Need More Help with Importing DVDs - Freezing at 61%

[dc denizen]

I'm trying to import DVDs that were recorded on a professional deck at a tv studio. They will not import into VS11+. Every time I try, they freeze at 61% during the parsing, and my whole system locks up.

I burned a copy of one of the DVDs, making sure to "close" it, then tried importing the copy, but the same thing happened. So I think we can rule that out as the cause.

I tried a program I saw on this site, VOB merge, but I got a "file format mismatch" error in VS when I tried to import the merged file into the library.

I tried saving the DVD to my hard drive first, then importing it, but that didn't work either.

I tried recoding the DVD in Nero, then importing, and that didn't work.

Can anyone help with this, please? And please express your reply in basic terms, as I am not technically savvy. Thank you.

[sjj1805]

Make sure the DVD isn't copy protected otherwise you will be wasting your time.

[skier-hughes]

As he's copied it, it shouldn't be copy protected.
It sounds more like a corrupted file to me, which of course would copy as corrupted and never work.

[etech6355]

I tried a program I saw on this site, VOB merge, but I got a "file format mismatch" error in VS when I tried to import the merged file into the library.

Rename the file from VOB to MPG.

You may also want to try to copy all the contents of the dvd to your local harddisk and then in the importing module select "Import DVD Folder" instead of reading from the dvd drive. Navigate to the VIDEO_TS folder and then the "Import" Icon should highlight.
I would try importing from the harddisk first. Renaming vob's to mpeg can be probmatic because there is probably sub-titling (closed captions) on the recorded disk since it was recorded on a dvd recorder.

[dc denizen]

thanks for trying to help with this problem

1) it is definitely not a copyright issue, as i am the producer and originator of the program, and it is being recorded in our studio onto a dvd deck.

2) i did try to copy the contents of the dvd onto my hard drive, then tried importing it into VS. it didn't work.

if anyone has any idea about what's causing this -- please let me know. the dvds play fine, and copy fine. they just won't import into VS. VS freezes at 61% every time, and locks up my system.

i can get the engineers at the studio to tweak the settings on the DVD record deck, if someone can tell me what might be the cause.

or do you think it's a software glitch in VS? if so, is there some way i can convert the dvd contents using another program, and then import it into VS?

i really need to find a solution to this issue, as this is one of the reasons we purchased VS. thank you.

[dc denizen]

i don't believe corruption is the problem. we do the show every week, and it's the same with every dvd we record at the studio - none of them will import into VS. it is highly unlikely that all of them (many weeks' worth) are corrupt.

just trying to help narrow it down.

[skier-hughes]

I agree coruption is unlikely in this case now we have more info.
As all the dvds you record don't work, I'd now suspect that its a setting you are using to record your dvds.

Can you give us more info on the dvd deck (make/model) and settings used to produce the dvd.

A programme like windows media encoder or super will both convert your mpeg file, more listed here
http://www.myvideoproblems.com/WebPages ... rammes.htm

This will degrade quality though, adding another step, so we could do with not doing this if possible.

[etech6355]

Others that have reported similar problems claim that a program call "FixTS" or similar wording corrects something on the dvd (after you copy it to the harddisk).

On my dvd recorder if I turn on the internal protection so the movie can't be erased I've had problems, not importing but playing back.

I would perform a search in the Movie Factory forum for FixTS or similar wording. Supposedly corrects something in the header of the files.
Sorry, can't remember the exact name of the program.

Also, if your dvd recorder has a "Fast Start" feature turn that feature off. That will cause problems. Also turn off "Auto Chaptering & closed captions" if you can.
DVD Recorders do have a copy protection feature called "CPRM", that should show up right away though.

Good luck, importing dvd's from various recorders can be an art. Everyone of these recorders has it's little quirks.

The VIDEO_TS folder should have a few VOB files. Rename them to MPG and VS should be able to import the video. Still sounds like the 3rd VOB has corruption or your assigned "Working Folder" under "Preferences (F6 Hotkey) is pointing to a small drive that's not formatted as NTFS (maybe FAT32).. That will cause problems. Always assign your working folder to a large NTFS drive if possible..

