creating new DVD with old VOB files

[catwoman]

Dear memebers,

Once I copied a DVD to my HD using DVD decrypter. Alas, I chose to copy only the movie files, so that the VIDEO_TS folder contains only the VTS.ifo file and 4 VOB files. Now, I would like to burn it to a DVD, in order to play it on DVD players but if using Image Tool Classic to do it, it asks me for the missing video.ifo (or similar) file. In the meantime I realised I cannot use "backuped" DVDs without BUP files, or without the first video.ifo files.
How can I "convert" the film into a proper DVD that would play on a standalone player?
I tried demultiplexing the vob files with vobedit, and then tried to import the resulting ac3 and the m2p file into Ulead DVD Workshop without any success.

Thanks,

C

[Dimmer]

1. Back up whatever IFO files you have;
2. Open IfoEdit;
3. Click Create IFOs;
4. Select your VTS_01_1.VOB in the input field;
5. Check the box Same as Source below, click OK.

It will create all the .IFO and .BUP files for you.

[catwoman]

Thanks a lot for your suggestion. I created the new files with IfoEdit, but after burning it is still not playable on a standalone DVD player. It works fine on the computer and it cannot be a burning issue.

These are the files IfoEdit generated:

VIDEO_TS.BUP
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VTS_0.BUP
VTS_0.IFO
VTS_1.VOB
VTS_2.VOB
VTS_3.VOB
VTS_4.VOB

What do I do wrong?

Thanks.

[Dimmer]

Originally posted by catwoman
I created the new files with IfoEdit, but after burning it is still not playable on a standalone DVD player. It works fine on the computer and it cannot be a burning issue.How do you play them on the computer? In case you double-click on a VOB file and it plays, it doesn't count. You have to use a software player that allows playing of a VIDEO_TS folder, such as PowerDVD ver. 4 or 5. If you can play the DVD this way, the rest is burning issues. However, even. if you burn properly, there is a chance your player can't play recordable DVD, at least of that particular brand. Try different media and/or player.

[catwoman]

I use Power DVD to open it, so it should work on a standalone, too. I have burnt many other DVDs of the same brand with the same options and they were playable. I will try burning it again, this time with the DVD Decrypter burn check.

Thanks

[MysticE]

If you have Nero 6 Ultra you can stack just about anything into Nero Vision Express (VOB, MPEG1/2, AVI's, PAL and NTSC) and end up with a DVD. Unfortunately NVE only supports Dolby 2 or LPCM audio.

[catwoman]

I have burnt it a second time, but it won't play on a standalone. Also, I noticed that other DVDs I have burnt won't work on a standalone either. Other DVDs do.

The strange thing is that all work perfectly fine on computer (autoplay "recognises" them as ordinary DVDs and plays it with Power DVD or Windows Media Player). Therefore, I cannot imagine it being a burning issue.

The media I use is Verbatime DVD-R 4x, which is the recommended media for my NEC-1300A. Can the media be blamed for not playing on a standalone, but on the computer??

Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot,

Catalin

PS: I use DVD Decrypter for decrypting, DVD2One for compressing (if necessary) and ClassicImageTool, in conjunction with DVD Decrypter for burning.

[MysticE]

Does the DVD have an AUDIO_TS folder?

[catwoman]

Yes they do. As far as I am aware, ClassicImageTool automatically adds an Audio_TS folder to each new compilation. However, I will check again.

Can this be a reason for not being playable on a standalone?

Thanks for your help,

C

[MysticE]

Just trying to cover all options, some players do require the AUDIO_TS folder which is part of the spec. Have you been able to play other peoples burns in your standalone? It's important to make sure that your standalone can handle burns before proceding. Have you tried one of your burns in someone else's standalone?

Seems it's time to try some other media. The fact that the media is recommended does not mean that your standalone likes it. My older Sampo will only play Princo burns, with better media I get 'no disc'.

Meritline offers 'Sample Packs' which might be worth a shot to see if other media works (assuming that you've ascertained that your standalone can handle burns).

http://meritline.com/meritline/dvd-samplers.html

[catwoman]

Hi, yes I tried my burns into other standalones and they worked just fine (I haven't yet tried the DVDs that don't work on mine, though). Also, the majority of burns (same media - Verbatime 4x) worked just fine on my DVD player. Now, it could be that the Verbatimes were not Verbatimes, or different to the other ones.

I will play the DVDs that don't work on another player and see what happens.

Maybe the best solution would be not to aim for playability on standalones at all, and to get a computer grafics card with TV output. The DVD player I am trying for reference is not mine, so I might as well watch the DVD straight from computer in the future.

Thanks,

Catalin

[MysticE]

Originally posted by catwoman
... Also, the majority of burns (same media - Verbatime 4x) worked just fine on my DVD player. Now, it could be that the Verbatimes were not Verbatimes, or different to the other ones....
Verbatim uses quite a few makers for their discs. This program will ID the discs so you can see if they are the same:

http://dvd.identifier.cdfreaks.com/

Maybe the best solution would be not to aim for playability on standalones at all, and to get a computer grafics card with TV output. The DVD player I am trying for reference is not mine, so I might as well watch the DVD straight from computer in the future.

