Pioneer VR Mode?

[wulf109]

Is there a way to convert a VR mode disk to conventional DVD-VIDEO?
I've read it can be done with DVD Shrink and TDA,but I can't get them to work. The disk has two files,an ifo and a vro. I'm using WindowsME.

[sync]

A program called ReadDvd should enable your computer to read a VR disk. Get it here:
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/support_software.jsp?category=support/software

[wulf109]

Let me try to clarify. I want to convert the VRO file into a conventional set of ifo,bup,and vob files. To be able to play the new disk on any standalone DVD player. I have ReadDVD on my computer,that only allows you to play the VRO on your computer. I want to create a new disk that will play on any standalone DVD player.

[whompus]

The same people that offers the reader also offers an app called great video for doing just what you ask. Read about it here http://sitemaint.digitalriver.com/dr/qa1/ec_MAIN.Entry10?V1=666749&PN=1&SP=10023&xid=1...P=0&CACHE_ID=0 I don't think they offer a trial version though.

[seb]

Can you say more about why you can't get TmpegEncDVDAuthor to work? I use it regularly to re-author DVD-VR discs recorded on my Pioneer recorder and it does the job fine.

I did need to download the ReadDVD software mentioned above (http://www.softarch.com/pioneer/readdvd.html) in order to be able to access the VR mode disc - note that you need a Pioneer DVD-ROM or writer in your PC to use this. You won't necessarily need to use this if you have a recent version of a UDF driver in Windows. (You can also use ISOBUSTER to rip a VR disc to your hard-drive, and work on it from there).

With all that in place, I just fire up TDA - select ADD DVD VIDEO and browse to the disc I want to re-author. Select the titles I want in turn and doing all the editing I need to before moving on to the menu creation part. When all that is done just create DVD files and burn. End result = standard DVD-VIDEO disc that can be played in anything.

Let us know at what point things aren't going right and we'll have a go at sorting it out!

[broadway]

Is there a way to convert a VR mode disk to conventional DVD-VIDEO?
I've read it can be done with DVD Shrink and TDA,but I can't get them to work. The disk has two files,an ifo and a vro. I'm using WindowsME.

If your Windows ME hard drive is formatted for FAT32, then the largest filesize is 4GB. If you are recording a full 2 hour video, then your VRO file will exceed 4GB.

I have Windows 2000 installed on a second hard drive on my PC which I use for video work. I copy the VR files to that hard drive, then use TMPGEnc DVD Author to re-author to a DVD-VIDEO DVD.

[wulf109]

The 4GB limit is not a problem because I'm dealing with 1 hour concerts. The version of TDA for WindowsME does not appear to support VRO files. I just get an illegal mpeg2 stream error when I try to open in TDA.

[seb]

Ah. I'd forgotten about that. The illegal mpeg stream error is coming up because you've got video recorded at a non-standard resolution on your DVD_VR disc. (At certain bitrates/quality settings the Pioneer will lower the video resolution to maximise pic quality - it's not an issue I ever see because I don't ever record below SP/MN21). If you initialize your blank discs in DVD_VIDEO mode then you'll never get this issue.

The video will need to be re-encoded to a DVD compliant spec. TmpegDVDAuthor won't do that. There are a variety of tools that would do the job - but I don't really have any experience using them. I'm sure that someone who is able to give better advice will make some recommendations. Sorry I can't be of more help here!

[gshelley61]

Yes, the VR recording mode has some resolutions that are not compliant with the DVD-Video standard (like 480x480, for example). Their purpose is to offer more gradual resolution reduction as the recording time length increases while in the VR recording mode. The VR mode is intended for using the DVD recorder to time shift your television viewing, like a TIVO. For recordings that you want to make DVD's from, use the DVD-Video format and you will not have any compliance problems.

[chas0039]

Do some searching for people who have dealt with this process with Panasonic E50s and other recorders. I have read many posts with lots of solutions there. It should be the same for your Pioneer files.

[vhelp]

I think that what is missing (though it was stated already above) is
that you need a dedicated Pioneer dvd-rom drive. Particilary, the
newer generation ones, that might be more in line with reading the
VR mode data on a dvd made disk.
.
My Optorite drive won't read it - period. Unless I format the disk
to Video Mode inside the 220-S recorder. That was my problem in my
earlier days when I first got the unit - stupid me. Anyways.

From what I've read so far though, in the video mode, reading the
disk inside a dvd-rom drive (video mode) is faster than reading one
that was in VR mode. So, that is a plus, if anything.
.
I suppose getting a Pioneer dvd-rom drive is not so much of a burden
on ones wallet/purse these days, if one can fine for $50 dollar or
less. They are cheep these days. Unless money is tight

-vhelp 3233

[wulf109]

I'm using a Pioneer DVD recorder and DVD-ROM in my computer. I'm recording in Fine mode with 1 hour per disk,so I would assume it's 720x480. I can play the VR mode disk on either drive with PowerDVD. My problem is I can't find a software that will open VRO files. I tried DVDlab but it won't open the Pioneer created VRO files either.

[vhelp]

@ wulf,

I'm sorry. I'm still new to this dvd recorder hobby of mine.

But I'm not sure I understand (for curiosity) isn't the VRO file
equivalent to the IFO file ?? ..or are you talking about the actual
MPEG file ??
.
And, if VRO = similar IFO, then does VRO have the IFO doesn't, and
what are you looking for in the VRO file, (to do with) ??

Thanks,

-vhelp 3236
PS: I have an *old* Pioneer dvd-rom drive, but it doesn't read VR disks

[gshelley61]

I'm using a Pioneer DVD recorder and DVD-ROM in my computer. I'm recording in Fine mode with 1 hour per disk,so I would assume it's 720x480. I can play the VR mode disk on either drive with PowerDVD. My problem is I can't find a software that will open VRO files. I tried DVDlab but it won't open the Pioneer created VRO files either.

This might work for you... try downloading the trial version of Cyberlink PowerProducer 3. It apparently has a .dll file or something that allows your computer video software applications to "see" the VRO files. If you leave it loaded on your computer, even after the free trial period is over it still works. Worked for me, anyway. YMMV

If you record in standard DVD-Video format instead of VR, none of this will ever be a problem. And your recordings will always be DVD compliant that way, no matter how long they are.