DVD-VR / DVD-RAM / VRO to DVD

I have a DVD-VR disc generated from a DVD recorder. If I put it in my PC DVD drive (NEC ND-2500A), and browse to it using windows explorer (running XP home), the window is blank. I can play the disc using PowerDVD however. I want to rip the contents of this disc to my hard drive. I tried DVD Decrypter, but it does not recognize the contents of the drive (it works for standard DVD however). Any ideas?

A number of people have spoken here of using DVD Decrypter to rip VR mode disks. That you can't see it with explorer or rip with Decrypter makes me wonder if the disk isn't finalised.

Originally Posted by guns1inger

That you can't see it with explorer or rip with Decrypter makes me wonder if the disk isn't finalised.

I will check this, but I do remember hitting the finalize button on the DVD recorder and it spent several minutes doing something.

More details for Dennis1968: I just want a single VOB file. I already know how to do this with a standard DVD using DVD Decrypter.

I have now checked and the disc is finalized, so that is not the problem. I also loaded the DVD into my DVD-ROM drive at work and I could see the files in windows explorer. So, it looks like the problem is related to my drive (NEC ND-2500A), the firmware for it, or my PCs O/S. I tried updating the firmware but this did not help (although there are lots of choices out there). My PC at work is running windows XP Pro SP2, and my home PC is XP home SP1. Could the problem be related to the operating system?

Has your ND-2500A ever recognized a DVD-VR disk?

Originally Posted by SLK001

Has your ND-2500A ever recognized a DVD-VR disk?

No. This is my first attempt.

How do I know if my O/S supports UDF and what versions of UDF? I have windows XP SP1.

This is DVD-RW. Remember, I can read it with another drive. And I can play it with PowerDVD. But that does not allow me to copy the files to my hard drive.

Originally Posted by anzimike

Also check out this link for readdvd, free udf reader;
http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_MAIN.Entry17c?SP=10007&PN=5&CID=0&SID=27617&PID=5...P=0&CACHE_ID=0

Thanks anzimike. The free udf reader did the trick! I can now see the files from windows explorer. BTW, I already had Ulead MF2 installed but it did not seem to help (even though it can read the files, it cannot read the DVD with the files on it!).
For anyone interested, the DVD contains a directory called DVD_RTAV and a hidden file, ".Sys-Reserved-RW-Bitmap.GROW". Inside DVD_RTAV are files like VR_MANGR.IFO and VR_MOVIE.VRO.

zakman,

I used to have the same problem till I started using VOBBlanker to rip VR discs. It hasn't failed me yet. I would suggest first creating a folder on your HDD. In that folder, create a VIDEO_TS folder (make sure the name is in all capitals). In VOBBlanker, select your source and then select the target => the VIDEO_TS folder you created. Select Execute.

FYI - I am using the lowly Win98 1st edition

Originally Posted by wulf109

louv68

VOB Blanker will only open VIDEO.TS.IFO files. VRO disks,at least the ones my Pioneer make,contain no VIDEO.TS.IFO,how can VOB Blanker open VRO disks?

Have you tried it? I was at my wits end, when I wasn't able to convert them with DVDShrink, DVDDecrypter, etc. But when I tried VOBBlanker, it worked for me. I don't know how, only that it works. I convert DVD's in VR mode made off of my friends Phillips recorder and have had no issues. Sorry but I have not tried converting discs made on any other recorders but his Phillips. Let us know how this turns out for you.

Synergy,

Thank you for clearing that up and sharing your expertise. Here I was clueless that their are more than two DVD modes out there.

-LouV68