When the video is being extracted it's extracted to a folder called "Capture" that resides directly under your assigned "Working Folder" (MF Versions).
Video Studio as far as I can recall extracts directly to the working folder or a temporary folder that resides under the "Assigned Working Folder" under Preferences.
Being as it's always 61% sounds like your hitting the 2 gig point. for the size of the file.
Guess I'm tapped for any more ideas, sorry.

[dc denizen]

thanks for the suggestions. what do you mean "hitting the 2 gig point"? this is a one-hour television program on DVD, and it's a little over 2 gig in size.

i have my VS working folder on an NTFS 232 gig hard drive, with 150 gig free space. that's why i'm curious what you mean by the "2 gig point."

yes, it does freeze at 61% every time, which seems to be some sort of clue.

i tried renaming the VOB files. it didn't work.

will check DVD deck settings and see if i can fix this problem. meanwhile, would be grateful if someone could explain the "2 gig" thing. thanks.

[dc denizen]

i saved the dvd to my hard drive using Nero Essentials. i got a VIDEO_TS folder, and inside it were 4 files: VIDEO_TS, VTS_01_1, VTS_01_2, and VTS_01_3. these are all VOB files. (plus 4 backup files). i tried importing them to VS, but i got a "file format mismatch." i tried renaming them to .mpg, but then they were recognized as ".mpg.vob", and i still got the file format mismatch.

what am i doing wrong?

[Ron P.]

With VS the only way I got the "file format mismatch" was trying to insert a VOB file using the Insert Video command. However VS10+ allows inserting VOB files in this manner, whereas all other versions do not.

I tried renaming some VOB files to MPEG, and MPG to replicate your mpg.vob, but was not able to. The files renamed accordingly and did not have the .vob on the end. VS11+ allowed me to insert them.

Have you tried any of the suggestions like using FixVTS? You can download it from Videohelp.com

Instead of using Nero to save the folder to your hard drive, try just using Windows Explorer to copy it to your hard drive.

[etech6355]

Hi,

i tried renaming them to .mpg, but then they were recognized as ".mpg.vob

You should just be able to copy the complete VIDEO_TS folder to your harddisk using windows explorer. Maybe you need to have "Show the file extensions" enabled under "Tools -> Options" of windows explorer window.

It sounds like you renamed them incorrectly and maybe put the .mpg "Before" the final extension VOB. Double check that setting and make sure that the .mpg is last in the complete filename. Highlight the VOB file and hit the "F2" key (Windows rename files Hotkey) and then the right cursor to get to the end of the real extension. Backspace over the VOB and replace it with mpg.
It looks to me like you added mpg to the NAME of the file and didn't change the extension. When you change the extension "Windows" will ask you are you sure you want to change the extension.
The reason I was saying 2 gigs was if you notice each VOB is approx 1 gig in size. If your error is showing up at approx 61% then that would be the 3rd VOB that's giving you the problem. Which is right above the 2 gig mark.

I would also make sure you don't have to many Add-on codec packs or those "Fix-em all" codec packs. That really affects the way the other video editors
work.

One can only make suggestions, hope some of these help.

In VS when opening files once you click on the file the "Options" button should become active. If you click on the options button it will show the video & audio properties of the file. If the 'Options' button doesn't highlight then VS cannot read the file.
I'm pretty sure it's the Options Icon or Info Icon. You should also be able to previiew the video. At the bottom of the windows for inserting files is a Preview Icon along with a little window.

[taximommie]

I first upload my DVD's using DVD shrink 3.2.

Then once its saved I then go in and simply rename the file to MPG.
Example...file is joy.VOB
I then right click on it, scroll to rename...and rename it
joy.mpg

I am then able to upload just fine.
Hope that helps.

[GregK]

Have you tried using DVD Decrypter to get the TS folder onto your drive? Even if the files are not encrypted, DVD Decrypter....in aggressive ripping mode...can more often than not break through problems on a disc and successfully get the files onto your harddrive. It's worked for me on many occasions.