Need help converting DVD concert to audio CD

[jrjmf44]

Hi, I'm new at this, so please bare with me. I'm trying to rip songs from a DVD concert to an audio CD. I've done a brief search thru some of the forums here on videohelp.com but didn't find what I was looking for. I would like the audio CD to sound as close as humanly possible to the original DVD concert. (I'm a stickler for good-sounding music.) I'm looking for software (free, if possible) that will rip a bunch of .VOB video files from the concert DVD to WMA audio at 128 Kbps. Does such a software exist? Please help! Thanks!

[yoda313]

search for dvd to cd.

There is some program with a name just like that. Can't remember exactly.

But you need to rip it first. There really aren't any free rippers that are up-to-date. Makemkv might do it but i don't know for sure.

ANydvd and dvdfabdecrypter are the best paid rippers available. Either will get your dvd onto your harddrive.

Then use eac3to to convert to wav. From there any audio converter will work - audacity for example.

Personally I'd rather you use mp3 at 320kpbs. I wouldn't want to be locked to wma. You may still run into a unit that doesn't do wma. Whereas mp3 is nearly universal.

I'm sure you'll get other suggestions.

[Noahtuck]

I'm trying to rip songs from a DVD concert to an audio CD.

If you want an actual audio cd there is NO choice, you can not make an AUDIO CD with WMA.

I would like the audio CD to sound as close as humanly possible to the original DVD concert. (I'm a stickler for good-sounding music.)

Not with a statement like this you're not!!

to WMA audio at 128 Kbps.

LMAO!!!

Yoda's suggestion would do less damage to the audio than yours!!

You will not want to use WMA or MP3, not to mention both of those formats compress the hell out of the audio and basically destroy the music!!

If you want the easiest way to do this then use DVD Audio Extractor
Not free but it will extract all the audio into a standard audio cd format with a cue sheet, for the different tracks, in one shot!!

Otherwise it will be a bit of a process with a few programs, but if you want to compress the hell out of it and destroy it, then by all means, WMA or mp3.

[hech54]

WMA audio at 128 Kbps.

So do you want an audio CD or "WMA audio at 128 Kbps"....because "WMA audio at 128 Kbps" is NOT an audio CD.

[jrjmf44]

Thanks, everybody! First. I would like to retract my initial statement....I mentioned audio CD (and WMA @ 128 kbps) in haste...sorry! More questions for you, please.

1) I want to rip the .VOB files from the concert DVD and convert them into THE BEST SOUNDING dot whatever audio files. What are the best sounding audio files that I could convert these .VOB files to? I then want to transfer these dot whatever-is-best-sounding files to my Sony Walkman MP3 player.

2) Do any of these ANydvd, dvdfabdecrypter, or DVD Audio Extractor extracting/ripping tools allow you to create an audio track from snipets of two different .VOB files? For example, on this particular concert DVD, the lead vocalist talks a bit at the end of one song...and this "talk" is sort of a segway into the next song. And I want to be able to convert the talk and the subsequent song into one audio file. Is this possible using any of the three aforementioned extracting/ripping tools?

I would appreciate any help you can give. And...THANKS in advance for your expert advice!

[hech54]

DVDDecrypter can rip BY CHAPTER(buried in the settings)....that usually means BY SONG for concert DVDs.
LPCM audio on a DVD is the equivalent to the audio on a store-bought CD.....IF your concert DVD contains LPCM audio. Some do, some don't.
AC3 audio on a DVD is the equivalent to MP3 audio for Walkmans and other portable players....except for the 48 vs. 44.1 issue mentioned below.
Audio on a DVD is 48k - you need 44.1 like CD audio

Editing out talking is easier with 44.1 .wav (wave) files.

Software like GoldWave and Audacity can edit AND get you from 48k to 44.1 - just make sure you've go the terminology correct when going from 48 to 44.1. If done incorrectly, the results are disastrous....but at least you'll notice right away once you play the file.

[fvisagie]

@jrjmf44,

FYI DVDFab HD Decrypter (the part that copies the DVD to your hard disk) is free, and it's still being kept up to date.

Cheers,
Francois

[jman98]

DVDFab HD Decrypter is not free and I don't know why people keep insisting that it is. It hasn't been free for some time now. As best we can tell, NOTHING that DVDFab makes is now available in a free version. Even the programs that used to be free are not free now.

fvisagie - If you honestly know a way to get a current DVDFab product to be installed and be permanently free to use, let us know how to do it. We haven't had any recent reports of anybody successfully able to do this. At this point I think that a lot of members like you are just posting on how things were and I bet you don't even use DVDFab yourself or you have the pay version and just remember how it used to be when it was free in the past and you assume nothing has changed. But here's your chance to prove me wrong and if there really is a way to get anything from them to install for free and remain free to use, tell us how to do it.

