Newbie advice on ripping DVD's - only really want movie only

[Emanef]

Hi guys

Just got a Pioneer DVD writer, and I'm trying to get my head round ripping from DVD. A few questions I'd like answering that I've not completely understood from other threads and sites. I'm only really looking to rip the main movie and ac3 audio from each dvd to put onto a DVDr. I'll explain what I've done (or not been able to do!) so far, and ask the questions relevant to that problem.....

I first tried ripping Gone in 60 Secs using SmartRipper. SmartRipper auto detected the main video file, and I selected the English ac3 only, and set both to demux to extra file, and selected the other options in settings as shown on DVD2DVDR.com. When I selected to start, it left me with an .m2v file (3.89gb) and an .ac3 file(310mb). I then tried to use Spruce Up to create the movie (with no titles or anything). It took a while to convert, but wouldn't finish converting the audio (stuck on 99%), and when I went to part 3 (author), it showed the file space needed was over 6gb, and wouldn't start the test burn!

I tried Spruce Up a few times, but it kept playing silly buggers and just be awkward so gave up on that for a while.....

I then went in TMPGenc, and into the MPEG Tools. I selected Simple Multipex, MPEG2(VBR), and selected the .m2v & .ac3 files, set the output file and after about half an hour or so ended up with one 4.27gb .mpg file. Should I be doing this? I run this in ATI media player, and it played OK.

I tried to create a DVD in Nero 5582, but when I selected the video file it really wanted a vob, bup or ifo file, and when I selected the mpg file it said it was over 2gb so cannot be used for an ISO disk.

So wadoo I do now?

Will the mpg file that was output have proper 5.1 audio (I'm presuming it will)?

Can I use a different program to just select the large mpg file and burn to a video dvd? If not, what should I be doing and using when I've got my .m2v & .ac3 files?

With regards to only wanting the main movie, am I heading in the right direction? Should I have just the .m2v and .ac3 files after ripping?

In SmartRipper, why do I Demux the audio to an extra file? Is this in case the video needs reencoding and to keep it in the original condition?

Sorry it's a lot, and they'll probably all been answered numerous times in the past, but these are the problems I've had as I'm going along, and found most help guides seem to tell you what to do without explaining why or what each thing does (though they are still very helpful!)

Phew......thanks......!

[Emanef]

OK, so I know it was a biggie, but with over 50 views surely someone could have answered at least one of my questions.....!

[Plant_Guy]

OK,

The question I have is why are you doing any muxing and demuxing at all? If the movie by itself does not fit (ie, more than 4.7GB or so) you can follow the instructions in this guide: http://www.dvd2dvdr.com/ Hope this helps you out.

TomG. - aka Plant_Guy

[Plant_Guy]

OOPS,

To clarify, if your movie will fit on one DVD, then rip the files from the DVD and make a copy. If not, go to the site I mentioned above to make it fit. Hope this helps.

TomG. - aka Plant_Guy

[Emanef]

Sorry, when you say make a copy it makes it sound like copying an audio cd.....!

Do you mean rip with SmartRipper, author with something like Spruce Up, then burn with something like Nero? If you recommend better programs (for ease and speed of use - I only really want the main feature not the extras!) please do....

It is starting to fall into place (just not at the speed gravity pulls at.....!)

[Plant_Guy]

Read the guide above, this should give you an idea of the tools. I do not have a DVD burner, so I am helping based on others' experiences that I am familiar with.

TomG. - aka Plant_Guy

[fand]

When I selected to start, it left me with an .m2v file (3.89gb) and an .ac3 file(310mb).

3.89 + .310 = 4.2 gigs.

In the dvd2dvdr.com guide, it explictly says that if you have files under 4.3gigs, you do not need to hardly anything.

here is the link : http://www.dvd2dvdr.com/dvd-5.htm

i just got my pioneer 104 yesterday as well. i've only had a few hours of experimenting .. and hopefully when i return home tonight, i will be able to burn the mummy in nero tonight .. i bought a dvd-RW but nero doesn't seem to be recognizing it i'm thinking maybe i have to format it or something first.. hrmmm..

cheers,

kyle

[Emanef]

In the dvd2dvdr.com guide, it explictly says that if you have files under 4.3gigs, you do not need to hardly anything.

Yes, but I was getting a bit confused (bit clearer now!)

