backing up select episodes from TV box sets

[wes2666]

Hi,

There are a number of TV series where I enjoy certain episodes, but the full DVD box sets are just overkill (X-Files, Buffy seasons 4 and up, Angel etc). Can anyone tell me how I can back-up just selected episodes onto DVD-r (or point me to an existing guide)? I would prefer no loss of quality and no re-encoding. I don't necessarily need to keep the menus.

I use, and am fairly familiar, with DVD Decrypter and Ulead.

Thanks

[AarontheRipper]

Well, I was playing around with TMPGEnc DVD Author last night and was able to do this pretty easily. There's probably an easier way to do this, but I separated each episode into it's own "dvd". Then I added each episode in as its own track. I made a menu from one of the templates, and so I can choose the episode I want to watch, or watch all of them from the beginning. It's not too tough a program to use, and it accepts .vob files unlike MF2 (I'm not familiar with movie studio). I just downloaded the trial version last night and was able to make the dvd after tinkering for a couple of hours.

[bigb_y2g]

The easiest way to do it if you don't care about the menus is:

1) Use DVD Decryter in IFO Mode. Select the chapters you want and rip it to your HD. Leave all the VOB files in thier own folders until you are done ripping all the DVDs you want.
2) Take the VOB files you want on one DVD and move them in a seperate folder (with Buffy, X-Files, etc. you can only fit 2 eps. per disc).
3) Re-number the VOB files to VTS_01_01.VOB, VTS_01_02, etc.
4) Use VobEdit to join VOB files (see guide).
5) Use IfoEdit to create IFO files (see guide).
6) Use your favorite DVD burn program.
Done!

Use this guide:
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/userguides/120021.php

Let me know if you have any problems.

[bigb_y2g]

TMPGEnc DVD Author... it accepts .vob files

What! I think I have a trial version to download tonight. I have been looking for a authoring program to do that since I started doing this a month ago. They should ALL do that!

Thanks. I think your way will be easier.

[haymes]

Rip and dumux in Ifo Mode and use a program like spruce up to import the 2 x files episodes onto one dvd, since only 2 fit on one dvd.

[Faustus]

You can use DVDShrink in reauthor mode, just drag the episodes you want from the disc into the new DVD window, then hit burn, and you can chapter through to the different episodes when your playing it. That the quick and dirty way to do it.

[dirkpitt]

flaystus,

I'm using dvdshrink in reauthor mode just like you said, with x-files episodes. I can chapter through to the different episodes when playing it, but only the first backup I've made. Actually, it automatically starts playing the next episode. But here's my problem:

You see, I can fit 3 episodes per dvd-r. (the dvds have 4 episodes per disk) I'm using Nero. So the first season 1 dvd worked fine, as I ripped the 1st 3 episodes using dvdshrink and then burned them with Nero. It automatically goes to the next episode when watching them.

HOWEVER, I get to the 4th episode, and put that into a directory with the next 2 episodes from season 1 disk 2, and here's where my problem starts. I have the .buf and .ifo files from the original rip, and now the same named files from the second rip. So do you know if I need to include those at all into my burn directory when using Nero? I left them in from the first rip of season 1 disk 1 and I can play each episode fine, but it doesn't automatically go to the next episode. I have to hit skip right at the end of the episode for it to work.

So i guess my question is, once I have those 3 vob episode files from different dvds, how to I burn them using Nero so they play automatically once the previous episode has finished? Any ideas?

[Faustus]

When doing episodes with DVD Shrink I wouldn't suggest mixing any files. Just do half of them on each disc.
I dont use reauthor mode, I use full disc mode and compress the episodes I do not want on each disc into still frames, that way I get to keep the menu to launch the episodes. When I'm done I use menu edit to disable the buttons for the episodes not on the disc.

Also I finally got Nero 6 so I'm gonna see how well it does episodes because it can actually replace the video with a still frame.

[dirkpitt]

that's a good idea.

I'm trying to get around having to use so many dvd-r's, and I don't need any menus. That's why I'd like to put 3 on each dvd-r. I only need to compress @ 10% for each episode.

If you know how I can make them play automatically one after another (episodes taken from different dvds) please let me know.

thanks!