VOB files crash out after 2:30 out of 1 hr video

[deitch]

I have an old home VHS that was converted to DVD (then from PAL to NTSC, long story...) then ripped to the hard drive. I finally want to convert to mp4 to make it usable.

Despite the entire film being about 50 mins, the entire thing stops playing after 2:51.

Relevant info (sorry if I mess up the lingo; long time since I did DVD file editing, and prob got it wrong then too):

There are 4 VOB files:

VIDEO_TS.VOB - 45 KB (makes sense)
VTS_01_0.VOB - 49 KB
VTS_01_1.VOB - 1.07 GB
VTS_01_2.VOB - 696.6 MB

Working on a Mac (I have access to a win10 machine, if needed), MyDVDEdit shows proper structure: First Play, VMG Menu en, VMG Menu 1 en, VTS 1.

VTS1 shows a single PGC with 5 sections (Programs or Cells), each just under 10 minutes (Title 1-1 09:59.18, Title 1-2 09:59.06, etc.). I can start plying the first one, and after 2:51 it just either exits back to the main menu, or crashes the software.

Interestingly, when I open VTS_01_1 in MPEGStreamclip, It shows In-Out of 0:00:00-02:51,24. Even though the VOB should have a lot more in it. If I try to open VTS_01_2 in MPEGStreamclip, I get an "unrecognized file type" error.

Obviously something is corrupted about the file structure, but I am not sure what, nor do I know how to find it, so I can begin to fix it.

In MPEGStreamclip, if I show stream info, I get:

Stream: VTS_01_1.VOB
Path: ~/Movies/nobackup/HomeMovie/VIDEO_TS/VTS_01_1.VOB
Type: VOB program stream

Duration: 0:02:51
Data Size: 1023.97 MB
Readable: 94.98 MB
Bit Rate: 4.64 Mbps
Video Tracks: 224 MPEG-2, 720 × 480, 4:3, 29.97 fps, 8.00 Mbps, progressive
Audio Tracks: 192 MP2 stereo, 48 kHz, 224 kbps
Stream Files: VTS_01_1.VOB (1023.97 MB)

I assume there is something with that 94.98 MB readable out of 1023.97 MB data size that is relevant.

How do I find the problem? How do I fix it? And how do I get anything off of the second file?

If it helps, here is output from ffmpeg:

[mpeg @ 0x7f8e53804600] max_analyze_duration 5000000 reached at 5005000 microseconds
Input #0, mpeg, from 'VTS_01_1.VOB':
Duration: N/A, start: 0.178022, bitrate: N/A
Stream #0:0[0x1e0]: Video: mpeg2video (Main), yuv420p, 720x480 [SAR 8:9 DAR 4:3], 29.97 fps, 29.97 tbr, 90k tbn, 59.94 tbc
Stream #0:1[0x1c0]: Audio: mp2, 48000 Hz, stereo, s16p, 224 kb/s

VTS_01_2.VOB: Invalid data found when processing input

[aedipuss]

does the dvd play in a standalone? if it does i'd start over with the disc. use vob2mpg on the windows machine and rip right to the hard drive as a .mpg single file. if not then the disc is probably bad and the data on it faulty.

[deitch]

Thanks for the response. I am skeptical I even have the original DVD after all of these years. For that matter, it might even have been captured from the VHS via a video capture card and converted to DVD format on the fly.

What can I do to examine the actual video files on my disk, find the corruption, and either fix it or skip it?

[PuzZLeR]

I don't work with a Mac, but I believe I have a good sense of your problem.

Let's be positive first and assume there's no corruption.

VOB files are not meant to be played anywhere else other than on a DvD disc, within a DvD structure with auxilliary files such as IFO and BUP. As well, VOB files, depending on how the disc is authored, also contain certain metadata, which includes segmentation, linked info with other files on the DvD, which also includes menu info, etc, which is only relevant info for playback on the DvD.

Play this VOB on a computer, outside the DvD structure, or directly with decoders that assume it to be a stand-alone file, and you likely will have issues, especially more so when the files it's linking to are not around, or called.

A VOB file outside of its own environment is one lost creature.

Your problem is likely the segmentation info that is still within the VOB. You have to remove it, and all the other metadata on the VOB, and remux the video/audio into another container best suited for computer playback, such as a Program Stream (MPG) or a transport stream (TS), depending on context (but TS has higher overhead).

At any rate, you can't just rename the file from VOB to MPG. You need to properly remux the contents.

