ISO OR VTS FILE FORMAT????

[RobertSB]

I'm very new to video editing and need some help. I currently record satellite programming on a Tivo unit and transfer that to my dedicated pc via a Plextor ConvertX digital convertor. I use Ulead VideoStudio 8 and all is well, but prior to actually beginning the burning process I am asked if I want to save the project as a "Disk Image-ISO file type" and/or a "DVD-Video TS file type". Since I didn't know which format was better or easier to work with I chose the safe path and have saved all my projects as both. As you can imagine this is beginning to put a dent in hard drive space. I need to know which file format is the desired method for saving a finished project for future burning, editing etc. Are there distinct advantages/disadvantages of either? I'd like to dump one or the other and recover about 40 Gigs of hard drive space. Thanks much!

[Hardcoreruss]

Nope, either will do you.

If I had to make a choice I would say ISO as it is only one file compared to many that are in various folders.

Quality wise there will be no difference.

[RobertSB]

What about compatability with current popular software or utilities? Sorry if I'm being overly cautious but I usually make the wrong decision in times like this and later regret it. Thought I read about people having some difficulties with larger ISO files being flagged as too large in some software. I'm more familiar with the VBO file as I have used ShrinkDVD without any problems burning the VOB's. Thanks Again!!!

[freestyler]

You could always mount the ISO image on a virtual drive using something like Daemon Tools. I do it all the time and haven't encountered any issues.

[RowMan]

I'd say keep the ISO file as it's only one file to keep track of. When needed, you can always burn or convert the ISO file back to the separated VTS files.

[RobertSB]

Great, it seems the ISO format is the way to go. If I need to convert back to VTS what is the easiest way to accomplish this?

[waheed]

iso does have the benefit of eing one file. but if you want to do some editing, use vts.

to convert from iso to vts, use daemon tools, mount the image, this will be treated as a virtual dvd rom drive and you can copy the files straight across to your hard drive.

[mats.hogberg]

Great, it seems the ISO format is the way to go. If I need to convert back to VTS what is the easiest way to accomplish this?

ISOs seems to be very confusing. They are an image of a CD or DVD, and as such can't be converted. They contain VOBs and any other kind files that can be "extracted" just like you "extract" a file from a Cd or DVD. Think of the ISO as a bucket, containing any kind and/or mixture of fluids. The bucket cant be converted, but (at least if you're Jesus) the contents can be converted into other kinds of fluids.
To answer your q: Mount the image with daemon tools - then treat it as any DVD/CD.

/Mats

[scottb721]

ISO Images are a pain.
Don't get me wrong, I love them. It's just trying to explain the concept to other people gives me a real headache.

[rebarlow]

Minor point, but when using Nero you have the option of data verification when buring from VTS files, but when burning an image you aren't offered that option. Personally, I like to use verification (yes, I know it is far from infallible, but I like the feeling I get when the disk verifies) and choose to author to VTS rather than images.

[the wordsmith]

Sorry to answer a question with another question, but it's all connected. I copied an unprotected industrial video to my HDD using DVDdecrypter. I then burned the resultant ISO file to another blank DVD+RW (using my Lite-on Burner). It plays back on my Daytek PVR and also on my Toshiba DVD/VHS dual unit. However, it won't play on my friend's JVC (sorry, but I don't have the model number).

Is there a header file that goes with the ISO, that I should have also copied to the new disc? I do understand the earlier explanations about the ISO file being some kind of "wrapper" for assorted other file types (is this not also true for AVI files, or whatever?), but what I don't know at this stage is what combination of file types may be critical to running a disc effectively on all hardware.

Incidentally, the JVC did support one of the DVD+ discs that I had created using U-Lead software, which is what leads me to believe that there is a missing instruction set of some kind on this later effort.

[mats.hogberg]

What if you try the original on your friends JVC? If it plays, I'd suspect media incompatibility. (The copy is in another kind of DVD-R that the JVC doesn't like.) An iso is an image of what's on disc - it's not a format as such. No player will play all backups on all media. That's the hard truth, and has nothing to do with ISOs.

/Mats

[the wordsmith]

Thanks for the prompt response. Both discs that I tried in the JVC were Memorex DVD+RW. The one that was recorded from U-Lead software worked fine. The one that was dvd decrypyter copy does not. Based on what you say, a straight ISO file should normally play OK (correct?) so maybe the disc is a fluky one - I understand this happens from time to time. I'll try another burn and see what happens next time. Cheers.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Great, it seems the ISO format is the way to go. If I need to convert back to VTS what is the easiest way to accomplish this?

IsoBuster

I still prefer to use File format because I like to view the movie on my PC with PowerDVD before burning.

[freestyler]

It's just as easy mounting the image using Daemon Tools

[MOVIEGEEK]

It's just as easy mounting the image using Daemon Tools

Daemon sounds too much like demon or Damien:The Omen...I have enough problems with Windows without it being possesed.

[mats.hogberg]

Daemon is just the Unix word for "Service"

/Mats

[mats.hogberg]

a straight ISO file should normally play OK

If the original plays OK, and the original and copy are on identical media - yes. Generally speaking, an ISO is a sector by sector, byte by byte, bit by bit copy of the original. When it comes to DVDDecrypter, things are a little different, as some processing takes place.

/Mats