video DVD from Germany

[Helmut JH]

My DVD produced in Germany in UDF format and presumably marked for region 2 does not play in my 2003 Sony CD/DVD stand alone, nor in my 2013 Toshiba CD/DVD/VCR stand alone player/recotder nor in my Win XP prof Windows Media Player. It does play in the WMP that comes with Win 7 prof.
Generally, it does not behave in Win XP as I am used to, perhaps that is the effect of a copyright protection arrangement, although that should not in my view prevent the DVD to be changed for region 1. Any guidance will be appreciated. ThVideoank you.

[aedipuss]

use a dvd decryptor to rip to hard drive and make region free. anydvd or dvdfab. then burn to a new dvd.

[hech54]

My DVD produced in Germany in UDF format and presumably marked for region 2 does not play in my 2003 Sony CD/DVD stand alone, nor in my 2013 Toshiba CD/DVD/VCR stand alone player/recotder nor in my Win XP prof Windows Media Player. It does play in the WMP that comes with Win 7 prof.
Generally, it does not behave in Win XP as I am used to, perhaps that is the effect of a copyright protection arrangement, although that should not in my view prevent the DVD to be changed for region 1. Any guidance will be appreciated. ThVideoank you.

If a computer drive refuses it....then it is most likely Region 2.
Germany is PAL video format. Even if you remove the region code via copying the disc....your DVD players will probably still NOT play that disc. North American NTSC players and televisions do NOT react well to PAL material.

[DB83]

Windows Media Player is not an ideal dvd player.

For your PC use vlc which ignores region codes.

As said above, it will depend on your stand-alone whether you can play PAL disks even Region-free ones.

[hech54]

I have a feeling the OP is a transplanted German in Canada and not used to dealing with PAL/NTSC issues. We can play anything over here(in Germany) as long as it's region free.

[Helmut JH]

Hallo, hech54. You are right, I am of German birth and living in Canada since 1951. But the fact still id that I am dealing with digital ussue(s) on a DVD imported from Germany, Pal and NTSF are analog coded for TV in Europe and North America, Japan and others. As I had indicated, this DVD behaves in a peculiar manner and I have not been able to find any detail r region code etc. except that the format is UDF and the DVD carries seven files, that are almos imposible to process, ie copying file eldewhere in the pc fails nine times out of ten. very peculiar event occurred, when I first tried to convert the format via a specific converter app. The converting process seemed to have com-pleted without any problem, but when I tried to burn the resulting with my on-board burner a problem arose and a burner app from the provider of the converter app popped up and was Used to burn the converted file. This DVD now plays where ever I want, but refuses to be copied or otherwise processed on my XP Prof. PC. I suppose a story for a storybook. Regards Helmut JH

[DB83]

Post the folder/file list for this disk (all files in each folder).

[hech54]

Hallo, hech54. You are right, I am of German birth and living in Canada since 1951. But the fact still id that I am dealing with digital ussue(s) on a DVD imported from Germany, Pal and NTSF are analog coded for TV in Europe and North America, Japan and others.

Greetings from Germany....
Europe - PAL
N. America(and Japan) - NTSC
European equipment can play either it's native PAL or American NTSC.
American equipment RARELY is able to play European PAL material....whether the DVD is region free or not.
(Region codes and PAL/NTSC have NOTHING to do with each other - they are two separate issues you need to deal with.)
Now we need to figure out whether you have a genuine DVD or just some files burned to a DVD as data.

[Helmut JH]

Thank you again, hech54. I believe to have stated in my first post that a German originated video DVD in UDF format only play in the Windows Media Player that comes with Win 7 (a MS creation that I abhor.) I have used conversion app`s from three reputable sources repeatedly, all without success. I do not have the faintest clue of what my be the cause, such as copyright protection, corrupted DVD that still plays un Win7, hidden flaws in my Win XP and a multitude of other possibilities that have not yet poppedup in my mind. Regards Helmut JH

[DB83]

By all means ignore my request.

Just do not expect assistance.

[Helmut JH]

Hello, DB83 I find it rather difficult to ignore anything that has not been noticed by any of our five senses and I certainly do not expect assistance from nothing. Regards Helmut JH

[_Al_]

I would answer the questions. They would slowly lead you to some solutions if there is one. What are you actually trying to play (exact structure of files) and what did you use to rip those DVD's? "Reputable source" could mean anything. Did you use those mentioned anydvd or dvdfab? One must get some feedback to continue troubleshooting.

[DB83]

Hello, DB83 I find it rather difficult to ignore anything that has not been noticed by any of our five senses and I certainly do not expect assistance from nothing. Regards Helmut JH

Well use the sense that is commonly known as 'Sight' and look at post #8 which you conveniently skipped when replying to Hech54.