[hech54]

Just downloaded the latest version and it shows up free - never expires for me:

[hech54]

Here is yet another version buried deep on their website. It appears to be identical to my "Giveaway Of The Day" version from a long time ago and still has the old interface:
http://www.dvdfab.com/mlink/download.php?g=DVDFAB
I doubt it will decrypt anything NEW.....but I have nothing NEW to test it with. (version 8.2.2.8 - DVDFab8228Qt.exe)

The latest version pictured above(DVDFab9040_avangate-675.exe) does default to "DVD Copy", not HD Decrypter and displays Trial Version. What happens after it expires(if it ever does) I have no idea. It might make the HD Decrypter option available again....who knows.

My Giveaway Of The Day version came as a ZIP file(DVDFabDVDCopy_new.zip) and is dated 2011.

[Kerry56]

^Yes, when the trial expires for DVD Copy, you will have access to DVDFab HD Decrypter. Fab just likes to obscure the free section as much as possible. But it IS still there. jman98 is simply wrong about this.

[Baldrick]

DVDFab HD Decrypter is not free and I don't know why people keep insisting that it is. It hasn't been free for some time now. As best we can tell, NOTHING that DVDFab makes is now available in a free version. Even the programs that used to be free are not free now.

fvisagie - If you honestly know a way to get a current DVDFab product to be installed and be permanently free to use, let us know how to do it. We haven't had any recent reports of anybody successfully able to do this. At this point I think that a lot of members like you are just posting on how things were and I bet you don't even use DVDFab yourself or you have the pay version and just remember how it used to be when it was free in the past and you assume nothing has changed. But here's your chance to prove me wrong and if there really is a way to get anything from them to install for free and remain free to use, tell us how to do it.

I installed version 9 a few months ago and it's still free. Dvd and blu-ray copy mode.

[jagabo]

Rip with DVDFab, DVD Decrypter, or whatever you like. Then use DgIndex to demux the audio, usually an AC3 file. You now have an exact copy of the audio on the disc. Done.

[Cornucopia]

(appending from jagabo's instruction)...
That's the best you can get from the original DVD-Video discs. 1:1 copy of the extracted audio. Save those as data files for archive on your HDD.

Then, if you want to convert to AudioCD or to mp3, use eac3to, or similar, to convert to stereo/16/44 WAV, and then Lame (and possibly one of it's GUI frontends) to convert the WAV to mp3. I'm sure there are also apps that will go straight from AC3 to mp3, but I like having control over each step and don't mind needing multiple steps.

Scott

[Steve(MS)]

One of these later betas of Dvdfab that I tried to use on a couple of blu-rays, and I had denied it internet access, it defaulted to dvdfab decrypter
and then wouldn't read the disc and displayed a "buy" it prompt box.
It definitely wouldn't work without internet connection.

So there is some middle ground here, I am not sure whether it works on the latest blu-rays anymore without paying for it.
And I am hating it more since the introduction of the 9000 series.
Lately I have been using Makemkv.

[fvisagie]

One of these later betas of Dvdfab that I tried to use on a couple of blu-rays, and I had denied it internet access, it defaulted to dvdfab decrypter
and then wouldn't read the disc and displayed a "buy" it prompt box.
It definitely wouldn't work without internet connection.

Quite correct. DVDFab Decrypter stores your licences (if any) on their server and needs an Internet connection to validate. Whether you've bought or not, when no connection is available, the result is

I.e. when unconnected you also can't decrypt Blu-Ray, even if you've paid.

My unpaid installation appears as follows when connected, and I'm still happily decrypting DVDs

and


Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Francois

[jrjmf44]

Rip with DVDFab, DVD Decrypter, or whatever you like. Then use DgIndex to demux the audio, usually an AC3 file. You now have an exact copy of the audio on the disc. Done.

(appending from jagabo's instruction)...

That's the best you can get from the original DVD-Video discs. 1:1 copy of the extracted audio. Save those as data files for archive on your HDD.

Then, if you want to convert to AudioCD or to mp3, use eac3to, or similar, to convert to stereo/16/44 WAV, and then Lame (and possibly one of it's GUI frontends) to convert the WAV to mp3. I'm sure there are also apps that will go straight from AC3 to mp3, but I like having control over each step and don't mind needing multiple steps.

Scott

In DVDFab, is there a way to stop recording a chapter/track at any point in time? For example, on this particular concert DVD I'm ripping, the full length of chapter/track #13 is 4:51. I would like to stop ripping that chapter/track at the 4:46 mark. AND...begin ripping chapter/track #14 @ the 4:47 mark of chapter/track #13. Does this make sense? And...is it possible?
P.S. Thanks to all of you for your knowledge! MUCH appreciated!!

[yoda313]

You would need to do that with an audio editor like audacity. (after you copy the dvd)

A dvd ripper just copies the whole disc intact or movie only depending on how you copy it.

Audio editors can trim the sound just the way you want it.

[jrjmf44]

You would need to do that with an audio editor like audacity. (after you copy the dvd)

A dvd ripper just copies the whole disc intact or movie only depending on how you copy it.

