VOB to MPG Conversion: Can't get the right software!

[GeekyChocolate]

I have a VOB file here, which I extracted from DVD by copy-and-paste. I'm trying to convert it to MPG (mpeg1 or mpeg2) so I can edit it. I already tried a couple of softwares... Here goes:

Software: VOB2MPG - Registered Version
-- It won't convert. I kept getting "0 vobsets".

Software: ImTOO DVD Ripper Platinum - Registered Version
-- I chose MPG as the output file. Waited for a thousand years for the ripping and conversion to finish. What do I get? A damaged file. It's distorted, pixelated, and jumpy when playing in Windows Media Player, Nero, and SubtitleWorkshop.

Software: Quick-lab Encoder of DVD Lab Pro - Registered Version
-- The output file is good and working, but the conversion is taking forever! Like when I have a 70-minute video, it's converting the file for 70 minutes too.

Geniuses of this world, PLEASE HELP ME. I need a good converter, faster than Quick-lab Encoder, and more stable than VOB2MPG and ImTOO DVD Ripper. Thank you.

[zoobie]

First, try changing the extension .vob to .mpeg...sometimes that works and is a lot easier

[GeekyChocolate]

Hi Zoobie. Thanks. I copied the file to a different folder and renamed the extension to mpeg. When I played it in Windows Media Player, it's jumpy. It even lost the first quarter of video, there's only the sound. And I also played it in SubtitleWorkshop (since I'm trying to sync subs & movie), sadly, it has no video at all.

Any other suggestion?

[guns1inger]

VOB2MPG is the best option, however your entire process is a bit suspect, so I am not surprised that it didn't work.

First, is this a protected DVD or a home made one ? If it is protected then you need to rip it properly, not just copy it. If it is a home made DVD, try using VOB2MPG to read the files directly from the DVD. VOBs contain many different things, including multiple audio tracks, subtitles, menus, partial or multiple video tracks etc. Most of this is described to players and other tools in the IFO files. Just copying VOBs leave behind this information.

[GeekyChocolate]

Hi Guns1inger. No, as far as I know it's not protected. It's sort of a compilation of indie movies and college-project documentaries. I opened the DVD in Windows Explorer and selected the VOB (movie) I want among 12 other VOBs, and copied it to the hard drive. So should I properly rip it given the situation, just to be sure?

Hmm. I think your 2nd suggestion makes sense. Thanks! I'll let VOB2MPG read the file directly from DVD. Be back later.

[jagabo]

I'll let VOB2MPG read the file directly from DVD. Be back later.

That's your best bet for a non-commerical DVD (virtually all commercial DVDs are encrypted). If the disc is encrypted you have to rip then use VOB2MPG.

[guns1inger]

Depending on how a disc is authored, a single VOB file may contain

1. All of a single title, if it is less than 1GB (encoded size) and the only title in the titleset

2. Part of a single title if it is larger than 1 GB (encoded size)

3. Part of all of several titles if multiple titles have been authored into a single titleset

The IFO file knows what is where

[zoobie]

I'm probably lucking out by changing the extension to .mpg but it's worked with every editor I have so far...I guess there's not many extras in the vobs I happen to be working with

I also used vob2mpg once I think...I ignored the error it gave, looked, and found a usable file...but I think the sound was off...can't really remember it's been so long

[guns1inger]

If you are working with simple home made discs or discs from cameras then the risks are lower because the structures are generally simple. It is when things get more complex that issue arise.

[Inspector.Gadget]

[s:7a381a6196]Open the VOB in Avidemux, allow Avidemux to index it, and set "Video" and "Audio" to "Copy" in the sidebar. Set "format" to "MPEG-PS (A+V)". Go to "File" -> "Save" > "Save Video..." and pick an output location for the file. Save it with the extension ".mpg". What you have now is the original video and audio with the video aspect ratio and pulldown information (if any) and the audio delay (if any) included in a real MPG file without all the extra VOB stuff. You can even edit it in Avidemux before you save it, but you may want to just make the new MPG first.

Edit: I should also note, in case it wasn't clear, that this doesn't re-encode the video or audio: Your new MPG is 100% DVD quality.[/s:7a381a6196]

Now Avidemux seems to set that to real VOB format rather than MPEG-PS format so this no longer works.

[GeekyChocolate]

@ Guns1inger (you especially), Zoobie & Jagabo: Guys, thank you! I used VOB2MPG to directly rip and convert the VOB from DVD, and it worked. The MPG it produced is playing just fine in WMP, DVD Lab Pro, SubtitleWorkshop and Nero. So I made a mistake there when I just copied and pasted the VOB from DVD to HD. I know better now. Thanks! You guys rock.

By the way, does VOB2MPG really rip the entire DVD? I mean, it's a small annoyance coz I just wanted a single movie, not the entire collection. I can't see an option where I'll choose a certain file to be ripped. Anyway, that little issue is no big deal as long as I get my MPG. Yay.

@ Inspector Gadget: Avidemux doesn't work anymore like it used to, is that what you mean? OK. Thanks anyway.

[guns1inger]

VOB2MPG is a handy little tool, but it is very single minded. You just point it at a video_ts folder and let it loose. If you only want one title then you have to make sure VOB2MPG only has one title to look at. You can do this by using DVDFab HD Decrypter in Movie Only mode, and picking just the title you want, or DVD Shrink in Re-author mode to do that same thing, but with the added ability to have multiple titles if needed. Once you have you Video_TS folder on your HDD, use VOB2MPG to get what you need.

Note : DVD Shrink will work on older protected discs, but may fail on newer discs. DVDFab HD Decrypter is the preferred solution for newer protection. For unprotected discs DVD Shrink will work fine.

[GeekyChocolate]

Thank you very much!