LinkTailPGC out of specs in pre commands?

[2COOL]

I've done some testing in the past and looked up on LinkTailPGC at DVD-Replica.com, http://www.dvd-replica.com/DVD/linktailpgc.php.

LinkTailPGC can be present only in cell commands in the VTS title domain and in button commands (all domains except First-Play domain). LinkTailPGC is commonly used in button commands to start the execution of commands in the postcommand section (of the PGC having the button cells issuing LinkTailPGC).

Though I can insert it in PgcEdit without errors and when tracing, it does jump to the post commands. But when playing the DVD in IfoEdit, it doesn't do it. PowerDVD doesn't execute it in pre commands either. I wonder if some standalones can do it?

[blutach]

I don't think so 2COOL.

LaBarge @ pp202 agrees with DVD Replica (which we know, can be, and has been, wrong on occasions).

"LinkSIns commands can only be stored in the button and cell command areas"

Looks like you need to branch to a new PGC.

Regards

[jeanl]

Originally posted by blutach
I don't think so 2COOL.

LaBarge @ pp202 agrees with DVD Replica (which we know, can be, and has been, wrong on occasions).

"LinkSIns commands can only be stored in the button and cell command areas"

Looks like you need to branch to a new PGC.

Regards
Hey! You got your book! Yeeehaaa!
Jeanl

[Surf]

Should I buy too? Keep in mind I know nothing about programming(as if you don't know by now:D )?

[mpucoder]

But what about the set commands with a link subset?
For example a command like 61 01 00 00 00 00 00 0D (set GPRM0 to GPRM0 and LinkTailPGC)

[2COOL]

Originally posted by mpucoder
But what about the set commands with a link subset?
For example a command like 61 01 00 00 00 00 00 0D (set GPRM0 to GPRM0 and LinkTailPGC) There's no change from what I previously stated. Here's a good example using your command in question.


VMG (VIDEO_TS.IFO)
------------------

VMG , First-Play PGC
********** pre commands:
[30 02 00 00 00 01 00 00] 1 (JumpTT) Jump to Title 1
********** post commands:
********** cell commands:

VTST 1:

VTST 1 , 1 TTN 1 (1:31:09) Title 1 - Chapters: 28, Programs: 28, Cells: 29
********** pre commands:
[61 01 00 00 00 00 00 0D] 1 Set gprm(0) =(mov) gprm(0) ; LinkTailPGC
[71 00 00 00 2B 67 00 00] 2 Set gprm(0) =(mov) 11111
[30 02 00 00 00 63 00 00] 3 (JumpTT) Jump to Title 99 //Error
********** post commands:
[71 00 00 00 56 CE 00 00] 1 Set gprm(0) =(mov) 22222
[30 02 00 00 00 63 00 00] 2 (JumpTT) Jump to Title 99 //Error
********** cell commands:


I wanted to view the GPRMs in IfoEdit so I PURPOSELY put the errors in, above, so that I could see whether I get 11111 or 22222.

Results for gprm(0)
IfoEdit: 11111
PgcEdit: 22222

[blutach]

@surf - It can't hurt, although you will learn heaps here.


@jeanl - early birthday prezzie :)

Regards

[blutach]

@2COOL

Can you author a tiny title (eg with a PgcEdit closing clip macro) and try linking to it via the post commands (via VMGM) and then try it in PowerDVD and a good standalone?

This would be the definitive test, yes?

Regards

[2COOL]

Check your mail

[2COOL]

I made a test DVD, reauthoring 2 titles in DVD Shrink.


VMG (VIDEO_TS.IFO)
------------------

VMG , First-Play PGC
********** pre commands:
[00 A1 00 00 00 01 00 03] 1 if ( gprm(0) == 1 ) then { Goto line 3 }
[30 02 00 00 00 01 00 00] 2 (JumpTT) Jump to Title 1
[30 02 00 00 00 02 00 00] 3 (JumpTT) Jump to Title 2
********** post commands:
********** cell commands:

VMGM: no menu.


VTS 1 (VTS_01_0.IFO)
--------------------

VTSM 1: no menu.

VTST 1:

VTST 1 , 1 TTN 1 (0:00) Title 1 - Chapters: 1, Programs: 1, Cells: 1
********** pre commands:
[20 01 00 00 00 00 00 0D] 1 LinkTailPGC
[71 00 00 00 00 00 00 00] 2 Set gprm(0) =(mov) 0
********** post commands:
[71 00 00 00 00 01 00 00] 1 Set gprm(0) =(mov) 1
[30 08 00 00 01 00 00 00] 2 (CallSS) Call the First Play PGC, resume cell 1
********** cell commands:



VTS 2 (VTS_02_0.IFO)
--------------------

VTSM 2: no menu.

VTST 2:

VTST 2 , 1 TTN 1 (0:00) Title 2 - Chapters: 1, Programs: 1, Cells: 1
********** pre commands:
[71 00 00 00 00 00 00 00] 1 Set gprm(0) =(mov) 0
********** post commands:
[30 01 00 00 00 00 00 00] 1 Exit
********** cell commands:

If the LinkTailPgc command in pre commands is executed in Title 1, then I should be seeing Title 2 (still clip).

