VOB2MPG Tool

[tropicub]

Sorry, I don't know how to do a screen shot of the window showing the folder containing the VOB files. It is the standard conglomeration of files resulting when you render a DVD to the hard drive using DVD decrypter. (I have tried several different files from different movies; all the same result.) The odd thing is that VOB2MPG works fine on my older, slower dumber computer, but is acting strangely on the new one. I am wondering if one of the Windows XP updates is now interfering with the program. Any ideas on how to localize and diagnose the problem? (if you tell me how to capture a screen shot of the contents of the folder, I can do that for you.) Thanks for your help..

Tropicub

[ChrissyBoy]

Can you do Start->Run (and paste the following….)

cmd /K dir "c:\path_to_your_VIDEO_TS_folder" > c:\folder.txt & exit

(note the quotes)


and then post the contents of the folder.txt file in c:\

Changing c:\path_to_your_VIDEO_TS_folder to suit your situation

Thanks

[funwit]

Hey, Chris ... I ripped a dual layer disk "FireFly D1". Created a menu Bmp, Then used Vob2Mpg, the works. The problem I had was it did not write a Video_vts.ifo, said "not a nav-pack" after 87% (The number, but wasn't sure). Even after I reduced the disk. But not when I encoded the last VTS. Is it too long (four hours)? Codec? Some black hole?

[ChrissyBoy]

Hey, Chris ... I ripped a dual layer disk "FireFly D1". Created a menu Bmp, Then used Vob2Mpg, the works. The problem I had was it did not write a Video_vts.ifo, said "not a nav-pack" after 87% (The number, but wasn't sure). Even after I reduced the disk. But not when I encoded the last VTS. Is it too long (four hours)? Codec? Some black hole?

After vob2mpg you get a mpeg file. Not sure why you would expect a Video_vts.ifo file.

[tropicub]

I assure you, the VOB files in my video TS folder are normal VOB files. They convert just fine when using my old computer. The problem is that they will not convert using my snazzy new computer. I am still getting the error message, "0 VOB sets, 0 minutes" when attempting to convert. (see my profile for computer specs)

I have worked around the problem by merely capturing the video using Roxio 7.0, since I do not need the whole VOB file for my project.

I just thought you might want to know about this quirk in the VOB2MPG program....

Do you have any other thoughts on the cause/cure?

Tropicub

[ChrissyBoy]

Well i just need a bit more info to figure out the cause/cure. A folder listing would have been my first clue to work on....

[funwit]

Chris, Thank you for replying. But, I used vob2mpg to make assets for svcd2dvd. The some 4hrs of episodes 1-4 did not complete in svcd2dvd. I noticed, said "not a nav-pack", but more in the svcd2dvd authored set, there was all the processing, 1-4 hrs, but no ... no video_ts.ifo (typo). So, it's a bug report. I tried, a few settings, but this DVD has a problem of doing that.

[wwjd]

ChrissyBoy,

I have been using VOB2MPEG for a month or so now and it works great!

Thanks!

[ChrissyBoy]

Chris, Thank you for replying. But, I used vob2mpg to make assets for svcd2dvd. The some 4hrs of episodes 1-4 did not complete in svcd2dvd. I noticed, said "not a nav-pack", but more in the svcd2dvd authored set, there was all the processing, 1-4 hrs, but no ... no video_ts.ifo (typo). So, it's a bug report. I tried, a few settings, but this DVD has a problem of doing that.

ok. Can you post or email me your SVCD2DVD log please?

[Bizuser]

vob2mpg (with the timecode fix addition, PTSFIX) has managed to convert some VOBs I've ripped that other tools can't handle - so that's great. I did notice, however, that there is a slight delay between audio and video on the resultant file (classic 'lip synch' problem). Not much, but enough to notice. I verified that the original VOB does not exhibit this synch problem.

If I DON'T use the PTSFIX version, the resultant MPEG file is totally unusable; I can load it into TMPGEnc DVD Author, but it has a totally incorrect duration - DVD Author shows it as a 10 hour duration. I can 'play' it in (eg) Intervideo WinDVD, but I can't use the slider to move through the files. PTSFIX version seems to clean this up 'perfectly', in that the resultant MPG file now shows with the correct duration (about 1hr 20m), and can be played, and manipulated, in many different players and tools - but ... as I said ... it has a very slight audio / video synch problem.

