convert VIDEO_TS to avi

[SeveralButchersApron]

I've tried every combination on this forum; downloaded streamclip and tried exporting as every possible type; downloaded mpeg2 for QT, Xvid codec, updated to QT Pro, tried several combinations with ffmpegX...I've run out of options and patience.

All I want to do is convert 4 vob files with audio into a file that I can use in iMovie.

Help.

[tomlee59]

Since you've bought the QT MPEG2 component, MPEGstreamclip should've done the job. Are you able to view the vob's with it? If so, then you should be able to export as DV for iMovie. What happens when you try this?

[SeveralButchersApron]

Thanks for the reply. Nice to know someone's out there ; )

I'm able to watch the vob files in MPEGstreamclip, but when I try to convert to DV (as one post here said) I get an error message, "Error: can't create the DV file". I've tried other formats and gotten the same error.

[tomlee59]

A couple of things can cause that error: 1) Bad vob (perhaps ripped with an older tool); 2) Insufficient disk space. Remember, DV will expand the heck out of your file size, so if you don't have enough free space, you will have a problem.

[SeveralButchersApron]

Thanks again for the info. A strange thing is happening: I clicked on Preview and it looks like it's doing the conversion -- just needed to have the preview screen going (???). I don't understand it, but if I get my DV file, I won't care!

[SeveralButchersApron]

Or not.

I moved the files to a larger drive so there's plenty of space to grow, and the originals are fresh and have no problem playing in QT Pro.

Not a lot of help from the "log":

Wednesday, 15:07:44: Export Stream started
Wednesday, 15:07:44: Error: can't create the DV file

[tomlee59]

Ok, let's try something completely different, just to diagnose the problem. Try converting into DivX first, using DVision3 (free). I have never seen that tool fail on a compliant stream, so if it does choke, that tells us that there's something odd about your source file.

If it works, one possible workaround to your problem would be to encode into a high bitrate Divx (for minimal degradation), and then from there into DV, if that's what you ultimately need.

[SeveralButchersApron]

No worky. The task "finished" immediately after launching. I'm assuming i had the settings correct, but i don't parlez francais...

[guns1inger]

Where did the VOBs come ?

If they are from a commercial disc, how did you rip them ?

[SeveralButchersApron]

Excellent question. The DVD was made from a home video, not a commercial disc. The files are .bup, .ifo, and vob -- the only ones that have been available for conversion are the ones named VTS_01_1, 2, etc...

Does that help?

[tomlee59]

No worky. The task "finished" immediately after launching. I'm assuming i had the settings correct, but i don't parlez francais...

Quel dommage. I guess you downloaded the French localization. There's an English one, so at least you can read the error messages and menu options...

The fact that it doesn't work might indicate that there is something broken with your DVD files. DVision3 selects a title for you automatically based on which one is the longest (if there are more than one) -- does it correctly find the one you're interested in? And does it correctly report the duration?

You say that this is a homemade disc. How was it made? A capture box? Transcoded from another source and then authored? If so, what was the source, and what program authored it? I've run into a few cases where a DVD recorder produced off-spec files that played ok in standalone players, but which, curiously, would not transcode properly unless run through a ripper (even though the files were not encrypted). Without knowing more about where your files originated, perhaps running them through a ripper is worth a try. But provide more information and maybe someone here can offer better suggestions.

[SeveralButchersApron]

tomlee and guns1linger...thanks so much for all your help. After all that, someone else took on the project. He has a Windows machine, and for the first time, I'm glad.

[tomlee59]

Well, I guess that's one way to solve the problem!

[sadepussycat]

I have the opposite problem. I'm trying to convert an avi file to a video_ts folder. I've tried multiple conversions but cannot find the video_ts folder, it just comes out as an mpeg (I do have author checked for video_ts). Maybe I'm doing this all wrong. Can someone direct me please?

version is V0.0.9Y OS is Tiger.

[tomlee59]

You might have better luck starting your own thread, but here's my two cents: Does the mpeg you create at least look complete? That is, is the whole movie there, including sound, from beginning to end? My guess is not, but if so, then try authoring the mpeg in a separate step.

Also, sometimes merely demuxing and remuxing fixes things enough to permit authoring to complete successfully, so try that if authoring fails.

You didn't say what tool you are using, but if it's ffmpegx, you can click on the blue "i" in the progress pane to see the progress log. Often there's a useful clue in there as to what went wrong. So, if you are using ffmpegx, and things break, see what the log says.