VobBlanker 1.5.1.0 is out: A tool to blank, cut or replace titles and Menus

[jsoto]

Tobi's DVD was
"Sex and the City" (German)

It has 96 VTSs and is an episodic DVD. First VTS has 478 menu PGCs with 384 VobIDs.

jsoto

[2COOL]

Originally posted by jsoto
@2COOL
Could you confirm the correction of the last bug? I think I've fixed it, but I cannot be completely sure...
Still there. Since VTS_02_1.VOB was flagged for blanking, there is conflicts on using it to replace Cell 6 of VTS_01_1.VOB at the same time. I know this is an unique situation but this had to be tested.

http://img91.exs.cx/img91/6784/Image_001.png

BTW, I had an error in display in my previous post. This is my actual results on replacing with a multiple cell VOB. My whole multiple celled VTS_02_1.VOB is now a single VOB. It works if I don't opt to blank out my VTS_02_1.VOB in same process.

http://img99.exs.cx/img99/2788/Image_002.png

[jsoto]

OK. Found the problem. A BIG bug :devil: :devil:

Please, in the current (or previous) version, when replacing cells do nothing in other VTSs..

jsoto

[Knocks]

I love this program. I use PgcEdit's "kill PGC playback" feature to skip intros and logos on DVD5's and VobBlanker to completely delete them on DVD9's, where every MB counts. I still don't understand why DVD Shrink (or Nero) refused to add either of these features. Oh well, their loss.

Speaking of DVD Shrink, how difficult would it be to implement a tiny preview window in VobBlanker, so you could press play and see which title is which. VobBlanker is great the way it is, but it would be nice to preview titles directly instead of switching back and forth between VobBlanker and Shrink.

Keep up the good work, jsoto! :)

[jsoto]

Speaking of DVD Shrink, how difficult would it be to implement a tiny preview window in VobBlanker, so you could press play and see which title is which. I'm still waiting someone who explain me how code this (or to code it, my sources are available). I'm sure it should be easy with DirectShow, but I'm coming from the "simple C" and, by now, it is out of my knowledge... In the meantime, you do not need dvdshrink (although you can use it if you want), VobBlanker has its own preview launching DVD2AVI.

jsoto

[sweetness]

hi jsoto,
VobBlanker crashes/hangs on me when i try to replace.
what i did was create a vob with Blankvob that has 1 vob-id and 3 cell-ids. then used ifoedit to create the ifos. finaly, vobblanker to replace the 3 cells(which are all in the same PGC.)
it hangs/crashes when it porcesses the TMAPTI. But the funny thing is the first time it didn't crash it just gave me warnings but from there on it just hangs. i also tried it with version 1.4.0.1 and it hangs too. but i do have the option in this version to not adjust the TMAPTI. thanks

[jsoto]

@sweetness
Are you replacing cells or the PGC?
jsoto

[sweetness]

i was replacing cells. each one.
now that i'm thinking about it. it might be a ifoedit problem. but you would know better then me.

[jsoto]

Found and fixed. The bug was in VobBlanker.
Thanks!

jsoto

[blutach]

@jsoto

I do like the way you respond so rapidly to bugs with fixes.

All the best

[2COOL]

@jsoto

I was looking over your Help contents and it seems you have dialog fields defined but not its action buttons. A total newbie might be looking for these. ;)

[jsoto]

Vers 1.5.0.7 (24-10-2004)
BugFix: Clear to zero offsets to program, playback and position tables when deleting playback.
BugFix: Replacing cells did not take into account the VTS. Reported by 2COOL
BugFix: Crash if no room in TMAPTI. Reported by sweetness

There are also some reported bugs in cutting function, but I need to find time to fix them.

jsoto

PS: BTW, I've released two additional little tools: PgcDemux and CutFile.

[blutach]

Many thanks jsoto.

[voo_doo99]

@jsoto,

When I right-clicked on the VIDEO_TS.IFO and selected VobBlanker to open the DVD file set, it gave me the error "No input file". IFoedit and PgcEdit both support the context menu, can you add this feature to VobBlanker?.

Thanks. :)

[Tobii]

Thanks for your great work, jsoto !

PgcDemux, nice tool ... Many thanks.:)

[2COOL]

@jsoto

Originally posted by 2COOL
If my output folder is the same as my input folder, I get an error.

