VS 9 "choking" on importing VOBs

[MarkTwo]

Hi Guys

To some things up briefly, I have installed VS 9 so I can import VOB files directly off a DVD recorded from a stand along DVD recorder. I can import two or three Vobs at a time, (but very slowly), but to copy all the VOBs in, VS9 chokes at 10%, and my computer has to be reset to make it work again.
I had to upgrade to VS9 because VS8 (that can accept an entire DVD, and do it a hell of a lot faster) doesn't accept AC3 audio files.
Yes I know about the AC3 plug in that ULead won't sell to anyone, and I even installed a generic replacement that someone mentioned was a suitable replacement, but made completely no difference, most likely because VS8 doesn't know it exists.....
Quite simply, is there any way to get VS9 to accept VOB files, so I can edit raw DVD's, and take the commercials out, or should I just use a more reliable software package completely?

Mark

[lancecarr]

Mark,
Welcome! Have you downloaded the update patch from Ulead and applied it?
I had a similar problem when VS9 first came out and although Ulead does not state specifically that the patch handles this, it fixed it on my computer when importing from DVD's.
I am assuming you understand you cannot edit vob files as such. They will be imported on to the computer as MPEG2 files which you then can edit. After that they can be re-authored back to DVD.
I am also assuming that you are placing the finalised discs in the DVD reader of your computer for importation and that you have the latest firmware for the DVD RW loaded.
I am aslo assuming that you don't have any packet writing software installed such as Nero InCD which may interfere with any other program accessing the DVD drive.....assume a lot don't I!!

[DVDDoug]

...or should I just use a more reliable software package completely?

If you find one, please let us know. I'm not kidding! Video Studio seems to have trouble importing some VOBs... I have no idea why. When it works, its the best tool I've tried!

I had a "problem VOB" a couple of months ago and I downloaded a ship-load of VOB-to-MPEG trial programs. I couldn't find one that could convert the VOB with out re-coding it. Most of them converted it to a low bitrate VCD or SVCD compatable file. I finally had the best results with SUPER (FREE!!!). But, SUPER did re-code the MPEG, and I had to use another tool (or maybe two) to extract the audio.

I think some people have reported good results using Nero for VOB to MPG conversion, but I haven't tried it myself.

[Hunkulus]

Hello
When I want to import VOB files in to VS9 I just copy the .vob files to my HDD and change the extension of the all the files from .vob to .mpg, then bring the files in to VS9 and all of the video and audio is present.
Then go to the editor and assemble all the files in order and create a new video file of the whole video.
It always works for me.
Hunkulus

[MarkTwo]

Hello

I've downloaded the latest VS9 patch, turned off InCD via the Task Manager before running VS9, and it still runs like a dog. It's as if I was trying to run the program on a Pentium 1. !
So the alternative is, does anyone know how to get that AC3 plug in to work with VS8? When I try importing VOBs in VS8 it only takes a few seconds to give me thumbnails of all the VOBs on the disc, VS9 doesn't even give me that.
And to rub salt into the wounds, my DVD drive just gets stuck in a loop, speeding up and down, and I have to reset my computer to get back control.
How can Ulead be preparing a version 10, when they couldn't get 9 right?

Mark

(Thinking of uninstalling VS9 and getting a refund...)

[lancecarr]

InCD doesn't give up that easy! You actually have to uninstall it so that it will release the drive.
As a down and dirty fix, if you have VS8 do what I did until I got 9 sorted. Use VS8 to import, don't worry about Dolby, all it is doing is copying the files to the HD. Then close 8 and open 9, right click next to the screen and select "Insert video." Navigate to where VS8 deposited the MPEGs, select them and they are now available for you to edit in VS9.

[MarkTwo]

Hello LC

My work around was to import the DVD and seperate the audio and video files using VOBedit, and then get VS7 to stitch the files together, while carefully synching them up again.
Then edit THAT file to get the commercials out.....

I am so amazed that there isn't a simple way of editing VOBs directly, or alternatively, to get your DVD recorder to record in Mpeg format instead.

Mark

[maddrummer3301]

Mark,
VOB files are 'Containers" for Mpeg2 files.
The same as "AVI" files are Containers for video files with many different codecs.
The same as "MOV" files are Containers for video files with many different codecs.

The problem with workng with VOB files is they can contain more than one mpeg2 file so renaming a vob to mpg only fools the program until you export the 2 mpeg2 files out to 1 mpeg2 file. The timestamping is simply not correct.

Dvd recorders are recording direct to the mpeg2 file format and store them in the vob container.
A VOB container can have the different format audio tracks, SAP tracks & sub-titling etc (Even different language audio tracks).

