Having quality and playback problems

[Movie_Mom]

Hello, I am new to backing up dvd's, I didn't find the answer, but if I missed I apologize, this is a big forum. I still haven't figured out what most of the terms mean yet, but am working on it. I have started to back up our childrens movies after several have been ruined by our children. I have encountered a couple of problems I was hoping you could help me with. I use dvd shrink, then burn using either nero, or intervideo. Is there one program that works better from the other in any ones experience. I was also wondering how I could help reduced the "glitches" I get on our backup copies. Another problem I am having is sometimes the movies will play on all our dvd players. Other times, they will only play on one, but not another, and then sometimes a movie will play until it gets to maybe around the middle of the movie, will stop, and return to the main menu. I don't understand why it does it especially when the copy plays fine on the other dvd player. Dvd player that it messes up on plays some of the copies just fine, but not others. What am I doing wrong? Oh, and I can't seem to find the VOB Blocker program that everyone talks about. Thanks for your patience and help.

[waheed]

Hello Movie_Mom, welcome to the forum. Try breaking your questions down into sections so it is easier to read rather than being one big block of text.

Ok, to anwer some of your questions:

If you find that some backup dvds work in some dvd players and not others, this is a media issue. Certain media will play in some dvd players and not others. Not all dvd players are compatible with every media.

Find one that is suitable with your dvd players and stick to it. I can recommend Taiyo Yuden, these seem to be the favourite everyone here talk about.

Glitches can be a result of bad or cheap media.

The program you refer to is VOBblanker. Another one is also TitleSetBlanker and also works well.

[jtoolman2000]

I ditto what waheed said. Get name brand good media. Taiyo Yuden is the best. Avoid Memorexlike the plague.

When you burn your back up. walk away from the PC and let it do its thing wothout any other stimulous that may afect your results. In your Shrink settings, do a custom tareget of about 4100mgs rather than the defauld MAX size. This will avoid the edges and most unstable areas of the disk. You should improove your results. Welcome to this forum and I hope all goes well.
Oh yes,,, spend some time checking out the guides here. They are excellent and will answer a lot of your ?? It truly is a treasure of knowledge.

[BSpielbauer]

I would echo what the others said, but would add the following...

-ALWAYS choose great media (and yes, Taiyo Yudens would be the logical safe choice);
-Avoid burning to the extreme outside edges of any disc (I try to stay below 4.1 GB in most cases); The ends of films are where most have problems;
-Consider splitting your backups into two discs. I do this, and make a conscious choice to NEVER use any compression. Never. My backups look every bit as good as the originals, and I do not experience any slipping, freezing, lockups, pixellating, or skipping. I use two DVD blank discs for any dual layer films (I always buy double cases to store them in), and I split the film over two discs. I add the extras at the end, as added titles. I feel comfortable getting rid of any menus (although it is p0ossible to even keep those, if you decide you need to, with a third piece of software).

(I am in the minority here, as I realize most would rather sacrifice picture quality and also risk skipping, freezing, etc., toward the ends of dics.)

I watch on a 65 inch ISF calibrated TV - Mits CRT-based HDTV. I am obsessive about picture quality, and am also spoiled by HDTV viewing. I will not let the kids ruin my DVDs. However, I will not view films that look any lesser than the quality I paid for. I would much rather get up once per film and change a DVD, and then visit the bathroom and refrigerator. (I prefer no compromise on picture quality. This is why I am no longer viewing VHS tapes, and this is why I pay attention to reviews of video quality prior to even making the purchase...) Instead, I invest an extra $1.00 or so to be able to use backups, and put the originals where only I can access them.

My costs:

2 Discs = $.76
(38 cents per disc, for quality discs, purchased in 100 packs.)

1 case = $.22
(1 standard "double" DVD case, in black, purchased in 100 packs.)

