Converting Video Files?

[Robert Martin]

When I place the DVD into my computer the video takes off and I can view the video, and I wanted to try and convert these files into a MP4, or some comparable format, so I might be able to upload the video into my webpage.

Intending to try and upload a video onto my Wordpress website, I found the video to be in an UDF format. When I click on the UDF folder I find the file folders contained within it are: 1) VIDEO_RM, and 2) VIDEO_TS. And then if and when I open the 1st folder (labeled RM) I find 3 files labeled: a) VIDEO RM_BUP; b) VIDEO RM_DAT: and c) VIDEO RM_ IFO. In the 2nd folder (labeled TS) I find 10 files labeled:

VIDEO_TS.BUP
VIDEO_IFO
VIDEO_TS.VOB
VTS_01_0.BUP
VTS_01_0.IFO
VTS__2.VOB
VTS_01_3.VOB
VTS_01_4.VOB
VTS_01-5.vob

I will appreciate anything anyone might be able to tell me about how to approach this situation. Truly! I appreciate both your time and consideration.

[TreeTops]

Is the DVD a purchased DVD or did you create it yourself?

[Robert Martin]

Thank you for your response. I created it myself.

[TreeTops]

OK That makes it easier. For starters do a search on the forum for 'DVD to MP4' Ignore the advertised responses and just skip down to the forum responses. There are a few suggestions shown.

Just thinking here...Doesn't the software, that you used to make that DVD, also have the option of creating a MP4 file to save on your drive?

[Robert Martin]

That may be, but I created the DVD around 4 years ago and I am no longer in possession of the device I used to make it.

I did a search on 'DVD to MP4' as suggested and I didn't see anything about UDF folders or anything I recognize, I am so new to this I really don't know how to read the entries, I don't understand the lingo. I did attempt to download a program named vidcoder, but I received warning stating that, "VidCoder-5.19.exe not being commonly downloaded and could harm my computer," so I backed out of trying to download it.

Any suggestions, I would appreciate it. Thanks for the return.

[Robert Martin]

I did not mention the fact that I do have some ASV4You software. I have the Video Editor and Video Converter, but I could not upload the UDF files into either the converter or editor. Alternatively, I came to this forum. If the ASV4You would work I'd use that, but all I ever got when I attempted to open up the UDF files was this list of files I've told you about. Please, help?

[davexnet]

I think the job is simpler that it appears. Copy the video_ts folder to the computer.
Install Vidcoder and open the folder, it will ask you what episode you want to encode (if there is more than one).

Set the X264 profile, start the encode. The details of the encode can be fine tuned, but get the basics working first

[lingyi]

You could also use MakeMKV to remux the DVD (place into an .mkv container) and then Handbrake to convert the .mkv to .mp4

As for UDF, don't fret about it or let it be a concern in the future. It's the file system used in the creation of the DVD regardless of contents, video, audio or data: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Disk_Format [and has nothing to do with the problem you're having.]

What may be of interest, but again no major concern for what you want to do is the folder structure and files of the Video DVD structure you see when you open the disc. From What is DVD?

"DVD File/Folder Structure

Explanation:

. BUP = Backup files of the IFO files.

. IFO = The IFO files includes information such as chapters, subtitle tracks and audio tracks.

. VOB = The VOB files contains the actual video,audio,subtitles and menus.
"

Note that many programs, possibly AVS4You won't accept .VOB files directly because of the additional non-video information that may contain as noted above. The version of Vidcoder linked above is safe as it's directly linked from this site.

On a related note, AVS4You isn't in the software list and I don't recommend it. It may be fine, but not being linked here means that few members here recommend or are familiar with it, making it difficult to get help with.

[lingyi]

Dupe

[Robert Martin]

Thank you very much for those suggestions. I've started the encode but when I came to, "Set the X264 profile," I didn't know what to do so I did nothing, then I clicked the Encode option and it began encoding (:>). I didn't know which track to choose so I'm doing the whole disc, which I see will take 2:45 min. more to complete.

Now, when you write, "You could also use MakeMKV to remux the DVD (place into an .mkv container) and then Handbrake to convert the .mkv to .mp4," I have no idea of what "remux" means or how to go about placing something in an, ".mkv container," means? Is handbrake on/in the encoder. MP4 is my target so I might assume an mdv container might be a separate folder I might need to create? Is hankbrake some kind of conversion software(?), and if it is it it something I need to download in addition to the software thus far downloaded? I have a feeling MakeMKV is a separate piece of software?

I really appreciate the time and consideration you put into helping me out. Thank you.

[lingyi]

Sorry I confused you as it seems you're on a good start with Vidcoder and it's a good program for your purpose. Good going.

BTW, Vidcoder uses Handbrake, which a separate program to encode so you're on the same path I recommended without the extra step.

It may be a good time to familiarize yourself with containers and formats. Most video file extensions you'll see, .mkv, .mp4. .avi, etc, are containers that can contain that can contain multiple different video formats. In your case, you're converting your DVD video (which is in Mpeg2 format in .ts container) into X264 format and putting into an .mp4 container. However, someone else's .mp4 could have a different video format inside.

[Robert Martin]

Thank you for your response. I doubt if different containers will be a problem since I'm planning on putting up the finished product on my web site. When you write, "someone else's .mp4 could have a different video format inside," sounds like you might be hinting at in/compatibility issues? When I get the finished product online I'll give you the URL and you can check it out. Your help is much appreciated.

[lingyi]

Yes. Compatibility issues are very common with Smart TV's where posters come here not understanding that .mp4 is a container and not a format. X264 should be fine, especially since it will be played back on a computer, phone or tablet.

[Robert Martin]

Good news, mission accomplished! Well, for the most part. Let me ask you something, the video does well when I play it from my computer, but on my cell phone it starts and stops, off and on all the way through the video? I suppose that has to do with ques and such, am I right? I think it is likely fixable if I became more familiar with the way the software might be tweaked before processing a presentation?

It works great on my computer however, I really do appreciate all your help and the time you took to write me.

I forgot, if you want to take a gander at what I've been working on here's a URL to the page:

http://thecslewis-studygroup.org/the-c-s-lewis-study-group/christian-philosophy-2/

You may not be interested in the video but if you scroll down to the bottom of the page there's a video of a lecture of guy named Micheal Sugrue, that's it!

I did revert back to the ASV4You video editor to edit the thing once I had abstracted it off the DVD. It came off a 6 hour disk. What I took off it runs a little over 5 minutes, give or take.

Again, thanks for your help.

[lingyi]

The video plays fine on my computer and phone, both embedded and alone with MX Player on Android. I'll let others speak to the settings you used.

I have a question though, I see the other videos on your page are from YouTube. Why didn't you upload your video to Youtube and link to it like the other videos? You could have saved yourself a lot of headaches by uploading the clip to YouTube and let it convert it, as it does with all videos?. It's small enough that it shouldn't be an issue, but most webhosts frown on serving videos because of the bandwidth they use. Also, not an issue unless you have a high amount of simultaneous viewers, but the more users, the slower and choppier the video may be. Even YouTube announced in March that they would slower the stream quality of their videos worldwide because of the increased demand due to the pandemic.