DVD Shrink

[Mont]

Okay, I'm following the DVD-9 to one DVD-5 guide using DVD shrink. I get all the way to the end and convert (everything is fine). When I go to burn using RecordNow Max I load all five of the Vts_01_2.vob, Vts_01_3.vob, Vts_01_4.vob, etc. Was this wrong. After I load these files and burn, I cant watch the movie, something about the format is unrecognized. Basically I need to know exactly what to do after DVD Shrink. Thanks a lot

[Faustus]

Make 2 folders AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS. Dump all the DVD files (ifos and vobs and stuff) into the VIDEO_TS folder and Select to burn a data disc in RNM, last add BOTH folders onto the DVD. Be sure to use all caps. If that doesn't work then your likely doing something wrong along the way.

[Mont]

So you're saying put all the .vobs, .ifos, and .bup into the video_ts folder... what am I suppose to put into the audio_ts folder with nothing in it. And what am I suppose to use all caps on?

[falberni]

There would be nothing in the AUDIO_TS folder. When you make the two new folders, name them VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS, with caps, instead of video_ts and audio_ts. Some standalone DVD players may not recognize the folders if they're not in caps.

[Triple_Helix]

So you're saying put all the .vobs, .ifos, and .bup into the video_ts folder... what am I suppose to put into the audio_ts folder with nothing in it. And what am I suppose to use all caps on?

The AUDIO_TS folder stays empty. It causes the burned DVD to be compatible with more players. Your RNM should have these two files to burn:

AUDIO_TS
VIDEO_TS

ALL caps.

Did you test the 'Shrink generated files to make sure they would play? Always test before burning.

LTA

[Mont]

Is that always the case. Because I keep trying to put it in all caps, and when I click off of it the first letter only ends up being capitalized

[Mont]

Yea, I tested all five of the vob files, and they all played fine

[Faustus]

They keep doing this in explorer? What version of windows do you have?

[Mont]

98

[Triple_Helix]

I don't mean individually. Click on the Video_ts.ifo file to see if the movie, as a whole, will play. The VIDEO_TS folder should look like this, right out of 'Shrink

Video_ts.bup
Video_ts.ifo
Vts_01_0.bup
Vts_01_0.ifo
Vts_01_1.vob
Vts_01_2.vob
Vts_01_3.vob
Vts_01_4.vob

LTA

[Triple_Helix]

98

On one computer, yes. I know all it's eccentricities, and prefer it to XP. I use XP, with its faster processor, only for IC7.

LTA

Edit: Sorry; thought you were 'talking' to me. I didn't think I had mentioned it.

[tpham]

@Mont...Listen to me and you won't go wrong...touch wood...

I had a similar problem when I first started using DVDShrink, but, I used Nero to burn. My problem was, DVDShrink would generated the appropriate files but no matter how I burnt the DVD using Nero it would not work. I've never used RecordNow before but my guess is that RecordNow is the cause of your problem. Get yourself a copy of CopyToDVD (from the tools section of this site or where ever else) and use this software to burn your DVD...it is the simplest burning program you can use and it works great. Just kick off the program and select to create a VIDEO DVD and select the file that it askes for, the burning process will start automatically. You do not need to create the two directories VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS before hand...just leave the files where you got DVDShrink to copy to...

[Triple_Helix]

@Mont...Listen to me and you won't go wrong...touch wood...

I had a similar problem when I first started using DVDShrink, but, I used Nero to burn. My problem was, DVDShrink would generated the appropriate files but no matter how I burnt the DVD using Nero it would not work. I've never used RecordNow before but my guess is that RecordNow is the cause of your problem. Get yourself a copy of CopyToDVD (from the tools section of this site or where ever else) and use this software to burn your DVD...it is the simplest burning program you can use and it works great. Just kick off the program and select to create a VIDEO DVD and select the file that it askes for, the burning process will start automatically. You do not need to create the two directories VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS before hand...just leave the files where you got DVDShrink to copy to...

I've never heard this before. Don't make software changes based on one post. Notice, he's never used RN and he says he's guessing. Chances are, on your system, it will lead to even more problems. Why some folks think their favorite software is the answer to someone elses problem, is beyond me.

LTA

[tpham]

All I am trying to say is try different things...it doesn't hurt to try...I busted my nuts trying to get Nero to burn a working DVD. Someone on this forum recommended CopyToDVD and RecordNow to me. I simply chose CopyToDVD and it has worked from day one. How can you come out and say that "Why some folks think their favorite software is the answer to someone elses problem, is beyond me." How do you know that it isn't the answer??? By the way, CopyToDVD is TrailWare that means try it, if it works and if you like it BUY it. I am not telling Mont to go out and buy some expensive software that might not work in his situation.

[dcsos]

MONT
the reason the AUDIO_TS folder remains empty :
ITS FOR AUDIO ONLY or DVD AUDIO files or .AOB's

VOB's or VIDEO OBJECTS have all the sound you need right in 'em!

[Faustus]

dcsos is correct. The reason you use both is because some DVD players follow the specification so exactly that sometimes they freak out a bit if they do not see both folders.