1 ink costs, to print one cover = $0.02 to $0.10
(1 color inkjet printout, of a scanned cover)

TOTAL COSTS = $1.00 to $1.10


Bruce

[Soopafresh]

Taiyo Yuden is the best at the moment, but you can't just go into Best Buy and get them - well actually, you can. Look for Fuji DVDs and search on the side of the stack for "Made in Japan". You might have to go through several stacks, but you'll find some.

[Movie_Mom]

I would like to thank all of you for your input and advice. We have been using "whatever Media", meaning maxell, tdk, fugi, verbatiumm and esa. So that pretty much explains why some are working and some arn't.

I think I made a little breakthrough on picture quality. I have realized that just becaue my burner is 16x, most media will fail if burned at that speed. Some like fuji, failed at 8x. I am having less glitches when I burn at 4x. So that's what I am doing right now.

We too have a 16:9 55" HDTV, and man quality and lack of quaily certainly shows up as sure and as bold of mole on the tip of your nose!

So far I have only been doing my childrens movies, but the little 2 year old has discovered it is fun to climb the shelves where the dvd's are stored and mess around with them. We spend on average 1000 a year buying dvd's. So now I would prefer to start backing up my movies, much cheaper than replace.

I am still trying to figure out how to remove the extra features and menu, and those darn previews they put in. I looked in the guides a bit, but it has so far been a bit confusing.

I have googled VoB Blanker, but was unable to locate a download site. I will keep looking.

Thank you all again for being sweet and offering me help. If you any other advice you would like to offer, please feel free.

[Rookie64]

We have been using "whatever Media", meaning maxell, tdk, fugi, verbatiumm and esa. So that pretty much explains why some are working and some arn't.

Some of those use the very best media, so it isn't the brand name that is the problem, it's the media the brand name is on, since each uses different media (look for Made In Japan rather than brand name).
To understand this a little better, use the FAQ on lordsmurf's site -
www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm

Download Nero CD-DVD Speed
https://www.videohelp.com/tools?toolsearch=cd+speed

Use that to scan your media after you burn to make sure the disks are 100% readable.


Use this guide for DVD Shrink -
http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/mpg/dvdshrink31-main.htm

It explains in detail how to take out the extras or stuff you don't want.


Another reason why some of your DVD players may not play the media you used is that some players might not play all media formats such as DVD+R / RW or DVD-R / RW discs.

Some also have trouble reading a disk that has a sticky label on it.

You might also need to clean the laser if you use the player a lot.



Hope that helps - good luck

[waheed]

Click on the RED TEXT for VOBblanker - it will direct you to the link.

[waheed]

I am still trying to figure out how to remove the extra features and menu, and those darn previews they put in. I looked in the guides a bit, but it has so far been a bit confusing.

If you want to backup the movie only, use DVD Shrink in Re-author mode. Drag over the Title set with the largest size only (usually this is Title 1). In the following case, this is Title 1, boxed in red is movie only:





Now you will have a DVD with Movie only, no menu and no extras.

[Movie_Mom]

Thank you very much for your reponse and help!

I am going to veiw the guide you suggested right now. As far as VOB Blanker is concerned, as I understand what you said, I am not going to need VOB Blanker if I use the reauthor part of DVD Shrink, correct? Just wanted to veryify.

Thanks again, it is great to have such friendly and helpful people in this forum to advise me through this process.

Oh, yes, I am also going to read up on the Media guide you suggested.

[Movie_Mom]

Sorry, another question I was wondering about is sometimes when we watch a backup, the "subtitles" are stuck on throughout the entire video. We now don't include any subtitles, but I am concerned that if there is a scene which would require subtitles (such as my son's Godzilla movie), will those subtitles be taken out as well as the regular subtitles we removed.

I forgot to mention, that, Yes, all of our DVD Players, plays the DVD-R Discs. There are some backups that play perfectly on the player giving us trouble and then again, there are some that won't play at all. We have cleaned the laser. The DVD-R's that don't work are not on just one type of media-brand. So I don't know? Confusing!