If this was a PC, I'd recommend tools like Nero Vision or VideoReDo for this, but I know naught what would do this on a Mac. But at least hopefully this is your problem, which is fixable.

Maybe also someone can recommend some free tools for your Win 10 machine.

[deitch]

Thanks for the detailed reply @puzzler.

I do have the entire VIDEO_TS folder ripped (well, AUDIO_TS too, but that is empty, of course). My full structure looks like:

VIDEO_TS
|
|--- VIDEO_TS.IFO
|--- VIDEO_TS.BUP
|--- VIDEO_TS.VOB
|--- VTS_01_0.IFO
|--- VTS_01_0.BUP
|--- VTS_01_0.VOB
|--- VTS_01_1.VOB
|--- VTS_01_2.VOB

So I have the entire structure. Normally I would use handbrake or ffmpeg to extract the streams and convert the files. Handbrake chokes on it, ffmpeg doesn't seem too happy either (it was mpegstreamclip that gave the 95 MB readable out of 1025 MB data size).

I have also been trying to read / play it with tools that understand VIDEO_TS structure (VLC, mydvdedit, etc.). All give me 2:51 of playtime and then either choke or return to the main DVD menu.

You wrote:

Your problem is likely the segmentation info that is still within the VOB. You have to remove it, and all the other metadata on the VOB, and remux the video/audio into another container best suited for computer playback, such as a Program Stream (MPG) or a transport stream (TS), depending on context (but TS has higher overhead).

How do I inspect and possibly change that segmentation info? If I could get it readable by any decent program, then I could convert it.

[theewizard]

does the original DVD play on the PC or in the DVD player
meaning NO corrupt data ?

with a Win PC use vob2mpg to get one file of the home movie
then use videoRedo quick stream fix save as mpeg

and try playing that on PC

you might have to actually edit the mpg from vob2mpg using videoredo to remove any corruption if QS fix does not work

you say this DVD was a conversion from vhs

assuming a family member made the VHS, they may have used a vhs combo dvd recorder to create the DVD disc
these use a slightly different file format AND the disc has to finalized before removing it from the recorder
if this was not done it will not play in a DVD player
and you only hope is, the vob2mpg conversion and videoredo FIX

[PuzZLeR]

If you can get your VOBs - properly - to MPGs you're on your way. You will remove that segmentation that is plaguing you at 2:51.

I have personally been using Nero Vision for over a decade with this. I just dump the VOB into its interface, answer it's "questions", and let it do its magic. Or, I let it input the entire DvD (disc or files/folder/ISO) and export the MPGs for me instead, depending on work flow.

Nero Vision has been so reliable over the years that I have barely ever looked into other tools for this task. I know VideoReDo has such capablities, and I know there are some free tools, but I honestly can't recommend anything I personally don't use, more so if you wish to do this on a Mac.

But, if there's no corruption, I am very certain it's segmentation inside the VOB file that is causing you grief. You have to remove it.

(The AUDIO_TS folder being empty is not a problem. This is normal.)

[usually_quiet]

If MPEG Streamclip and the other programs you tried can't read the file, then corruption is certainly possible. If you try to simply copy the VIDEO_TS folder and its contents using OS X what happens?

Maybe using a data recovery program would help, but I don't know what recovery software to suggest for a Mac.

[deitch]

@thewizard: I do not think I still have the original DVD. I don't even recall if a commercial service copied it, or if I played it myself and used a video-capture card. It just shows how long ago it was. I will try vob2mpg and videoRedo on my Win machine.

@PuzZLeR: I did try an ffmpeg conversion. It believes it successfully converted 2:51 of video. Something is convincing it that 2:51 is all there is. I used to use Nero years ago when I did lots of Win-based conversion. I will try it and videoRedo. Is there any way I can inspect the VOB to determine segmentation?

@usually_quiet: Actually, I already am doing it on my Mac. I do not believe I still have the DVD. If I recall correctly, I copied them over from the DVD successfully, but then had problems with the files.

I should try and hunt down that DVD, shouldn't I? Still, I am very skeptical I still have it.

The files are all of 2GB, and they are just home video. If anyone thinks they can work magic on them, happy to upload them to some ftp site.

Thank you all so far; just a great community.

[deitch]

So far, videoRedo chokes on it. Just hangs. The log file shows it starting, then:

Startup - Number of PTS checks: 8
Image support lib: 8.0.1 (r40318), ippIP AVX (g9)
Decoder support lib: 8.0.1 (r40318), ippIP AVX (g9)
VideoReDo TVSuite started. Licensed to: ********, Version .....
Checking reg: 101
Using display driver: VMR9
(24 sec gap)
WMR 9 (Windwless), MEDIASUBTYPE_YV12
WMR 9 (Windwless), MEDIASUBTYPE_YV12

And nothing.

