I'd like to re-edit some material which I have stored on DVD. I have extracted VOB files, but would now like to convert them to a type of file like mpeg2 that can be handled by an Editing Programme. In the archives, it is suggested that simply renaming a vob to mpg will do the trick, but this is obviously not true. Other suggestions include demuxing, but do not explain what programme to use, or how to do it - so cannot confirm if it works. Could someone please give a definitive explanation of the best method of converting VOBs to high quality editable files, and what programmes are required to do this?
My first question is: Are those DVDs of personal movies that U made or are they of the commercial kind. Second: Encrypted or Decrypted? Third: What I do is...I convert the DVD into a DV using a CANON ZR-90. Fourth: After converting, I use ULEAD VIDEO STUDIO 9 (U can use other program of your choice) to CUT - PASTE - EDIT the DV. Fifth: Than I make another movie file in MPEG-2 and ``FINALLY´´ put it on a DVD. Lot of work but the end result is satisfying. I hope that this info helped. Try to go into some of the other forums on this site and ask your question. Some very smart people around here. Good luck n0v0n
That's exactly how I do it and it works fine for me. VOB files are MPEG files. There are probably some programs that can't read them because they use headers and streams that aren't typical for MPEG, but they're all within the MPEG specifications. If you want a more generic MPEG stream (which some programs probably require to be able to read it) you could download a free trial of an MPEG editor and save it from there. You could also try using DGIndex (http://www.neuron2.net/) to demux the file and then Cutterman (http://www.cuttermaran.de/DesktopDefault.aspx?lang=en) to re-mux them. That should give you a more generic MPEG file instead of one with VOB information in it, and both programs are free.
Okay, well everyone around here seems to want to answer a question with a question, so I'll tell you what I'm doing. I have a lot of old PAL VHS movies which I can now put onto DVD through the Toshiba RDXS-34, which in case you don't know, is a Hard-drive recorder with a DVD recorder attached. Now I have some really good Widescreen movies with German language soundtracks, and I have the same movies in Pan & Scan with English Soundtracks. Wouldn't it be great if I could edit the English Soundtrack onto the German Widescreen picture? Well, I've made a start by putting both movies on DVD, and since I can extract the VOB files onto my computer, I have. So my question is, how do I get the VOB files converted to MPEG2 so I can put them into an edit programme and re-edit the movies. Your solution of using a CANON ZR-90 sounds to be of no use whatsoever. Isn't that a camera? Well I sure hope there are some very smart people round here, because I've been checking the archive, and the question I asked has been asked over and over by many other people, but surprisingly none of the threads ever seem to reach a staisfactory conclusion. I'd have thought there would have by now been an answer along the lines of: "You want to convert PAL system VOB to MPEG2, then you need the XXXX programme, which can be purchased at XXXX, or downloaded from XXXX. A full tutorial can be read at XXXX" Thanks for your help
Sorry that I was posting in the wrong place, where has it been moved to? And thanks for the advice regarding the programmes to try out, vurbal. The reason that I stated that re-naming VOB to mpg wouldn't work is firstly that several people in the archives said so, and secondly, when I tried it, it made no difference in the editing programme that I was using. Now you've explained why that may be, I'll go look for an MPEG Editor as you advise. Thanks
It's in General Video Discussion. If you're looking for a program that can just open the VOB directly (without demuxing) you might want to look at either Womble MPEG-VCR or VideoReDo. Both programs have fully functional trials and should be able to read the VOB and output a basic MPEG.
Thanks Vurbal, I just downloaded a 30 day trial of "Womble multimedia MPEG wizard." This appears to be the latest version of their kit. It does read straight from the VOB and it will output your edit as an MPEG2. It reads the VOBs as combined Video and Audio, but you can mute the audio on the Video track, and you can cut the audio part of the Video onto the audio track. So it will be possible to edit together a good quality Widescreen image from a German Language movie in synchronisation with an English language track of the same movie that comes from a visually inferior Pan&Scan version. The edit can then be outputted as MPEG2. I'll worry about how I turn that into a DVD later ;-) Thanks for all your help - I've just got a new hobby.
Somewhere, somehow...somebody has an answer to all these questions and problems. U learn something everyday. May the Internet FORUM GOD bless Afterdawn... 8>)
