One Software Package to do it all?

[cottage]

OK. This is probably a stupid question but I'll ask anyway.

I do a moderate amount of video creation/editing but not enough to become really good at it. It seems that every time I need to accomplish some task, the software that I have won't do the job because of a different video format or a task that the software can't handle. As a result, I come to this form and search for an answer which usually involves downloading and installing a different software package. As a result, I now have over 30 software packages installed. When I need to accomplish some task, I frequently forget what each of these packages will and won't do and end up wasting a lot of time.

Therefore, my stupid question.....
Is there any "Swiss Army Knife" style of software package that does it all?
- convert any format to any other (maintaining 2 and 5.1 channel audio)
- edit every video format (maintaining 2 and/or 5.1 channel audio)
- mux and demux every video format
-adjust the audio delay on any audio and video format

I think that I know the answer but I just have to ask.
Here's my most recent example:
I have a commercial DVD that I wanted to rip, edit and load onto my media server. After trying and failing with many alternatives, here is what I had to do:

1. Used DVD Decrypter to remove copy protection and load the video on my computer. (Yeah. I know that I shouldn't do this but it's for my own personal use and I bought the DVD.)
2. Used VOB Merge to merge the individual VOB files into one
3. Used DVDVob2Mpg to change the merged VOB file to an MPG file
4. Used DGIndex to demux the mpg file
5. Used MKVMerge to mux only the 5.1 audio and video into an MKV file
6. Used VideoReDo to edit the MKV file

Throughout the project, I unsuccessfully tried different programs at most of the steps until I found programs that would do the conversions without re-coding and would retain the 5.1 audio.

I'm being naive and hopeful that I have missed a gem of a program that would do everything.

[redwudz]

If there was a single program to do it that would be nice, but it will really never happen. Too many formats out there.
You could add :

AVIDemux
VidCoder
VirtualDub
Audacity
RipBot264
MediaInfo
AVStoDVD
AnyDVDHD

I use these freeware programs on a regular basis.

Others may suggest some payware programs that would most of what you need.

[usually_quiet]

There is no program that can do it all, but I think your workflow could be streamlined and reduced to 2 programs for DVD to MKV conversion and editing.

MakeMKV decrypts DVDs and repackage the audio and video into an MKV file without re-encoding. MakeMKV is free while in beta, but the license will expire after a time. When your free license expires, download again and start over with the newest version.

VideoReDo TV Suite H.264 includes a "Stream Selection" feature under "Tools" that would let you choose which audio stream to edit and export. The help file says this about using it: "If your stream contains multiple video and/or audio streams, this dialog can be used to choose which stream combination to edit. By default, VideoReDo will edit the first set of streams in finds in your file. When you select a different stream, your current edits will be lost and the file re-opened."

[El Heggunte]

1. Used DVD Decrypter to remove copy protection and load the video on my computer. (Yeah. I know that I shouldn't do this but it's for my own personal use and I bought the DVD.)
2. Used VOB Merge to merge the individual VOB files into one
3. Used DVDVob2Mpg to change the merged VOB file to an MPG file
4. Used DGIndex to demux the mpg file
5. Used MKVMerge to mux only the 5.1 audio and video into an MKV file
6. Used VideoReDo to edit the MKV file

Steps 2, 3 and 4 can be replaced with PGCdemux.

And no, that "perfect program" does not exist. It would be too complex to be created, AND too difficult to keep up-to-date as well.

[racer-x]

There is one tool that can do it all..........it's called a brain. Seems less people want to use it these days, they want everything done for them.

Here's some more tools to add to your list:
Avisynth
ffmpeg
TSMuxeR
x264
x265
Aviutl
MpegStreamClip

[manono]

Steps 2, 3 and 4 can be replaced with PGCdemux.

Or with DGIndex (no mention of chapters or subs being needed).

But as usually_quiet suggested, MakeMKV for DVD to MKV with no additional programs needed.