One of the best formats to transfer from a dvd recorder to a computer is recording the videos in -VR mode. That requires using a dvd-rw or dvd-ram disk formatted using the -VR mode. DVD-RAM is always -VR mode. Dvd-rw can be used for both -VR and straight dvd-video mode.
The -VR mode/disk is technically the format designed for editing mpeg2 files.

That doesn't mean that renaming or importing VOB doesn't work but it depends on the mode they were written in. Some dvd recorders record in a mode that is more for streaming video. When you playback the video you can't jump to a section farther into the video. It must be played frame by frame. So if you play the dvd in "PowerDvd" and can't jump forward in time it's in that type of mode. And that's how the video would also need to be imported which can be very time-consuming.

All VOB's are not the same which caused the problem of trying to hack into them. Most likely if it's taking a very long time to import the dvd it's written in the +VR mode.
There will be 2 folders on the dvd.
XXX_VRM or similar and
VIDEO_TS there's no Audio_Ts folder.
That is a +VR written disk. You can also do editing on the dvd recorder with that disk. Depending on the recorder they can take awhile to import because the program is accessing both the directories on the dvd which physically takes time because the dvd reader/writer must perform more seeking.
Better to copy both folders to the harddisk and then import the dvd from the harddisk in that case. Usually much faster.

Hope this helps,

MD

[MarkTwo]

Hi MR

Thanks for that info, but the big question still remains, why is it that VS8 works perfectly reading VOB files off these disks, albeit with no sound because of that stupid AC3 plug in nonsense
But VS9 runs like a crippled duck, takes at least 6 times as long to even give me a listing of the files, (where as VS8 even gives me pretty thumbnails of them), and then gets stuck in some wierd loop where my DVD drive is continually speeding up and slowing down, while taking up 98% of my CPU time.
If someone could point me to where I could find a copy of that AC3 plugin I need to get the audio off those VOB files, I can forget about banging my head against a wall trying to get VS9 to work.

Mark

[maddrummer3301]

Hi,
VideoStudio 9 importing module isn't the same as VS8.
MovieFactory3 and VideoStudio 8 use basically the same dvd importing module/program.
MovieFactory4/5 and VideoStudio 9 use a different but same newer importing module.

Even though your tracks are Dolby.
Import in VS8 then import them into VS9.
>>>But VS9 runs like a crippled duck, takes
>>>at least 6 times as long to even give me a listing of the files
I believe it's reading from the Video_Rm folder.

>>>and then gets stuck in some wierd loop where my DVD drive is
>>>continually speeding up and slowing down, while taking up 98% of my
>>> CPU time.
I think it is switching back & forth reading between the 2 different folders on the dvd.
That's why you should try copying the contents to the harddisk and import
from the harddisk. Your Dvd reader/writer doesn't like multiple I/O's.

...................The following is only my opinion being in the ulead forum for awhile now:........................................
It appears the DVD importing module's code was re-written because the version your using had limitations and many users complained and requested to change it. So ulead rewrote that module mainly out of so many requests to be able to do more, like import the "Complete" Dvd movie. Which it does do now This newer importing module can import the complete video/mpeg2 file or separate the chapters into separate mpeg2 files.
With your version you cannot take a dvd-r and import the complete movie from the dvd. VS8 importing module breaks the chapters into individual mpeg2 files. With your version if you did a complete project and burnt it to dvd you couldn't import your mpeg2 file from the dvd that was created by the project. So when you started the original project with 1 mpeg2 file of a home movie and made 10 chapters when you use the VS8 importing module you could only get 10-mpeg2 files. The module wasn't possible to import the complete movie. Many persons complained about that so ulead meet their requests. The same was true for dvd recorders and people were complaining they couldn't import the complete movie. That it was being broken up into chapters/mpeg2 files.
Many users of ulead products wanted to import the mpeg2 files (complete) they worked hard on using previous ulead versions. The new module now makes this possible.

I record on various dvd recorders. I have no problem importing from any of them using the -VR or +VR mode. A DVD-R written in regular video mode imports without problems.

Another reason I believe the importing module is slower sometimes depending on the dvd and how it was written, and this should answer your question more than any of the above with respect to the new importing module. Like I said VOB's are containers for Mpeg2 files. Todays video transmissions have copyright signatures in them. Ulead must check for the copyprotection on every Video on the Dvd. One mode that ulead must check for is the "Copy Once" mode. That means you can record the video ONCE to a vcr or dvd recorder. The VCR and DVD recorder knows that the video is a copy once video and will not let you record it to another unit. If you play the dvd back (that has the copy once video that has been copied) the downstream recording device knows this and refuses to record the signal.
It is a law that manufacturers put this copy-protection in players and recorders sold in the US (also PAL countries). It's also law that software companies adhere to the same copy protection laws as the hard-coded chipsets in VCR's and DVD recorders. Hence, importing of dvd's must also check for the copy-protection signature.
This is called "CPRM" (copy protection). There are a few modes of them.
Copy anytime, Copy Once, Copy Never.
The copy once is used alot when you buy a movie from the cable subscriber and record it onto a Tivo unit or dvd recorder.
Recently this has been a very important subject with computer software writers, dvd player/recorder manufactures. Recently there have been a few changes in the laws of copyrights and protection to make them clearer. Hence, the "Fast Use" act doesn't apply, never did.

