Backup DVD with multiple versions eg. theatrical-unrated, ext cut

[go2sanctuary]

HI, Long time fan but first post.
I've backed up movies using mostly dvdshrink and when necessary ripit4me. The problem I have is when movies contain multiple versions. Like the theatrical and unrated versions. Which seem to run in parallel only needing the additional scenes and not a whole new title. When ripping 'movie only' many movies only require 1 side or slightly more, but with multiple versions in dvdshrink it requires 2 seperate titles which is nearly a dvd9. I've noticed alot of these kinds of dvds have a single menu screen that allows for selection of the version. Has anyone kept this menu only and have it point to the 2 versions while maintaining the parallel titles and having it be near a 1 sided dvd (assuming movie only, 5.1, normal eng caption selected). If its possible to just have the 2 titles back-back without the selecting via the menu, I'd prefer that, but would use that single menu option.

I haven't attempted any dvd reauthoring progs but will try a few. If any one who has done this or knows where the info is I would appreciate the help. I have several dvds I cant backup because I want to retain both versions and not lose quality by compressing too much. I'm assuming the solution is simple enough with all the programs out there, I just thought I'd throw this question out there and see what ideas surface.

[guns1inger]

If the DVD uses seamless branching to make the two versions (a common method used because only a few chapters need to be duplicated, instead of the whole movie) then you will need to have the menu to pick which branch to use. The DVD remote doesn't allow you to switch versions in the same way you can switch audio tracks.

Most backup software struggles with this type of disc. The general advice is to either take just one version, if you want to reduce the size to single layer, or to make a 1:1 copy on a DL disc if you want both. DVD Decrypter has an option to choose which version you want to keep during the ripping stage.

[manono]

Yep, your best bet is to either separate out the version you most want during decrypting, or if you want to keep the menus and maybe some extras, to strip out the ILV/Angles after decrypting the entire DVD to the hard drive. After stripping out the unwanted ILV/Angles, then the version remaining can be reencoded using the usual methods.

Just about the only reasonably easy way to reencode such DVDs for a single DVD5 is the Pro version of DVD-Rebuilder. If you use it, then you can keep the multiple versions along with menus and any extras you want to keep.

[go2sanctuary]

So is it possible to keep the seemless branching and somehow blank out all the menus except the version selection. I haven't used dvd rebuilder. If its possible to remove the unwanted menus, audio tracks, and subtitles and be left with the version selection menu and the movies, then couldn't it just be compressed in dvdshrink as full disc. What software does well at removing select menus but would keep what I want, unless its not that simple.

I will play around with your suggestions and see what I get. Thanks.

Here's a dvd I currently have ripped: Grandma's Boy, which includes the theatrical and unrated versions. Within dvdshrink the 2 titles list as 5092mb, without unwanted audio and subs 4525mb, which is nearly a dvd5. Has any one had success with this title. A similar example is The Marine. Mostly I prefer the theatrical versions but at some point I may want to see the extra material, thus keeping both is better. I suppose 2 seperate discs is an option, but prefer the 1, and if you start collecting both versions of movies there are tons: dirs cuts, ext cuts, spec eds etc. A dvd9 is still like $1-2, whereas the dvds I buy are near 15 cents. Lowest cost wins even if reburning is needed in 2+ years. By then I may be focussed on a HD collection anyway.