DiscomVOBulatorPlus, V1.0 released

[KaiCherry]

DiscoPlus is our enhanced vesrion of DiscomVOBulator. Check it out at our site, http://homepage.mac.com/kaicherry/[/url]

-K

[WiseWeasel]

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Beautiful, just beautiful. Brings a tear to my eye just how perfect this app is. And we get some nicely colored subtitles too, not those boring white ones on most dvds. I've already registered my copy. I'd like to thank Kai, and Jesus for making this all possible. . . wait, on second thought, Jesus had nothing to do with this, screw him!

[schmeg]

I'm so excited to try the subtitles feature, but I'm not getting this installed correctly.

I clicked the HOME icon in Finder, and copied the libdvdcss file into the directory that appeared.

Copied the DiscoPlus app into my Applications folder.

When I try to activate the program, I get the error message that it either can't find a file or I'm running from a locked disk. I guess I don't know what a locked disk is. Anyone have the key?

Thanks.

[zennman]

It needs to be the "compressed" file in your home folder, not the "uncompressed" as the readme says. Ignore the unstuffed folder and put
the libdvdcss-1.2.5.tar.gz file in your home folder. Then retry it.

Also make sure your disk is not locked.

[zennman]

So far, I've done two DVDs with Disco Plus. It doesn't seem to be making .ISOs. I just did Crouching Tiger, selected make .ISOs but its still just making VIDEO_TS folder. Same with Red Planet but it's under 4Gb, so it's usable. Crouching Tiger turned out to be 6.66Gb, which is kinda scary. I would need these split into two to save.

VIDEO_TS folder seems to play fine in Apple DVD player though.

[the_locke]

Don't want to sound like a Mac newbie - really not (still have my original Mac Plus, bought new...) but one confusing placement issue for me.

The UNCOMPRESSED libdvdcss-1.2.5.tar.gz file in the HOME folder.

Should this be "loose" in the Home folder? Can it, or should it be in the Library or some other spot? After D-Plus runs once, do we need to keep the libdvdcss-1.2.5.tar.gz file, and again "loose" or "specific"?

Sorry for the confusion, I just like things organized and in their proper places so that I know where to look for things, or where they need to be.

Can't wait to see what it does!

[schmeg]

Kai, et al.:

Reporting back results from a trial run using DiscoPlusv1.0.

DVD: "The Gleaners and I" (French with optional English subtitles)

This disk has one big VOB (i.e., one VTS_01 series split into 1GB vobs), which I think might be a problem. The first title is the main film on this disk. OSeX reports that it'd be about 3.74 GB, with the audio tracks and subtitles. Title 2 is an additional film reported by OSeX at 2.82 GB.

DiscoPlus created folders for two disks. DVD1 (4 GB) contains all the usable files and plays with DVD Player. DVD2 has a 946 MB VOB in the VIDEO_TS folder and that's it.

I'm guessing that Disco didn't take just the first TITLE, but was ripping the whole VOB. Don't know what killed the second DVD folder (should have had plenty of disk space to work with) but it would have been a weird split, as each film should fit comfortably on a single disc. Program ended "normally," with a "thanks for using" type message.

When I got to the stage to add chapter marks, I clicked the "Every 5 Minutes" box. Got the message reminding me about the 5-chapter limit on the trial version, okay, but the viewing screen and sliders within the program disappeared at that point, with just a plain background in the center where the film viewer used to be. Wasn't able to add chapters after that.

The subtitles appeared dark grey with a yellow border -- on my original disk they are yellow with a dark grey border.

I have another disk with subtitles that comes all packaged up in one big VOB set. I'll see if the same things happens.

[rmassung]

Got Discoplus, works great.

Is it ever going to be a feature that you can combine titles?

Case in point, i have every season of the Xfiles so far on DVD. My boy keep wanting to see them, but they are put away so grubby hands can't grab them. they are expensive.

