Help in removing partial multi-pgc in a titleset

[spyhawk]

I have a very simple DVD structure, and I have read 2COOL's guide here (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60596). In Step 3, he mentions using DVD Decrypter to rip a specific PGC #. But I already ripped the whole DVD to my HD, and I don't have the disc anymore. So, what's the alternative in completing the rest of his steps?

Here's the DVD structure:
VIDEO_TS.VOB ...11,116 KB Logo
VTS_01_0.VOB ..141,208 KB Main Menu (3 buttons) & Chapter Menu
VTS_01_1.VOB 1,048,544 KB Main movie
...
VTS_01_8.VOB ..668,238 KB Main movie and extra

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 )

Number of Title Play Maps: 2 (VMG_PTT_SRPT)
Title 1: VTS_01_*, TTN_1 (Angles: 1) (Chapters: 9) (Start Sector 5586)
Title 2: VTS_01_*, TTN_2 (Angles: 1) (Chapters: 1) (Start Sector 5586)

Number of Video Title Sets on this DVD: 1 (VMG_VTS_ATRT)
Title Set 1:
VTS_1 Video: MPEG-2 720x480 (NTSC) (NTSC 525/60) (4:3) (not specified perm.display)
VTS_1 Audio 1: Not Specified (Dolby AC-3) 2ch 48Kbps DRC


First play PGC: (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)

Menu Language Units: 1
Language Menu Unit 1: [English]

Language Menu Unit 1: [English]
Menu 1: [Title-Menu] (entry PGC) (Programs: 1) (Cells: 1) (uses VOB-IDs: 1)
---------------------------------
VTS_01_0.IFO
VTS overview:

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 )

Title Set (Movie) 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 (ID: 0x80)

PGC_1 (program chain): [Title(TTN): 1] [02:26:04.05 / 30 fps] (Programs: 9) (Cells: 10) (uses VOB-IDs: 1,2)
[Ch 01] [Pg 01] [Cell 01] [V/C Id: 1/ 1] : time: 00:15:03.28 / 30 fps [Pos: 00:15:03.28] [Frames: 27118]
...
[Ch 06] [Pg 06] [Cell 06] [V/C Id: 1/ 6] : time: 00:05:45.11 / 30 fps [Pos: 01:14:00.24] [Frames: 133224]
[Cell 07] [V/C Id: 2/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:02:12.05 / 30 fps [Pos: 01:16:12.29] [Frames: 137189]
[Ch 07] [Pg 07] [Cell 08] [V/C Id: 2/ 2] : time: 00:19:55.04 / 30 fps [Pos: 01:36:08.03] [Frames: 173043]
[Ch 08] [Pg 08] [Cell 09] [V/C Id: 2/ 3] : time: 00:00:51.17 / 30 fps [Pos: 01:36:59.20] [Frames: 174590]
[Ch 09] [Pg 09] [Cell 10] [V/C Id: 2/ 4] : time: 00:49:04.15 / 30 fps [Pos: 02:26:04.05] [Frames: 262925]

PGC_2 (program chain): [Title(TTN): 2] [00:04:46.23 / 30 fps] (Programs: 1) (Cells: 1) (uses VOB-IDs: 3)
[Ch 01] [Pg 01] [Cell 01] [V/C Id: 3/ 1] : time: 00:04:46.23 / 30 fps [Pos: 00:04:46.23] [Frames: 8603]

Menu Language Units: 1
Language Menu Unit 1: [English]

Language Menu Unit 1: [English]
Menu 1: [Root-Menu] (entry PGC) (Programs: 1) (Cells: 1) (uses VOB-IDs: 1)
Menu 2: [entry only] (Programs: 1) (Cells: 1) (uses VOB-IDs: 2)
---------------------------------

The extra is in PGC_2, and is part of the VTS_01_8.VOB. So how do I completely blank this PGC_2 out, and remove it out of the vob, thus reducing file size? I'd like to also disable the 3rd button (extra) on the main menu. And remove the Title 2 so it's not selectable on WinDVD. After this modification, I plan to use DVDShrink so the movie can fit on a DVDR.

I'm new to ifoedit, so step-by-step instructions are greatly appreciated. I've searched many guides, but not sure which one fits for me.

[Dimad]

You can do both tasks with DvdReMake quite easily. When all blocks(cells) in the PGC are hidden then program will take care of blocks used by other PGCs as well.

But with DvdReMake you would not probably learn as much about dvd as while using IfoEdit ;) so it is up to you. :)

[spyhawk]

Thanks. I was reading about DvdReMake too. Your tool is fantastic. Looks easy enough. But I can't export it as it is a demo, but thinking about purchasing it, just not yet. (I'm waiting for a good deal on video card to build my next computer, just for gaming and dvd authoring, then I consider your tool on my to-buy list. ;) ) Either way, I still have to use ifoedit to move post-command to pre-command after selecting Hide block on PGC #2, which is the extra I don't want.

I notice that if I'm to Undo a block, I can replace a block (as you gave a hint on a different thread), but somehow the Data Pools still retain the previous imported DVD info. In other words, if I import DVD #1, and work on it; then I import a different DVD #2, and work on it, the Data Pools still retain the info on DVD #1. Maybe you can make it clear out the cache on importing a new DVD for your future release, it would be helpful.

As for my current problem, I'm wanting to learn ifoedit too. I've been putting it off a long time, as it looks intimidating. But I have to start somewhere. So, one of my attempt is in ifoedit, I did a Delete Playback on VTS_01_0.IFO, VTS Overview. The time goes to 0 as expected. I save the ifo and Get VTS Sector. Try a DVD Play, and it still plays the extra. I think I can hide the button in main menu, using MenuEdit, but how do I totally remove that extra off the vob VTS_01_8.VOB (vobid #3), and the associate links also? What other tools should I use to accomplish this? Thanks in advance.

