Trying to backup a flipper to DVD+R DL while retaining menus

[rdkapp]

I am attempting to backup Gangs of New York, a 2 disc flipper, to a DVD+R DL, while retaining the menus, but no other extras. I've searched this board quite a bit for help, but I've only found posts about how to backup a flipper, and in some cases GoNY, to a single layer DVD, with huge compression and no retention of menus.

I've successfully ripped the 2 discs to my HD, but I've yet to get to the point of actually burning. I've hit the proverbial wall after 2 attempts using various tools and instructions from this board. I'm sure that my lack of knowledge on what some of these tools are actually doing is contributing to my failure to this point, but I'm hoping that someone on this board can help. The tools and information that I have used to this point are, in no particular order: DVD Decryptor, DVD Shrink, PGCedit (I see a new version is out), VOBedit, IFOedit, VOB Blanker, Blutach's guide on adding back menus, and benbryant's guide on using VOBedit and IFOedit, as well as a few other posts here and there.

Is there a way to do what I'm trying to do without it being a monumental task? If so, I would be grateful if someone would please point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

[Calimari]

DVD Remake lets you join two dvd's.

[rdkapp]

DVD Remake lets you join two dvd's.

Thanks Calimari, but the problem with DVD Remake is that for it's cost ($34.95), I could go out and buy another copy of Gangs of New York and still have some money left over for additional copies of other flipper movies. Right now, GoNY is the only flipper movie I own that I want to backup, and therefore, I can't justify the cost. If there were other things for which I could use it (I can see this possibility in the future), then I could justify it, but not right now. So, let me rephrase my question:

Is there anyway to backup a 2 disc flipper DVD (like Gangs of New York) to a DVD+R DL, keeping menus but no other extras, using free tools?

[Dialysis1]

You could use this method to combine the files. Then you can use PgcEdit to import the menu from the original folder. You can also use VobBlanker with this method.

[rdkapp]

You could use this method to combine the files. Then you can use PgcEdit to import the menu from the original folder. You can also use VobBlanker with this method.

OK, Dialysis, now you're speaking my language. I actually was trying to do exactly what you are suggesting (except using PgcEdit to import the menu - haven't tried that). I even tried to change up the order of doing things, but it never worked out. If that will do the trick, then it means that somewhere along the way, I didn't do something right. I've successfully used Blutach's guide on adding back menus several times. I've also combined the 2 discs a couple of times using VOBedit and ISOedit. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, or missing in the process.

Have you successfully used those methods to combine a flipper, retaining the menus? If you have, would you be so kind as to guide me through the process?

[Dialysis1]

I have done this with Gangs Of New York, Goodfellas, The Pelican Brief and A Time To Kill. I backed them up to DL discs and I also used DVD Rebuilder Pro to back them up to SL discs.

[rdkapp]

I have done this with Gangs Of New York, Goodfellas, The Pelican Brief and A Time To Kill.

Which method did you use to import the menus? PgcEdit or Blutach's guide on adding back menus? Which one is easier? Which one do you recommend? I've had success with Blutach's guide on adding back menus on non-flipper SL burns. That process uses both PgcEdit and VobBlanker, but I'm not sure exactly what each of them are doing.

[Dialysis1]

The REPLACE method with VobBlanker.

[rdkapp]

The REPLACE method with VobBlanker.

OK, I've successfully used that method with a non-flipper.

This is what I did with the GoNY flipper:

1. Joined them with VobEdit;
2. Adjusted the IFO with IfoEdit, including Mock Strip;
3. Then, IIRC, I think I reauthored using DVD Shrink (because that is where benbryant's guide on using VOBedit and IFOedit tells you to go);
4. Then, I used Blutach's guide on adding back menus, or the REPLACE method with VobBlanker, as you've called it.

I don't recall what the problem was, but somewhere along the way, I did something wrong. Perhaps it was using DVD Shrink. Is there anything in my description above that clues you in on where I went wrong? If not, I'm not against starting the process all over again.

Also, what program did you use to burn the DVD+R DL?

Thanks for sticking with me on this.

[Dialysis1]

You don't state what the problem was. That makes it difficult for you to get help. Try running the project through FixVTS. Then open it in PgcEdit. The only thing I can think of is that you may have to make some adjustments in the menu.

[rdkapp]

You don't state what the problem was. That makes it difficult for you to get help.

I don't recall the exact problem, because I've tried the process a few different ways (using the tools in different orders). For example, I've tried reauthoring each disk in DVD Shrink and then joining them, as well as joining them before reauthoring them. After reading about your success, I think I understand the correct order, but I'm trying to confirm that, so that I can make another attempt.

Is the order in my previous post correct?

Also, at what point do I use DVD Shrink to reauthor, or do I use it at all, in light of the fact that it warns me that my video is too large (with no compression)?

I think the use of DVD Shrink is where I'm running into the problem, at least conceptually, because IIRC, after using Shrink to reauthor the joined video, my menus are gone, and for some reason, I haven't been able to get them back with VobBlanker. Perhaps there's some additional adjustments needed over those described in Blutach's guide on adding back menus.

Try running the project through FixVTS. Then open it in PgcEdit. The only thing I can think of is that you may have to make some adjustments in the menu.

Doesn't FixVTS do the same thing as IfoEdit? I think I've read that IfoEdit does a better job than FixVTS. Is that the case?

Did you use PgcEdit to burn the combined video to a DVD+R DL?

[rdkapp]

Dialysis1, I've begun to redo the process and have completed the following:

1. I ripped both discs to HD using DVD Decryptor
2. I joined them with VobEdit; and
3. I adjusted the IFO with IfoEdit, including Mock Strip and Get VTS Sectors.

During "Get VTS Sectors" I received a couple of error messages. Here's the 1st one:




And then, the second one:




When I followed the instructions, deleting each file and re-doing a "Get VTS Sectors," my menus were gone. What do these errors mean? And, is that what I'm supposed to do if I want to retain the menus?

[Dialysis1]

Process both discs through Shrink using movie only to new folders. Then combine using the VobEdit process putting all the files into one folder. Then using VobBlanker, open the original folder and replace the main movie with the newly created one.

[rdkapp]

Process both discs through Shrink using movie only to new folders. Then combine using the VobEdit process putting all the files into one folder. Then using VobBlanker, open the original folder and replace the main movie with the newly created one.

Start over and delete what I've done today? Not a problem, I just want to be sure I understand what you're saying.

Then, please tell me what program you used to burn the DVD+R DL?

[Dialysis1]

ImgBurn