Thanks again, I really do appreciate it!

[waheed]

If using DVD Shrink in Re-author mode, there is no need in using vobblanker.

With dvdr playback, you're not going to get them to play in every single dvd player. Its a hit and miss situation.

Take a loook at this:

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers

It will give you some input of what some dvd players are capable of playing and reviews of forum members who have had experience in playing certain branded discs in a particular dvd player. A good source of useful information.

In me experience, if all the subtitles are removed, then you will not have any subtitles for any scene. sometimes, there may be a fe substitles for the same language, this can be a substitle for the whole movie, subtitle for a particular scene, for example where people will speak in a foriegn language and even director commentary subtitles. you can choose which ones to keep.

[Movie_Mom]

Sorry it has taken me so long to post. I have been trying out the suggestions. So far things are working beautifully!

I have ecountered one problem, and am not sure if it is something I did wrong or not.

One movie I was attempting to backup would lock my entire computer system when I tried to use DVD Shrink. I would have used AnyDVD to help with the situation, but my free trial expired and I am short on the funds to purchase it. I did try DVD Decrypter that has been mentioned, and it seemed to work...but...

When I put the backup onto dvd, I have absolutely no audio whatsoever. I don't know if I did something wrong, or if perhaps that was the problem on the disc that kept DVD Shrink from working.

All of you have been wonderful, again, many thanks. You have contributed to my piece of mind. My backups have better quality, and I discovered how to remove the menu, so my children don't scream at me that the movie is "stuck"!

I really believe the problem I was having with the dvd's not wanting to playback sometimes is a player problem. Since it only happens on the one machine, and since I started burning at a slower speed, that particular player isn't having as much trouble reading.

You've been great.

[waheed]

Would be useful to know which dvd you are trying to backup. Could be one with Sony's arcoss protection, which would explain why dvd shrink would have problems ripping the dvd. The latest version of DVD Decrypter has no problems ripping such dvds.

Maybe you had acidentially unchecked the main audio for the movie in the setiings for dvd shrink. try selecting next audio stream when playing the dvd.

[jtoolman2000]

Hello Movie Mom. One suggestion as I have had that same problem in the past. As you decide waht to keep and what to omit in DVDShrink, make sure you preview it in shrink. I failed to do than the one time and ended up I had unchecked the 5:1 audio as well as all the rest of the audio tracks.
I did not know till I had my backup burned.

As a side note, if you do not have a high end TV and sound system you will not need the DTS file that is included in some DVDs. It will save you quite a bit of disk space which is best devoted to the video file.

[Movie_Mom]

This is the first non-child DVD I have tried. I am attempting to backup "Spanglish"

When I tried to open the disc using DVD Shrink, it would analynze until about 36%, and then freeze everything on my computer. I tried to open the movie a couple of times, with the same results at the same point.

I then tried DVD Decrypter, and it opened the disk, but gave me a message saying that there were 8 possible protection spots, and if neccessary those spots will be removed.

Once they decrypted, I used DVD Shrink, actullay did it twice, both times no audio at all.

So, is it me or the disk? Any ideas?

[waheed]

I then tried DVD Decrypter, and it opened the disk, but gave me a message saying that there were 8 possible protection spots, and if neccessary those spots will be removed.

Once they decrypted, I used DVD Shrink, actullay did it twice, both times no audio at all.

So, is it me or the disk? Any ideas?

This is definitely a dvd with sony's arcoss protection. It introduces what is known as "structural protection". These are basically intentional errors within the dvd files (IFO files) to prevent ripping. The latest dvd decrypter should have no problem ripping this disk.

After using dvd decypter, try to play the movie from your hard drive (eg with PowerDVD). Check to see if there is any audio. Load with dvd shrink. What are the options for audio? Seems strange that there should be no audio.

