vob to avi or wmv converter

[TJ60]

I need something to convert my vob files from my dvd camcorder to be able to upload my video to the net and edit in Windows movie maker



PLEASE:grin:

[Pleb]

Flask MPEG will do it - at least I use it to convert raw vob files when i rip dvds

http://flaskmpeg.sourceforge.net/

VirtualDub will fix sync errors arising from the Radium Codec (which you need for flask mpeg)

http://virtualdub.sourceforge.net/

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Fraunhofer_Radium_MP3.htm

you'll need to install the codec and reboot before running flaskmpeg.

There may well be an easier way to do this (ie and all-in-one program) but this is what i use to convert DVDs to avi when I rip my rented disks.

I found a cached guide here (http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:74UO9eEdZJcJ:theonlybob.org/guides/howtoripdvdstodivx.html+and+REBOOT+before+proceedi ng+with+Flask&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=ie&lr=lang_en&client=firefox-a)

and here's the full guide which i found on my computer which i used when i was starting.

1. SmartRipper (put the dvd in your dvd-rom and decrypt to your hard drive)

Note: For this entire procedure, you're going to need plenty of hard drive space. DVD movies are anywhere from 4 to 10 gigs, and u also need the space that the resulting MPEG will occupy, which can be an extra 1 to 2gigs.

Before running it, please play the movie in a software dvd player for only a couple seconds and then close it. This will "authenticate/unlock" the drive.

When you first run SmartRipper, it will go through a series of IFO files and prepare to actually parse the DVD the way it should be played in a standalone. It will automatically start with the movie section and select the MOVIE. Keep in mind that using IFO parsing (the movie section of the program) you are completely going to not worry about any multiangles or any other weird problems.. such as a music video intermission between your movie files. (For example: Trinity's double kick in "The Matrix", Pokemon II) Those kinds of things will just automatically be left out of the VOBs while it rips.



1. First... the program will open into Stream Settings, click on the Input tab. I also suggest you click settings: Key Check to only ONCE and set File splitting by every vob-file. Hit OK to go back to the movie menu. [PLEASE Do not enable Stream Processing]

2. Your movie length should already be highlighted in the "IFO -> Title -> Angle" window, if it isn't, please select it.

3. Please select the proper target folder at the bottom, SmartRipper will also check for available space. The start button will now appear under the settings button.

4. Please click on it.. and the ripping process will begin in a new window.

Once you get the "Ripping Complete" prompt, press OK and close SmartRipper.



2. Flask Encoder

Install the DIVX Codec by running "Register_DivX.exe" and the Radium MP3 codec and REBOOT before proceeding with Flask. Remember to save the URL to this page somewhere!

Welcome back.. (if you bothered to reboot that is).

Please READ the DOCS Section or the readme.html file. I suggest reading also the news and everything you can on the site to gain more knowledge as to how the program works. You may see a solution for a problem that you can avoid. Also, run the Flask version that is Optimized for your processor.


DVD Mode
This is the mode I recommend, the encoding process is done by the timing indicated in the IFO file. To use this option you should used "Movie" mode in SmartRipper.

Now you must copy the proper IFO file from the DVD itself to the location where you ripped the movie. It should be named just like the Vob's that were ripped. For example, Vts_01_0.ifo belongs to Vts_01_1.vob thru Vts_01_5.vob.

Startup Flask and go to File, Open DVD and find the IFO file you just copied to your HD, NOT on the DVD! A menu will come up, choose the Movie which should be the longest one. The Audio track language and Subtitles if you wish. Press Flask this DVD!


File Mode
Flask DOES have the ability to see all the files in the directory and treat it as one file. This removes the need to merge. When you go to File -> Open, select the FIRST 1gig VOB of the series which should be the very first vob SmartRipper ripped. It will then auto detect the other ones and say something like "Vts_01_1.vob thru Vts_01_5.vob found and will be treated as one logical file." Then select your audio track (numbered in the way they are presented in the movie usually).

Now, remember to choose DiVX AVI as your Output Format.

Now it's time to do some CALCULATING! You can skip this part if you do not wish to target the filesize of your DiVX AVI file. Run the bitcalc.exe you downloaded from bitcalc.zip. Now... set the desired filesize to about 635-640 for 1 CD, or 1280-1285 for 2 CDs only to allow for error. I strongly recommend not going below 128 bitrate for audio. The value of multilanguage is 1. Remember the bitrate you get or just leave the damn program open :)

Now in Flask go to Options -> Output Format Options. Under Video, click select Codec and choose DiVX Low-Motion and click Configure. Here you set your Video quality options. You should always use keyframe 10secs and crispness 100%. For video quality, using the preset 910 is ok, but remember, the higher you go, the more CPU power it will require to create/playback. Slide the bar with left and right arrow to get it exact if you're trying to target 1/2 CD's to the bitrate the calc quoted. Click ok when done.

