What's the best software bundle for converting VOBs to XviD with subtitles

[ZikO]

Hello,

I have a number of DVDs I would like to make copies from into codec that is acceptable by my DVD. Unfortunately it only accepts XviD. I have read a few blogs and I found out a few very useful tools.

DVDFab.
Does everything I need but I am not going to pay $140 to convert just 20 of DVDs. DVDFab leaves its logo when using trial version :/ I could live it it but I am sure there's something else.

Handbrake.
It is a good tool and my searching would end right here but this tool hasn't got XviD to convert to. Handbrake is great and has everything I'd need, it accepts VOBs, it recognises subtitles in VOBs, I can easily set compression and it burns subtitles in movies; sadly it is for new H264 codecs and new containers. I am quite surprised it's still for free.

AVIDeMux
Another tool, also very easy and straightforward. It accepts VOBs and extract video + audio into AVI but I cannot see anything it can actually deal with subtitles. It is fantastic because it also can recognise consecutive files and merge VOBs producing just one solid AVI.

AutoGK.
Converts VOBs into XviD with subtitles but some movies are split into 5 or 6 subfiles. If I could merge them that would be great.

I though I could convert VOBs into AVI and then use AutoGK but then I don't have subtitles.

If anyone has already sort out this scenario, I would be grateful for some ideas

Thanks

[Kerry56]

Older versions of Handbrake can convert to Xvid/avi files. You would need version 0.9.3:

https://www.videohelp.com/download/HandBrake-0.9.3-Win_GUI.exe

[manono]

AutoGK.
Converts VOBs into XviD with subtitles but some movies are split into 5 or 6 subfiles. If I could merge them that would be great.

There's no reason for that to happen. You must have done something wrong. You probably had it set to split by 700 MB, like back in the days when long films were split over a couple of CDs. If you see that happen again, please post the log file. Or check to make sure splitting isn't enabled. The files can be easily rejoined, but if the subs are separate/external they won't won't join.

I though I could convert VOBs into AVI and then use AutoGK but then I don't have subtitles.

To get subs when using AutoGK you have to open IFOs, not VOBs.

[hello_hello]

Are you referring to the source vobs being split into four or five parts or the output? If you prepare the DVD properly for encoding when ripping, that doesn't matter.

From memory, if you set the output file size to exactly 1400Mb or 2100Mb etc, AutoGK splits the output into 700MB parts. I don't think there's an option to tell it not to. Instead you need to use a custom output size that's not an exact multiple of 700. ie 1399MB instead of 1400MB. The predefined sizes probably always split (given they're labelled as 1CD, 2CD etc) but it still splits when setting a custom size, the above method should stop it.

Are you trying to encode the subtitles into the video or keep them as separate files?

[ZikO]

Hi guys and thanks for the answers.

First of all thanks for the link to older version of Handbrake. Why did they get rid of compression to XviD???

As to split VOB files, I read myself and realised I wasn't very clear about it.
It's not AutoGK that splits VOBs into regular 700MB chunks, the DVD was prepared this way and this is what I have right after getting DVD ripped. As such, there are couple of VOB files on DVD itself with consequtive numbering, such as (from memory) VTS01_1.VOB, VTS01_2.VOB ... up to VTS01_5.VOB that make the main movie. Each chunk is about 20 mins long.

I wish I would not have to rely on an older version of anything. Also, because the XviD codec itself still gets updated, I would like to use it to compress files. I was thinking about this solution:
- Merge VOBs in AVIDeMux into raw AVI
- Extract subtitles from consequtive VOB files and merge them to one file
- Write subtitles into AVI
- Compress AVI using XviD software

The only missing link here is subtitles. I could already use AVIDeMux and XviD themseves. Or perhaps someone else have a better idea As said, Handbrake is a solution but I would prefer using updated versions.

Many thanks


EDIT: I am trying to burn subtitles into video.

[Baldrick]

I used Fairuse Wizard to make avi xvids back in the 2005...

But I think handbrake is easier but you wont get latest xvid as you say.

[manono]

As to split VOB files, I read myself and realised I wasn't very clear about it.
It's not AutoGK that splits VOBs into regular 700MB chunks, the DVD was prepared this way and this is what I have right after getting DVD ripped. As such, there are couple of VOB files on DVD itself with consequtive numbering, such as (from memory) VTS01_1.VOB, VTS01_2.VOB ... up to VTS01_5.VOB that make the main movie. Each chunk is about 20 mins long.

VOBs come in 1GB sizes, but that has nothing to do with AutoGK splitting the AVI. I think hello_hello is right - when picking one of the sizes they get split automatically. The answer is (I think) to make quality-based encodes. They're faster as well. The default 75% will give you a very good result.

Is that right, hello_hello, that 1-pass quality-based encodes aren't split?

[videobruger]

Why did they get rid of compression to XviD???

http://www.pcauthority.com.au/News/164982,handbrake-abandons-divx-for-ripping-dvds-should-you.aspx

IMO: You should use MakeMKV or VOB2MPG to get a single file to start with. VOB2MPG won't include subtiles. You can get those with VSRip or PgcDemux.