They are encoded on the DVD as separate titles for each episode. So it does become costly putting each epsiode on a DVD when I could fit at leat 2 or 3 if I could combine titles.

Or are we getting to close to the line in the sand thing?

Thanks for any replies

Rob

[eobanion]

I'm having the same problem that Schmeg was having initially. I have had problems with all of the 'disco' versions - ie i've not been able to get any of them to work. previously couldn't get to the point where chapter marking occured.

I have installed the file: libdvdcss-1.2.5.tar.gz - uncompressed into my home file. I don't have any spaces in the path name to my personal home folder. I've got forty-two installed. I can see how to unlock a folder or file, but not a disk.

I still get the locked disk or file note found response. Occasionally I can get disco plus to activate, then when I go back to try the application - I again get the locked disk/file not found error message.

This looks like a very promising application. I have 2 little ones with 20 grubby fingers and this would be nice to use for backing up DVDs. I'm not a newbie, but I can't figure this out.

[KaiCherry]

The installation instructions have been updated.

To use the app, you need to put the compressed support file, loose in your home folder.

Copy discoplus *off* the dmg to your desktop or home folder.

Activate it.

THEN copy to Applications if you wish. Apple (or someone/thing) keeps changing perms from underneath us, so we can't write what we need to inside the app if its in the Application folder on some machines.

ALSO, please read the requirememnts! You need to have a full version of forty-two installed. If you want to use Visual Chaptering, you need to have Apple's Mpeg2 playback component installed.

We are aware of the discoplus iso issue, and a fix is scheduled for release this weekend, as well as a couple of other changes and fixes:

-Fastmode: *EXPERIMENTAL*
"fastmode" puts the application into syncronous mode. This essentially locks the gui (beachballs it) but adds a huge speed boost. The app launches an external program, DiscoStats, so that you still get feedback.

In addition, if you are running in fastmode and choose auto chaptering, the software will run thru end-to-end, ie after you choose your save location, it will run thru xferring, chaptering and imaging without futher prompting.

There was a bug where the softwae could mistakenly join two dvds that should be left separate. This has been fixed.

There was some confusion about the split button save dialog; it has been modified to make it more clear that the user is choosing a final destination, not the dvd to be split.

Subtitles are working better as well, and are coming up white or yellow in many more cases.

We expect to have this done, tested and released no later than Saturday night.

-K

[WiseWeasel]

Beautiful, very happy to see the great progress being made on DiscomVOBulator. But does this mean we no longer get the pretty, random colored subs anymore? I think an option to randomize sub color would really help make this the most complete (and unpredictable) DVD backup software on the market. I don't know what to say, guess I got kinda attached to those nice purple subs I was getting. . .

[KaiCherry]

Kai, et al.:

Reporting back results from a trial run using DiscoPlusv1.0.

DVD: "The Gleaners and I" (French with optional English subtitles)

This disk has one big VOB (i.e., one VTS_01 series split into 1GB vobs), which I think might be a problem. The first title is the main film on this disk. OSeX reports that it'd be about 3.74 GB, with the audio tracks and subtitles. Title 2 is an additional film reported by OSeX at 2.82 GB.

DiscoPlus created folders for two disks. DVD1 (4 GB) contains all the usable files and plays with DVD Player. DVD2 has a 946 MB VOB in the VIDEO_TS folder and that's it.

Sounds like it did its job and did the first *titleset*. Disco+ does not clone DVDs

I'm guessing that Disco didn't take just the first TITLE, but was ripping the whole VOB. Don't know what killed the second DVD folder (should have had plenty of disk space to work with) but it would have been a weird split, as each film should fit comfortably on a single disc. Program ended "normally," with a "thanks for using" type message.

Again, if there are multiple titles on the dvd, then each title must be done individually.

When I got to the stage to add chapter marks, I clicked the "Every 5 Minutes" box. Got the message reminding me about the 5-chapter limit on the trial version, okay, but the viewing screen and sliders within the program disappeared at that point, with just a plain background in the center where the film viewer used to be. Wasn't able to add chapters after that.

