Converting DVD's to Ots files

[clintnovak]

Hey Guys,

So I have been using Ots and Aimersoft for ripping my music video DVD's so they can be played at our shows.  I dropped the computer that had both ots and Aimersoft and when we got it all back on the computers they were updated versions and now every time I make a file with Aimersoft Ots studio opens it, then shuts it self down.

I need to fine a way to get the the music videos in high res from the DVD in to the Ots DJ system.

Please help!

[milky]

Welcome to the forum. I'm not familiar with Aimersoft.
I've always used DVD Shrink to split the tracks and make separate vob files. It's a little "clunky" until you get the hang of it, but it works and it's free.

[clintnovak]

I downloaded DVD shrink.  How do I make the tracks there own files?

[milky]

I'm doing this away from my editing computer, so it might not be completely accurate.
You need to select the "reauthor" option, then copy the main music entry from the menu as many times as there are tracks. You do this by double clicking the main file. Make sure compression is turned off in the options. Now click on the first of the files you have copied and select the chapter drop down box. Select 1 (assuming the first track is chapter 1. Sometimes the first chapter is a lead-in track. Repeat for each of the other files you copy. You will see the size of the file drop from the total playing time to just the time of the particular track.
Now, if you get lucky, each track will play perfectly and fade to black at the end of the chapter. However, quite often, some of the track may encroach on the next chapter. You can fix this by editing the start and end frames of each chapter. When you have each track playing correctly, select "Backup" and the individual vob files will be saved to you hard drive.
 

[Darryl]

I find it much simpler with DVD Decrypter (now available from http://www.dvddecrypter.org.uk/).  Install it, set the mode to IFO (from the Mode menu, choose IFO).  Under Tools -> Settings go to the IFO tab and in the options section choose By Chapter under file splitting.  Click OK to the settings dialog.  Click on the destination folder icon to choose where to save the files and hit the DVD to Hard disk button at the bottom (this will be greyed out if there isn't a DVD in the drive).

The settings are stored permanently, so next time you want to rip another DVD, all you have to do is put it in the drive and hit the button again.  By default it auto generates the destination folder based on the DVD's title (but you can change that in the settings too).

Have fun,
Darryl.

[clintnovak]

File would not open in Ots Studio

"Could not import PCM audio (encoder is not set up)" is the error.

[clintnovak]

This is the error it gives me when I try to put in the Aimersoft videos

Ots Studio Professional (1.01.001) log file - generated 28-Jan-2011
15:59:25 - Log opened.

Operation: Import files to current Ots file.
Ots file: Untitled
Number of files to import: 1

*** Importing file 1 of 1, \\2guys-e27a37c1b\project folder\aimersofttest1.mpg ...
Detected HD-DVD/Blu-ray/HDTV/MPEG2 ...
     MPEG2 video (Main profile @ High level):
   1920x1080, Pixel aspect ratio: Square Pixel, Chroma format: 4:2:0
   5092 frames @ 24.00 fps, Interlaced (Bottom-field-first)
   Duration (m:s:f): 03:32:04, Avg bitrate: 29997994 b/s
   Typical GOP: BBIBBPBBPBBPBBP
     AC3/Dolby audio:
     ERROR: Could not encode Wave file (encoder is not set up) -- skipping.
     ERROR: Error importing AC-3/Dolby audio stream

(0 files out of 1 successfully created)

16:03:01 - Log closed.

[Jumpin' Jeff]

ERROR: Could not encode Wave file (encoder is not set up) -- skipping.
ERROR: Error importing AC-3/Dolby audio stream

These errors lead me to believe you haven't set up the Lame encoder or AC3 filters.

http://www.otslabs.com/studio-lame/
http://www.otslabs.com/studio-ac3-filter/

[milky]

OK, so it is AUDIO which is the problem. You need a copy of AC3Filter installed to bring the 5.1 channels down to stereo. This link will tell you about it and how to set it up. http://www.otslabs.com/studio-ac3-filter/

You may also have to download and install the LAME converter - information here - http://www.otslabs.com/studio-lame/

[milky]

Beat me by three minutes, JJ!

[Jumpin' Jeff]

LOL!

[clintnovak]

So I downloaded the LAME thing and got that on there.  Now it does not do an error on the loading, but once the video is loaded there is no video in the display box.  When I click on Apsect Ratio I can see video in the preview, but once saved and loaded in to OTS it says "ERROR LOADING VIDEO" in the TV window but plays the audio.

[clintnovak]

So I played around with the converter and got a file to go throu and can see the video and everything in Studio.  But still says on the Ots AV trial viersion there was an "Error with video" when played back.

Could it be the trial virsion?  I dont have the real version on my computer at home.  Its on our work computers.

[milky]

I believe the trial version is fully functional, but I could be wrong. Did you do a refresh after you successfully converted? I guess you could take a copy of the fil to your workplace, add it to the library, re-link and then play it there. If it works there, the problem is somewhere in your home setup. The fact that it plays in studio is odd, so possibly something is wrong with your AV setup when it goes to an external display.

[Jumpin' Jeff]

No, the demo version is indeed fully functional. I usually install and run this when rebuilding my machines to verify them before running the licensed version, just to prevent any code 220 issues. I know it's functional first hand.

You say the video shows in the preview window in studio.... but does it actually play in studio?
Have you tried importing lesser quality videos?  Let's make sure you can load and play Standard def before pushing on to HD content.