Re-encode DVD

[greg0ry]

I'll try to keep this from going all over the place, so bear with me as I know not what I do.

I'm wanting to re-encode a DVD using HC Encoder, so that the DVD will fit on a DVD5. I know I can use various programs that will transcode/shrink the video, I am also aware of DVD Rebuilder's abilities --it is this process in which I am interested. I would like to use the programs that DVD Rebuilder uses to do the re-encoding myself. I've been gathering info, but I need someone to fill in the blanks and make things more clear.

Here's what I've got so far:
unencrypted dvd vob files ---> dgindex.exe(audio demuxed/.d2v video frame index for vobs created) ---> avisynth using dgdecode.dll ---> hcEnc ---> muxer?

This might be wrong, I dunno

A few questions;
1) Do I need AviSynth to frameserve? On the HC Encoder homepage it says: "Input via Avisynth or DGIndex/DGDecode projects"
2) Can/Does HC Encoder do the muxing, or do I need another program to bring the audio back in? HC Encoder doesn't output vob files does it? Vob is just a container, not a video standard. I dunno.
3) Will I run into problems with the new vob files matching the size of the others, I could foresee how differences could lead to things like chapter pointers being off.

Thanks for helping me out.

[guns1inger]

Avisynth is used because filters may be applied and because it allows for other features to be added, such as letterbox to anamorphic conversion.

I suspect that Rebuilder does it's own muxing and also puts everything back in place and adjusts the IFO files accordingly. It may use Rejig for some of this however. If you go the DVD Rebuilder forum at Doom9 you canb read the posts and if necessary, ask the author himself.

If you want to do this manually you can use Muxman to remux and Vobblanker to put the new version back into the old structure.