons 1-3 of Region 1 Sopranos and it worked flawlessly.

Which season and region did you have trouble with?

[fuji250]

Originally posted by Psychotourist
Hmmmm. I used DVDFab to back up seasons 1-3 of Region 1 Sopranos and it worked flawlessly.

Which season and region did you have trouble with?

Region 1, Season 4...I think i know why it's not working...the first disc has 3 episodes on it (about 2.3 gigs each) so that's why it's giving me a problem, it cant make a split point. the second disc (that has 4 episodes) split perfectly...too bad i cant use the big 3 method on the first disc, my chapter points are never correct and it causes the DVD to screw up.

[Psychotourist]

I haven't gotten Season 4 yet, but let me check something when I get home on one of the earlier and I may be able to help you. BTW, which version of DVDFab are you using?

[fuji250]

Originally posted by Psychotourist
I haven't gotten Season 4 yet, but let me check something when I get home on one of the earlier and I may be able to help you. BTW, which version of DVDFab are you using?

the newest version that's on their website (not the premium edition with the DVD playing software and stuff)

[Dimad]

Here is an e-mail I've got recently about DvdReMake:


My objective is to decrypt episodic disks and "recreate" them to include complete menus and special features, but with only one episode per "reformatted" disk. I am following these steps:
1. Decrypt the original disk using DVD Decrypter.
2. Now there are many IFO, VOB, and similar files in my source directory.
3. I launch DvdReMake and go into Advanced Mode.
3. I highlight only the episodes I do NOT wish to copy, right click them, and then select "Hide All Blocks".
4. Those blocks are now close to 0 in size.
5. I should then be able to "export" the DVD, but of course, that is not available in the trial version -- but should that write a new set of IFO, VOB, and similar files to a NEW destination directory?

And that's that...?!?<

So kindly enlighten me if the steps I have laid out above will produce what I want: a full DVD with menus, languages, subtitles, special features, and the rest, but with just ONE episode?


The answer to this e-mail was quite short: yes

If there is no need to squeese all episodes to one disk DvdReMake could be used as well. So, there are quite a few methods of doing it nowdays :)

[MackemX]

I remember a time I couldn't say this due to the rules and DVDStripper being 'commercial' but I guess I can now :) (peace all)


A 'free' but slower alternative is DVDStripper along with MenuModder and that has the features to do what an episode splitter would need

it will allow you to select the titles (episodes) you wish to keep on each DVD. You may also be able to remove things such as chapter selections menus for the removed episodes also along with any of the crap you don't want

you can disable the necessary buttons to the other episodes using Menumodder (though it may have playback issues on some systems)

you can also setup both DVD's at the same time, once you get used to it but this mode is once you become more familiar with it's workings

enjoy ;)