AVI too big

[toolmanx]

I want to remove a small nude scene from an other wise good movie. I tried to use VobEdit but couldn't relate LBA numbers to the megabyte position in the vob. The VobEdit preview always shows me the full movie. The scene shows up at 989 mbytes into the first of 4 vobs.

I then tried to use DVD2AVI to create an avi so I could edit it in VertDub. After running for almost an hour, it became apparent that I would run out of my 160 gig HD before I got done and so I shut down. The .avi I created at that point had good sound but no picture in my Windows Player.

Is there anyway to compress the .avi as it is being processed so I don't run out of HD. Or maybe there is a better way to do this. I have no idea how to find one small scene using IfoEdit.

[ChronoCross]

use DGindex and don't create an avi using that. create a .d2v and edit the movie in avisynth and jus select what you want to encode by frames. More documentation can be found on the avisynth website.

[Leak]

How about using Cuttermaran to just cut out the small part of the VOB, and keep the rest as-is? Why reencode at all?

All you need to do is to use DVD Decrypter in IFO mode to rip the main movie and demux the audio streams you want to keep, then load the generated files in Cuttermaran, delete the part you don't want and mux the resulting files to a new VOB-set.

np: Autechre - VLetrmx (Plaid Remix) (Warp 10+3 Remixes (Disc 1))

[tigerman8u]

this can easily be done with dvdshrink (free) in the re-author mode. cut out the part you don't want and save the output to your hard drive. with no re-incoding

[toolmanx]

I got the movie cleaned up but I ended up doing it the hard way. I tried the suggestion on using Shrink to re-author. That will work but it was like killing a rabbit with an atom bomb. There was periodic foul language that I was trying to cut as well as a nude scene. Cutting one word without cutting anything else is too small to be handled well with Shrink. Especially since the input and output panels don't give me sound.

I played the movie through my player into a capture card which creates .avi's. Then I used my Edit capabilities in my Movie Maker to cut out each item. This creates a slighly fuzzier movie than pure digital but it's miles faster.

[Cyberia]

Hate to suggest the obvious, but did you select a compression format when you tried to save the avi?

(Cut the nude scenes? Those are usually the only good parts! :) What movie?)

[toolmanx]

How do you go about selecting a compression format when making an .avi using DVD2AVI? I then use ATAPI to prepare the .avi.

[Cyberia]

You should have been prompted to select a compression format when you saved the avi.

ATAPI? Thats a hard drive standard, do you mean VFAPI?

[mic]

I played the movie through my player into a capture card which creates .avi's. Then I used my Edit capabilities in my Movie Maker to cut out each item. This creates a slighly fuzzier movie than pure digital but it's miles faster.
For future reference since you've got it done...
If you captured the playback from something like a stand-alone player, you've lost a *lot* of the original quality. Many folks use a variation of: get the DVD stored on your hard drive -> run it through DGIndex creating a very small project file and demuxing audio stream (the DGIndex process will normally take less then 1/2 hour).

The new d2v project file can then be used to feed the DVD video to video editing software, so you don't use any additional hard drive space. Your audio would have to be converted to wav for editing, which could be done when demuxed in DGIndex or later, and also loaded into your editing software. Then you'd basically proceed as you've already done, cutting out what you don't want, & re-encoding.

Quality should usually be very good, depending on your mpg2 encoder, though cutting/using original would be better. Getting DVD on hard drive should take less then an hour. Disc space requirements would be original DVD + new DVD files + small D2V project file, and maybe 2 gig for audio.

[toolmanx]

You are right. It is VFAPI. My memory is going.

The large size .avi appears as I am saving the material through VertualDub. I use "save as" I think to save it. I never saw a prompt to ask about compression.

[toolmanx]

Answer to MIC.

When I have demuxed, usually using DVD2SVCD, I end up with a .wav file. This file will not work in my computer player or my stand alone. I have to use Audacity to convert to an mp3 file and then remux.