If I use (eg) Womble MPEG-VCR to demux the audio and video from the original VOB, the audio file produced has a 'delay' amount specified in the filename (~200ms). Could there be anything in the vob2mpg process that could be thrown by this fact? That is ... does vob2mpg perhaps demux the audio and video separately, then re-mux them together into one MPG file?

I notice that in Womble MPEG-VCR, I can optionally specify an audio delay when re-muxing audio and video. I also notice that if I build a DVD (TMPGEnc DVD Author) from the de-muxed video and audio files, the resultant DVD also exhibits the audio/video synch problem. I don't think DVD Author has the ability to specify a delay between audio and video.

My current plan is to demux the original VOB to audio/video files using Womble; 'fix' the video using GOP Fixer in womble; re-mux the audio/video in womble, using the audio offset feature; then author to DVD using DVD Author ... a lengthy and tedious process!

I notice the 'log' from the 'fix' process has about 10 entries like this one:

18:45:07: error, non monotone timestamps 7174167 >= 0

So - what am I asking - does anyone have any similar experinces to this one - audio/video synch issues in converted MPG files, and if so, does anyone have a solution?

Also - I note that in PTSFIX version, it looks like you are spawning off a call to 'ffmpeg.exe'. I can see the possible syntax of the program by issuing 'ffmpeg -h' at the dos prompt, but it would be interesting to know what parameters you are passing it, so I might be able to use it standalone.

[ChrissyBoy]

Mmm. Thanks for the in depth post. Yes ffmpeg is used but it is an old version! I should indeed revisit this tool & update everything. What would be extremely helpful is if you could get the a/v sync issue vob(s) to me? Can you put them somewhere for me to grab or can you upload them to my ftp?

Also is the a/v sync "after the join" or right from the beginning?

[Bizuser]

Thanks for your interest! I will try to get you a VOB that exhibits the problem that is not quite as big as the current one!

The a/v synch issue is very hard to spot; this is a concert dvd of renaissance polyphony, and it's extremely hard to 'tie' the sound to the image - all the voices are going off at different times, and it's only after many viewings that I'm now getting familiar with which voices tie to which faces! But I could point you to one timestamp, perhaps, and you may see the issue at hand. It's just not the easiest of pieces to 'verify'!

To your question - 'after the join' - not sure what you mean. The concert is 1.5 hours long. I used dvdDecrypter to create the VOB, and (to eliminate other issues) I created it as a single VOB that is about 3.7 gig in size. Note that the fundamental reason for starting this exercise was to get a 'single angle' version of the concert, since it was recorded using multiple angles, and my two set-top dvd players both have issues with multi-angle material. Thus, I used dvdDecrypter in IFO mode to get the data off the DVD, selecting only angle 2. I chose to make one big vob because I was trying to see if DVD Author would author the vob's 'as is', and it didn't seem to handle multiple files well, so I turned off file splitting in dvdDecrypter.

The specific 'synch' problem I saw was about 30 minutes into the concert, in 'chapter 6' I think.

As I mentioned, I separately used the demux feature of dvd decrypter to split out the video and audio, and did 'file split' by chapter - so I ended up with video and audio files for 'each' chapter. Each chapter's audio files had a 'delay' spec in it's name (eg, -221 ms), EXCEPT the first - chapter 1. So chapter 1 had zero delay, chapters 1 through 15 had the same/similar -221 delay. I mention this in case it's of use.

===============
Update ... I just did another test - extracted chapters 1, 2, 3 - angle 2 only (with DVDDecrypter). I then ran the VOB through vob2mpg, ptsfix version. The PTSFix version has some 'bad frames' in it (when viewed frame by frame). The non-PTSFix version loads into both DVD Author and WinDVD player, and plays, but shows as having a duration of only 20 seconds - even though it's about 8 minutes. Using the 'slider' in the player or author will only progress me to the 20 second mark (but it will play pas this point). I noticed the 'bad frames' first when playing the file - some horrendous scene transitions (it's like the scene is melting!). Playing frame by frame in DVD Author I noticed very odd frames at the scene transition at 1:20. It's as if the GOP is totally messed up. I verified that the original does not exhibit this problem.

(update, 8am PT 2005 12 07) I uploaded the VOB to the FTP site, along with the ptsfix log; see the 'bad' frame at 1:20. VOB created by DVDDecrypter in IFO mode, angle 2 only, chapters 1,2,3 selected (to keep it small).

