DVD-RAM (UDF) Ripping to MPEG

[stormvet]

I've got a video camera that records straight to DvD on its DVD-RAM disk. Here's the camera: http://www.hitachi.com/tv/browse/camcorders/dvd/dzmv270a.shtml

When I connect the camera to my computer (via USB 2) it registers as a drive, and I can navigate to the *.IFO, *.BUP, and *.VRO files(under /DVD_RTAV on the camera's disc).

In speaking with Hitachi, I found out that the DVD-RAM in the camera is written to in what's called UDF format, I guess that's whatever makes DVD-RAM what it is. Note it still has *.IFO like a DVD does.

Any programs I want to use to edit video (ULead's Video Studio, for example) want to see it in DV, MPEG, ir M-JPEG format, but of course my camera just records either DVD or DVD-RAM file structures. Since the DVD-RAM is re-writable, I go with that.

So, is there a utility that will rip the video/sound as one file from UDF DVD-RAM to MPEG or M-JPEG? I've tried DVD rippers but those complain they can't read the *.IFO and I think it's because it's an *.IFO for a DVD-RAM not ROM.

Please help me pathetic, unlearned arse as I have no clue here!

[andydd]

I got a DMR-e30 recorder that uses DVD-Ram discs...Just copy the .VRO file onto your harddrive and rename it .VOB then just use demultiplexing software to seperate the MPEg video and sound n do whatever u want to it !

[stormvet]

Thanks andydd -

Can you point me to some useful "demultiplexing software" then?

[andydd]

DVDdecrypter, Smartripper, VObedit, DVDwise.lots more i cant think of

[stormvet]

OK, I've worked with DVD Decrypter and VOB Edit, both with less-tha-stellar results.

First, DVD Decrypter seems to be written such that thinks DvD video can only exist at the root of a physical drive. When I launch the program it grabs all the DvD-capable drives it finds and lists those in a dropdown - which seems to be the only place I can go to choose source. As far as the program is concerned that HAS to be the root of a drive and there MUST be a /VIDEO_TS folder.

In my case I've moved my /DVD-RTAV folder from my camera to my hard drive, so I hope the authors of DVD Decrypter will sit back and realize that one should be able to point to any directory, not just a drive root. If anyone's taking suggestions I would ask that the program be capable of seeing similarly named *.IFO, *.BUP, and *.VOB in the same directory, and that too would allow processing to *.ISO.

So this program doesn't help me at this time, though I can see it's cool backup potential.

VOB Edit sees my VOB file and seems to extract it to MPEG as a sizeable *.M2V file, however, when I try to import that file into Video Studio 6, it takes a look at the file and tells me "There's no Video in that file". LOL - wtf? I't's like a 1.2GB file, how is there no video in it?

I haven't moved much beyond this point, as my ignorance of all this is huge and I'm wondering if I'm just barking up the wrong tree in the first place. So here I stand again, asking for further guidance.

Edit: One more thing, I found out that the DVD-RAM format seems to also be known as DVD-VR if that helps anyone identify with my plight.

[andydd]

Use an old dvd decypter that works not just on DVD drives

[classfour]

I've been working on the same problem with a Panasonic E20 for the past month: What I've finally found is that you can rip the .vro file from the DVD-RAM disc with DVTOOL (to a .vob file on your HDD), then use the latest FLASKMPEG PRO to author and convert to mpeg2 format for DVD Movie Factory - be certain to set the quality settings up in BBMPEG to a higher level than 4 so that DVD Movie Factory can recognize the mpg file, also, you'll have to trial and error the audio delay settings (create a short working video) - It took me several attempts to get everything setup - but I'm avoiding having to rip to AVI then convert with MediaStudio Pro to an acceptable mpeg, cutting the time involved in half. It is still requiring 8 to 10 hours to rip the video and send it to DVD Movie Factory. I do get a set of mpg files that are pretty much in a chapter format - and the final disc plays on the cheap Apex (not possible with ANY DVDs burned on the E20 thus far) 1100. I can at last record my favorite show on the E20, edit the commercials out, and save it for later viewing on DVDR - on a reusable media.

Hardware: "MY OWN BUILD - STABLE BUT NOT FAST"
Athlon XP 1700
WD 40GB 7200RPM HDD
512 MB RAM

[Bud]

Another way that I used when I first got my E20 was to copy the VRO to my HD, run it through DVD2AVI, then RUN through TEMPG for DVD complaint MPG2 file, ran throuhg DVDiT. Worked every time.

Bud