I didn't know what I was supposed to be doing with the .m2v & .ac3 files as when I tried the Spruce Up part, it kept getting stuck on 99% of the audio conversion and wouldn't let me finish the project. Because of this, I was thinking I needed to merge them together to get an MPEG file....just, I know, completely off the mark.....!

I think it was because it was over 4 Gb that it kept hanging in Spruce Up (I've only got one NTFS drive, and have only just noticed where it tried to create the ts audio/ts video files).

It's worked now, so I've now got that far. One thing about this; I selected image file, and it's created the ts a/v files in one folder, but has also created another actual Spruce Up image file of the full size. I don't need this do I? Have I just got the settings wrong for it to create this additional file?

Thanks.

[fand]

do output to: title set .. not image file, as the dvd2dvdr.com directions say.. this essentially "extracts and creates" the vob files from the mv2/ac3.

cheers,

kyle

[vesterlee]

i have been reading this post and everything sounds good. but one question about the size of the movie are you talking about 4.5 gigs after you rip are before you rip the movie main part? please reply. i have had my burner and been making a lot of coasters because some of the guides are just not step by step ?

[vesterlee]

in the guide you suggest it says to click on files question is that gonna create just vob files are m2v file iso files are what. are is it really going to create a vts-folder? please reply

[vesterlee]

what if the movie is over 4.5 gigs? then what

[Emanef]

Glad I'm not the only one struggling.....!

No, the movie is a little under 4.3 gigs.

From what I gather so far, selecting the video and specific audio stream in Smart Ripper, and demux to new file for each, this gives you an .ac3 and .m2v file. I think it is a sort of image file, but of the combined vobs.

When you go into Spruce Up and select the ripped .ac3 and .m2v files, then get to the last part when you create the project, it actually creates the video_ts & audio_ts with the 1gb vobs, etc all in it. I presume this is what you then use in Nero, Prassi or whatever to burn.

I kept getting a burn error when I tried, but I'm hoping I've worked out why - I didn't use any menus in Spruce Up, just tried the no menu option (that wasn't tested.....doh!....in DVD2DVDR's guide!) I'm currently staring again, ripping from the dvd, after which I will create a new project in Spruce Up and use a basic menu or something and try again. I'm really hoping this is why it didn't work before.....!

I've spent hours tonight and last night, and will soon be at risk of losing hair rapidly....! I imagine it's fairly straight forward when you've got it sussed, but until then......!

I also want to make sure my burner works, and work out what media to use.

With regards to Nero recognising the dvd-rw, try selecting Erase re-writable media or media info from the tool bar. If this works, it's recognised it. I didn't format my dvd-rw disk (though I've not managed to get anything on it yet!)

[vesterlee]

i have burned a couple of movies using dvd decrypter and movie factory to burn . i copy the iso with dvd decrypter and/or burn with it also and the movie comes out just like the dvd menus and everything. only for movies under 110 minutes though. the only problem i have is when i copy a movie that has those warning logos at the begining of the movie it would only play the warning logo and just stop dead in its tracks. this is why ineed to figure how to do just the main movie portion. these other methods takes all day and night . dvd decrypter takes about 2 hours . if you figure it out post it i need the help because nothing is working.

[fand]

With regards to Nero recognising the dvd-rw, try selecting Erase re-writable media or media info from the tool bar. If this works, it's recognised it. I didn't format my dvd-rw disk (though I've not managed to get anything on it yet!)

are dvd-rw the same as dvd+rw? (did you just typo?) there are so many damn types of dvd media, i swear it took me hours to find out what's for what, and i still don't have a solid grasp over it beyond dvd-r is the way to go in the end :P

i'll try your suggestion tonight .. my 20pack of dvd-r media comes in today (damn slow UPS shipping) .. and i as well was trying the 'no menu' route .. i'll let you know how that goes tonight!

if you added a menu and it works instead, please post back, as then i probably won't even try the 'no menu' )


cheers,

kyle

[fand]

but one question about the size of the movie are you talking about 4.5 gigs after you rip are before you rip the movie main part?

you need to stay under 4.3 gigs AFTER you rip the 'main movie part' (or 'main angle' in tech terms, i believe).

if you go over 4.3 gigs, then you MUST use ReMPEG to transencode your .mv2 file with a lower bitrate. this is all very well explained at www.dvd2dvdr.com (such a nice site!) .. just follow all of the links and read read read

cheers,

kyle

[Emanef]

Yeah, it's under 4.3 gigs.