(I know the original problem I mentioned was synch, but in the process of trying to get a smaller sample to send, I ran into this issue, and assume they are related). Thanks!

[funwit]

Hi Chris, The log isn't helpful ... It does the whole bit and the states Done Processing Authored ... The "not a nav-pack" is an isolated uncaught exception, in a dialog pop-up at the last second. The authored set does not have a video_ts.ifo. DVD Shrink doesn't see what it can use to iso this set. I wonder ... the menu ?

[Jikchung]

...The log isn't helpful ... It does the whole bit and the states Done Processing Authored ...

Is this the progress window or the actual log? The log is found in the 'Logs" folder in the dirctory that SVC2DVD is installed in.

[Bizuser]

Following on from my previous post (two posts back!), I've done more work on this, still getting strange results.

Since my last two posts, I've downloaded the trial version of VideoRedo, and used it's 'QuickStream fix' to see if that helps. It yields quite different results, but still not trouble free.

I start with my VOB, which is a DVDDecrypter IFO rip of a commercial DVD, selecting angle 2 only (Chapters 1-3 to keep size small for now). I run the same VOB through both VOB2MPG, VOB2MPG_PTSFIX, and VedeoReDo's QuickStream Fix tool.

1) The original VOB, and the vob2mpg output behave the same. Both files load in TMPGEng dvd author with a vastly incorrect time duration (20 seconds instead of 8 min 47 sec). Loads in womble Mpeg-vcr with an incorrect time duration of about 5 min 20 sec instead of 8 min 47 sec. Moving forward, then backwards, throught the video yields very serious problems - slider won't slide backwards smoothly. Loads in VideoReDo withe a duration of 2:34 instead of 8 min 47 sec. Note, this vob has been posted to the ftp server.

2) the vob2mpg-ptsfix version of the output loads in TMPGEnc dvd author with an appropriate timestamp of 8 min 47 sec. But the video has issues; at the 1 min 20 sec mark, frame numbers 2391 to 2405 are 'weird' - appear as if 'melting'. In mpg-vcr, loads with a duration of 8 min 48 sec (1 sec longer!), and also exhibits the 'melting' appearance at the 1min 20 sec transition. In videoReDo, loads with duration of 8 min 48 secs, and does NOT exhibit the 'melting' appearance at 1:20, but ... displays frames with non-sequential timestamps - very odd. If you click the 'next frame' button repeatedly, the timestamp will go (eg) 1:19:9, 1:19:10, 1:19:11, 1:10:9; 1:19;13, 1:19:14; 1:19:12; ..16; ...17; ...15; ...19; ...20; ...18; ....21; 1:20:05 (when the next frame starts).

3) the videoRedo version of the output held the most promise ... loads in TMPGEnc dvd author with a timestamp of 8min 46 sec (2 secs shorter than prev. version!). The frames at the 1:20 mark are just fine, and this section of the video now plays fine. It loads in womble with the same duration - 8:46, and appears fine there too at the 1:20 point. It also loads in Video ReDo with the 8:46 duration, and plays (within ReDo) through the 1:20 mark just fine.

Encouraged by this, I ripped the whole piece (1hr. 20 mins) and ran the vob through Video ReDo, and burned the result to DVD, and played it - with much anticipation. Sadly, it froze at a certain point in the process, on my set-top player, and I had to power it down to recover! I'm going to investigate why the freeze occurred ... could be a freak occurrence, but it's a bit ominus! I also noticed one short piece where the movement was definitely not 'smooth'.

So the saga continues.

Bottom line is, vob2mpg with ptsfix generates a different result from videoReDo, and neither one seems to be able to correct whatever problem I have - which is I'm sure related to the fact I'm pulling just one angle from the source.

[oldfart13]

VERY NICE! This will accept the VOB sets created with the Liteon DVD recorder and spit out Mpegs that can be further processed. I was using a combination of programs but I can now shelve those. Well done!

[T AL Z]

I used BOB2MPG to take one of my short films off a DVD. It converted it to a movie file which plays in various players. However, I want to change the resolution of the file to be smaller (for internet use) to 320 x 240. But, when I import the file in Premiere it does not bring in the visual -- it only brings in the audio. Anyone know how to fix this?

Also, another note, the MPG file I grabbed with VOB2MPG does not play the audio in Windows Media Player. And, the file, does not play in Quicktime as it states it is not a movie file. This seems strange, as it is a MPG file.