Input error: Reached end of VOB to early

I think you should put a check to see that both folders are not to same to avoid this. ;)
Remember this? I suggest you make the input and output folder just read-only. If I inputted my output path manually, I get the Input error above again. :(

Input folder: C:\MOVIE\VIDEO_TS.IFO
Output folder: C:\MOVIE\

[blutach]

I use jsotos quick method with the .ini file. It is very good and I never get into problems. Just specify in the [General] section the input and output folder names and bring up the project with File - Open Project.

[jsoto]

IFoedit and PgcEdit both support the context menu, can you add this feature to VobBlanker?. I've to learn how to do this, but seem useful. I'll try.
Remember this? I suggest you make the input and output folder just read-only. If I inputted my output path manually, I get the Input error above again. Grr, I didn't test this case... I'll fix it

[CoNS]

I'm in the process of adding new subtitles to a movie. I have demuxed audio, subtitle and video streams in the main VTS and then re-authored the streams, including the extra .sup file, using IfoEdit.

I think I saw somewhere that it's possible to use VobBlanker to mix the newly authored title back into the original title set, so that menus etc. can be used? Is this correct, and how is it done? If not, which program can then be used for this, and how?

[jsoto]

@CoNS
Yes, Vobblanker is able to "Replace a PGC". See the help file

You need to mux your elementary streams (with IFOEdit, Rejig) with the same streamsID than the originals. If not, your menus (audio/subs selections) will not work properly. The same apply to Celltimes. Use the original ones to keep the scene selection working properly.

For replacing a single PGC I do not know other (free) SW. (Well, you can do it with VobEdit/IfoEdit and some manual work...)

jsoto

[CoNS]

Okay, thanks, jsoto.

A suggestion: Could you make it possible to select more lines (PGCs in menus or in selected titlesets) and not just one at a time (drag to select more PGCs, or hold down Shift or CTRL to select more lines, just like the nornal Windows Explorer interface)?

For example, I've been working with a DVD today with 23 titles in VMG (placed in 6 titlesets), whereof I needed to blank 21. Actually it had more than 23 PGCs, too, as some of the titles (warnings in different languages) were split into more PGCs. The same DVD had 35 menu PGCs that I needed to blank, too! So that was quite many clicks that I had to do!

Also, it was annoying that I had to confirm 35 times that I wanted to blank parts of the menu! Perhaps you could add a general option in the program where this warning could be turned off, maybe with "Don't display this warning in future" checkbox in the dialog box?

And then an error report: I've now had three different DVDs (not the above mentioned) where the DVD wouldn't play, neither in software or standalone player, after using VobBlanker. This occurs when I try to blank menu PGCs that are located in the title menu (the menu of titleset video_ts.vob) and which originally play as the first thing on the DVD. I haven't made any other modifications to the DVDs. In all three cases I first tried VobBlanker, and then the makros in PgcEdit, both without luck. In two of the cases I actually didn't need to keep other PGCs in that titleset, so I could use TitleSetBlanker, which worked...

[jeanl]

I've now had three different DVDs (not the above mentioned) where the DVD wouldn't play, neither in software or standalone player, after using VobBlanker. This occurs when I try to blank menu PGCs that are located in the title menu (the menu of titleset video_ts.vob) and which originally play as the first thing on the DVD. I haven't made any other modifications to the DVDs. In all three cases I first tried VobBlanker, and then the makros in PgcEdit, both without luck.
you should definitely report that problem in the pgcedit thread,
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=79853
I'm sure r0lZ would be eager to find out what went wrong here.
I can't see a reason why blanking something in the VMGM would screw-up the playback... Could you post the before and after PGCs (from pgcedit) so we can take a look?
Jeanl

[2COOL]

@CoNS

Perhaps the parental lock menu, which is commonly found in the VMGMs is not accessible anymore for user action since it has been blanked out?

P.S. can you check to see if you have any VMG Menus with buttons?

[jeanl]

@CoNS
post the PGCs! 2COOL will find the problem before you're even done posting!
;)
jeanl

[jeanl]

@CoNS

Another question that comes to mind: Did you use the "Blank out all PGCs in domain" option in pgc edit, or did you blank individual PGCs. I'm wondering if the problem is with command navigation or if it is with the VOB that replaced the original one if you blanked the whole domain...