For Audio Codec, now you may choose MPEG1 Layer 3 and directly encode into that. 128kb quality with 48khz is recommended for DiVX. If you do not see MPEG1 Layer 3, you may need to un-install Radium's codec and re-install again. (Note: You must use 48khz with the Radium codec otherwise you risk insanely huge desync problems. If you do not see the 48khz Option, first go to Options -> Global Project, click on the audio tab and select Decode Audio with 48000khz sampling rate. Now go back to Output Format Options. If it is not there now, your sound card does not support 48khz sound.)

Start playing with your Global settings. You can use any resolutiuon you wish with DiVX since there is no standard. Full resolution for DVD is 720x480 NTSC and 720x576 PAL. That may be a bit high for some people. So really just pick what you want. Also change the "Time Base" settings to 29.97 for NTSC and 25 for PAL. Now go to the select "Decode Audio" from the Audio Tab and be sure to keep "Same as Input" below that. Finally, select your file destination. Remember to choose a drive with enough free space on it. (Note: no extension like .avi is needed, as it is done automatically). Press OK to proceed.

Start the conversion process by going to the "Run" menu and selecting the "Start Conversion!" option.

And anywhere from 8 to 14 hours later (depending on your processor)....



3. VirtualDub (fix sync problems resulting from the Radium Codec)

File -> Open the AVI.

Important!! Go to audio menu and verify that it is set for direct stream copy. Go to the video menu and also check it is for direct stream copy.

Then click on the interleaving menu for audio and set preload 500ms and interleave every 100ms.

Now go to the file menu and click Save AVI. Choose a new file name... (anywhere from 2-5 minutes usually, if it takes longer, you didnt set direct stream copy) you should have a perfectly sync'ing DiVX AVI straight through to the end.


if anyone knows of an all-in-one program I'd be interested.

[Dymond]

Is there anything simpler out there?? I knew about VirtualDub but its not what I would call 'user friendly'.

[Pleb]

Is there anything simpler out there?? I knew about VirtualDub but its not what I would call 'user friendly'.

it may have a lot of options but if you're working within the above parameters its pretty simple. - open the video file produced by Flask, set your interleaving ratio, set audio to direct stream copy, and then click Save as AVI...

the whole process takes a bit of concentration to follow at first, but once you've done it once its dead easy.

forgot to include the link for BitCalc (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Encoders-Converter-DIVX-Related/BitCalc.shtml) - it lets you work out what bitrate you want the codec to work at in Flask (granted the Flask settings take a bit of getting used to) which is what affects the size/quality of the final avi file.

[Sirius]

You can use WinAvi Video Converter, you can convert in a lot of format... :)

Take a look at this link, you can download the demo, or you can search on torrent to find it... :P

http://www.winavi.com/en/video-converter/video-converter.htm

[Zeus]

DVD2AVI - http://www.divx-digest.com/software/dvd2avi.html

TMPGEnc Xpress - Trialware/steal it yourself

Virtualdub-MPEG2 - http://download.videohelp.com/download/VirtualDub-MPEG224586%20.zip

Or just go here - http://www.videohelp.com/ and find all the tools and guides for anything video related you could ever need. Create a profile and the community there is very supportive on any question you might have.

[Dymond]

TMPGEnc Xpress - Trialware/steal it yourself

I've used their DVD Author program and liked it alot!

[Zeus]

TMPGEnc Xpress - Trialware/steal it yourself

I've used their DVD Author program and liked it alot!

I use nothing but the best Dave. :grin:

Canopus Procoder 2 - For any encoding means (dont you have Procoder?)

DVDlabPRO - DVD authoring, this program is phenomenal

ffmeggui - to convert any audio to a pseudo AC3. This program is lacking since it doesnt make true ac3 but Im ok with that.

and yes, I stole them :hidey:

[Dymond]

LOL I do but only to go from AVI to DVD.. I've never tried it the other way around.. although I guess it would work.

*Slaps Head* duh.. it would work..

[TJ60]

so is this the one ur telling me to go with?

TMPGEnc Xpress

[Dymond]

I haven't used it but have used their other products and given them the thumbs up.

[Zeus]

Yes TJ, we have it at my work. It is user friendly and pretty straight forward.

[Niefer]

MediaCoder (http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/) - powerful, simple enough and free.