Help with VOB files....

[cinemaker]

When you copy files from a DVD to your hard drive, they are VOB files. If you want to export them to videotape, they must be in another format. How do you convert VOB files that you already have on your hard drive, into a format that can be exported to videotape? I'm using a Dazzle DV150 to do my inport/export of videotape files.

[mats.hogberg]

Export to tape? That's original! Well, if you ripped the complete DVD, a software DVD player ought to be able to play it as a DVD from the folder it's located in.
Then hook Video out from your GFX card to video in on your VCR and hit Record on the VCR and Play in the DVD player software.

/Mats

[cinemaker]

I don't see how you could do that. The outputs on my graphics card are not the same connectors that connect to a VCR. The graphics card has the two thumbscrews connector that comes from your monitor, whereas a VCR has the RCA style connectors.
The only way I can export video to a VCR is through my Dazzle DV150 breakout box, but Dazzle doesn't recognize VOB files. If there was someway to change the VOB files to MPG2 files, then I could export that to the breakout box.
I want to do this because not everyone has a DVD player, but they do have VCRs. I wish DVD's would die, and that we all went back to videotape. There's no difference in picture quality between DVDs and videotape for the average TV viewer, and DVDs are way overpriced.

[mats.hogberg]

Ah! As most gfx cards come with TV out these days, I wrongly made the assumption that yours had one too.
Without TV Out, I can't see how your goal could be achieved. Save yourself a lot of trouble, and get yourself a new GFX card with TV out. They come pretty cheap.

There's no difference in picture quality between DVDs and videotape for the average TV viewer

Huh? Possibly a mint condition tape on a high end video player could pass as DVDish, but that's as far as I'd go. Overpriced, yes, but as the life expectancy of a DVD is better than tape, I still go for the disc when there's a choice, even if it's 20-25% more expensive.

The main ingredient in a VOB is a mpeg2 video stream together with mp2 and/or ac3 and/or wav audio stream(s) so with some demuxing and remuxing, this is easily done.

/Mats

[cinemaker]

No, there is no difference in quality between VCR tapes and DVDs. Why?.....because the average person is going to buy a $40 DVD player, and watch movies on their $99, Korean made 32 inch TV set. How much of a difference do you think there will be in the two formats if you used that setup? Sure, if you had high end equipment with surround sound, you would see a difference, but with a cheap setup, you won't see any difference. Heck, the average person is happy if they can get a decent picture.....one without ghosts and static, never mind high definition. To them, a good TV image is one where the people on screen are flesh colored instead of green. Their idea of cable is when the twin-lead flat wire on the back of their TV's antenna connection is long enough to place the rabbit ears outside on a window ledge, and a dish antenna is when one of the rabbit ears breaks off and they hook an aluminum colander to the remaining stub by twisting a bobby pin around the two.
Do you really think that the average person like this is discriminating in their TV picture quality? No way! These are the same people who went to see the Titanic and were upset by the ending. These are the type of people who had a family member pass away shortly after hearing someone shout, "Hey ya'll, watch this!" You know who I mean.....the type of people who let their 12 year old daughter smoke at the dinner table............in front of her children.
As for the video card, I see what you mean. I was trying to figure a way to do this by going back out through the breakout box, but I don't think there is a way. Unfortunately, I bought this computer back in January when the best video card out there was this one.....the ATI Radeon Pro 9700. Shortly after I got this system, they went to the newer ATI Pro card that does have TV out. I hate to buy another card, especially one that goes for $400, just to be able to export to videotape. Oh well, maybe I can find a work around....anyway, thanks for the help, I do appreciate it.

[proxyx99]

First of all you need to know your hardware back and forth. Read all manuals and guides because this is not the forum with 150 people waiting to grab your post 24/7. Start with peopla that are paid for supporting the product you bought. They know best or will give you suggestions where to look for an answer.
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ProductPage_n.asp?Product_ID=1426&Langue_ID=7

2. Have you tried calling Pinnacle (new Dazzle owner) and asking them what other application can stream back to Dazzle via usb2 and is capable of playing dvd's (vob)? If not, then this has to be a starting point. Most new NLE's will allow for that provided Dazzle setup is compatible.

[Tommyknocker]

I am afraid we all cannot see the forest for the trees. We only need to make a Macrovision-free DVD, since he already has the ripped files. Lots of guides here that can do that. Then play your new DVD on your player, while recording it to your VCR.

