Problem with "TMPGEnc DVD Author"

[scottvf]

I've been using TMPGEnc DVD Author program to turn episode dvd into .mpg files to reauthor. (so I can discard the episodes I don't want) In the some of the Southpark episodes I get an error - "Could not initialize decoder." disc 1, I got 1 episode to do that. Disk 2, 2 episodes did it. I got around it by using dvdtoolbox to split the episode into 1 .vob file, then using voberator to demux it into a .m2v and .ac3 then using TMPGEnc DVD Author to author it. ( more work that way) Does anybody else have this problem? Wondering if it's a decoder I need or what?

[wwaag]

I don't have a solution, but I've got the same problem. I'm also doing episode discs and one title gives me the same error message. I've tried both DVD Decyptor and Smart Ripper--same result. I've also tried DVD Shrink to create a single title--no luck. One really weird result was to use DVD2ONE on the decrypted VOB files. Began as 200% completed, some of the text was missing, etc. When finished, same result.

Would appreciate if you would go into a little more detail on your workaround. Not familiar with voberator. Thanks.

wwaag

[scottvf]

Workaround:
First I use the free program DVDToolbox. You can get it at www.dvdtoolbox.de
After I rip all files with dvd decrypter I run dvdtoolbox. Select the folder where you ripped the dvd. Then hit "execute". A warning will pop up "Audio bitrate search did not found all needed bitrates! Estimations may be not correct!" just ignore it and click "ok" (you will get a warning for each audio track if it has more then 1 - example 1. dts 2. surround)

Then select the episode that TMPGEnc dvd author has a problem with. (by double clicking on it.) Uncheck all subtitles and leave one audio checked. change end graphic from the default "DVDToolbox" to "<---->" (because you only want the episode not an ending screen.)

Then click "Split/Strip". It will then take around 2-10 min (depending on your computer speed) to create an new dvd file which only has your 1 episode.

Then run VOBrator v02b. Select the .vob file that dvdtoolbox created and click on "demux" It will then create two files, a .m2v which is your video and an .ac3 which is your audio.

Then you can create your own menu with TMPGEnc DVD author program. by selecting "Add File" instead of "Add DVD Video" then you select your .m2v file and click "open" then the Chapter cut edit box will open and you can select the .ac3 file for your audio by clicking "browse".

Hope this helps.
and hope they fix the bug the program has.

[wwaag]

scottvf

Thanks for the info on the workaround. It works, but what a pain--all chapter info has to be entered manually, etc.

One interesting thing. Once the files are demuxed using Vobrator, they do "work" when entered into DVD Author. However, if you re-author the files using Ifoedit and then input that into DVD Author, you get the same error message.

Wish we knew more about the "cause" of the problem. Again, thanks.

wwaag