VHS to DVD and MRL files

[AllenW]

I am trying to convert some older VHS tapes to DVD.
I am using Golden Videos VHS 2 DVD, then OBS Studios to edit, the DVDFlick to Convert.

I get the VHS file converted and burned to a DVD and try to play through VLC and get this error..

""Your input can't be opened:
VLC is unable to open the MRL ' dvd///D:/,
Check log for details.""

I can play the DVD through the Win 10 Movies and TV, but VLC will not see the MRL file.
In the continuing battle I now have enough coasters to last a life time.
I am also missing the neighborhood 13 year old to come over and show this old guy how to fix it.

Most of my web search has dealt with on line problems with VLC and the MRL file, I don't think that is the case as I'm dealing with a DVD.

I admit I am in over my head, I have a basic knowledge of computers, but nothing about dealing with videos and such.

It appears I need to deal with the MRL file, either convert it to something else or find a different program to replace DVDFlick as I think (??) it is what's changing the MP4 format I started with.

Help?

TIA
Al

[orsetto]

Can you post the contents of the VLC error log here? That might provide more of a clue to whats going on. Many weird VLC problems are cured by completely un-installing and wiping it from your computer, then installing a completely fresh new version.

DVDflick generally creates perfectly normal DVD files, I still use it several times a week. But it is an old program that hasn't been updated in a decade: every now and then it meets a weird MP4 source file it doesn't like.

Never heard of Golden Videos VHS 2 DVD: just checking user reviews indicates it doesn't have the greatest reputation for working well.

OBS Studios is controversial with members here, most strongly recommend it not be used for anything involving VHS captures.

Your workflow is not the best one for making a dvd from VHS. Generally speaking, if you aren't going to go full steam ahead with a suite of expensive VCRs and additional pricey capture hardware to create a super high quality, enormous-sized master file of the VHS, you're better off capturing directly from the VHS to dvd-native MPEG2 format (i.e. use a dvd recorder, or a capture PC device/software that can capture to MPEG2 format). DVDflick will import MPEG2 files directly and not try to re-encode them if you select Project Settings > Video > Advanced > Copy MPEG2 Streams. It also creates the dvd template in a fraction of the time that way (14 minutes from MPEG2 vs 104 mins from MP4).

Using random capture software to grab VHS into MP4 format is OK if your end goal is MP4s to play in your PC, phone, tablet, etc. But VHS captured straight to MP4 using typical low budget software/hardware is not the best way to feed dvd authoring tools like DVDflick: the MP4 is compressed to begin with, then DVDflick needs to break the MP4 apart and re-encode it to the MPEG2 dvd standard. You lose quality that way, and it multiplies chances for errors to creep into the finished dvd. Depends on your priorities: if you mostly want the versatility of MP4 and only occasionally need to make a dvd for someone, capping VHS to MP4 as the primary file is workable if you're happy with how those MP4s look.

What burning utility do you use to burn the DVDflick VIDEO_TS folder to a blank dvd? Best results are usually obtained with ImgBurn.

[AllenW]

I am not very familiar with video editing/converting/? so I'm just trying what looks good over the web, and these programs seem to get mentioned a fair piece.

I am not trying for professional results, these are just instructional tapes, old drag racing tapes and some from our RC flying club, plus a few odd and end tapes.
I have uninstalled VLC and reinstalled, no luck with that.

I am open for anything that's reasonably easy as I'm not doing anything fancy, what was on the VHS good or bad is all I wanted to transfer to DVD.
OBS did that but if it's part of the problem, as with any of the other programs I would appreciate any recommendations you have.
I am hoping to do this with free ware as once these tapes are done, I doubt I'll do any more.
There are about 45 or 50 of them, so having it done is a bit to spendy for me.

I am not stuck with MP4, I use VLC to play DVD's and it will seemly do anything but MRL.
I might add I rather not use something like MP4 but it was recommended on another site.


I have IMGburn and last I looked it was my default burner

I am open for any suggestions?