IfoEdit: Title 2
PgcEdit: Title 2
PowerDVD: Title 1
Windows Media Player: Title 2
Sony (standalone): Title 2
JVC (standalone): Title 2

I guess PowerDVD is the odd man out for my test.

[2COOL]

I'm getting confused now. I added extra pre commands in Title 1. I shouldn't be seeing these GPRMs being set if I'm jumping to my post commands via LinkTailPgc.

VTST 1 , 1 TTN 1 (0:00) Title 1 - Chapters: 1, Programs: 1, Cells: 1

********** pre commands:
[20 01 00 00 00 00 00 0D] 1 LinkTailPGC
[71 00 00 00 00 00 00 00] 2 Set gprm(0) =(mov) 0
[71 00 00 01 2B 67 00 00] 3 Set gprm(1) =(mov) 11111
[71 00 00 02 2B 67 00 00] 4 Set gprm(2) =(mov) 11111
[71 00 00 03 2B 67 00 00] 5 Set gprm(3) =(mov) 11111
[71 00 00 04 2B 67 00 00] 6 Set gprm(4) =(mov) 11111
[71 00 00 05 2B 67 00 00] 7 Set gprm(5) =(mov) 11111
[71 00 00 06 2B 67 00 00] 8 Set gprm(6) =(mov) 11111
********** post commands:
[71 00 00 00 00 01 00 00] 1 Set gprm(0) =(mov) 1
[30 08 00 00 01 00 00 00] 2 (CallSS) Call the First Play PGC, resume cell 1
********** cell commands:

When I play this is IfoEdit, I get Title 2 so it must be making the jump but here's my snapshot of the GPRMs.

http://img49.exs.cx/img49/1686/image0026jl.gif

Now, what's going with IfoEdit? :confused:

[r0lZ]

It is illegal to use LinkTailPGC in the pre-commands.
I have tested that some time ago, to make the first version of Kill Playback. Instead of copying the pre to post commands, I was using LintTailPGC. Unfortunately, that doesn't work, at least on my Sony.

There are many cases in the Trace mode where a command is executed but should not.
I discovered recently that LinkPrevPGC and LinkGoUpPGC are not working when used in the title domain. In my Sony, apparently both commands are jumping to the post commands, and execute them. I'm not sure about LinkNextPGC, as his behavior is to execute the post commands anyway.
But you may safely use the Prev, Next and Return buttons to jump to the Prev, Next or GoUp link, including in the title domain! Only the commands seems prohibited.

[2COOL]

Thanks for your input r0lZ! Long ago I highly assumed that it couldn't be used in the pre commands but with some personal testing (about time), I was getting confused on tools that I have been using so long, are not really up to specs as I thought they should be. Of course, PgcEdit passed with flying colors! :D

[2COOL]

I'm still curious about IfoEdit's navigation algorithm. I mean I had a LinkTailPgc for pre command #1. It obviously bypassed that command and continued on to set my other GPRMs. What makes me scratch my head is that it SHOULD'VE played my Title 1 (celltime 255). But instead, that was bypassed and the post commands were executed enroute to Title 2?

[r0lZ]

I remade the test on my Sony.
A LinkTailPGC in the pre or post commands gives an error. The player stops and display an error code.

The behavior of IfoEdit is strange, indeed.
Note that if you use a LinkTailPGC in the post commands, the command works with IfoEdit, and is equivalent to a Goto line 1.

[2COOL]

Originally posted by r0lZ
I remade the test on my Sony.
A LinkTailPGC in the pre or post commands gives an error. The player stops and display an error code.That makes 3 Sony tests with a LinkTailPgc pre command.

My Sony played Title 2
blutach's Sony Played Title 1
Yours errored out.

That's three different scenarios.

The behavior of IfoEdit is strange, indeed.
Note that if you use a LinkTailPGC in the post commands, the command works with IfoEdit, and is equivalent to a Goto line 1. I haven't tried that yet.

[blutach]

Crazy thing is my NAD player (which I expected would adhere to the specs a lot closer than the old SONY), played Title 2 no problems, while the SONY and PowerDVD were firm believers in Title 1!!!

Regards

[2COOL]

Amazing! In regards to my previous test on why IfoEdit bypassed my Title 1's Pre command 1 (LinkTailPgc) and still executing the rest of the pre commands, I should've got my player to display Title 1. But instead, it played Title 2. It seemed highly illogical. So I did another DVD to test my other players since I couldn't view the gprms. Here's is my simple DVD commands below.

VMG (VIDEO_TS.IFO)
------------------

VMG , First-Play PGC
********** pre commands:
[00 A1 00 00 00 01 00 04] 1 if ( gprm(0) == 1 ) then { Goto line 4 }
[00 A1 00 00 00 02 00 05] 2 if ( gprm(0) == 2 ) then { Goto line 5 }
[30 02 00 00 00 01 00 00] 3 (JumpTT) Jump to Title 1
[30 02 00 00 00 02 00 00] 4 (JumpTT) Jump to Title 2
[30 02 00 00 00 03 00 00] 5 (JumpTT) Jump to Title 3
********** post commands:
********** cell commands:

VMGM: no menu.