This is correct. If you choose to add the chapters automatically, then there is nothing left for you to do

The subtitles appeared dark grey with a yellow border -- on my original disk they are yellow with a dark grey border.

This is a known issue, and is stated as such.

I have another disk with subtitles that comes all packaged up in one big VOB set. I'll see if the same things happens.

Hrm. It doesn't actually work that way. A VTS series can actually have several titlesets in it depending on how it is authored.

-K

[schmeg]

Is a titleset an individual movie entity, or a VTS series? Or something else?

This disk had only one VTS series (VTS_01_x.vob), but two separate titles within ("The Gleaners and I" and "The Gleaners: Two Years Later"). Yep: "A VTS series can actually have several titlesets in it depending on how it is authored." This is one of them.

I had hoped to NOT clone the entire disk, but make two distinct DVDs from each title. However, DiscoPlus was working on the whole VTS series, the two movies together into one long movie split onto two DVDs.

So, I do indeed want to do each title individually. Is that possible in this situation?


The other unexpected result from the automatic chaptering seems to not let the user change their mind before pressing go. I selected that box by mistake, unselected it (because I realized I wanted to manually set chapters), and then was unable to do so. And, indeed, no chapters were set in the final file.


Hope this is useful in refining a very interesting tool.

(Oy veh on the purple subtitles that WiseWeasel has a fondness for! Maybe for "Velvet Goldmine"...)

[KaiCherry]

So, I do indeed want to do each title individually. Is that possible in this situation?

Try title 2 and tell me what you get.

-K

[zennman]

We are aware of the discoplus iso issue, and a fix is scheduled for release this weekend, as well as a couple of other changes and fixes:

-Fastmode: *EXPERIMENTAL*
"fastmode" puts the application into syncronous mode. This essentially locks the gui (beachballs it) but adds a huge speed boost. The app launches an external program, DiscoStats, so that you still get feedback.

In addition, if you are running in fastmode and choose auto chaptering, the software will run thru end-to-end, ie after you choose your save location, it will run thru xferring, chaptering and imaging without futher prompting.

There was a bug where the softwae could mistakenly join two dvds that should be left separate. This has been fixed.

There was some confusion about the split button save dialog; it has been modified to make it more clear that the user is choosing a final destination, not the dvd to be split.




These changes sound great. I'm looking forward to it.

[KaiCherry]

Beautiful, very happy to see the great progress being made on DiscomVOBulator. But does this mean we no longer get the pretty, random colored subs anymore?

You may still, but so far, all we're grtting is white or yellow...you know..."normal"

I'm running a test now on one that was particularly screwy; i'll let you know how it turns out.

-K

[schmeg]

Try title 2 and tell me what you get.

-K

Using the first release of DiscoPlus (1.0), specifying Title 2 of "The Gleaners" resulted in the same DVD1 set, then it crashed before getting much further.


Using DiscoPlus 1.0.1, I tried "Yi Yi." One set of VTS_01 files, two distinct titles (a 173-minute film, and the trailer).

I used the fast mode. Xferred files for about two hours, then created two mpg files. The first was close to 4 GB, the second a little smaller -- what I expected.

Opened the chapter setting window. What showed was the trailer! The only valid chapter stop times were between 0 and about two minutes, the length of the trailer. Moving the slider back and forth showed only the trailer (Title 2 on the source DVD). Choose automatic 10-minute chapters for both disks instead.

DiscoPlus1.0.1 created folders for two DVDs. The first movie starts with first the trailer and then the main film. The second movie is the second half of the film. Chapter stops work fine in the main film of DVD1 (wasn't limited to just the trailer).


So I tried again with just Title 2 (the trailer). Didn't use fast mode, and the progress bar spiraled but reported a steady 0 MB transferred.

