DVD Decrypter--Two Sets of Files?

[Kevintucky]

When I run DVD Decrypter as I always do in IFO mode, I have noticed that it lists the individual "clips" that are on the DVD I am using. I am curious why there are two sets of these clips. Say, I have 13 seperate clips on a DVD, the program reads and lists the clips then there is a 1-second "break" file and then the 13 clips appear in the list a second time. I have just been using the first set of clips to decrypt and just wonder what the second set are for. I appreciate anyone who can offer some insight on this.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Do you mean chapters?
Can you post a screen image,that might help answer your question.

[Kevintucky]

No,not chapters, I should have been more clear, but I tend to get too wordy when I do. These are DVDs that I made. I would record a program on a stand-alone DVD recorder. Then I would record another program and add it to the disc but it would be a seperate "title". Each recording has a specific time duration and DVD Decrypter matches the individual programs accurately. I cant't post a screen shot because it would not show the repeating I am speaking of. But here is a basic example of what I am talking about:

PGC 1 [00:13:55]
PGC 2 [00:12:45]
PGC 3 [00:10:25]
PGC 4 [00:00:01]
PGC 5 [00:13:55]
PGC 6 [00:12:45]
PGC 7 [00:10:25]
PGC 8 [00:00:01]

Note how 5,6,7 and 8 are all duplications of 1,2,3 and 4. In this example, I would only have 3 programs recorded seperately. I am curious why it repeats? Does this assist? I'll be online for a while now.

[Pinstripes23]

Maybe the way your dvd is structured and created, it will go to the 2nd set of pgc's when called upon. Do you have menus on your dvd? If you want to dissect how those 2nd set is used you can run the dvd through pgcedit under trace mode...and see if/when they get called.

[Kevintucky]

Thanks Pinstripes. I gave that software a quick look and it seems useful to see how a DVD works. I was just curious as to why the extra set of files are there. This is not an individual occurance as this appears on all the DVDs I created. Yes, a simple menu is created by the DVD recorder when recording programs. Do you have time to mention what instances that DVD recorder would utilize the extra set when playing back? Or would PGC Edit clarify and educate me further on that?

I hate adding too much unknown software, but DVD Decrypter and AutoGK turned out to be excellent tools. I am amazed at the number of programs out there created and what they do.

Thanks for any further imput you or or anyone else might supply. Learning is fun!

[Cornucopia]

That's one of the things DVD recorders do to add "Title Appending" to a DVD spec that never really expected that feature in the 1st place. IIWY, I'd do what you've been doing. There is really only 3 assets, they're just "referenced" twice, probably to enable correct VTS jumping, etc.
I suspect that if you just tried to record ONLY 1 show (and finalized it right away), it wouldn't do that.

Getting used to the DVD nomenclature here would help. A PGC is a Logical reference of navigation, not the actual physical container (the IFO or VOB). BTW, they don't really use the term "clips", I think mainly because it could be applied to a number of structural categories.

Scott

[Kevintucky]

Thank you Cornucopia. What can I say, I'm a definite noob and probably a perpetual one as well. I don't know how deep I will get into this, but in just one week I am really enjoying the editing of these discs. Although I am using WMM for editing, it's like night and day with how I used to perform that.

A few years ago when I got my first DVD Recorder, and OH all the crashes I experienced, it was cool to move everything over from the bulky VHS to lighter and fewer DVDs. When you start using a PC with DOS and then Windows is available, you enjoy the features. So I don't need to get too fancy with all that is available with video edit. Adobe Premier Standard came with my PC and I just couldn't figure it out. I really am hear just to learn how to transform these DVDs into files I can edit on the PC. I will learn what I need to and probably just a bit more.

If I had a nickel everytime someone told me "you're so smart with computers" I'd be well off. I always denied their praise, but always tried to help them understand the basics of how a PC works. Now, I am in their shoes. With help from all of you, it's been a lot less frustrating.

[Cornucopia]

If you're taking VOB clips (oops!) off a recorded DVD disc and editing them on the PC, if you didn't know it before, then Cuttermaran is your friend! Also, DVDShrink, VideoReDo, TDA. Many others. Remember the files are already highly compressed MPEGs, you don't want to re-encode if you don't really have to.

Scott

[Kevintucky]

This is the process I'm using:

1. DVD Decrypter to save the VOB files to HD
2. AutoGK all the VOB files saved in separate folders are converted to AVI files
2. The AVI files are individually imported into WMM to save each as WMV files because the AVI files are just not workable in WMM.
3. I then import each WMV file back into WMM to edit. Sometimes I import more than one WMV file and make it a "collection" of a theme.

Now, you have me shamed to use the word clip. It's a clip to me because it is one scene from a movie. Old school here, don't you just love talking to someone who doesn't comprehend the lingo? Title Appending? Correct VTS jumping? IFO? I just learned demuxing and reauthoring terms.

I may be doingt he process the hard way, but I really don't have the sources to give me the game plan. I moved here from CA last year and am just now getting to this project which I have wanted to get into for a while now. Even back in CA, I didn't know computer savy people. But, Im grateful I have any process going and that I am moving forward. Give me time and I may teach a class. HaHaHa, yeah I just made myself sound more ignorant.

[Cornucopia]

This is the place. You'll learn in time.

The name of the game is always "the shortest distance between 2 points being a straight line." Short and sweet.
This means, encode (used here for "compress") as few times as possible (hopefully only ONCE). Pick the maximum/optimum bitrate you can justify for your given media/bandwidth and your given material (quality, complexity, timespan).

In your case, shortest method would be:

DVD->Decryptor->Cuttermaran (unless doing more than just cuts--then Womble MPEG Wizard, etc)->DVD Authoring/Burning app->DVD. Big difference in resulting quality (probably as good as original).

Scott

[Kevintucky]

Scott, how could I not agree? I did leave out one bit of information: I am not putting the PGC (or is it VTS, eck "clips") back on DVD. In my case I have not need for portability. But I also did not include that step in the procedure I listed.

I looked over the comments on Cutterman and it sure sounds popular. I guess I will have DL it to see if I can use it just for editing. WMM simply would not allow me to edit the AVI result without much cussing. It took far too long and I found it simpler to save it as WMV file and then edit. I am just cutting and not using titles or transitions.

AutoGK has been quite "auto". If I edit using Cutterman, would I be done? I am keeping it simple by using WMP to view and it has no problem viewing AVI files. Of course, there are instances I wish to include several PGC (or is it VTS, eck "clips") within one file. I would think Cutterman would allow that.

If I am correct in that last paragraph, amazing time would be saved. Time I could use to master the Cutterman program. Quite curious now.