DVD-VR 2 DVD via TMPGenc DVD Author Problem

[andyp1]

Can anyone help me with this problem?

I want to record some TV episodes on my Philips DVDR75 and put these together on DVD-R's.
I have followed various guides and have used Windows Explorer to drag the required VOBs to my hard drive , then renamed the VOB's to MPG's.Then to add a menu use Ulead DVD Movie Factory and let that burn the DVD. Works fine but it is soooooo slow. It took a good couple of hours to complete its mission.

So I have been experimenting with TMPG DVD Author. I think I read that it couldn't cope with the AC3 audio. But I thought I would give it a go anyway.

The programme I tried with was about 80 minutes long which was split into 4 VOB files by the DVD Recorder each being around 900MB .When I started to add files TMPG accepted the first VOB without any problem but refused to accept any more saying that it was an illegal format although in my mind the format was identical to the first. However I tried it would not take more than 1of the files. Just a reminder that the Vobs were all renamed to MPG.

As it had accepted the first file I thought I would Just try and add chapters and a menu to this file which worked perfectly. I burned the resulting Video-TS file to an RW and it worked great.
And it was very fast , about 8 minutes to create a Video-TS folder and about 6 minutes to Burn with Nero6.

Why can I not add all the files to TMPG DVD Author? Am I expecting too much? Would it be possible to join the VOB's or arter renaming them the MPG's into 1 large file then I would only need to add 1 file ?

Any idea's please?
Many Thanks

[elkfir]

I have followed various guides and have used Windows Explorer to drag the required VOBs to my hard drive , then renamed the VOB's to MPG's.

Don't do that. Both DVD MovieFactory and TMPGEnc DVD Author have the ability to import video directly from the DVD, and then save them to a working directory on your hard drive. This is the better method to use. You shouldn't just rename the VOB files to MPG and drag them to your application. That could be what's causing some of your problems.

[andyp1]

Thanks
After you said that I just tried a half hour episode.
Put DVD+RW in drive , opened TMPG DVD Author and instead of 'Add file' I Clicked 'Add DVD Video' and added the complete Video-TS folder from the disc. It went in no problem. Added chapters and a menu and it took about 4 minutes to create a new Video-TS file ready to burn.
that's great.
Now I just need to work out how to edit out commercials , but that's one of those quick and easy jobs for another day.

[elkfir]

Great, glad it worked!
(can't help with editing out commercials though, cuz I like to leave them in )

[MrMungus]

Now I just need to work out how to edit out commercials , but that's one of those quick and easy jobs for another day.

When you have it open in TMMPGEnc DVD Author, in "Source Setup" click "Edit" on each file, then use the "editor" at the bottom to select an in and out point, and cut it. TDA will not cut your file, just not include that part when it writes the new DVD.

[andyp1]

Thank you for your help , I,ll give that a go .
I didn't know you could just hide parts of a video like that , I thought they had to be cut out . Its relativly easy with AVI's or ' Normal' Mpegs to edit them but this Philips format does take a little getting used to.