Audio editors can trim the sound just the way you want it.

@yoda313
I've ripped the necessary DVD chapters with DVDfab. Now, I want to transfer those to my MP3 player.
But, first, do I use DgIndex to demux the audio? Or can I skip right to an audio editor like audacity?
Thanks for your help!

[jagabo]

If you get the ffmpeg source plugin for Audacity you can import audio directly from most video files, including VOB and MPG.

[jrjmf44]

If you get the ffmpeg source plugin for Audacity you can import audio directly from most video files, including VOB and MPG.

@jagabo
I'm on the Zeranoe FFmpeg website but I'm not sure what I need to download. There's downloads for Static, Shared, and Dev downloads for 32- and 64-bit. Which one is the correct plugin for Audacity? Thanks!

[jagabo]

Instructions for the ffmpeg plugin:
http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/faq_installation_and_plug_ins.html#ffdown

After installing the ffmpeg plugin you can use File -> Import -> Audio... or just drag/drop onto Audacity.

[yoda313]

I want to amend my previous statement.

I forgot about using dvdshrink to select a range you want to rip. Or rip a chapter. (but its not super easy to do a spot on frame to frame selection, it'll be a wider target to hit than that, which is why it would probably be easier to do audio after the fact than try to narrow down the video first).

This involves either ripping the whole disc first with a separate ripper or use anydvdhd or dvdfab passkey in the background to do the decrypting in the background.

Then you can go from there.

----

Fyi dvdshrink is ancient and has no idea what to do with any of the new copy protections which is why you need to either rip first and open the video_ts folder in dvdshrink or run anydvdhd or dvdfabdecrypter in the background.

[DaveElson]

I have far (far) less experience with this kind of topic than everyone else here, but I wanted to make a quick suggestion.
Soundleech from Milo Software is free and will take audio from any source and save to a wave file.
CDWave from the same guy (also free) can be used to split to tracks, and then perhaps be converted to another format if required. I haven't read the whole thread but if it's for a walkman, then file size would be reasonably important and a reduction in size helpful?
I have used both programs, but not for some time.
Respectfully.
Oh, and while I've lurked here on and off, just joined the forum today. Hello

Edit: CDWave may have a trial period now, but cost $15 after one month. Just had a quick look.

[Steve(MS)]

Don't know about these newer versions of dvdfab but the 8000 series will allow for ripping particular chapters.

[hech54]

Hello?

DVDDecrypter can rip BY CHAPTER(buried in the settings)....that usually means BY SONG for concert DVDs.

Tools
Settings
IFO Mode
By Chapter

You can even take AUDIO ONLY.

[jrjmf44]

Instructions for the ffmpeg plugin:
http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/faq_installation_and_plug_ins.html#ffdown

After installing the ffmpeg plugin you can use File -> Import -> Audio... or just drag/drop onto Audacity.

@jagabo
I'm on the ffmpeg website. However, there are MANY links to download stuff (see below).
Which is the correct link to download the ffmpeg plugin for audacity?

Thank you for your help!


For FFmpeg/LAME on Windows:
Lame_v3.99.3_for_Windows.exe
ZIP OPTION:
libmp3lame-win-3.98.2.zip (Issues? Some help HERE and HERE)

FFmpeg Binary compatible with Audacity 1.3.13, 2.x or later on Windows (THIS IS NOT LAME!):
FFmpeg_v0.6.2_for_Audacity_on_Windows.exe - (ZIP version - here)

FFmpeg Binary for Audacity 1.3.10 or later on Windows (THIS IS NOT LAME!):
FFmpeg_2009_07_20_for_Audacity_on_Windows.exe
For Audacity 1.3.3 or later on Mac OS X 10.4 and greater (Intel or PPC),and Audacity 1.2.5 on OS X 10.4 and later (Intel)
Lame_Library_v3.98.2_for_Audacity_on_OSX.dmg (ZIP version here)
FFmpeg Binary for Audacity 1.3.13 or later on OS X 10.4 and later (Intel or PPC) (THIS IS NOT LAME!):
FFmpeg (0.6.2 OSX 10.4+ DMG) (zip version here or if problems with the installer, try this new one)

FFmpeg Binary for Audacity 1.3.10 or later on OS X 10.4 and later (Intel or PPC) (THIS IS NOT LAME!):
FFmpeg (2009/07/29/OSX DMG)

FFmpeg v0.6.2 - ZIP version - extract to any location:
FFmpeg_v0.6.2_for_Audacity_on_OSX.zip

[jagabo]

Assuming you're running Windows and already have Audacity:

FFmpeg Binary for Audacity 1.3.10 or later on Windows (THIS IS NOT LAME!):
FFmpeg_2009_07_20_for_Audacity_on_Windows.exe

[jrjmf44]

Great success!!!!!! Thanks to all of you for your help!!!!!!