I can get to the stage where it's authored, but when I try to test burn with either Prassi or Nero it's gets an error half way and stops.

I did mean dvd-rw (not dvd+rw!)

[vesterlee]

ok i finaly got this thing to work now that i re-downloaded the full version of spruceup. but one or two problems the movie is only 104 minutes long and for some reason it didnt capture the whole movie i know it couldnt be over 4.3 gigs can it. i have a menu but they dont work i have to restart by stop and turn dvd back on i must have done something wrong during that process. but it played and looks great. just need to work on getting the whole movie. can someone help?

[vesterlee]

after i rip to harddrive with smartripper haow can i find out if i have ripped the whole movie? so i will know to rempeg?

[Emanef]

Vesterlee are you using SmartRipper to rip the dvd? Does that not automatically select the main movie for you?

I seem to be able to rip OK, then got Spruce Up to create the project (you can view it during option 1 on Spruce Up and use the time slider to make sure you've got the start and end of the film) which worked fine in Simulate, and then it authored it for me. I just can't the damn thing to burn to a dvd. I've tried Nero & Prassi, but both get errors when test burning (I've not risked a full burn yet because of the failed test burns).

[vesterlee]

i check the properties of the m2v file and it says 3.99gigs but when i load into spruceup it says 4.2 gigs is there some type of player that can at least test the movie by viewing it to see if it was fully recorded. my realone player reconize it but doesnt play it. please reply to questions

[vesterlee]

when you load it into nero and drag the vts folder to be burned remove the one like in the nero guide to burn to dvd r that says you saved at the end of spruceup. it didnt work for me either until i removed it. everything else stays ifo bup vob etc.try that

[vesterlee]

i tried what you said and you are right the beginning to the end by using the sliding bar the whole movie is not there. when i rip with smartripper what are the settings to ripp whole movie?

[Emanef]

You should be able to view the movie itself in Spruce Up. If you go (in Author option) to the movie tab (where you select the movie file). Once it's compiled the movie file you can double click on the movie part and it'll bring up a little player. You can watch it from there.....

[Emanef]

I don't touch the Input streams and under stream processing I select the video and .ac3 audio, selecting demux to extra file on both. The settings I select every vob fils, auto, max-filesize, 9000mb, unlock drive, demacrovision, copy IFO file & create IFO file. I got these from Doom 9 (I think!).

Then just select start and it gives me the whole movie.

[vesterlee]

same here just ripped again and same thing . dont get it i will though.

[vesterlee]

i still cant rip the whole movie with every dvd i put in it copies 5 of 6 vobs everytime. the last portion of the movie isnt ripped can someone help?

[mikerios]

vester,

When you rip the vob from the dvd in question, 1 make sure you have space to rip the vobs,I use dvd decryptor and here is my rules of thumb, if the movie is dvd-5 ( single layer ) you'll know a in dvd decryptor as all the vob files will be less than 5gb. Older movies and some new ones are usually dvd-5. On those cases I rip EVERYTHING, bup and ifo files included, and then burn back in Nero, as it's a 1:1 copy ( back up ) of the movie.

Dual Layer ( dvd-9 ) are the ones where you have 2 aproaches, you either rip all the vobs, run them thru IFO edit to have Ifoedit strip out unwanted audio tracks ect.. and have it rebuild the vobs and create a new ifo files and hope it still comes under 4.3 gb mark, or you can frameserve in dvd2avi and then re encode in TMPEGEnc ( or what ever program you prefer ) and make a mpeg2 file and then author it it with DVD Movie Factory ect..

This of course is the longer of the 2 options, but the guides at doom9.org are right on the money and if you follow them you really can't go wrong, as I used them for my base guides and worked on from there.

[Emanef]

Woo hoo! I got it to work!

My problem was that I had the 104 as the slave to my CDRW and had it set to UDMA. Changed it to the master on secondary eide, and disabled UDMA on the drive and it's worked!

Still can't understand why vesterlee is having problems ripping the whole movie; what one are you trying to do? Have you tried another?

Are you able to acutally burn OK? Is it just getting the whole movie that's your problem?

[fand]

emanef: how do you disable udma for that one specific drive?

edit: found out how, although i don't understand the logic behind it?