After half an hour, with a working directory that was growing to over a gigabyte in size, I quit the program. OSeX ripped the trailer to an 82 MB file -- I figured that at over a gig, DiscoPlus was processing the whole thing (trailer + film) and I didn't want to wait another two hours for it to complete.

This appears to be a similar problem that I tried to describe in earlier posts: DiscoPlus processes the whole VTS series, not an individual title within that.

Also, the subtitles were very dark blue with black outlines. Source disk is yellow with black outlines. Don't know whether that code was worked on recently, so forgive me if you've stated in other threads that this continues to be a known issue.

"About DiscomVOBulator" reports version 1.0, though OF COURSE I'm sure that I installed the new version... : )

Thanks.

[jazzman]

Yeah I am getting similar results. I haven't analyzed it deeply but it appears to be missing the obvious when presenting same material in the OSex interface. I also have same marker window problems (only the trailer, and no visual in the marker display for 2nd portion). I need a utility like this to split files and maintain synch, that's all, not the Devine app. Guess another (3rd) release is coming soon. Trying to stay polite but "Beta" would be my nomenclature.

[KaiCherry]

A) This is not 0Sex. In fact, I just found out yesterday that 0sex doesn't make actual VOBs (sigh) so I'm not real keen on it

B) There are 2 distinct issues that are being combined into one "problem"

If you choose a title, disco runs thru, but shows nothing when its done, this is problem 1, and it is fixed.

Problem 2, You pick title whatever and you get title 1. There is no way you *could* be doing this with DiscoPlus, because due to a code glitch, it never processes anything *but* title 1.

This has been fixed.

Depending on how the DVD is authored, you will get what you are looking for.

As for jazzman's...politeness:

Whatever. "Polite" would have been to email the developers if you are a paying customer, like you SHOULD, and have the issue addressed, instead of tacking the 'beta' comment on to the end.

I mean HONESTLY...who else that sells you ANYTHING says "hey, gee, you found a bug, we're on it, give us a couple of days?"

I swear to GOD, I do NOT know what is wrong with people here!

Perhaps if we treated ya like Apple or Adobe (or for God's sake, Quark) "We'll double up on the charges, then knowingly release broken stuff, tell you its not, fix it, sit on it for awhile, then charge half the original price for the update...yeaahhh, thats the ticket) all the while pumping Sunshine up your butt...'zat better?

The fix will released as soon as Chris deems it ready. Its already done.

*sigh*

-K

[schmeg]

This is the closest I've gotten to creating a usable disk with either Disco or 42, so frankly I'm thrilled, Kai. In fact, other than the dark blue subtitles (very hard to read), it would have been fine. Functionally the disk works -- I only point out the fact that it strung together Title 2 and then Title 1 in case it helps you in your development of the software.

Most of my disks are poorly authored, I've come to learn. No end of problems... I've been posting user reports on this forum so others can follow the thread if they're having similar results, but I'll willingly send them via email if you'd prefer.

Rock on.


P.S. to all: if you haven't watched Aardman Animation's "Rex the Runt" series, give it a try. If that doesn't make you smile, nothing will.

[KaiCherry]

This is the closest I've gotten to creating a usable disk with either Disco or 42, so frankly I'm thrilled, Kai. In fact, other than the dark blue subtitles (very hard to read), it would have been fine.

during processing a file called sub.dat is made.

Is this file > 0K?

Thanks,

-K

[jazzman]

I WAS trying to be polite, factoring the $40 I spent. I am going to dig my 550 mhz G4 out of mothballs (I am remodeling my home office) and dedicate it to Disco Plus. I am having too many issues to go back and forth with you so I will just keep trying out discs from my STORE BOUGHT collection and log the perecentages of titles that come out satisfactorily (and that play after they're burned). I think that is fair and it won't boat anchor my computer.