In fact my friend also inferred to this. We need to know the structure/content of this disk to proceed. No point in guessing. 'UDF' is not really helpfull unless you can tell us the version which I doubt you can.

If you cannot read the folder structure in XP then do tell us. And read it in Win7. Unless, of course, you cannot do that also. But tell us anyway.

[Helmut JH]

Hello, John Dale. I am sorry, I did not skip post # 8, that post was from hech 54 on my pc. Thanks

[DB83]

Well I am sorry too if you can not see a simple error on my part and look at one post up.

But I am bored of you now. Even if you reply, someone else can assist.

[Helmut JH]

Thank you for your help, John Dale. I expect I will manage nicely without it. Helmut JH

[CobraPilot]

My goodness, DB83, where is that politeness you once cited in these forums as being so inherent in Brits?

Well I am sorry too if you can not see a simple error on my part and look at one post up.

But I am bored of you now. Even if you reply, someone else can assist.

And you take *your* mistake and turn it into Helmut JH's mistake? Where IS that politeness? Or logic?

In fact my friend also inferred to this.

I suspect the word you're looking for, even in ever-so-polite Britain, is "referred."

Snarkiness tends to be undercut when the snark's wording goes awry. Some might say it would even be cause for ridicule, but that would be impolite . . . .

[DB83]

CobraPilot. Why do you not ask the question ?. Our German/Canadian might answer then rather than turn this topic in to a Anti-Brit discussion.

Yes, I normally try to be polite but deliberate ignorance or refusal to answer a simple question - which I have actually asked twice - would test even a saint's patience.

And, in the context of the topic 'inferred' is correct. A 'refferal' would have to quote a 'reference' to the request and not merely imply a reference.

And who the fcuk is John Dale ?

[manono]

Snarkiness tends to be undercut when the snark's wording goes awry. Some might say it would even be cause for ridicule, but that would be impolite . . . .

I saw no snarkiness anywhere. The OP resolutely refuses to answer the simplest questions, questions that might actually lead to the solving his problem. Do you have anything useful to contribute, or is your goal just to sidetrack this discussion?

Helmut JH, the information you have provided so far is next to useless. _Al_ neatly summarized what we need to know in order to help, or at least lead to the next set of questions.

[CobraPilot]

From your exalted perch, I suppose it IS possible to determine that someone is demonstrating "deliberate ignorance," but I seriously doubt it. It might be a language problem, it might be a cultural problem, it could be a lot of things. Deliberately trying to annoy you is probably *not* part of the equation.

There is just no need to be rude. I well remember your taking umbrage when you felt someone was being rude to you. Do Brits understand the concept of "can dish it out but can't take it"?

As to "inferred to this," that may well be correct, although in the context you used it, 'tis a bit hard to tell who that "friend" was doing the inferring. And, then there's your use of "refferal" . . . . Still looking for that in the dictionary. Brit spelling, perhaps, even though there's not an extra "u" in it? Like in "favourite" vs. "favorite." Language can be so similar, yet so far apart.

Your mileage may vary.

Take your pick: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dale

[DB83]

CobraPilot,

Manono is correct. You do NOT wish to assist in this topic. But it is hardly rocket-science to see who the friend I referred (better ?) to. Now re-read posts #7 and post #8 anf then post #13. And if anyone is being rude it is the OP. Methinks a clue there is this mysterious 'John Dale'.

Now can we get back on topic ?

[CobraPilot]

DB83: But I am bored of you now. Even if you reply, someone else can assist.

Seems appropriate to reuse.

[Helmut JH]

Perhaps a simple explanation/comment: I was and still am swamped in a quagmire of progams, possibilities and failed attempts to get anywhere. The demand "post all files and folder' or "post all folders and files" did not draw much attention from myself in that it to me meant quite a chore that I was not certain I would be able to perform. And at 88 years of age I am not much inclined to start dancing to Nero`s fiddle while Rome burns, my sense of autonomy/ independence has in the past caused me ar least once a bit of trouble. As I indicated, I intend to find a solution on my own without kotowing to someone who gives me a specific impression. Best wishes to all.

[DB83]

With respect, you will hardly find a solution yourself since you do not know the root of your problem.

If the request came over as a 'demand' then I apologise but the actual structure of the disk wil help us. There are also tools available (not Nero) that can tell you the version of UDF that the disk is formatted in if that indeed is the issue. If you do not want the help then fine. But you came here seeking help and when the help came you shunned it.

But I am prepared to give this one more try.