Here is the VLC Log

main debug: processing request item: dvd:///D:/, node: Playlist, skip: 0
main debug: resyncing on dvd:///D:/
main debug: dvd:///D:/ is at 0
main debug: starting playback of new item
main debug: resyncing on dvd:///D:/
main debug: dvd:///D:/ is at 0
main debug: creating new input thread
main debug: Creating an input for 'dvd:///D:/'
main debug: requesting art for new input thread
main debug: using timeshift granularity of 50 MiB
main debug: using timeshift path: C:\Users\awill\AppData\Local\Temp
main debug: `dvd:///D:/' gives access `dvd' demux `any' path `/D:/'
main debug: creating demux: access='dvd' demux='any' location='/D:/' file='D:\'
main debug: looking for access_demux module matching "dvd": 15 candidates
main debug: looking for meta fetcher module matching "any": 1 candidates
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Users\awill\AppData\Roaming\vlc\lua\meta\fetche r
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\fetcher
main debug: no meta fetcher modules matched
main debug: looking for art finder module matching "any": 2 candidates
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Users\awill\AppData\Roaming\vlc\lua\meta\art
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\00_musicbrainz.lua c
lua debug: skipping script (unmatched scope) C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\00_musicbrainz.lua c
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\01_googleimage.lua c
lua debug: skipping script (unmatched scope) C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\01_googleimage.lua c
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\02_frenchtv.luac
lua debug: skipping script (unmatched scope) C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\02_frenchtv.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\03_lastfm.luac
lua debug: skipping script (unmatched scope) C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\03_lastfm.luac
main debug: no art finder modules matched
main debug: looking for meta fetcher module matching "any": 1 candidates
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Users\awill\AppData\Roaming\vlc\lua\meta\fetche r
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\fetcher
main debug: no meta fetcher modules matched
main debug: looking for art finder module matching "any": 2 candidates
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Users\awill\AppData\Roaming\vlc\lua\meta\art
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\00_musicbrainz.lua c
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\01_googleimage.lua c
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\02_frenchtv.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\03_lastfm.luac
qt debug: IM: Setting an input
main debug: no art finder modules matched
dvdnav error: DVDOpenFileUDF:UDFFindFile /VIDEO_TS/VIDEO_TS.IFO failed
dvdnav warning: Can't open file VIDEO_TS.IFO.
dvdnav error: vm: vm: failed to read VIDEO_TS.IFO
dvdnav warning: cannot open DVD (D
dvdread error: DVDOpenFileUDF:UDFFindFile /VIDEO_TS/VIDEO_TS.IFO failed
dvdread error: DVDOpenFileUDF:UDFFindFile /VIDEO_TS/VIDEO_TS.BUP failed
dvdread warning: cannot open VMG info
main debug: no access_demux modules matched
main debug: creating access: dvd:///D:/
main debug: (path: D:\)
main debug: looking for access module matching "dvd": 27 candidates
main debug: no access modules matched
main debug: dead input
qt debug: IM: Deleting the input
main debug: changing item without a request (current 0/1)
main debug: nothing to play


I know I'm in over my head, but trying anyway, being retired helps as I have plenty of time.

[AllenW]

""What burning utility do you use to burn the DVDflick VIDEO_TS folder to a blank dvd? Best results are usually obtained with ImgBurn.""

This might be a problem as I don't see this, I get a file in my PC>video page and drag that to the D drive burner.

Al

[davexnet]

Install Imgburn and create the DVD
https://www.dvd-guides.com/guides/dvdrip/70-guides/-sp-639/258-how-to-burn-dvd-video-using-imgburn

[AllenW]

Install Imgburn and create the DVD
https://www.dvd-guides.com/guides/dvdrip/70-guides/-sp-639/258-how-to-burn-dvd-video-using-imgburn

OK, I have IMGburn but what do you recommend to get the VHS to a file it can use or edit, I'm using OSB but am getting bad comments on it.

[davexnet]

Try capturing with AmarecTV, 720x480, 4:2:2 chroma sub-sampling, UT codec or Lagarith for capture codec

[AllenW]

Try capturing with AmarecTV, 720x480, 4:2:2 chroma sub-sampling, UT codec or Lagarith for capture codec

Thanks, but maybe I should explain a bit more.

I am a 73 year old retired HVAC tech, who has a basic knowledge of the computer, I used the computer in my job as a technical advisor and did pretty well there, as it was mostly searching for HVAC related information.
I haven't a clue about video, editing/recording/capturing/etc. though.

I Just want to edit and convert my VHS tapes to DVD's.

I finally got OBS kind of figured out, enough to edit the tapes and the Golden Video VHS2DVD program get the VHS file to my computer so I can edit it with OBS.
I then used the DVDFlick to get it to DVD's and I think that's where the problem is, I end up with a MRL file that VLC will not play.

I don't do streaming or anything else, so the more basic programs are hopefully the easier they are to work with, for me anyway.

I no doubt am doing something wrong, but haven't a clue what.

If there's an better (read easy also) way I'm all for it?

The DVD's will play in the Win 10 Movies and TV section and if all fails so be it, but I by far prefer VLC.