Do the DVDs play if you blank individual PGCs (one by one)?
Jeanl

[2COOL]

Originally posted by jeanl
I can't see a reason why blanking something in the VMGM would screw-up the playbackReason? Just blanking menus with buttons always results in playback errors. Even BOV (Button over Video) Titles too. Note: PgcEdit does not detect/work with BOVs. Like I explained in past threads, if you blank a menu and the navigations call for it to display, how do you exercise user action? You'll be sort of hanging in limbo! ;)

[jeanl]

2COOL,
of course, you're right, any time you blank something with buttons in it, you're asking for trouble. But then, why did titlesetblanker work? If there had been menus with buttons in there, I would think titlesetblanker would have resulted in a faulty DVD as well... The thing is, titlesetblanker does not alter the pre/post/cell commands, right?

I was puzzled by the fact that all the problems arose in the VMGM domain, what I wonder is, can you see anything specific to the VMGM that could make the technique pgcedit (and vobblanker) use to blank not work?

Jeanl

[2COOL]

Originally posted by jeanl
But then, why did titlesetblanker work? If there had been menus with buttons in there, I would think titlesetblanker would have resulted in a faulty DVD as well... The thing is, titlesetblanker does not alter the pre/post/cell commands, right?This issue wasn't brought up back then with TSB but logically, the menu blanking problem would be still there.

It did have 3 checkboxes that you can use. From the option tooltips...

R Remove Stops: It removes stopping between cells (The still-time). More menus keep working when you check this box.

R Merge Programs: Merge multiple Programs of a video to one.

R Merge Cells: Merge multiple Cells of a video to one. this can break functionality because many menus rely on specific to-cell jumping.


Personally, I gave up with TSB as other better tools have come about since then. Though shh said back in the days that TSB isn't dead, I liked to assume it is. :( It's been a while since 0.9.5 came out.

[CoNS]

Unfortunately I don't have the original files anymore, only the modified DVDs after TitleSetBlanker did the job. I worked on the three DVDs last week and I just wanted to mention the problem now that I was posting anyway about the movie I'm editing today (the one with the many PGCs!!)

However, as I've experienced the problem a number of times, I'm sure it'll pop up again, and next time I'll post the PGCs right away when it occurs.

@2COOL: None of the blanked VGM menus had buttons. They were warning screens and studio logos.

@jeanl: I used the "Blank out all Menu PGCs" makro.

[jeanl]

I haven't given up on TSB! I use it for all of my backups, and I haven't had a problem yet...
Of course, you have to be lucky and be OK with blanking a whole titleset, but I've found that in most DVDs, most of the annoying stuff is in separate titlesets. Of course, if you want to split a DVD-9 to 2, you might be out of luck.
But the upshot is, it's fast, very easy (especially with the backup/restore buttons).
So I'm still sold on it!
Jeanl

[jeanl]

Originally posted by CoNS
Unfortunately I don't have the original files anymore, only the modified DVDs after TitleSetBlanker did the job. I worked on the three DVDs last week and I just wanted to mention the problem now that I was posting anyway about the movie I'm editing today (the one with the many PGCs!!)

However, as I've experienced the problem a number of times, I'm sure it'll pop up again, and next time I'll post the PGCs right away when it occurs.

@2COOL: None of the blanked VGM menus had buttons. They were warning screens and studio logos.

@jeanl: I used the "Blank out all Menu PGCs" makro.

Well, you could still try to replicate the problem by blanking your modified DVD in pgcedit (even though it's aready been blanked by titlesetblanker!). I think titlesetblanker didn't alter the command area in your VMGM, so there may be a chance the problem would reappear.
Were these commercial DVDs? Do you remember which ones?
Jeanl

[2COOL]

@CoNS

Read this old post of mine. Perhaps you are experiencing this also?

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=451731#post451731

That's when checking this option

R Remove audio- and sub-mapping.

Update:

Here's my original VIDEO_TS.IFO

VMG Overview:

Video Manager Menu attributes:
Video: MPEG-2 720x480 (NTSC) (NTSC 525/60) (4:3) (not specified perm.display)
Audio 1: Not Specified (Dolby AC-3) 2ch 48Kbps DRC
SubPicture 1: Not Specified (2-bit rle )

After with TSB's option above checked:

VMG Overview:

Video Manager Menu attributes:
Video: MPEG-2 720x480 (NTSC) (NTSC 525/60) (4:3) (not specified perm.display)

I just confirmed that VobBlanker and PgcEdit doesn't remove the audio and subpicture attributes when blanking. :(

@jsoto

I believe this is what CoNS is experiencing. Another important bug to fix! ;)

[CoNS]

@2COOL: Yep, I didn't change that (default) option in TSB, so it was enabled.