[deitch]

Same for Nero. It shows the first video duration as 2:51. Everything else seems right. I suspect Puzzler may be correct. Something in the file is convincing all of these that it is shorter than it really is.

[deitch]

Finally, vob2mpg won't even start properly. It installs (after I install .Net framework 2.0), but the app won't start. Of course, I looked in the folder... and it uses ffmpeg under the covers. Well, that I have already and it complained.

[PuzZLeR]

@PuzZLeR: I did try an ffmpeg conversion. It believes it successfully converted 2:51 of video. Something is convincing it that 2:51 is all there is. I used to use Nero years ago when I did lots of Win-based conversion. I will try it and videoRedo. Is there any way I can inspect the VOB to determine segmentation?

It stopped at 2:51 because something in the stream told it that it was over at that point. This is metadata that is for the DvD, not for ffmpeg, which may interpret it as something else, such as some "break" or "end" or whatever. This is VOB segmentation.

Nero Vision should inform you of this segmentation if it exists. After you select "Make DvD", you will reach the interface. When you drag and drop the VOB into its interface it will ask you if you wish to remove it, say "Yes" (otherwise it will break it down into multiple files) and it will provide an equivalent, properly remuxed, MPG file in your choice of Export folder.

I'm using a very old version, and have not cared to upgrade in years, but I don't think this has changed since.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that if Nero Vision reports no segmentation, it's always been safe for me to just go ahead and change the extension from VOB to MPG. But I don't think this will be your case with the 2:51 file.

[usually_quiet]

I should try and hunt down that DVD, shouldn't I? Still, I am very skeptical I still have it.

Yes, but if the DVD cannot be located then maybe you should use VideoHelp's Mac forum to ask about data recovery options for salvaging the intact portions of the files stored on the Mac.

[manono]

I'd try something different (on a Windows machine).

Open both VOBs in DGIndex. Assuming that works well and you can scroll back and forth through the whole thing, go File->Save Project and Demux Video. That will give you an M2V of the video, an MP2 audio file and a D2V project file you can toss. Remux using ImagoMPEG-Muxer or author to a new DVD using Muxman or mux into an MKV or whatever you want. Then test it out to see if you can get past that sticking point.

[aedipuss]

for windows 10 you have to install vob2mpg in a folder other than the c:/program folders. then right click on the .exe and run as admin.

[deitch]

@puzzler: I tried with Nero as you recommended. It takes a while to load it, then it shows total run time of 2:51. When I enter the "Edit" interface, the timber across the bottom shows Video1 and Audio1 as light blue until 2:51, even though the entire Editing Bar can scroll to just under 10:00.

It seems to believe that the *file* is just under 10:00 long, but the stream inside it is just 2:51.

@usually_quiet: I always am wary of double-posting, and I now have the files on my Mac and my Win (and a USB drive). So I am good with tools anywhere.

@aedipuss: OK. I copied the entire folder to my desktop, then Run As Administrator. It asks for permissions to make change to my PC, but I still get an error 0xD0000135.

@manono: Downloaded DGIndex, ran it. I cannot properly scroll through any of it, and the extracted file as 88MB long (all of .... 2:51).

Thank you again, all, for the efforts. Any other suggestions?

[PuzZLeR]

Another suggestion (on your PC since I wouldn't know how to do this on a Mac) is to make a DvD ISO out of your VIDEO_TS + AUDIO_TS folders (like with ImgBurn), pop it in an image drive (you can use Nero ImageDrive or Daemon Tools for this), and export the content from it when it's properly running as a DvD (where I'd try Nero Vision again here).

[usually_quiet]

@usually_quiet: I always am wary of double-posting, and I now have the files on my Mac and my Win (and a USB drive). So I am good with tools anywhere.

If you burn the files to a DVD or mount the image on a virtual drive, you could try the free trial version of ISOBuster on the Windows PC. It doesn't have as many recovery options as the full version, but it might provide some useful information if it finds any problems with the files. [Edit]There is a chance it won't find your problem.

[PuzZLeR]

As an addition to my last post, and UQ's post, you can actually make a real DvD out of it too instead of an ISO, and try and export with Nero Vision, or even run a test with ISOBuster.

Even if ISOBuster doesn't save it, it may give us all a clue at least.