Dealing with "bad sector" and read/write problems

[David Bram]

How can I deal with "bad sectors"? (When the offending discs are played back normally, they appear fine... due to the correction that takes place during playback... repeating a frame or however.) When I try to extract with MTR or directly convert using MPEG Streamclip (or just dragging the VOBs to the harddisk)... They all halt at the bad sector.

Is there a way to extract these and have software "look ahead" or around the problem, perhaps repeating data in order to span the gap...? We can dub these using analog connections, but that is defeating the purpose. (which is: transferring VOBs to MPEG2 streams, for video server playback... instead of direct to air playout.) These are not encrypted.

[rkr1958]

Rip with DVD Decrypter and under Tools ==> Settings ==> I/O, click on Ignore Read errors.

[David Bram]

I may have jumped the gun here... I have been extracting with MTR using the "Title Extraction" mode which makes a continuous VOB file. This process halts on bad sectors (or read errors.) However, when using the "Title Set Extr." feature... errors are reported, but the files are extracted anyway. (as multiple VOBs)

Then using MPEG Streamclip, I was able to export the MPEG2 program stream I need. (I have data break decoding turned on.) The results seem to be okay. (One operator has reported munged m1a audio from this method.) Streamclip wont 'fix' the breaks when coming directly from DVD & MTR won't extract a continuous VOB when it encounters databreaks. (Or so it has wrought thus far.)

So... If i have data breaks I need to set extract with MTR first.

[aedipuss]

as long as they aren't commercial encrypted discs try normal file copying. clean the offending disc as well as possible with soap and water, dry with lint free towel. right click on the drive icon, select open, copy the audio and video ts folder to a hard drive using windows file copy. there won't be any more bad sector errors if it is succesful.

[David Bram]

The discs in question are being burned by a particular client. While I've had few to no problems with others. He says he's using the same software that another client is using (need to confirm that.) Also, we have had him buy good media for burning to. The problem arises about mid way through one or two of the VOB's (usually 4 or 5 that comprise the hour long clips).
This happens whether I file copy them or try to extract to a continuous VOB. I thought it might be lint as well. It seems the drive he's using just plain sucks. (I will confirm vendor.)
Thanks though!

[balaku]

If you have problems with bad sectors I found something at SPAM Good luck I hope you will resolve your problem.

[fatbloke88]

hi,
give "Dead Disk Doctor" a try, it looks nasty but works well I even got data off my copy of Tincup that i sat on and cracked.Trial is available here.

http://www.deaddiskdoctor.com/

[InXess]

n/a

[Cornucopia]

You've mentioned MTR (I assume that means MacTheRipper) and MPEG Streamclip (both Mac & Win versions), so I'm assuming you've got a Mac...

All the suggestions so far have been for Windows-based apps. There really isn't anything for MacOSX yet.

I'd suggest borrowing a PC and using ISOBuster. The disc is burnt, so it can't be encrypted. It's either badly authored/burned or the original media is NG (or just not compatible with your drives). You'll have one of the best chances of getting good copies with it. Then you can pull out the files/streams you want, once you've got clean data.

Scott