VOB to MPEG Blues...!

[VinBob]

Hi all,

Sorry if this has been answered a million times, but I have looked around and don't seem to be able to find the right solution. I am trying to get a couple of VOB files onto a DVD-R but am exceeding the size of the disk by a small amount and thus cannot burn the disc.

I have tried to create MPEG files from the VOB files using both TMPEnc and Mainconcept encoder but don't seem to end up with any sound!!! Am I using the wrong tools here? I also tried using Hero Video Convert as mentioned by someone on the forum but it told me that I would end up with a 4GB file from the original 2GB VOB file?!?!?!

Any help/pointers would be greatly appreciated as I only need to squeeze the files down by 10% in order to fit them on!!

Thanks in advance...
Vin.

[Treebeard]

Tmpgenc is great for encoding to mpeg2. to get audio you need to run the vob files through DVD2AVI first, extract the audio , then use the vob as the video source in tmpgenc & the extracted .wav as the audio source.

[TeeeRex]

Are the full VOB's copied straight from the DVD ? - ie have you stripped out all the unnecessary streams ? (may be the 10% you're looking for)

Use Vobedit or a ripper to strip just the video and AC3 (+any subs you want) - it may then fit on your DVD-R no problem.

Mind you, these days they are getting clever and you'll find that even when you do this it is 'just over' 4.3 Gb which means you'll have to re-encode to get it on - or Cut the VOB of it's end credits if you're lucky....

Good Luck.

[VinBob]

Thanks for the feedback all and suggestions. The VOB files are indeed straight from the DVD. I have used DVD Decrypter to extract both the video and audio files seperately. I am using the Mainconcept encoder to now mux the files together again having selected MPEG2 as the output with a max bitrate of 6000 rather than the original files 8000. That should hopefully reduce things enough and I have also selected MPEG Layer 2 for the audio file with 224 bits. I Blieve the original audio on the VOB was at 192 bits as a bigger audio file format.

I should find out in about 4 hours!!!! Will let you all know the results once finished but I think this is the way to go.

THANKS AGAIN!
Vin.

[mkelley]

Vin,

I hate to tell you, but I think you're making this *way* too complicated.

If you only need to shrink a movie down by 10% or so, using DVDShrink (or any of the other shrinkers, such as IC or DVD2ONE) is definitely the way to go. Not only is the quality first rate (they use a compression scheme unlike recoding) but it's quick and easy (not more than 20 minutes or so for even the slowest shrinker).

DVDShrink is freeware and I'd at least try it and compare it to the process you're using now. You're likely to find it at least as good in quality with much less hassle.

[VinBob]

mkelley,

This is why I love this forum soooo much!!! I really appreciate the tip and will definetly give DVDShrink a go. I knew there had to be a simpler way to do this...!

Thanks a million!
Vin.