[DarrellS]

DVDFAB Platinum (older than version 9) for DVD will do away with steps 1 thru 5. Under Mobile Task Queue, Conversion Settings > VOB > VOB Passthrough > Either No Split for Ripping Movie DVD as single VOB/MPEG or Split By Chapters for Episode DVDs or Music DVDs where each episode or each song is a chapter.

VideoReDo TV Suite for removing commercials from TV captures and running Quick Fix to make sure videos are in sync. I hardly use Avisynth anymore since I did away with steps 1 thru 5.

ffmpeg for processing folders full of files. I usually create folders for each conversion I make with appropriate bat file and either a copy of ffmpeg or link to ffmpeg in bat file in each folder.

Virtualdub is pretty much the only editor I really use besides VideoReDo. The External encoder, Filters with blend mode and the Curve Editor with Smart Rendering does most of what I need to do. It doesn't have fancy transitions but with the Curve Editor, I'm able to create fades pretty well. I do use a program called Gif Movie Gear that I turn PSD files from Photoshop into videos. I wouldn't need that if someone would create a PSD input plugin for Virtualdub.

[cottage]

Thank-you to everyone who responded.

I'm not surprised by the fact that no "Swiss Army Knife" solution exists but I was naively hopeful.

I have many of the programs that were recommended and have used them.

However, a couple of the suggestions are new to me and they are gems!
- MakeMKV and PgcDemux will save me a lot of time on future edits.

Re VideoReDo "Stream Selection"....
I was aware of this option but have had difficulty using it. Some times the resulting audio has been a garbled mix of the two audio streams. Other times, it has resulted in loud static over one of the streams. Once in a while it has worked but not often. That's why I had chosen to demux and remux with only the desired audio stream. However as I said in my original post, I'm not really good at this so I may have done it the wrong way.

Thanks again for the replies. This forum and the contributors are outstanding!

[cottage]

1. Used DVD Decrypter to remove copy protection and load the video on my computer. (Yeah. I know that I shouldn't do this but it's for my own personal use and I bought the DVD.)
2. Used VOB Merge to merge the individual VOB files into one
3. Used DVDVob2Mpg to change the merged VOB file to an MPG file
4. Used DGIndex to demux the mpg file
5. Used MKVMerge to mux only the 5.1 audio and video into an MKV file
6. Used VideoReDo to edit the MKV file

Steps 2, 3 and 4 can be replaced with PGCdemux.

And no, that "perfect program" does not exist. It would be too complex to be created, AND too difficult to keep up-to-date as well.

El Heggunte,

I just played with PgcDemux and I'm a little confused.

I can't find a lot in the way of instruction but it seems like the only streams demuxed are those associated with the specific IFO file. It will demux that file but if the DVD is spread over more than one IFO file, then the program will not generate a single file for each stream.

Is this right or am I doing something wrong?

[manono]

Each title often has its own IFO. If it's a movie then no problem as they're very rarely split over 2 IFOs. If it's an episodic DVD spread over several IFOs or you want the extras included with the main movie (why?) then you're right. But other tools won't include them in a single file either. Can you be more specific about what you're trying to do and what you want out of a program, an example maybe?

[cottage]

Each title often has its own IFO. If it's a movie then no problem as they're very rarely split over 2 IFOs. If it's an episodic DVD spread over several IFOs or you want the extras included with the main movie (why?) then you're right. But other tools won't include them in a single file either. Can you be more specific about what you're trying to do and what you want out of a program, an example maybe?

Thank-you manono,

Your explanation confirms what I was experiencing.

I was experimenting with PgcDemux. I was attempting to demux an unprotected DVD. The DVD had 5 IFO files. Two of them related to the DVD menu and the FBI copyright warning. One related to the extras on the DVD. The remaining 2 related to the main title on the DVD. I don't know why the main title would have 2 IFOs unless it is needed for a double density DVD (i.e. one for each layer). I thought that I might have been doing something wrong but you have explained it.

Thank-you again,