VideoStudio X8 and VOD files

[Scubbie]

I wonder of someone can help me.

A friend has loaned me a Sony HandyCam which records to mini DVDs. The created files are .VOD but I am having problems converting them to be read into VideoStudio.

I was using a free program that was great, but recently had to rebuild my laptop and that software is not longer available in any form.

I have Roxio NXT Creator Pro 3, but for some strange reason this is rather hit or miss. Sometimes it will convert a file, whilst other times it messes up.

The short videos are recorded in at 720x576. Typically in the higher quality, but occasionally in SP mode.

Sure it would be better to but a new HD camera, but for the present time I need to use this.

I can't simply drag the videos into VideoStudio X* (same issue with X7), unless there is a suitable Codec to help.

[Ken Berry]

Are you sure about them being .vod files? I would have thought, on a mini DVD, they would be .vob files...

If so, you would need in X8 to right click in the timeline and choose Insert Digital Media instead of Insert Video, then follow the prompts to navigate to your mini DVD and choose which tracks you want.

A simpler alternative would be to import the whole mini DVD to your computer and change the extension from .vob to .mpg since that is what vob files really are...

[Scubbie]

Well spotted, yes they are .VOB files. My mistake.

I have just changed the extension of one file to mpg and you are a star. Thank you so much!

Hours of headaches resolved.

[Scubbie]

Just a quick update on this...

(Also some notes for anyone else wanting to do this)

I had already copied the files from the mini-DVDs to my Laptop so that I could work on them and recycle the DVDs quicker. The intention being that the videos are recorded during the day and I can start playing with them when I return home. With the potential for multiple discs and a camera that will need recharging, this is the better solution for what I am planning.

Forget the option to import Digital Media. VideoStudio (X8 & X7) just made the processor work and hung all night with no result. This isn't practical. I ran the same test on two computers and each hung all night.

One of the tests I did involved multiple cameras recording the same event from different angles so that I could check the timing of each.

One early issue I'd had when using the wrong settings to convert the Sony's footage to something usable was that it went way out on the timing. Playing a little more I managed to resolve this.

By renaming the files there was no issue. However I can't see the chapters which are created each time you start recording on the same DVD. Not a major issue as I can simply identify where they are by playing the footage back, but it would have been nice to have them available.

Another issue I had been having with some conversions was the footage was being converted to 4:3 when I'd recorded it in 16:9. Again no issue now.

The one bit which did stump me though was that the time-code/stamp was being included within VideoStudio. This has been resolved by disabling the DVD subtitles.

[skier-hughes]

The only problem with renaming VOBs to MPEGs is that a VOB is not an MPEG!
A VOB can contain one mpeg, quite a few MPEGs or even half or quarter of an MPEG.
In situations like this, the simple renaming will often only give you the first MPEG file recorded.

Just in case you meet this problem, then conversion of the vob to another file is the way to go.

[canuck]

By renaming the files there was no issue. However I can't see the chapters which are created each time you start recording on the same DVD. Not a major issue as I can simply identify where they are by playing the footage back, but it would have been nice to have them available.

The chapter markings/locations ,etc information are not embedded within the actual video files. This information is in the associated ifo files.


According to your original post the files are in the 4:3 format.

What is the file structure of the miniDVDs? Is there a Video_TS folder which contains a number of ifo, bup and vob files?

Roxio NXT 3 has no problem importing videos from a properly created DVD.

[Ken Berry]

Forget the option to import Digital Media. VideoStudio (X8 & X7) just made the processor work and hung all night with no result.

Were you trying to do this direct from the mini DVD still in the camcorder, or from the video transferred to your computer? If the latter, did you just transfer the .vob files or the .ifo and .bup files as well?

[Scubbie]

Yes I did transfer the .IFO & .BUP files.

I transferred the entire 'VIDEO_TS' folder as it was easier at the time and I wanted to keep the source files separate from any converted files.

The DVDs haven't been finalised as the intention is to just format them and reuse them the next day.

I didn't want to convert from the DVD as the battery could be low and it also means tying up the Laptop when I could be doing other related work. Alternatively a quick turn-around might be needed so that the camera can be used to record more material.

[canuck]

Use the Video_TS folder you copied to your hard drive.
Right click on the timeline and select "Import from Digital Media". Then navigate to the Video_TS folder and select it. You should now get a screen showing all the Titles and chapter in your movie. Select the ones you want to import and proceed.

[Scubbie]

Thank you canuck. That is what I did on two computers last night and both were left running overnight with Task Manager reporting 'no response' and the processors doing overtime. Neither showed any motion on the progress bar and I had to force VideoStudio to close.

[canuck]

List the contents of the Video_TS folder you transferred from the miniDVD to your hard drive. How did you do the transfer?

What showed up on the screen after you selected the Video_TS folder or is that where the program hung?

[Scubbie]

I connected the HandyCam via USB to my Laptop.

Selected the option on the HC touch screen to connect the DVD to the computer (rather than the memory card which only records photos).

I then copied the Video_TS folder using Windows Explorer.

VIDEO_TS folder:

VIDEO_TS.BUP
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VTS_01_0.BUP
VTS_01_0.IFO
VTS_01_1.VOB

Another folder is also created on the DVD and I have copied this in the past too but it hasn't resolved the issue. Importing the Media files just didn't work for that earlier attempt either.

VIDEO_RM folder:

VIDEO_RM.BUP
VIDEO_RM.DAT
VIDEO_RM.IFO

[canuck]

You then selected the Video_TS folder to import? Is that were it hangs?

[Scubbie]

Yes

[Ken Berry]

There may be tags attached somewhere indicating the mini DVD was not finalised. I seem to recall that a common problem back in the day when mini DVD camcorders were, well, common, was that the disc had to be finalised before import worked properly...