On your Windows XP PC you will have a program called Windows Explorer. That will give you a list of all the folders/files on the disk. Take a look at 'What is' a DVD to the left of where you read this reply. Now if you see anything different in the 7 files you mentioned you have then that will assist.

If you can not see any files listed on your Wiondows XP PC then this is a UDF issue. But let us take this one step at a time. Nero may have fiddled when Rome burnt but Rome was also not built in one day.

[hech54]

Helmut,
Saying the DVD is "UDF" is worse than saying "The disc is round".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Disk_Format
....it really doesn't mean much at all.

However I understand your frustration. I am helping my 70-something year old, heart-patient neighbor with his Medion computer. Right now my help consists of carrying it up and down the steps for him to take it to the repair shop.....but I know it will soon blossom into a trip to my dining room to remove a myriad of viruses and other nasty stuff.

[Helmut JH]

Just a brief comclusion perhaps:
1. I have just managed to convert the video DVD to the CDFS format that plays in my Toshiba stand alone setup.
2. I suppose uploading files in the Megabyte-Gigabyte range is a daily occurrence, although I myself have not yet tried or managed it. But then, I will likely be advised, if there is an unexpected response, that the request was just for the names of the folder/files. My thanks to all who have participated in my thread. which videohelp might now erase as far as I am concerned

[DB83]

Oh my. No ne expected you to actually upload the megabyte-gigabyte range files to anywhere.

The request appeared to be simple and straight-forward enough. A written list of the folders/files. Copied direct from the guide on this site, I was looking for this:

AUDIO_TS(undefined)
VIDEO_TS
VIDEO_TS.BUP VIDEO_TS.IFO The first video play item, IFO, usally a copyright notice or a menu
VIDEO_TS.VOBThe first video play item, VOB
VTS_01_0.BUP VTS_01_0.IFOTitle Set 01, IFO, usually the main movie VTS_01_0.VOB Title Set 01, VOB 0, the menu for this title
VTS_01_1.VOB Title Set 01, VOB 1, the video for this title
VTS_01_2.VOBTitle Set 01, VOB 2, if larger than 1 GB it will be splitted into several vobs
...........

If your disk contains anything else then it is NOT a video DVD. Now whilst you appear to have a solution to you problem, it is not a solution for anyone else who comes along and tries to use this topic to solve a similar case. That is the purpose of the forum (topics are not deleted)

The more I think of it, your disk was formatted in a version of UDF 2x. Windows XP can only natively read 1x whereas Windows7 can read 2x disks. All video DVD disks are 1x. Most stand-alones would also not be able to read 2x because it is not part of the dvd standard.

If I was a betting man ( I am not since I would be bankrupt by now) your disk contained possibly some video from family 'back home' and they used proprietory packet-writing software such as Nero to transfer those files to the disk. Great for them but a massive headache for you.

Your real solution goes like this. Use Win7 to copy the files to your hard drive and then use a dvd-authoring program such as avstodvd to create a standard video DVD that ANY player can handle.

Unfortunately, this reply is technical. Any reply has to be.

But unless you wish to carry this forward, I will leave it at that.

[Helmut JH]

First, I will admit that I missed the term "list" n your post # 7 and hence figured on the complete folders/files. In retrospect there were two types of folders. ie video_TS and VTS_01_..., the extensions were BUP, IFO and VOB, two files for each extension ranging from 14 KB to 24 KB to 313MB and 1,041 GB for the two VOB files.
I wold be pleased to contribute to others facing the same or similar problem, but I know more about what did not work than about what did. My very first attempt to convert resulted in notification that the disk and/or the file could not be read by at least two brands of converters. My ignorance may well have been the determining factor, manufacturers seem to go to great length to come up with decent programs and fall flat on their face to offer reasonable guidance information. Then, eventually, something happened and the conversion proceded to the end, when some chaos ensued. Eventually a screen popped up "burn" which I accepted, loaded an empty DVD in my drive and a DVD was burned that did not play in my Window XP desktop, but played in Win 7 Media player and in my older Sony and my 2013 Toshiba player. The drawback was that this disk just refused to be processed in a normal manner on my XP system.
Of three converter brands I experimented with only one offered an output format "DVD NTSC ...." while the others apparently only converted between digital formats. My TV is about ten years old and handles only analog signals, which I believe is the case for the majority of TV sets currently in use. I found out the CDFS is a 32 bit based system that has been superceded by 64 bit ones. Even this disk that plays in my setup does not behave in a normal manner with the two CD/DVD drive programs on my pc in that the "copy" function of both programs apparently cannot read one or both of the VOB files when copying them to temporary place for subsequent burning. Copying all files manually to the pc and then burnng them to a DVD has so far run without ant problem.