Re-author a DVD to replace a video segment

[RzSwede]

Hello,

Is it possible to replace a section of video (only video, not audio) on a DVD without losing quality of the rest of the video through a reauthoring process?

To put it in perspective, I have received a video of our wedding on an authored DVD (with Video_TS directory). However, there is a small 30 second segment of that DVD that I would like to substitute the video with another clip that I've got on my MiniDV-cam. So I want the sound track to remain exactly the same, but replace the video during those 30 seconds with my own.

How would I best go about doing this?

Regards,
Rz

[daamon]

Hi RzSwede,

My instinct says "Yes, it is possible".

There are probably a few ways to do it, but here goes with my initial thoughts:

1) Isolate the audio from the 30 seconds of the original. I would do this by loading the VOB that contains the section of footage into VirtualDubMod and saving out the audio to a WAV file.

2) Encode your DV footage to MPEG, using the extracted audio as the audio source - hence ending up with an MPEG of the new footage with the original audio.

3) Inserting the new clip with original audio is the tricky part. I guess it kinda depends on whether the original DVD has got menus, and whether you want to keep them. If not, or if you don't mind losing the original menus, I think it'll be easier.

OK, I'm gonna assume there's no menus, or that you don't mind losing or changing menus. Why? Coz, to my mind, it's easier. I'm also gonna suggest TMPGEnc DVD Author, coz that's what I'm familiar with and I know it'll do the job. Here goes:

a) Load up the VOB(s) containing the wedding footage, but only as far as the VOB where the insert is to go into. Do this using the "Add DVD video" button.

b) Set TDA to only go as far as the point where the insert is to go.

c) In the same track, load up the MPEG created from the new footage and the original audio, using "Add file".

d) Now load the VOB(s) containing the footage from the insert point onwards. You're likely to have to include the last VOB from "a" (above) as the first VOB here.

e) Create any menus, if desired, or select "no menu" and then author. This will produce your new VOB(s), IFO and BUP files in a new VIDEO_TS folder.

I have to confess that I've not used this method, but I believe the theory is sound. If not, others please feel free to correct me...

I know I've not covered inserting the clip and retaining original menus - this is a bit out of my experience and I don't want to lead you down the wrong path by just guessing...

Hope that helps some. Good luck...

[RzSwede]

Hello,

It's taken me some time to get to try this, but now I finally have.

I would just like to say it worked great! The only slight hitch is that the section replaced is in the middle of a song, and despite going down to the level of individual frames when extracting video and audio clips there is a slight chop in sound but it's not so noticeable.

I'd like to thank you for taking the time to think this through and give me such a detailed explanation. It has saved us a lot of time and grief I am sure =)

For everyones info, there were no menus in the DVD to begin with so I didn't have to mess around with that bit.

Regards
Rz

[daamon]

Hi RzSwede,

No problem. I'm glad it was of use, and that it saved you a lot of grief and time.

Even though you go down to the level of individual frames when extracting the clips, I'm wondering if your slight sound issue is caused by the fact that TDA may not allow you to insert down to frame level - only at "I" frames.

If you're so inclined, you might want to retry the same principal / process but using something like VideoReDo or MPEG Video Wizard - I believe these can edit at frame level, and aren't restricted to working with just "I" frames.

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply back - it's appreciated.