VTS 1 (VTS_01_0.IFO)
--------------------

VTSM 1: no menu.

VTST 1:

VTST 1 , 1 TTN 1 (0:00) Title 1 - Chapters: 1, Programs: 1, Cells: 1
********** pre commands:
[20 01 00 00 00 00 00 0D] 1 LinkTailPGC
[71 00 00 00 00 00 00 00] 2 Set gprm(0) =(mov) 0
[71 00 00 01 00 01 00 00] 3 Set gprm(1) =(mov) 1
********** post commands:
[71 00 00 00 00 01 00 00] 1 Set gprm(0) =(mov) 1
[30 08 00 00 01 00 00 00] 2 (CallSS) Call the First Play PGC, resume cell 1
********** cell commands:



VTS 2 (VTS_02_0.IFO)
--------------------

VTSM 2: no menu.

VTST 2:

VTST 2 , 1 TTN 1 (0:00) Title 2 - Chapters: 1, Programs: 1, Cells: 1
********** pre commands:
[00 A2 00 01 00 00 00 00] 1 if ( gprm(1) == 0 ) then { Break }
[71 00 00 00 00 02 00 00] 2 Set gprm(0) =(mov) 2
[30 08 00 00 01 00 00 00] 3 (CallSS) Call the First Play PGC, resume cell 1
********** post commands:
[30 01 00 00 00 00 00 00] 1 Exit
********** cell commands:



VTS 3 (VTS_03_0.IFO)
--------------------

VTSM 3: no menu.

VTST 3:

VTST 3 , 1 TTN 1 (0:00) Title 3 - Chapters: 1, Programs: 1, Cells: 1
********** pre commands:
[71 00 00 00 00 00 00 00] 1 Set gprm(0) =(mov) 0
********** post commands:
[30 01 00 00 00 00 00 00] 1 Exit
********** cell commands:

In First play PGC, I'll be jumping immediately to Title 1's pre commands. The first pre command is a LinkTailPgc. It should not jump to the Post commands as this is illegal, according to the specs.

There will be three still (cell still time of 255) diplaying 1, 2, and 3. These numbers represented Title #s to make it simple for me. Here's what they mean.

1: If I got this, then the LinkTailPgc command didn't work in Title 1. This means the player doesn't accept LinkTailPgc commands in the pre command domain and is in DVD specifications.

2: If I got this, then the LinkTailPgc command DID work in Title 1 and no other following commands have been executed. It performs like a break command. Anyways, this is illegal in the DVD Specs as a LinkTailPgc command can only be in cell and button commands.

3: If I got this, then the LinkTailPgc command didn't work but instead of Title 1 playing, it illogically has you jumping to play the next Title, which is 2. In Title 2's pre commands, I set a compare command that if the last pre command in Title 1 was executed, you would see Title 3 instead.

Here's is my results now with my players

IfoEdit: 3
PgcEdit: 2
PowerDVD: 1
Windows Media Player: 3
Sony (standalone): 2
JVC (standalone): 2
Samsung (standalone): 2
Apex (standalone): 2
Initial (portable): 2

I'm getting a lot of 2's but getting this is illegal in the DVD specifications, as far as I know. Looks like PowerDVD is the only one for me in specs.

[2COOL]

Originally posted by r0lZ
It is illegal to use LinkTailPGC in the pre-commands.

r0lZ,

If what you say is true, then why isn't PgcEdit not erroring on this matter and it DOES jump to the post commands in trace. :confused:

[r0lZ]

Because PgcEdit is not perfect! :(

Currently, if it is possible to find a target for a command, then this target is used, and the jump is executed or highlighted.
There are some basic checks to ensure that the command is executed in a valid domain, but there are no checks for the pre/post/cell/button section.

You may easily imagine that it is not easy to check every command in every domain and every section, burning a RW each time to verify if the Sony accepts the command. And Sony is not God. There are some illegal things it accepts, although it seems to be the most standard compliant standalone ever made! :)

I have made a special DVD able to display the contents of a specific GPRM on my Sony, and it helps improve PgcEdit every day. But, as you know, there are other important things to develop in PgcEdit.
I have said elsewhere that the PgcEdit's trace is a tool to help understand how a properly authored DVD works. It's not a DVD verifier!

[sweetness]

hi 2Cool,
had some time to do your second test. (3 titles)
well, on my Sony ns725p it plays title 1 then jumps to title 3 and with powerdvd v6 same thing title 3 plays.
looked at all the commands and they are all the same.
hope that clears things for you. ;) or should i use :confused: or :rolleyes:

EDIT: just tried Mark's Tray DVD Player Pro and it jumped stright to title 3.

[blutach]

Originally posted by r0lZ
It's not a DVD verifier! What about this .... why not run the Phillips verifier over your test DVD and see if it complains about the commands in the IFOs?

EDIT: It complains bitterly

Regards