Nero creates DVD files, Womble creates mpeg2 files

[apocalypse]

I have a Philips DVD player, model DVP642. It will play most files, including mpeg2.

One thing that I have noticed is that if I rip a DVD and convert the *.vob file to a *.mpg (mpeg2 to be exact) with Nero, the DVP642 will recognize the *.mpg file as a DVD file (has the little DVD logo next to it, like this ).

If I convert the same *.vob file to an *.mpg with Womble, the DVP642 recognizes it as an mpeg2 file, with no DVD logo.

The problem this causes is that some files which have a 16:9 aspect ratio will play just fine when using Nero, as the DVP642 recognizes them as a DVD file and displays the file fine (no vertical stretching, etc.). However, if I use Womble the DVP642 sees it as an mpeg2 and will not display the file correctly (vertical stretching occurs). I can fix this by using DVDPatcher and changing the aspect ratio of the *.mpg file to 16:9.

The question is what is the difference between the two files that makes one recognized as a DVD file and the other as just an mpeg2 file? Checking the file with DVDPatcher indicates that each file has the exact same aspect ratio, resolution, etc.

Here is another quirk, if I take the *.mpg file from Womble (DVD player recognizes it as an mpeg2) and run it through Nero with the "Smart Encoding" box checked (this causes the file to not be changed, though I'm certain it is changed a little as the resulting file is a few MBs larger), the resulting file will be recognized by the DVP642 as a DVD file.

I think there must be some way to change the header information or something to modify the file so that it is recognized as a DVD file.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to make the mpeg2 file a DVD file?

[reboot]

Author it.
ReJig will work nicely (free).

[apocalypse]

If I author it, it is back to a *.vob, which defeats the purpose of converting it to an mpeg2 in the first place.

Anyone else have any ideas?

[reboot]

No, you want to play these on a standalone, then .vob is what you need.
Yes, some players will recognize mpg.
Try ReJig in file mode to make the mpg.

[apocalypse]

To play on the DVP642, you do not need to have *.vob files.

The files encoded by Nero are NOT *.vob files. They are *.mpg, yet the DVP642 recognizes them as a true DVD file as indicated by the logo.

My question is if anyone knows why Womble's files are recognized as mpeg2 and Nero's files as DVD?

[mats.hogberg]

It might be how the mpg is multiplexed. Nero might even cheat, and just rename VOB to mpg - who knows? Didn't even know Nero did this kind of "conversion".

If I author it, it is back to a *.vob, which defeats the purpose of converting it to an mpeg2 in the first place.

... and that purpose is?

/Mats

[apocalypse]

Nero does not rename the *.vob to *.mpg. The file size also goes from about 1.5 GB to 350 MB, which is much more than a simple file extension change.

[jdizzy40]

Whats the point here, geez! I have the DVP-642 also. I use it to play DIVX and RAW MPEG Music Videos. WHy? Why? Why?

[apocalypse]

The point is I have a question I hoped someone could answer.

[mats.hogberg]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to make the mpeg2 file a DVD file?

Is this the question? If so, the answer is: There is no such thing as a DVD file. It's like asking how to make an mpeg file a HDD file or CD file or...
But the spirit of the question is answered with: Author it as Video DVD, using a real authoring app, like TMPGEnc DVD Author.
Why Womble doesn't maintain the aspect ratio flag in the mpeg I don't know, but I'm sure there is a way to make Womble set it correctly.

/Mats

[reboot]

If you want a simple "DVD file", use Rejig, author DVD, or keep using Patcher as you have done.
I wouldn't be so concerned about why womble does this, or doesn't do that, and author the file properly in whatever software you choose.

[Abond]

I think the answer is quite simple - Womble strips everything from the header except the MPEG2 appearance, while nero include so called Navigation packs in the header - so they are recognized as dvd files. BTW the same packs are included multiplexing with ImagoMPEGMuxer.

[apocalypse]

Abond > you're thinking what I'm thinking. So with the thought that the header is being stripped of some sort of information, do you know any utilities that are similar to DVDPatcher that would be able to flag this file as a "DVD" file? DVDPatcher is not able to do this.

Reboot > I'm not concerned why the DVP642 recognizes certain files as "DVD" files, as I can obviously work around it. What I want to understand however, is what is the cause? I would rather understand something that think that PFM (pure f*cking magic) is why things happen.

mats.hogberg > Authoring as a DVD changes the files back to a *.vob, which is what I started with originally. A "real" utility, yes, I have several of them and I know how to use them. What I want to know is the how and why of what makes the DVP642 see a file as a "DVD" file and automatically play them with the correct aspect ratio, instead of me using DVDPatcher and changing it manually.

[mats.hogberg]

what makes the DVP642 see a file as a "DVD" file

That one might wonder. Maybe Philips has the answer? Or take a look at the different mpegs with DVDPatcher and/or GSpot, to see what's different.

/Mats

[reboot]

I would rather understand something that think that PFM (pure f*cking magic) is why things happen.

Point taken!

[apocalypse]

I used DVDPatcher to view the specs of the files in the past, and each time they have the exact same specs.

I tried GSpot and lo and behold, it gives the same specs for each file too. It states each "File is MPEG (.MPG/.MPEG/.VOB) and the video source as "MPEG2_VIDEO" and audio source as "DOLBY_AC3". When I view the various details after I click the "render" button, they appear to be the same as well.

This sure is a puzzler, and unless there is some other utility that can read some other possible attribute on the file, I may have to accept the answer that the DVP642 is just "special" when it comes to reading *.mpg files. I hate to do that as I'll always have this thought in the back of my head knowing I couldn't figure out WHY it is this way, grrr!

I appreciate everyone's help and if anyone has any other ideas please post as I would like to get to the bottom of this eventually.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Is it possible that Womble is converting the audio to 44.1KHz?
I say this because my Mintek 2100 does the same thing.If the audio is 48KHz it displays the "DVD" logo,if it's 44.1KHz it displays "MPEG".

[monzie]

I'd go with what MOVIEGEEK says:

M2V (mpeg2 VIDEO stream) + 48khz audio = DVD compliant (and therefore also kicks in the anomorphic flag for 16:9 enhanced video) so 'stretching' the horizontal on TV playback

M2V + 44.1khz audio is NOT DVD compliant so the 16:9 flag will not be used (eg SVCD are mpeg2 @ 480X480n/576p)...the DVD player will just stretch the horizontal to fill a normal TV scanline and not apply the multiplier for WIDESCREEN playback.

NOTE. The VERTICAL res is the CORRECT resolution..its the horizontal that is incorrect.

[apocalypse]

Unfortunately the audio in each file (Womble and Nero) is at 48 kHz.