If I use DGIndex (I haven't down loaded that yet), won't I get the same D2V that I get using DVD2AVI? My Movie Maker won't accept the .avi produced by the VFAPI until I run it through VertDub.

[mic]

"If I use DGIndex (I haven't down loaded that yet), won't I get the same D2V that I get using DVD2AVI?"

DGIndex is a much improved DVD2AVI

"My Movie Maker won't accept the .avi produced by the VFAPI until I run it through VertDub."

Hmmm... That's unusual. Could you post the brand, who makes your Movie Maker software, or are you referring to the one built-in to winXP? I'd want to use the latest DGIndex & VFAPI first, but might be codec related. Someone might also be able to tell you if AviSynth will work instead of VFAPI.

"...through VertualDub. I use "save as" I think to save it."

There's a menu choice under Video for Compression.

"When I have demuxed, usually using DVD2SVCD, I end up with a .wav file. This file will not work in my computer player or my stand alone. I have to use Audacity to convert to an mp3 file and then remux."

A DVD should give you either an ac3 file when demuxed in DGIndex, or a playable wav file that can be used alongside your video in software like VirtualDub, or your movie maker. Ideally you might be able to avoid the muxing as a separate step at any rate.

[toolmanx]

To MIC

The movie maker I refered to is the one I got with XP.

I'll look for the compression in VirtualDub today and see if I can find it.

I have to admit it. Avisynth is a long way down the learning curve for me. I've been having so much success with the one button type programs that I haven't put the time in to learn more.

Later.... Ahhh! I just found the compression. A large variety of compressions all of which I have no clue as to which one to choose. Any suggestions? I have to create an avi small enough to fit in less than 130 gigs with room to work with the avi when done. I assume the less compression the better.

[mic]

I'm starting with a few personal suggestions... You are going to lose some quality going to a highly compressed format like .wmv, mp4 etc. I'm not saying that's bad -- just realize that the trade off from such small video files will be some quality loss.

As far as WinXP Movie Maker goes, you might like the Nero version better. You can edit your video in Virtualdub, except for easily cutting individual words or phrases from the audio -- for such work I've always liked the Sony programs. Whichever method you choose to try, if you use DGIndex you shouldn't have to go through extra steps with audio, but be able to work side by side on wav with video.

To your questions:
"The movie maker I refered to is the one I got with XP"

OK, just verified that winXP Movie Maker will open fake avi file created using latest DGIndex -> VFAPI, so updating your software should work.

If you have prob with VFAPI, doesn't hurt to go into Windows Media Player Tools -> Options -> File Types and make sure all video types are selected... Other decoders etc. can take over if you have something like Nero installed.

"Avisynth is a long way down the learning curve for me. "

AviSynth will do a better conversion from mpeg2 (in vob's) to avi or whatever then VFAPI. To use it 1st install DGIndex & AviSynth. Then create a blank text file named [your movie].avs -- use whatever name in place of "your movie" that you'd like. Open the blank text file and type in & save:

loadplugin("[insert path here]\dgdecode.dll")
mpeg2source("[insert path here]\your_d2v.d2v")

dgdecode.dll should be in the folder with DGIndex, so double click on that DGIndex folder, & copy or type the path from the address bar in Windows Explorer on the top line where it says [insert path here]. On the second line enter the path to your d2v file the same way, and change "your_d2v.d2v" to the name of your file. Save and close the new .avs file. If you've entered paths correctly, you will be able to open up this avs file in VirtualDub & some other programs without using VFAPI.

That's not too bad is it? :)

"A large variety of compressions all of which I have no clue as to which one to choose. Any suggestions?"

If you want to still create avi files, search for other folks opinions on the best codec to use. I personally like HUFFYUV & Picvideo mjpeg, which are two popular alternatives. The MSU codec also seems popular. For disc space, a movie usually takes up somewhere around 30 gig or so using picvideo mjpeg at highest quality.

Good Luck :D