TIA

Al

[orsetto]

VLC is a great versatile player for all kinds of independent video files but has become rather a giant PITA when it comes to dvd playback in recent years. I have it installed on two Windows7 laptops, a Win10 laptop, and an Apple Mac Mini: each one of these VLCs screws up playback of some or all DVDs in one way or another. If you have checked your DVDflick discs on various hardware players and other PC software players like the built-in Windows player, KMP, and Media Player Classic, and they play with no problems at all, meaning your ONLY issue is this VLC glitch: the obvious solution is "don't play these discs with VLC". Sometimes banging your head against a wall fighting arcane coding decisions made by a software designer isn't the best use of your time: if the problems only occur with VLC, chances are the problem lies solely within VLC and solving it could be an endless wild goose chase. And actually, we should have asked you immediately: have you tried playing these DVDs in someone else's computer running VLC? The problem might be some stupid trivial but impossible to isolate conflict between VLC and your specific computer motherboard and/or dvd drive. If you confirm the discs play without issue in other PCs, you could just relax and keep doing what you're doing.

Otherwise...its a little difficult to provide effective help, AllenW, partly because you haven't yet picked up enough understanding on your own of how the process actually works "under the hood" and how to communicate certain details to us. That is not a criticism by any means: we all start from zero, just sometimes that makes quick easy answers elusive. Being new and inexperienced also means you may not quite grasp why certain methods are "frowned upon" despite seeming to work OK.

Complicating things further, we're living thru a transition period where playback technology is all over the place and the concept of everyone having a standardized disc player to fall back on is largely dead and gone. Fewer and fewer people are interested in making traditional DVD discs from their VHS: most now want MP4 or MKVs to share via cloud services and to play on tablets, phones, laptops, smart TVs. Wanting to have a standard video DVD instead of (or along with) MP4/MKV throws a monkey wrench into the whole process: while this is easy enough to do if you use the whole-hog, expensive, very technical multi-step VHS>digital workflow, it is actually more funky and messy and confusing if you're aiming for the simpler, cheaper more-common budget route. This latter is where you are trapped now: in order to help you more effectively, we need to figure out which elements are going funky on you and/or get you switched over to a more commonly-known setup more of us are familiar with trouble shooting.

Speaking very plainly, if you primarily want DVDs as your final product, and don't have a ton of money and a very technical personality to get you there, using the computer is a frustrating waste of time and energy. Plugging your VCR into a decent standalone DVD recorder is by far the easier, more reliable way to go. A 30 year old may not know anybody who ever even heard of a dvd recorder, but at 73 you may have the advantage of an acquaintance in your circle that owns one. Ask around and find out if you can borrow one for awhile, or consider buying one second-hand and reselling when you finish your project. These recorders automate the entire process, and most were designed to cope better with VHS glitches than the cheap Amazon USB PC dongles.

Once you opt for a "cheap" (less than $1000) PC-involved capture system for VHS, all bets are off and you are totally subject to pure blind luck. Sometimes it works great, sometimes not. No offense, but "Golden Videos VHS 2 DVD" is typical mystery random generic software few to none of us here has ever heard of or used. There are dozens of random software/hardware packages like this marketed to consumers who may have no clue of the challenges involved in VHS capture. Sometimes these proprietary packages work well enough for people to get results they want, but often they're just badly-coded Chinese junkware. So its really hard for any of us to determine specifically if this side of your workflow is the source of trouble. It might help if you could give more details re this package: is it a software alone, or did it come bundled with a video card or USB video dongle? If its software alone, can you tell us what video capture device you're using with it? Are you connecting your VCR to a card inside your PC, or a little pod the size of a cigarette lighter plugged into USB socket? Does the device have a brand name or model?

OBS is popular because it comes bundled with a lot of things and a lot of people use it for game and streaming video work. But it is not ideal for capturing or editing VHS-sourced video, for a variety of technical reasons you don't really need to understand: only point to keep in mind is while OBS may seem to be working all right, it could also be contributing somehow to your problem. The AmarecTV software is usually recommended here instead for use with most USB video capture devices when working with VHS sources. It isn't as high-end or versatile as the VirtualDub method discussed most commonly here at VH, but AmarecTV is a pretty good compromise. You might need to track down a tutorial on how to best use it.

Lastly, I still have concerns that you are capturing to MP4 format with this random "Golden VHS" system, then loading the MP4s into DVDflick. For VHS, MP4 is less a capture format than a destination format. Generally if you are going to capture VHS directly to MP4 files you leave it there and don't try to do anything else with it. Loading VHS-based MP4s into DVDflick potentially opens a can of worms, because DVDflick may improperly read the details of VHS-based MP4s and goof up some details of the resulting DVD. The importing of MP4s into DVDflick is more optimized for commercial-grade non-VHS MP4s people download off the internet: VHS inherently has some technical requirements that can go funky when shoved into the compressed MP4 format, going funkier still when those MP4s are ripped apart and downgraded to the even more compressed MPEG2 format by DVDflick.