[hello_hello]

Is that right, hello_hello, that 1-pass quality-based encodes aren't split?

Not that I remember.

[hello_hello]

As to split VOB files, I read myself and realised I wasn't very clear about it.
It's not AutoGK that splits VOBs into regular 700MB chunks, the DVD was prepared this way and this is what I have right after getting DVD ripped. As such, there are couple of VOB files on DVD itself with consequtive numbering, such as (from memory) VTS01_1.VOB, VTS01_2.VOB ... up to VTS01_5.VOB that make the main movie. Each chunk is about 20 mins long.

That sounds normal. What happens when you open the first vob file? The rest of the sequentially numbered vob files should automatically be included and the whole set encoded as a single file. That's how most programs handle split vobs.

Or in AutoGK's case, you can open the associated IFO file instead. That should let it include/extract/encode the subtitles.

I wish I would not have to rely on an older version of anything.

I don't think Xvid has changed in quite a while. If you use AutoGK, you really should use the Xvid version it installs, because it mightn't be able to configure different versions properly.

The only missing link here is subtitles. I could already use AVIDeMux and XviD themseves. Or perhaps someone else have a better idea As said, Handbrake is a solution but I would prefer using updated versions.

MeGUI includes a fairly recent Xvid version. You'd need to extract the subtitles manually though and create your own script for encoding. AutoGK would probably be a lot easier. MeGUI uses a command line version of Xvid, so you can run MeGUI without it interfering with AutoGK's Xvid. Same with an older version of Handbrake. Just don't "install" a newer Xvid if you use AutoGK.

[ZikO]

hello_hello
This post was created while you were writing your answer.


OK. I am rerally confused now. I am sorry but I need to ask you to be very patient with me :/ I am not expereinced in this field. And I am afraid I am not expressing myself very well here.

Mygoal is:
I need to convert a movie from a number of VOB files that come from the source to XviD with rendered subtitles in the movie. Subtitles need to be burnt in a video.

The main movie comes with parts from the source, a DVD disk. I used DVDFab to rip this main movie. I guess the reason for a number of VOB files is that, as manono mentioned, VOB files cannot exceed 1GB.

So far, I have not tried to encode the whole movie. I somehow assumed that I could not achieve what I want with AutoGK because I would end up with couple of AVI (XviD) files. I don't even know if AutoGK splits files into pieces because the VOBs already come in pieces and I am not even there yet. The reason I mentioned that movie is in pieces is because there is no one solid VOB file on DVD disk.

If I stick to AutoGK and encode everything I have, including subtitles, and if I end up with a number of larger and smaller files, is there any program that let me put everything together, join the smaller AVI files into one large file? If yes, then AutoGK would not really be an issue.

[ZikO]

As to split VOB files, I read myself and realised I wasn't very clear about it.
It's not AutoGK that splits VOBs into regular 700MB chunks, the DVD was prepared this way and this is what I have right after getting DVD ripped. As such, there are couple of VOB files on DVD itself with consequtive numbering, such as (from memory) VTS01_1.VOB, VTS01_2.VOB ... up to VTS01_5.VOB that make the main movie. Each chunk is about 20 mins long.

That sounds normal. What happens when you open the first vob file? The rest of the sequentially numbered vob files should automatically be included and the whole set encoded as a single file. That's how most programs handle split vobs.

Well, for instance AVIDeMux just merge all VOBs and produce one AVI file. I have not test it with AutoGK, though.

Or in AutoGK's case, you can open the associated IFO file instead. That should let it include/extract/encode the subtitles.

I wish I would not have to rely on an older version of anything.

I don't think Xvid has changed in quite a while. If you use AutoGK, you really should use the Xvid version it installs, because it mightn't be able to configure different versions properly.

The only missing link here is subtitles. I could already use AVIDeMux and XviD themseves. Or perhaps someone else have a better idea As said, Handbrake is a solution but I would prefer using updated versions.

MeGUI includes a fairly recent Xvid version. You'd need to extract the subtitles manually though and create your own script for encoding. AutoGK would probably be a lot easier. MeGUI uses a command line version of Xvid, so you can run MeGUI without it interfering with AutoGK's Xvid. Same with an older version of Handbrake. Just don't "install" a newer Xvid if you use AutoGK.

Gosh, I am afraid I have already installed the newest version of XviD :/

OK. I understand AutoGK splits files. I guess if I convert each VOB into XviD with burnt-in subtitles, some of them may be further divided into smaller files by AutoGK. So eventually I will end up with a number of AVI files, ready to watch but in pieces.
I repeat the question from last post. Is there any program that can let me merge all pieces without re-converting?


EDIT:
I will try to have a go with MeGUI.

EDIT2:
These stupid subtitles are the problem here :/ I would have it done with AVIDeMux and XviD itself:/

[hello_hello]

If the DVD is ripped in a usual manner, you'll probably have a set of vob files, or maybe a few sets of vob files, but generally one set contains the movie, so you might see something like this:



In that example the vob file is only split into 2 parts, but two parts or eighteen parts, it doesn't matter.
If you open the corresponding IFO with AutoGK it'll use that. You don't need to worry about vob files. You need to open the IFO file if you want subtitles. Otherwise, you could simply open VTS_01_1.VOB with a program such as AutoGK (or MeGUI) and VTS_01_2.VOB would automatically be included. So would VTS_01_3.VOB and VTS_01_4.VOB etc if they existed. The program knows the vob files are a set.