However, the file created by VOB2MPG does play with visual and audio in other players (i.e. WinAmp). I am not sure if this is related to the first problem I explained.

Anyway, any help would be appreciated.

[ChrissyBoy]

v2 may give you better results:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=287031

No audio in WMP could be due to the fact that the audio is AC3. Try installing AC3Filter.

[T AL Z]

v2 may give you better results:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=287031

No audio in WMP could be due to the fact that the audio is AC3. Try installing AC3Filter.

The AC3 filter did solve the no audio problem in WMP. Thanks.

I used v2 and the mpg file that it created filled half the film with only static as the audio. I tried it twice, but no luck. I imported the v2 file in Premiere just to check. And it is the same, it imports only the audio (and is silent for the static parts).

[Bizuser]

Since I posted so much info above, wanted to give an update, 'for the record'. I finally gave up trying to use dvdDecrypter to rip just the one angle, followed by vob2Mpeg (and/or other methods, described above).

I ended up biting the bullet and learning IFOEdit; I used dvdDecrypter to rip the whole DVD to hard drive (file mode), then used IFOEdit to 'strip' the angle I wanted. This yielded a 'perfect' output - no synch issues, no jumps and jerks, etc. The process was 'interesting', and the IFOEdit guides are not the easiest to follow (not many people need to rip angles, I'm guessing) but nonetheless it worked, and I learned a whole lot in hte process.

It looks like, to me, that DVDDecrypter is not doing a good job of ripping angles, and thus, the 'starting point' I was using above - the 'input' to VOB2MPEG - was not good - so, garbage in, garbage out!

My source was also pretty complex, I think - once I dug into the weeds with IFOEdit, I could see very complex interleaved angles. 80% of the movie was multi-angled, with odd bits here and there single-angle. So there were multiple consecutive vob id/cells for each angle, and it seems that the 'problem spots' I described above corresponded to the various points in the movie were it switched from no angles to angles, and/or transitions from one vob id to the next. I suspect that very few movies out there use angles to this degree.

Anyway - I may NOW use VOB2MPEG on the CONVERTED version, because I'm still not happy with the DVD's native menu structure; I'd rather build my own, and for that, I'd rather use TMPGEnc DVD Author, which lets me do simple menus.

Thanks for all the help!

[T AL Z]

v2 may give you better results:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=287031

No audio in WMP could be due to the fact that the audio is AC3. Try installing AC3Filter.

The AC3 filter did solve the no audio problem in WMP. Thanks.

I used v2 and the mpg file that it created filled half the film with only static as the audio. I tried it twice, but no luck. I imported the v2 file in Premiere just to check. And it is the same, it imports only the audio (and is silent for the static parts).

Any ideas on this one? I imported another VOB file from a different DVD and the movie clip file works. But Premiere will still not import the file. It only brings in the audio (which in this case silence as it was a silent film).

I may try to convert the file generated with VOB2MPG to another form (avi?). Is there a good program for this?

I also find it weird that the 'mpg' file created with VOB2MPG will not open with Quicktime. Am I missing something? Any help figuring out how to get this file off the DVD into Premiere for resizing (smaller for internet use) please let me know.

[liftmanj]

I love vob2mpg. It seems to be the answer to my problems. I want to convert VOB files to mpg so I can cut them and order them like I want on a DVD. The only problem is that I can't hear any audio. What am I doing wrong?

[ChrissyBoy]

Is the audio AC3? Have you got your PC setup to play AC3? Maybe AC3filter will help.

[liftmanj]

I now have a mini dvd from my camcorder. I tried to join the vobs and convert them to an mpg file with this program but it just gave me 4 separate mpgs. What am I doing wrong?

[liftmanj]

One more thing ChrissyBoy. When I try to split my resulting mpg into multiple parts, I lose the audio. Do you have any suggestions? I'm using Tmpgenc to split it.

[ChrissyBoy]

Try VideoReDo to do this - it may be that tmpgenc won't deal with AC3...

[oldfart13]

liftmanj - I am using Womble Mpeg Video Wizard to split files created by Vob2Mpg from my Liteon 5001 DVD recorder and it doesn't lose the sync at all. Try that program and get back to us...

[mecki72]

Hi! Can anybody help me. I have converted the VOB files within one directory to one mpg file. The picture is perfect but the sound is terrible. What have I done wrong?

[ChrissyBoy]

Can you post your log file?

[mecki72]

included is the log file

vob2mpg-20060426154407.txt