This is what davexnet is trying to get at with his brief but concise instructions above: if you aren't going to capture directly to DVD-standard MPEG2 format with a dvd recorder, the best way of getting VHS into a dvd is to capture it at the highest possible quality largest computer-only minimally-compressed master file format, then translate that to MPEG2 for the dvd. Not fun if you aren't a wirehead: which brings me back to "use a dvd recorder if all you want is a dvd in the first place".

[AllenW]

VLC is a great versatile player for all kinds of independent video files but has become rather a giant PITA when it comes to dvd playback in recent years. I have it installed on two Windows7 laptops, a Win10 laptop, and an Apple Mac Mini: each one of these VLCs screws up playback of some or all DVDs in one way or another. If you have checked your DVDflick discs on various hardware players and other PC software players like the built-in Windows player, KMP, and Media Player Classic, and they play with no problems at all, meaning your ONLY issue is this VLC glitch: the obvious solution is "don't play these discs with VLC". Sometimes banging your head against a wall fighting arcane coding decisions made by a software designer isn't the best use of your time: if the problems only occur with VLC, chances are the problem lies solely within VLC and solving it could be an endless wild goose chase. And actually, we should have asked you immediately: have you tried playing these DVDs in someone else's computer running VLC? The problem might be some stupid trivial but impossible to isolate conflict between VLC and your specific computer motherboard and/or dvd drive. If you confirm the discs play without issue in other PCs, you could just relax and keep doing what you're doing.


The dvd's will not play in the wife's computer with VLC but will with the Win10 Movies and TV player, as with my computer. I can live without VLC in this case so I'll take your suggestion and give up on VLC for this project.



Otherwise...its a little difficult to provide effective help, AllenW, partly because you haven't yet picked up enough understanding on your own of how the process actually works "under the hood" and how to communicate certain details to us. That is not a criticism by any means: we all start from zero, just sometimes that makes quick easy answers elusive. Being new and inexperienced also means you may not quite grasp why certain methods are "frowned upon" despite seeming to work OK.

Same scenario in my field of HVAC, there's a learning cure.
I appreciate the help with out the criticism, thanks.

Complicating things further, we're living thru a transition period where playback technology is all over the place and the concept of everyone having a standardized disc player to fall back on is largely dead and gone. Fewer and fewer people are interested in making traditional DVD discs from their VHS: most now want MP4 or MKVs to share via cloud services and to play on tablets, phones, laptops, smart TVs. Wanting to have a standard video DVD instead of (or along with) MP4/MKV throws a monkey wrench into the whole process: while this is easy enough to do if you use the whole-hog, expensive, very technical multi-step VHS>digital workflow, it is actually more funky and messy and confusing if you're aiming for the simpler, cheaper more-common budget route. This latter is where you are trapped now: in order to help you more effectively, we need to figure out which elements are going funky on you and/or get you switched over to a more commonly-known setup more of us are familiar with trouble shooting.

I think the problem with the VLC issue I'll just by pass.

Speaking very plainly, if you primarily want DVDs as your final product, and don't have a ton of money and a very technical personality to get you there, using the computer is a frustrating waste of time and energy. Plugging your VCR into a decent standalone DVD recorder is by far the easier, more reliable way to go. A 30 year old may not know anybody who ever even heard of a dvd recorder, but at 73 you may have the advantage of an acquaintance in your circle that owns one. Ask around and find out if you can borrow one for awhile, or consider buying one second-hand and reselling when you finish your project. These recorders automate the entire process, and most were designed to cope better with VHS glitches than the cheap Amazon USB PC dongles.

I have a VHS/DVD player, unfortunately it does not burn DVD's from the VHS, but I will check, it doesn't fix the editing part but probably easier.



Once you opt for a "cheap" (less than $1000) PC-involved capture system for VHS, all bets are off and you are totally subject to pure blind luck. Sometimes it works great, sometimes not. No offense, but "Golden Videos VHS 2 DVD" is typical mystery random generic software few to none of us here has ever heard of or used. There are dozens of random software/hardware packages like this marketed to consumers who may have no clue of the challenges involved in VHS capture. Sometimes these proprietary packages work well enough for people to get results they want, but often they're just badly-coded Chinese junkware. So its really hard for any of us to determine specifically if this side of your workflow is the source of trouble. It might help if you could give more details re this package: is it a software alone, or did it come bundled with a video card or USB video dongle? If its software alone, can you tell us what video capture device you're using with it? Are you connecting your VCR to a card inside your PC, or a little pod the size of a cigarette lighter plugged into USB socket? Does the device have a brand name or model?