You can, with some ripping programs, rip the DVD without splitting the vob files (or while re-joining them) but it doesn't matter. Open the IFO file with AutoGK and that's all you should need to do.

If you don't use any of the hardware player compatibility options in AutoGK's hidden options (CTRL+F9) you might be able to get away with a newer version of Xvid, but I wouldn't take the chance. AutoGK changes Xvid settings according to the compression test and it pays to make sure it's changing them the way it thinks it is. That's by using the version of Xvid that comes with it. I've seen AutoGK use the Xvid mobile profile before when it thinks it's using the Home Theatre profile, because the version of Xvid was different. If you've installed a newer Xvid and you want to use AutoGK, uninstall Xvid, then re-install AutoGK and let it install it's version. Xvid hasn't changed in years. I seriously doubt you're missing out on anything.

There's no reason why AutoGK should split the output AVI unless you select exactly 1CD (700MB) or 2CD (1400MB) etc as the output size. If you encode the vob files individually with AutoGK you won't be able to encode the subtitles. If you open the IFO file and can't encode the whole movie as one file you need to prepare the DVD correctly, but try opening the IFO file first.

Yes, you can append AVIs with VirtualDubMod. It's in the AutoGK\VDubMod folder. You can use the File/Append Segments menu and when you save the AVI, if you first select "direct stream copy" under the video menu it won't re-encode. You shouldn't need to do that if you use AutoGK correctly though.

MeGUI has a much higher learning curve than AutoGK because AutoGK is designed to be fairly "auto". You just need to open files the correct way.

This is what you should see when you open the IFO file. One or more audio tracks on the left, one or more subtitles on the right (select one to encoding it) and the duration and some details regarding the video displayed above. If you don't see that, the DVD probably needs to be re-ripped correctly (in this case the 2 vob files combine for a 30 minute episode).



If you open the first vob file in the set you can still encode them (AutoGK will still include all the vob files in the set) but you won't get subitles or information about the video. You need to open the IFO file for that. This is what you'll see if you only open a vob file. No subtitles available.

[ZikO]

hello_hello, this is great. I can only say thank you and that I really appreciate the effort to gather everything and present it here. The otehrs will definitely benefit from this answer.

Many thanks.


PS. I am going to dedicate this evening for learning how DVD is structured. Probably, it would not take so much time, if I knew that before

[hello_hello]

You're welcome. You can re-author DVDs with DVDShrink if need be. It'll open a folder of DVD files, and you can set the target output size in preferences to something large (DVD9 or more) so it won't try to "shrink" the video. It'll just rip or re-author. Then you can use it to prepare a DVD properly if need be, via it's re-author mode.

In the example below there's a title for each episode. For a DVD containing a movie there still might be several titles, but there'll be one for the movie. You can drag one or more titles to the left pane. Switch to the "compression settings" tab once you've done so and make sure the desired audio and subtitles are checked (or check them all if you're not sure). Finally use the backup function to save that as a new set of DVD files (there's an option in preferences for splitting vob files, or not).

When the backup is complete you'll have a vob file, or set of vob files, for each title you dragged across in re-author mode. Each set of vob files will have a corresponding IFO file you can open with AutoGK. If you just dragged the movie title across, you'll have an IFO file and a set of vob files containing the movie and nothing else. If the DVD isn't already set out in an encoding friendly manner (sometimes a DVD might contain a set of vob files containing all the episodes, or the movie with the extras etc) that's how I go about preparing it for encoding.

Some encoding programs (ie Handbrake) can open a whole folder of DVD files and let you select the title(s) you wish to encode. Some programs (ie AutoGK) don't and require the DVD to be "prepared" first. Most ripping programs have a "movie only" option. If you're ripping a DVD and just want the movie (no extras) use that. Then the ripped movie should be ready to encode.

In the example below title 8 would give you all six episodes as a single set of vob files. Titles 2 thru 7 are individual episodes.

[ricardouk]

try avi.net, select the first vob and it will automatically pick the whole movie (vobs), select video/audio/subs settings and convert.

Its that easy, more advanced options as well if needed (crop, convert audio or not, etc)

guide:
http://www.videonet.webspace.virginmedia.com/g_avinet.html

[redwudz]

PS. I am going to dedicate this evening for learning how DVD is structured. Probably, it would not take so much time, if I knew that before

Look to the upper left on this page for 'WHAT IS' DVD.

[ZikO]

Thanks for your answers and help guys.

AutoGK works exactly as described. I did have a little go with MeGUI but I need more time. For the time being, I have something i can work with

[ZikO]

OK.

I tried MeGUI and I really like it. It took me almost all day to understand what to do exactly and I am still confused. Having said that, I have managed to convert the first video with it including subtitles . I have made another thread because I have a couple of questions about how exactly subtitles are added to a video.

Guys, once again thanks for help!