[Dimmer]

@spyhawk:
Here's how you can re-create the original DVD in a form of a virtual drive. First, you have to create an ISO image out of your VIDEO_TS folder with ImgTools Classic, DVD Shrink with no compression, or many other programs. Then you mount the image as a virtual drive, which is as good as having the original DVD. Here's a thread (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=69462&highlight=daemon+Image+tools) discussing this method. Then follow 2Cool's guides.

[spyhawk]

Thanks Dimmer. I didn't think of that. Creating image would require another 8-9GB as this is a DVD9, and my HD is almost full. I have to find ways to remove my other junk. 2Cool's guide in How To Partially Blank Out a Multi-PGC TitleSet doesn't really fit my situation, unless I'm missing his other guides that I don't know of.

I found a way to remove the extra out of the vob. I use VobBlanker to blank the PGC #2 (extra), and save the result in a different folder, which is 200MB less than the original. Then use MenuEdit to delete the corresponding button link on the Main Menu. Previewing the revised DVD works great.

I then used DVDShrink to shrink the DVD down, and wanted to remove some intro before the movie starts, which is part of Chapter 1 (vts_01_1.vob), and the end credits, which is part of last chapter (vts_01_8.vob), using Set Start/End Frames, but I cannot. It's available only in Re-author mode. There must be some other ways to do this, and it is getting late and I cannot think anymore. If this problem is solved, I'll be a very happy camper, and will move on to the next challenge. Any ideas?

One more question. How do you remove the Title #2, now that the extra is removed? It's just a minor thing, but it's misleading, as there is only blank clip in Title #2. I can see it when viewing in WinDVD.

[Dimmer]

Actually, in your situation re-authoring would be a more reliable option. That is if you'd rather spend a lot of time working on this DVD (and learning, too) than go for a quick fix that's not completely perfect such as keeping the intro.

Cutting frames from an authored DVD is a very tedious procedure since it requires a lot of manual updates in IFO file, and one mistake can cause the DVD to get stuck when playing. Dimad's software he told you about promises to do it for you, but you won't know until you buy it.

If you're so lucky as to have the parts you want to remove located in separate chapters, there are some programs that can trim chapters. For example, in CloneDVD 2 you can remove first and last chapters of a title.

Again, if you're lucky enough to have the extra parts in cells with unique VobIDs (that's very possible for the intro), you can strip these cells using VOB Extras button in IfoEdit.

I suggest you leave the blank title 2 as is since there is no harm in having it there. If you positively want it out, open VIDEO_TS.IFO in IfoEdit, go to VMGM_PTT_SRPT, and change Number of Title play Maps to 1. Can't promise though that the DVD will be 100% standard compliant since the title remains in VTS_01_0.IFO.

[P3gasus]

To remove the end credits and chapter 1 just use menuedit and replace the chapter 1 cell and the end credits cell(s) with a dummy cell created with blank tools. Then do a mock strip of the main vts ifo using ifoedit->vob extras.

Bye

PS Mock strip is a strip that reatains all the vobids.

PPS. The method I am suggesting causes a black screen showing for one second instead of chapter 1 and end credits. If this bothers you, you can add a LinkTailPGC cell command to the cell before the end credits one and a LinkPGN 2 precommand at the end of the precommand list (if in the precommand list there is a Link command or a Break command, you could have to add different commands. Please let me know). If you want more information about this just ask.
Bye

[spyhawk]

Yeah, I could have finished this already if I don't care about cutting part of the movie, and use Re-Author mode instead. Since I want to learn and use this simple movie as an experiment, I wouldn't waste as much time when I encounter a similar problem or complicated DVD.

Thanks for showing me how to remove the Title. I know this method is not advisable b/c it might mess up DVD navigation, but since there's only one Title #1 needed, it's ok to remove Title #2. I went ahead and removed the unused VobId #3 using Vob Extra, just to clean up the ifo.

As for cutting the intro and end credits of the movie, I can't use MenuEdit to replace it with a blank cell, because the intro is part of Chapter #1 (Cell #1 as shown in first post), and end credits is part of Chapter #9 (Cell #10). I figured out a cool alternative. Why not use DVD Shrink to re-author the movie uncompressed, cutting the unwanted portions. Then use ifoedit to merge menu tables (an adaptation of 2COOL's guide). In other words, I merge the new VIDEO_TS.IFO with the original VIDEO_TS.IFO, and do the same with VTS_01_0.IFO. After merging, I see it added the menu in the Language Menu Unit. But it fails to add the Audio attributes for the Menu Attributes section (VTS Overview) and Video Manager Menu section (VMG Overview), so I have to manually add them. I also have to modify some navigation commands in the PGC Command Table of both ifos to match with the original.

Is there a description of a list of commands out there for the pre, post and cell commands? e.g. What's the difference b/t "Jump to TitleSet Menu" and "Call TitleSet Menu"? Among other instructions...

Amazingly, everything works (menu navigation, movie chapters, removed extra & button) upon previewing. Use DVD Shrink one last time to fit on a DVD5. And to think that I finally get what I wanted. Another puzzle problem arrives. I don't know why on the main menu and chapter menu, I don't see the button highlighted (cyan underline below the selection) when I hover the mouse over it. It would be a problem if I watch it on TV b/c I wouldn't know what I selected. I tested this in ifoedit and WinDVD. I saw it highlights before the movie is re-shrinked. I compared the new ifo with the original and can't find any discrepancy. Somehow DVDShrink makes it disappear. Anyone knows how to fix this? Your help is greatly appreciated. :D