This copyprotection is NOT the same as an encrypted commercial dvd.
They use encryption keys.

I recorded one of those copy-once videos. Ulead wouldn't import it and neither would Nero 7.

MovieFactory 5 has Dolby Ac-3 audio and is only $49.00 us dollars.
That would solve the problem with the AC-3 audio.

Hope this helps,

MD

[MarkTwo]

Hello MR3301

"Even though your tracks are Dolby.
Import in VS8 then import them into VS9."

I did try that, but as VS8 cannot "see" the audio part of those VOB clips, it saves them with no sound. So importing those clips in VS9 is a waste of time.

" VideoStudio 9 importing module isn't the same as VS8.
MovieFactory3 and VideoStudio 8 use basically the same dvd importing module/program.
MovieFactory4/5 and VideoStudio 9 use a different but same newer importing module."

MovieFactory 5 has Dolby Ac-3 audio and is only $49.00 us dollars.
That would solve the problem with the AC-3 audio.


But if MF5 has the same importing module as VS9, and VS9 doesn't work, then what point is there to take the punt on buying another software package for nearly $100 Australian, just to see if it actually works?.
Is there any way I can get the AC3 plug in for VS8, and spare myself having to upgrade again and again until something works?


Mark

[maddrummer3301]

Mark,

I'm confused. VideStudio 8 will import the dvd quickly correct?
I'm talking about using the dvd/dvd-vr importing module and the program
then extracts the mpeg2 files onto the harddisk from the dvd you recorded in the dvd recorder. I'm not talking about copying or renaming any vob's.

After you have imported them using VS8 if there are any warnings about AC3 audio or whatever click OK and Keep the mpeg2 files on the harddisk.
Then open up VS9 and import those files that were imported in VS8.
If you don't have the AC-3 feature of VS8 then just use the program to extract the videos from the dvd. Any warnings that VS8 give you ignore them and accept the files. If the program tries to erase the files and will not let you accept them then open up another window and Move them to another directory or rename them before closing the warning box. That is an old trick of Moving them. You would have to move them rather than copying them because they are large files.
You can move files on the same partition in a heart beat.

But, you shouldn't need to do that. I can import a dvd using VideoStudio 7 that doesn't have the AC-3 plugin. I ignore any messages and accept the files. Then open up a program that can accept the audio and import the files into that program.

It's a good thing you know that MF4 and MF5 use the new importing module because it sounds like it's not very compatible with your equipment.
They work with mine.

Just please answer this post if you can or cannot accept the files in VS8 and keep them on the harddisk and then import them into VideoStudio 9 for processing. When the importing program is transferring the mpeg2 files from the dvd it's only copying the file and stampiing it. It's not removing the audio. It copies the file but VS8 can't edit it or play it back. The file should still retain it's original audio from the dvd recorder.

MD

[lancecarr]

Mark I posted a solution earlier in this thread that is exactly what maddrummer is suggesting and I think if you actually follow his or my advice you'll end up with a workable situation.
VS8 will import the files from the DVD with the sound intact it just can't PLAY or EDIT the sound so it "appears" to not be there, but it is.
All it is doing is copying files.
If you do that then VS8 will put the files in the default folder which is usually MyDocuments/ Ulead Video Studio/8.0.
Now just close VS8.
Open VS9 and DO NOT try to import DVD/VR. Simply right click on the area to the right of the preview screen and select "Import video." Navigate to the folder that VS8 placed the files in and import. I think you will find that the files will now play/edit etc. because VS9 can handle the Dolby.
I am not saying that this is an ideal scene here, I agree that the DVD Import module on VS9 can be a pain. But this workaround is quite quick and effective.

[MarkTwo]

By George he's got it!!

(Sorry, My Fair Lady was on TV in Sydney Saturday arvo) Yep that works.
Thanks so much. And it's a lot faster than breaking Vob files down to raw audio and video files and then stitching them together, which was my current work around.
One of the guys at work put VS9 onto his laptop last week, so I tried importing VOB files, to see what would happen. And the sneaky thing worked!!
Ooh the shame that my two year old computer isn't as fast as a $1500 laptop....

Mark