@jeanl: They were commercial DVDs that someone else had compressed using DVDshrink, full backup. Darn, I edited a whole bunch of them last week, I'll see if I can find the DVDs in question.

[2COOL]

@CoNS

Can you look into your VMGMs for GPRMs being set by SPRMs (audio and subpictures)?

@jeanl

I guess I'll be using TSB for the time being until PgcEdit and VobBlanker get fixed on this matter.

[jsoto]

I just confirmed that VobBlanker and PgcEdit doesn't remove the audio and subpicture attributes when blanking.
@jsoto
I believe this is what CoNS is experiencing. Another important bug to fix!
True. I'll fix it in the next version.
jsoto
Seems to me I also have to do it when replacing a PGC... I'm able to "see" what streams are in the replacing title and remove the unused ones. The "problem" will come if I find a "new" stream is in the replaced title. What do you think about?

[2COOL]

Originally posted by jsoto
True. I'll fix it in the next version.
C

Seems to me I also have to do it when replacing a PGC... I'm able to "see" what streams are in the replacing title and remove the unused ones. The "problem" will come if I find a "new" stream is in the replaced title. What do you think about?
Hmmm...thinking about this can get very complicated. Another factor on replacing a PGC is that the replacement PGC's stream attributes may be totally different than the original PGC. How do you go about analyzing the new PGC VOB checking it's attributes and updating the original IFO.

[jsoto]

Attributes:
Video: Already supported. New attributes are updated in IFOs (after asking the user)
Audio: I'm able to do it in ac3 and dts, but I currently do not have any analyzing code for mp2/lpcm.. But I can try to find it in mplex/Rejig
Subs: No idea. Seems this is not easy...

jsoto

[CoNS]

jsoto, what do you think about the idea of being able to select more PGCs at a time, so that you just have to click "Blank" once for the selected PGCs in the selected title (or menu)?

The warning when blanking menu PGCs also can get a bit annoying when you're in the process of blanking many PGCs in the same title/menu.

Alternatively or furthermore, you could maybe consider adding a "Blank All" button in the lower display (the PGC window), so that all PGCs in the selected title (or menu) are marked as "Blank" when you click it?

[blutach]

I secnd Cons' motion - a darn good idea. I'd just love to highlight all the PGCs I want to blank in a VTS and hit blank. It does get a bit tedious doing it one by one.

Regards

[jsoto]

Alternatively or furthermore, you could maybe consider adding a "Blank All" That's already done. Right clicking in VTS list (upper list) you will be able to select "Blank" the VTS, which means blanks all PGCs of the selected VTS.

jsoto

[Sajan]

There is a little bug in VOBblanker (versions 1.5.0.7 and 1.3.0.3).
When I select PGC and click Preview Title button, Preview.exe is launched.
I don't make any changes, just close it with OK button.
When main window is activated, TitleSet groupbox and PGC in selected
TitleSet group box are shifted right, so all buttons are moved away
from the main window.


When:
- Open VobBlanker
- Move the mouse to the right border of the main window
- Click and drag to resize in width.
--------------------------
= all is OK

But when:
- Open VobBlanker
- Select PGC
- Click Prev/Cut button - preview started
- Click OK button - return to main window
--------------------------
= TitleSet groupbox and PGC in Selected TitleSet group box are shifted right
--------------------------
- Move the mouse to the right border of the main window
- Click and drag to resize in width
--------------------------
= TitleSet groupbox and PGC in Selected TitleSet group box are width resized
so their Left remains at wrong place and their Right remains out of the main window.

[Sajan]

1.
I can't find how to throw away any PGC and reuse previous instead of current.
VOBblanker can detect reusing of previous PGC,
but can I make it (reusing of previous PGC) myself?
This feature is only available in Menus with different LUs.
This would be great to do it with all PGCs also.

2.
I can't extract user defined set of cells from PGC.
It need in cases when it's necessary to extract 15 cells of 30.
What do you think about to merge Extract, ExtractAll buttons,
and to add feature to extract only needed cells,
so when is selected:
- one cell - Extract button works as Extract, ExtractMult button is disabled;
- all cells - Extract button works as ExtractAll, ExtractMult button is enabled;
- some sells - Extract button extracts only selected cells, ExtractMult button is enabled?
This concerned of blanking PGCs also.
As you said, it's all would be able with support of multiple selection.
Just wind of time is need for all.