Seems like a very awkward solution, there are many standalones available for much less than the cost of a graphics that will do the job. The thought of having to view/navigate through the computer and not having the use of all the various functions the standalone's remote provides sounds like torture. :scared:

[catwoman]

Thanks, I will try it out and see if the DVDs that don't work are of a different make.

C

[catwoman]

I checked my DVDs (the ones that are, and the ones that are not playable on a standalone) and they are all of the same type:

MCC 01RG20

Consequently, I rule out a media issue. I tried the unplayable DVDs on another player, no success. Thus, it is probably not a player issue either. I have burnt the same DVD twice. It would, again, only play on the computer. Thus, I rule out a burning issue, too.

I don't think DVD decrypter applies any region code when burning, or am I wrong?? Is there any setting for this?

C

[MysticE]

Hmmm...... Have you had success backing up a DVD in the normal manner and ended up with with a disc that works in your standalone (I assume so)? What software are you using? Have you made any changes to your system (added other burning apps, firmware updates etc.) that may have preceded this problem? Or is this strictly an issue with the lone VOB's that you mentioned in your original post.

[catwoman]

Well, that's the strange thing: I have made all my backups in the same way using the following:

DVD Decrypter for decrypting
DVD2One for compressing (if necessary)
ClassicImageTool, in conjunction with DVD Decrypter for burning

I have installed and deinstalled other software (no firmware change, though) but this cannot be the reason since several recent and past DVD backups have worked, ie there is no obvious pattern in this regard.

All the DVDs I recreated using IFO tool (to create new BUPs) don't work on standalones, even if burnt again. So, I must do somthing wrong when using IFO tool, although I used dimmer's steps.
Some of the other DVDs, that were backupped in the traditional way, don't work either, some do. Strangely, I use the same procedure for all of them, using the above software. Here are the files of the DVDs that don't work on standalones. If anybody notices anything suspicious, please let me know.

9/11 (created BUPs with IFO edit)

VIDEO_TS.BUP
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VTS_01_0.BUP
VTS_01_0.IFO
VTS_01_1.VOB
VTS_01_2.VOB
VTS_01_3.VOB
VTS_01_4.VOB

The 13th Floor (created BUPs with IFO edit)

VIDEO_TS.BUP
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VIDEO_TS.VOB
VTS_01_0.BUP
VTS_01_0.IFO
VTS_01_0.VOB
VTS_01_1.VOB
VTS_01_2.VOB
VTS_01_3.VOB
VTS_01_4.VOB
VTS_02_0.IFO
VTS_02_0.VOB
VTS_02_1.VOB
VTS_03_0.IFO
VTS_03_0.VOB
VTS_03_1.VOB

Floating Weeds

VIDEO_TS.BUP
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VIDEO_TS.VOB
VTS_01_0.BUP
VTS_01_0.IFO
VTS_01_0.VOB
VTS_01_1.VOB
VTS_01_2.VOB
VTS_01_3.VOB
VTS_01_4.VOB
VTS_01_5.VOB


Thanks,

C

[MysticE]

Well I guess the next question would be when backing up are there a lot of programs running in the backround? Have you tried shutting down all but the bare minimum?

In Device Manager is DMA enabled for your opticals (IDE properties)?

If you haven't tried it maybe DVDShrink-> ImageTools-> DVDDecrypter (for the final burn) is worth a shot. DVDShrink tends to produce very compatable output. Another alternative might be to take DVDDecrypter and or ImageTools completely out of the picture and burn with an alternative program.

I know I'm casting a wide net here, but with the almost infinite combinations of hardware/software/versions etc, strange things can happen. That's why systematically taking certain programs out of the mix may provide some answers.

[catwoman]

Thanks a lot, I might give DVD shrink a shot. Admittedly, when burning my DVDs there are always other programs running. As it worked for my first 3-4 DVDs I assumed it is no problem. Now, when I am burning I close everything, including virus software. This might be the reason for some drop outs. However, I am sure I am still doing something wrong with IfoEdit. Will check more into it.

Btw, what is the DMA for opticals good for? I was never aware of this feature.

C

[MysticE]

Direct Memory Access should be enabled for proper performance.


http://mars.walagata.com/w/mysticx/dma.jpg

[catwoman]

I played the DVDs on a third DVD player (Bush), and all of them work just fine. The player does not have a problem with any of them (neither the ones whose IFOs and BUPs were subsequently created, nor the ones that were backupped "normally"). Seems quite strange, and I still don't understand why the two players I tried first had problems with some DVDs. Anyway, should I ever get a DVD player (still prefer the PC TV output method) it will be a Bush.

Thanks for all your help guys,

C

PS: From this experience it seems that as long as a DVD plays fine on the PC the burning (and media) was successful. Everybody agree?

[dvdSanta]

dvdsanta's trial version has a popup menu which may helps:

1)Fix DVD video table of contents
this menu will fix your VOB and VTS files and generate
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VIDEO_TS.BUP

once you fixed the table of contents, you can burn your DVD folder with dvdsanta's trial version or create an iso disc image (use right click popup menu).