[KaiCherry]

I WAS trying to be polite, factoring the $40 I spent. I am going to dig my 550 mhz G4 out of mothballs (I am remodeling my home office) and dedicate it to Disco Plus. I am having too many issues to go back and forth with you so I will just keep trying out discs from my STORE BOUGHT collection and log the perecentages of titles that come out satisfactorily (and that play after they're burned). I think that is fair and it won't boat anchor my computer.

Here is the problem I have with this. As a paying customer, you have a *right* to receive support.

If you would click on our support link, your issue would be handled properly, including phone support, if needed.

if an actual, identifiable bug is logged, it is worked on. That day.

See, folks are so used to coming here, dumping, pissing and moaning, that this is the the *first* stop, when it should be the last.

Obviously, D+ doesn't work with every dvd. Virtually nothing does, without serious reauthoring.

D+ is about as close as one gets to drag/drop/click/go, and continues to go in that direction.

AGAIN, I *urge* registered users to *contact us if you are having problems*.

Posting here is a sure way to have them ignored FOR DAYS. Contacting us usually gets you some kind of verity, resolution or solution *in minutes*.

-K

[KaiCherry]

removed by Kai...

[KaiCherry]

I think that is fair and it won't boat anchor my computer.

Disco+ in no way "boat anchors" anything. Even in Sychronous Mode, which is labeled as *EXPERIMENTAL* btw, is this the case.

Again, DiscoPlus is free to try. Download it and see for yourself if it gives you results.

Thanks,

-K

[KaiCherry]

This problem has been identified, and works as it should in most cases. So no, yer not crazy.

It really depends on how the DVD is authored unfortunatly, but it has been dealt with as best we can at this time.

-K

[jazzman]

You can definitely use and enjoy your boat with a dropped anchor, you just cant' use your motor (DVD drive). OSex does not give you VOB's, but it really gives you insight into the breakout of the loaded DVD title. By manually viewing (with VLC) the individual chapters you can really run a budget and get it down to one disc in many instances. An application that can render the "human" side of OSex interface will give us the results we need (a very tall order). I am excited about DISCO+, and I look forward to giving it a run-thru.

[KaiCherry]

Goddamn it

Look, we had this conversation already. Disco/Plus can use Disk images. The problem is the way YOU are making them, and to try to represent this any other way, no matter how thinly veiled, is *very* undecent of you.

Disco/Plus will never support 0SeX "vobs" because (wait for it) *they are not in fact VOBs*

Apparently, no one has figured this out yet.

I am truly sorry that I can't just come out and say, "hey Jazzman, you need to do x, with y to get z," to make you happy.

I *can't* tell you this. US LAW FORBIDES ME TO DO SO. Sorry.

Please stop trying to make this into an issue with the software.

Thanks,

-K

You can definitely use and enjoy your boat with a dropped anchor, you just cant' use your motor (DVD drive). OSex does not give you VOB's, but it really gives you insight into the breakout of the loaded DVD title. By manually viewing (with VLC) the individual chapters you can really run a budget and get it down to one disc in many instances. An application that can render the "human" side of OSex interface will give us the results we need (a very tall order). I am excited about DISCO+, and I look forward to giving it a run-thru.

[jazzman]

I use the video and audio files resulting from OSex in DVDSP to build a DVD folder. I then image the folder with toast. Are these VOB's not VOB's? They always play on DVD-R & DVDRW media in my superdrive, portable DVD and console DVD players. It's when they are over the GB threshold that they are not VOB's?

[KaiCherry]

This I can answer

Apparently, when this piece of...software extracts anything from the original (subs, audio, etc) and re-writes them, it does not rewrite them as vobs, but as muxed mpeg2pes streams and *names* them .vob for some twisted bizarre reason.

I'd remove Toast from the equation. Using toast disk images is known to be problematic for several things, althouh when you mount them they put that nifty dvd icon on the desktop, so this somehow makes it more correct in some people's minds.

I was told that using something else to make disk images is a much better solution and would work better for you.

-K