[jsoto]

Sajan resizing issue: I'm not able to reproduce it. Anyone more has this problem?

Feature requests:
1.- This feature is only available in LUs, because seems to me it is where it has sense.
2.- It's not the first time multiple selection is requested. It's "only" an improvement, not really an additional feature, because you can do the same now (with a little bit of patience). I need to find enough free time to start with it, because, by now, I prefer to do other things (bug fixing, new features...).

jsoto

[G_]

Originally posted by jsoto

Hi, jsoto

I have got one error message in the VobBlanker 1.5.0.5.

Error: Ifo file too big: I:\VIDEO_TS\ VTS_01_0.IFO

Size of the VTS_01_0.IFO is 280 kb.
Have loaded the IFO in PGC Edit and see 478 menu PGC.
Menu PGC lies the restriction in the VobBlanker 1.5.0.5 at 350.

Okay. Since this is my first post here, i want to thank you, jsoto, for really gr8 job. VobBlanker has changed my life ;)
But, whats my problem.

Seems like i have the same problem, as one described by you in some mail to you.

I used DVDDecrypter 3.5.1.0 and VobBlanker 1.5.0.7.
I got the same Error: Ifo file too big

Size of my VTS_07_0.IFO is... 648KB
Loaded it in IFOEdit and saw... 1661 PGCs.

What can i do now?

[2COOL]

@G_

Originally posted by G_
Size of my VTS_07_0.IFO is... 648KB
Loaded it in IFOEdit and saw... 1661 PGCs.I don't have a fix for you but I can say here that 1661 PGCs in a IFO is legal. In fact, you can have up to 32767 in the Title domain. But you also have up to 99 Titles per Titleset. Therefore you'll notice that you will have PGCs in your VTS_07 holding the same Title.

Your input is great for jsoto because like me, we don't have all the DVDs to test for this kind of situation. We have to hopefully count on people like you to report it. BTW, what DVD and region code are you working on?

[jsoto]

Yes it is legal, but God, who can author in this way!

Well, as I said, VobBlanker is not managing the physical memory too well, so I prefer to do not increase the current maximum values, but I can generate an exe to test (not to be released) if you want. Please clarify me where do you have 1661 PGCs if in title domain or in Menu domain (or in both).

jsoto

[Surf]

One teensy request for Jsoto:

How about a choice on blanking? Currently if I am not mistaken it is just one of a 2to3 seconds of black screen. I don't think there are many instances where users have much use for "blank all" button. How about changing it to "blank with" with a few choices; 1 second blank, 2 seconds blanks, "this item has been intentionally removed" blanks(3 seconds)....? :p

Thanks in advance,

(should this be wished already then please let me know, I'll kill it from distracting development :p )

[jsoto]

How about changing it to "blank with" with a few choices; 1 second blank, 2 seconds blanks, "this item has been intentionally removed" blanks(3 seconds)....?
You can do it with the replace feature. Just made your own VOBs (Use IFOEdit or Rejig) with your sound/video.

jsoto

[jsoto]

Vers 1.5.0.8 (09-11-2004)
Added: Shell integration: "Drag & drop" & "Open with".
Added: Multiple line selection in PGC and Cell lists.
Added: LPCM & MPEG bitrate management.
BugFix: LPCM & MPEG audios were not correctly managed. Info and strip did not work.
BugFix: Subs and audios were not removed when blanking
BugFix: Error in input/output folder coincidence control

Note: Be careful. I didn't test too much the multiple selection...
:( Sorry, not too much development, I'm busy lately..

Vers 1.5.0.9 (09-11-2004) is also available, but I'm not going to support it.
Changed: Up to 2000 PGCs and Menu PGCs
Changed: Up to 1MB IFO size


jsoto

[blutach]

A big thanks jsoto.

Has the "timing bug" been fixed where a PGC has been stripped/blanked? This is where the chapter times are thrown off by 6 or so frames every now and then?

As well, are you aware that if you selected to process menus only (and untick titles), then go in and set the menus you want to blank, the titles button became "re-ticked" when you returned to the main pane? (This happened in v 1.5.0.7 - has it been fixed?)

Again thanks.