Audio Issues in DVD Shrink Re-Author

[mpalm887]

I'm in the process of backing-up my entire DVD library onto my PC as single video files that I can stream over my home network or throw on my laptop for business trips. I want zero quality loss in both audio and video. Many of my DVDs are already stored in Audio/Video_TS folders with 1GB VOBs and accompanying IFO files.

For all future rips I plan on simply using DVD Decrypter and adjusting the settings to not split the main movie into 1GB chunks and then I'll simply rename the VOB and perhaps change the file extension (that doesn't really matter though, I've learned).

However for the DVD's I currently have ripped I need a clever way to merge the VOBs of the main movie for an MPG with seamless original audio/video quality. After trying several tools such as Womble MPEG Video Wizard (audio "blips" between connected vobs), and VOBMerge (slight light flickers on occasional frames), and VideoReDo (audio output in English is too quiet compared to output in foreign language tracks). I have FINALLY conlcuded on simply re-authoring a DVD in DVD shrink with just the titles I want, and outputting them as a single VOB to be renamed, and saved. I have one problem: when I play this outputted file in PowerDVD there is not audio. I also notice that when I drag the title from the "DVD Browser" into the "Re-authored DVD" section, the 'duration' stays the same but the 'size' changes (3588MB from 4118MB). I assumed that this change in size accounted for the missing audio track, but the vob will play with audio in VLC or MPC with all 6 channels. This sounds like a non issue since I have audio in the other players, but I usually use Power DVD to play MPEG 2, and am skeptical about having audio issues when playing these files on data disks on my PS3 or from USB devices plugged into my PS3 (though I admit I haven't tried that).

Any thoughts?

[guns1inger]

The size probably changes because compression is being applied when you reauthor. Do you go back and set it to 'No Compression' ?

If VLC plays the file back with audio then it has audio. VLC can't just make audio up out of thin air, so it is in the file. If PowerDVD can't play it back then PowerDVD has a problem. You can verify the content of the VOB using g-spot.

Have you checked under Preference that you aren't removing all but forced streams by default ?

[hech54]

How about joining the VOB's?
http://members.dodo.net.au/~jimmalenko/test.htm

[mpalm887]

The size probably changes because compression is being applied when you reauthor. Do you go back and set it to 'No Compression' ?

I've checked around in the settings and can't find a "No Compression" adjustment/checkbox or whatever. But I always specify that the output will be DVD9.

You can verify the content of the VOB using g-spot.

Will check this out.

Have you checked under Preference that you aren't removing all but forced streams by default ?

Yes.

[mpalm887]

How about joining the VOB's?
http://members.dodo.net.au/~jimmalenko/test.htm

I have actually tried this guide as well but always end up with the multiple vob files again. VOBEdit simply says it's "Joining files in the vobs."

I'll go through the settings again.

[mpalm887]

guns1inger, I found the "No Compression" setting in the "Full Disc" mode. I was able to keep the outputted vob as a single file and it ended up being bigger this time. It plays perfectly on PowerDVD. As long as the smaller file plays on my PS3 I may just stick with it though. All in all I'm satisfied.