Of course, the hard way is to convert the VOB files to AVI or MPEG with Virtual Dub or TMPGEnc. Then have Video Studio encode it to a DV file, then output it to a DV camera via fire wire, at the same time have the camera output it to the VCR, which is recording.

[cinemaker]

Okay, let me try it this way. I have the files recorded on my HD as VOB files. If they can be converted to say MP2 files, then I can load the MP2 file into my Pinnacle software and export it to my breakout box, which will then allow me to record it to videotape. What I'm trying to find is software that will convert the VOB files on my hard drive to MP2 files.
I see TK suggested TMPGEnc. I looked on their website, and that said that it would convert MP2 files to VOB files, but it didn't say it would convert VOB files to MP2 files.
He also suggested Virtual Dub, which I hadn't heard of, so I'm going to go check that out now. If this works, then my question is answered. Again, I appreciate the responses from everyone, and I'm sorry if I didn't explain myself very well.

[Innershield]

http://www.facetvideo.com/
Why not just buy this device that will kill macrovision. then you can just connect your DVD player to your VCR and record

[proxyx99]

Cinemaker, and all others. Just think for a moment, OK?
Dazzle can take local broacast only via USB2. So your Tmpeg "solution" has to end on MPG file (why DV?) as Pinnacle can import those and stream back via USB. I think that in the avalanche of advises you have forgotten about simplicity. Cinemaker, call Dazzle first and then if there are no better ways come back. It's like asking how to build a hut and everyone starts bringing all sorts of crap in order to help.
If this is what you are looking for go for it. You'll have a nice cardboard box to sleep in. Way to go.

[cinemaker]

Okay, I will ask Dazzle/Pinnacle if there is a way to do this, however, I don't think they'll be able to give me a reply, since what I want to do isn't exactly legit, which is why I asked here. By legit, I mean, copying a commercially made dvd isn't what Dazzle is about.
The reason for the problem is that, using the Dazzle software, you have one window with three tabs, the first is Capture, the second is Edit, and the third is Produce. To export video to a VCR, the video must be stored in the Produce window. You just highlight the video you want to export, and click on export to DV150. That sends the video to the breakout box, and on to the VCR. You can only have MP2 files in the Produce window. VOB files aren't recognized there, so there is no way to export the VOB file to the breakout box.
Since the Dazzle DV150 is only used to import analog video, there is no need to work with VOB files, so Dazzle doesn't address them.
Obviously I'm new at this and I'm trying to learn as much as I can, but it's hard when there is no one I can ask in person. If my question is stupid, or it riles some people, I apologize and will try to get any info that Dazzle/Pinnacle can offer.
Again, thanks for the responses.

[proxyx99]

Hmm. Why not legit? Backing up DVD's doesn't necessarily mean you want to open an underground operation. What if I wanted to reedit my home movies that are now on DVD, add music, make some cuts and send it to family that doesn't have a DVD player. Almost everyone has VCR so let's not forget about that. Plus exploring technical posibilities of your equipment is not a crime, not yet. I take your question as such. Now, if you want to put the whole Blockbuster on VHS you chose the wrong forum.

[thxkid]

simple, TMPGE DVD Author allows you to change any VOB to a MPEG2 file, do it all the time, I usually take the VOB directly off the DVD onto the hard drive letting DVD Author change it over from VOB from the DVD to MPEG2 onto the hard drive, beaware that if its a VOB from a home made DVD, one recorded on a DVD recorder or a DVD camcorder you'll have no problem, if its a VOB that has a AC-3, DD 5.1 or DD 2.0, you may have a problem playing that audio with the dazzle card, cause it will also have to see the 5.1 DD, 2.0 DD or AC-3 also.

[cinemaker]

Okay, thanks. I'll have a look at TMPGE Author. An, no, I don't want to copy the whole BlockBuster inventory, but that is an interesting concept.<g>(probably take a person the rest of their life to accomplish).
The question came up at work, and I couldn't figure out how to do it. I tried using my software, but hit a dead end. I was thinking about making a long video that would fit best on videotape. I was going to take sections of several DVDs and join them into one continuous performance, then output it to videotape since it would be too long to fit on one DVD. I wanted to be able to watch it non-stop, from start to finish.
Again, thanks for the response, I do appreciate it.