[Matt D]

This can happen with discs that are originals, but usually you can turn these off in the menu. My DVD remote even has a subtitle button to easily turn subs on and off.
Personally I leave the subs intact. Really no reason to remove them IMO.

Sorry, another question I was wondering about is sometimes when we watch a backup, the "subtitles" are stuck on throughout the entire video. We now don't include any subtitles, but I am concerned that if there is a scene which would require subtitles (such as my son's Godzilla movie), will those subtitles be taken out as well as the regular subtitles we removed.

[Movie_Mom]

The reason I no longer like to include the subtitles is that if they come on, I can't turn them off! I go to the menu, and select off, and it doesn't work. It doesn't happen allot, but occassionally. I had a similar poblem once before where the director's commentary was stuck on throughout the entire movie and couldn't turn it off! Let me I heard about that one, It was my son's Hulk copy. I'm gonna warn everyone right now, you don't want to mess up your children's copies, they never forget.! When you least expect it....pow! "Do you remeber the time........(I'm sure you how it ends!

Thanks Waheed, I'll see how it goes. I just downloaded DVD43Free. I also checked the orginal movie using the Nero CD_DVD Speed program that was recommended. It showed there were 2 unreadable sectors in the same area I have been having the problem. That must be what was mentioned as to the intentional flaws they put in.

I'll give it another go and let you know how it goes. Any other ideas to help me over this hurdle, please feel free to share.

As Always, Thanks everyone for help, guidance and patience.

[Movie_Mom]

Ok Waheed, This is where I am at with trying to backup Spanglish....

I used DVD Decrypter to put the files on the hard drive. I used The powerDVD to check the files, and they played perfectly, complete with audio.

I then used DVD Shrink for the compression. I Checked the files in the preveiw, and they worked perfectly, complete with audio.

When compression was complete, I used PowerDVD to once again, verify. Again, files where perfect including audio.

I then burned using Nero. I put the disk in the dvd player, and I have perfect picture, no audio.

HELP!!!!!!!!

[Movie_Mom]

Hi again WaHeed.

I put the disk I burned for Spanglish into my computer and used the PowerDVD to check it out. It works perfectly fine on the computer, audio and all.
I know that there has been some debate about CPPM Protection. One person posted that is impossible to put a CPPM Protection on DVD Movies. Right now I am thinking that this must be the problem.

I have audio throughout the entire process until I put the movie into my dvd player.

What are yours (or anyone else's) thoughts on the matter?

[Delerious]

Hi again WaHeed.

I put the disk I burned for Spanglish into my computer and used the PowerDVD to check it out. It works perfectly fine on the computer, audio and all.
I know that there has been some debate about CPPM Protection. One person posted that is impossible to put a CPPM Protection on DVD Movies. Right now I am thinking that this must be the problem.

I have audio throughout the entire process until I put the movie into my dvd player.

What are yours (or anyone else's) thoughts on the matter?

I see someone else mentioned something about the audio stream. The remotes I have here have a button labeled Audio. Pressing that will cycle through the audio streams - you can try that to see if that works. If not, the only other thing I can think of would be the audio stream itself - if you chose DTS or 5.1 sound and your player or TV doesn't support it (my TV won't do DTS).

[waheed]

I would agree with what Delerious says. try selecting the audio from your remote for your dvd player. It should select the nect default audio stream.

Its also possible you have selected to play a DTS stream, and your dvd player may not play DTS. If you have up the AC3 (Dolby) stream, the audio should work fine. The 5.1 would be downmixed to stereo if you dont have surround sound support.

And believe me, if you have ripped the dvd with dvd decrypter, there is no copy protection on the dvd of any kind.

[Movie_Mom]

Ok, I must be just way too techinologically challanged!

I didn't think about the audio selector. I kept both DTS, and 5.1 (our home theater does both), and I have been watching other movies the whole time I've been working on this one problem. So it never dawned on me that was the problem.

So duh!!!! Thank you very much, the audio button on my remote fixed the problem!

Now don't I feel stupid.