[mkelley]

Let's all be clear -- the poster's problem was he didn't have the files in the VIDEO_TS folder, and he didn't have an AUDIO_TS (empty) folder as the root to his burn. That's all (and note that not all players require the AUDIO_TS -- most, in fact, do not anymore).

That said, it looks like his remaining problem is to get these folders in all caps in Windows 98. Here's how to do this:

Using All Upper-Case File and Folder Names in Windows 98

In MicrosoftR WindowsR 98, would you like to use like to use all uppercase letters for some of your folder and file names? If so, you've noticed that when try to name a folder or file with all uppercase letters, Windows 98 renames it using only an initial uppercase letter.

To change this behavior, launch My Computer, pull down the View menu, and select the Folder Options command. When the Folder Option dialog box appears, select the View tab. Now, locate the Files And Folders branch in the Advanced Settings list box and select the Allow All Uppercase Names check box. Once you click OK, all the folders and files that were originally named with all uppercase letters will immediately be displayed as such. You can now use any combination of upper- and lowercase letters for all new folders or files that you create.

[dcsos]

Isn't it amazing how many places you have to go in windows to make settings?

ISN'T that what the control panel should do..let you get at all setting easily?

THANK MKELLEY
I'm sure a lot of us had forgotten where this resides

[mkelley]

Hey, I don't remember either. LOL. That's what Google is for. <g>.

(But I do well remember the old days where we had to carry around vast amounts of floppy disks with all the drivers for printers, monitors, sound cards -- you name it. Heck, I don't even bother keeping the driver CDs that come with stuff nowadays, when you can just download the latest and greatest in a few seconds. The internet has given us old fogies *years* more productivity :>)

[Mont]

I don't mean individually. Click on the Video_ts.ifo file to see if the movie, as a whole, will play. The VIDEO_TS folder should look like this, right out of 'Shrink

Video_ts.bup
Video_ts.ifo
Vts_01_0.bup
Vts_01_0.ifo
Vts_01_1.vob
Vts_01_2.vob
Vts_01_3.vob
Vts_01_4.vob

My folder does look like that, but the Video_ts.ifo is 6kb. The other .vob files play fine, and those are the larger files ex: 1048574 kb...and thank you mkelly that did fix the uppercase problem, but even after I selected both folders in RNM, it still wouldnt play. As a matter of fact, I looked at the back of the DVD and it looked like it hadn't even been written on, but it was burning for like 30minutes

[mkelley]

The VIDEO_TS.ifo file *will* be small, but it should play when you click on it, as it contains the menu instructions for the DVD. Assuming it does play and that all those files are contained in the VIDEO_TS folder go to your Windows explorer and open up your burned DVDR (you may have to specifically select Explore, as Open may try and start playing it) and tell us what you see there.

You should see, at the root, both VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS, just like you dragged or selected those folders in Record Now. If you don't see them, then Record Now didn't burn them.

For sure don't use Record Now's wizard function -- just make sure you drag both of those folders over and that you are creating a data disk. And turn on Verify. As Record Now works you should see a blue burn progress bar at the top that shows you the data it's burning and how much it has left. If you see this then you know data is indeed being put on that disk.

[Mont]

YESSSSSSSSSS !!!!! Thanks to everyone, your advice worked perfectly. It looks like I had everything right except that capital letter thing. But now my newly made DVD plays perfectly. It's kinda weird how the only difference were the letters being uppercase. (I thought you guys were joking when you first told me to do that)

[Faustus]

No problem, I knew that all caps had to be enabled but since I haven't used a 98 machine in ages I had no idea where exactly to turn it on. Glad to see someone remembered.

[poopyhead]

don't use copy2dvd if you have win98. as i mentioned in another post, FAT32 has a max filesize at 4 gigs. since copy2dvd makes an .iso image before burning, the iso file will be truncated at 3.99 gigs...so there will be errors.

btw, i'm using latest nero express, and it works fine on my pioneer dv333.

[JasonK]

copy2dvd if you have win98. as i mentioned in another post, FAT32 has a max filesize at 4 gigs.

I wish I could have a nickel for everytime I've read that in the last few years. But Win98 isn't the only OS that can use FAT32. Win95 OSR2, 2.1, 2.5, Win98, 98se, ME, Win2k, and XP can all support FAT32 natively also. Some operating systems that support NTFS include WinNT4, Win2k, and WinXP (both home and pro.) So don't assume you aren't using FAT32 just because you've upgraded your OS or are using an OS that supports NTFS.

[poopyhead]

I wish I could have a nickel for everytime I've read that in the last few years. But Win98 isn't the only OS that can use FAT32. Win95 OSR2, 2.1, 2.5, Win98, 98se, ME, Win2k, and XP can all support FAT32 natively also. Some operating systems that support NTFS include WinNT4, Win2k, and WinXP (both home and pro.) So don't assume you aren't using FAT32 just because you've upgraded your OS or are using an OS that supports NTFS.

heh..i guess i made some assumptions here.

1) i assumed that the earliest version of windows ppl would have would be win98, since win98 and win95 are so similar, but win98 is newer.

2) i also assumed ppl who have win98 would use win98SE...i've heard bad things about the regular win98.

3) yes, the later OS do support FAT32, but i believe the default is NTFS, so unless the user purposely uses FAT32, there shouldn't be a problem.