Hello

[taffy1967]

Hello I'm a newbie and in need of some guidance as to editing DVD's.

[taffy1967]

First of all my problem does not concern any copyright protected DVD or video material.

No I've been sent a DVDr disc from a friend that has old motoring news clips and clips from motoring programmes copied to it from old VHS video's.

I want to edit those programmes via 'Windows Movie Maker' and also upload some of the clips to YouTube.

I've used 'DVD-Shrink3.2' to re-author the discs contents, but I'm then left with a 'VIDEO_TS' folder full of files.

I've tried renaming the file extensions from VOB to MPG (as I read in a thread here), but I only have around 20 seconds of play time, because the files are compressed.

What's strange is that if I drag the video slider I can access all the programmes that were recorded, but I don't get anything more than 20 seconds of play time.

So does anyone know how I can effectively convert the compressed VOB files, so I can access them in full and edit them?

Any help greatly appreciated.

[MilesAhead]

Hello I'm a newbie and in need of some guidance as to editing DVD's.

[dr_ml422]

Hi taffy. If they were originally from VHS tapes then they would be in VOB files on the DVD. What do you want to convert them to? What you could do is if they weren't compressed before you reauthored them, you can use one of the many freeware proggies to edit the VOB files and then convert them to something else.

I use MeGUI to convert my VOB video to either AVI files or MP4 which is H.264. I only mention this because before the conversion you have many options to cut and crop and also play w/audio conversion.

Go here to the Main site: http://www.digital-digest.com

Look through the software section and see if there's anything you might like to use for w/e you need as pertains to your OS system etc...

Read MeGUI's conversion guide by Admin. If it sounds like something you like or can use then just post back if any issues. There's tons of stuff on there. something has to catch your eye. We'll take it from there.

[taffy1967]

I'm still very wet behind the ears when it comes to Video/DVD editing on a PC.

But the DVDr disc I received from a friend had several old TV programmes recorded on to it and I believe he used a DVD/VHS combi/recorder to transfer the programmes from VHS to DVDr and there was a very basic menu.

The DVDr disc consists of several files and a few are VOB files, but from what I can tell they've been compressed.

So I guess I need to un-compress them if it's at all possible?

[dr_ml422]

Did your friend tell you what format he compressed them to? I mean the file extension should accompany the video file. Just like you see VOB files you should see the file extension name if any were compressed.

IE: .avi, .mp4, etc... If you don't know the file extension name or it's not listed then it's difficult to try and point you to a program to uncompress them.

I'm not that saavy w/conversion etc... but i can point you to what you can use. I started w/a DVD recorder myself, and I know the basic menu you're talking about.

If they just have vob files then they are not compressed. He had to use something else to compress them because I don't think the recorders come w/built in conversion software.

What OS are you using anyway? That too will help. the 1 proggie I can recommend that'll convert a compressed file is ConvertXtoDVD which converts avi files to DVD. Then you would have to get a editing program. ConvertXtoDVD is a paid program which you can try 1st. You can also check out the sub-forums here for the editing programs which there are many, and free as well.

Don't be afraid to ask about anything or try a program. I just started DVD to MP4 conversion and in a couple of days learned MeGUI. Not fully but at least MP4 conversion as well as AVI.

Once you know what file extension the compressed files are in then I or any of the more advanced members can help you.

[taffy1967]

Thanks and sorry for the long wait for another reply.

Anyway I was recommended software that would work and that was free to download. It's called 'Free Studio Manager' from DVD Video Soft.

It's got quite a few useful features for both video and audio. So I used the 'Free Video Dub' programme to select and cut out the video footage I wanted.

Then I used the 'Free Video To DVD Converter' software to convert that from AVI back to a VOB file. It does sound like I'm going around the houses, but the difference is the converted VOB file is no longer compressed, or at least I am then able to effectively edit it using Windows Movie Maker. Something I can't do with an AVI file or the VOB files from the DVDr discs my friend sent me.

So thanks again.