OBS is popular because it comes bundled with a lot of things and a lot of people use it for game and streaming video work. But it is not ideal for capturing or editing VHS-sourced video, for a variety of technical reasons you don't really need to understand: only point to keep in mind is while OBS may seem to be working all right, it could also be contributing somehow to your problem. The AmarecTV software is usually recommended here instead for use with most USB video capture devices when working with VHS sources. It isn't as high-end or versatile as the VirtualDub method discussed most commonly here at VH, but AmarecTV is a pretty good compromise. You might need to track down a tutorial on how to best use it.

I understand cheap is a crap shoot, years back I built a tri amped stereo system and cheap was not a world I'd use.
On the other hand, cheap and somewhat decent in this case is what I'm looking for, use once and store away, probably to never be used again.



Lastly, I still have concerns that you are capturing to MP4 format with this random "Golden VHS" system, then loading the MP4s into DVDflick. For VHS, MP4 is less a capture format than a destination format. Generally if you are going to capture VHS directly to MP4 files you leave it there and don't try to do anything else with it. Loading VHS-based MP4s into DVDflick potentially opens a can of worms, because DVDflick may improperly read the details of VHS-based MP4s and goof up some details of the resulting DVD. The importing of MP4s into DVDflick is more optimized for commercial-grade non-VHS MP4s people download off the internet: VHS inherently has some technical requirements that can go funky when shoved into the compressed MP4 format, going funkier still when those MP4s are ripped apart and downgraded to the even more compressed MPEG2 format by DVDflick.

Somewhere in all this I got sidetracked into using MP4, I will dump that and go to a " highest possible quality largest computer-only minimally-compressed master file format" as soon as I figure out what one is. ??

This is what davexnet is trying to get at with his brief but concise instructions above: if you aren't going to capture directly to DVD-standard MPEG2 format with a dvd recorder, the best way of getting VHS into a dvd is to capture it at the highest possible quality largest computer-only minimally-compressed master file format, then translate that to MPEG2 for the dvd. Not fun if you aren't a wirehead: which brings me back to "use a dvd recorder if all you want is a dvd in the first place".

I will give AmarecTV a shot instead of OBS, and a better format ?, them make that a MPEG2 file to burn to the DVD with Imgburn. I think that what I need??

I have to admit, you guys/gals/? have helped a lot, while most is over my head, I think I'm headed in the right direction, thanks for your patience.
Ya, ever get by Mpls, there's a cold one in the garage fridge for ya..

[AllenW]

Ok, I tried, but when trying to install AmarecTV it shows up in a foreign language ??
Also the varied formats are a bit confusing, is the MPEG2 format something I should stay away from??
tia
Al

[DB83]

If your workflow has created a .mp4 video then forget dvdflick


Load the .mp4 in to avstodvd to create the dvd folders (the vlc log claims that you do not have valid dvd files .ifo etc.)


and use imgburn to burn the folders to disk.


If you still have issues then there is something major with your workflow.

[davexnet]

Ok, I tried, but when trying to install AmarecTV it shows up in a foreign language ??
Also the varied formats are a bit confusing, is the MPEG2 format something I should stay away from??
tia
Al

Try version 2.31. Install the UT video codec and capture to ULY2. These downloads are found in the software section of this site.

[AllenW]

Ok, I tried, but when trying to install AmarecTV it shows up in a foreign language ??
Also the varied formats are a bit confusing, is the MPEG2 format something I should stay away from??
tia
Al

Try version 2.31. Install the UT video codec and capture to ULY2. These downloads are found in the software section of this site.

Thanks much, I got both the AmarecTV and codecs downloaded, and tried to find a tutorial on using it.
It seems this program is geared for streaming as that's all I've found so far.
I'll keep looking though.

Al

[davexnet]

Ok, I tried, but when trying to install AmarecTV it shows up in a foreign language ??
Also the varied formats are a bit confusing, is the MPEG2 format something I should stay away from??
tia
Al

Try version 2.31. Install the UT video codec and capture to ULY2. These downloads are found in the software section of this site.

Thanks much, I got both the AmarecTV and codecs downloaded, and tried to find a tutorial on using it.
It seems this program is geared for streaming as that's all I've found so far.
I'll keep looking though.

Al

I've never used it, take a look here to get started:
https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/Amarectv