DVD (VOB) files to mpeg2

[maxamillion]

I'm using DVD Decrypter to take my DVD and convert it to multiple vob files
Then i'm using TMPGenc 4.0 express to take those vob files, one at a time and convert it to mpeg2
I'm trying to do this without any quality loss, which I understand is possible because vob files and mpeg2 are basically the same
But, TMPG is giving me .ac3 file extension instead of mpeg2

Is there an easier way to do this, and possibly combine all the vob files into one clip, then demux then into mpeg2??

I've tried multiple freeware programs and still can't find a good way to do this.

Thanks guys

[redwudz]

VOB2MPG

[qpskfec]

What do you actually want do with the mpg files?

Some applications will work fine if you simply rename the *vob to *mpg.

[maxamillion]

I've tried VOB2MPG and the program will not start on vista 32bit. It says the program has encountered a problem and is closing. Tried reinstalling and same problem again.

I'm going to take the mpeg2 files and cut out the highlights using Biolsoft video splitter then create a highlight film with those clips and some jpegs.

Any other ideas?

[PuzZLeR]

I have had 0% success with any freeware apps - all crap for me. I recommend NeroVision, which has had a 100% record with me. For years now I've used it immensely to manage my numerous VOB files from my DVR. But it works excellent with commercial content as well. But you can try it first before you buy it.

As well, keeping a naming pattern of, for example, VTS_01_1.vob, VTS_01_2.vob, VTS_01_3.vob, ..., etc will join these .vob files into one .mpg file.

Important: It's not a simple matter of just renaming from .vob to .mpg. Some .vobs are tricky beasts and need to be remuxed properly due to properties within such as segmentation, DvD info, etc. otherwise you will have erroneous .mpg files.

-Fire up NeroVision and assign an Import directory (which is where your converted .mpg files will end up.)
-More -> Configure -> Folders tab -> set the folder in "Imported video files" -> OK
-Make DvD -> DvD-video
-Drag and drop your .vob file(s) into the interface
-A message will pop up regarding "segmentation". Select Yes.
-After NV finishes you will see thumbnails in the interface. You need not go further unless you want to carry on and author the production to DvD. You can actually shut down NV now.
-Check your Import folder. The equivalent, and losslessly converted, .mpg files will be there.

Important: You will see converted, equivalent .mpg, versions of the original .vobs there in the Import folder of your choice. If by some chance you don't see a converted version of one file then that means it was not segmented to begin with, and no conversion/remuxing was necessary and you can actually go ahead and safely just rename the file's extension from .vob to .mpg in this case.

[DarrellS]

To avoid sync issues, I recommend saving as a single VOB file with DVD Decrypter.

Tools > Settings > File Mode > Splitting > None

[maxamillion]

Thanks DarrellS that just saved me alot of time.
I was able to run an older version of VOB2MPG and it seems to work pretty well.
But, I can still tell that the finished mpeg2 is not as good as the DVD.
So then VOB files are not exactly the same as mpeg2? There still is some quality loss when converting to mpeg2. . . .

[guns1inger]

No. The mepg files are the exact same video and audio that is in the VOB, just moved out of the VOB container into an mpeg-2 programme stream container. There is no encoding and no quality loss. Any difference you are seeing is down to the playback tools.

How are you comparing the two ?