Problems using the edit tab, trying to change the duration

[SHARK420]

I am a novice to the program and I can't get the edit to do more than a 5 minute scene. I am trying to import a dvd of family movies, its about an hour long. I want it to be one continuous scene that I can breakdown into chapters but it defaults to about 12 - 5 minute scenes. How can I change the duration of the scences so it will be one scene. Or is there a better way to acomplish this. Again everything is already on a dvd basiccly trying to menu and chapter it.


Thanks in advance
Jeff

[Devil]

If the original DVD was already split into multiple VOB files, then you will obtain corresponding mpg files. The splitting of VOB can be because of separate clips in authoring or it may be at about 1 Gb intervals, whichever is the shorter. Of course, the time length to obtain 1 Gb depends on the original bitrates. There is nothing you can do about this and I know of no DVD "ripper" to mpg which can combine them. The only way to re-combine them is to take them into an editing programme, such as VS or MSP, butt all the pieces on a timeline with identical project settings to the original and with Smart Render checked. You can then Create a new video file, which will have combined all the bits and pieces.

[GeorgeW]

The new MovieFactory 4 and VideoStudio 9 DVD Import function can import as one large .mpg video (but it has to be within the same Title). Your original might have chapters every 5-minutes (was it recorded by a set-top dvd recorder that auto-chapters)?

[Number9]

If you're trying to bring in video from a DVD that you made with a standalone DVD recorder, you will find that DVDWS splits it into titles every 5 minutes, regardless of whether or not there are chapter marks on the disc. There seems to be no way round this at all.

The method I use is to use a programme called 'DVD Decrypter' to extract the audio and video streams from the DVD to one VOB file. I then rename the '.VOB' file to '.MPG' and hey presto I have one hour-long MPEG-2 file.

Unfortunately, DVD Decrypter has just been taken out of circulation this last week due to the function it has for being able to crack copyright protection. It's a shame because I don't know of any other free software that will break down your DVDs like this.

Perhaps someone else can help?

James

[GeorgeW]

Hi James,

Yes, the new MF4 and VS9 (as mentioned in my post above) will import one large (instead of breaks at chapter points and/or .vob 1gb breaks)

Interesting that you think it always breaks at 5-minute intervals. I think I have imported larger than 5-minutes sections before -- but maybe that was with MovieFactory 3 instead of DVD WS 2 (I don't recall). Some standalone dvd recorders put chapter marks at pre-set intervals -- is it possible the dvd's you tested were created with 5-minute chapter points?

[SHARK420]

so if i were to recopy the original dvd with no chapters just a straight show, I will get what i need? I guess you guys are telling me that dvdws 2 is just importing exactly as the original disc is. Its funny when I use the dvd movie factory 4.0 it lets me copy everything all at once. I would prefer to use the workshop because of the extra features. Is there anyway I can copy the content in movie factory and import it to workshop?

thanks everyone for your help
Jeff

[GeorgeW]

Is there anyway I can copy the content in movie factory and import it to workshop?

Yes, if you have MF4 importing the way you want, just do the import there, and go to the folder where the files get saved. You can then use those files in DVDWS

MF4 (and VS9) have a better "Import from DVD" function than earlier Ulead software