Topic: DVD burning question

[ashevillain]

Let me preface by saying it's been years since I've burned a DVD. So I dl'ed a show that was separated into 2 separate folders (within each are separate Video TS folders)...apparently so the show would fit on 2 single layer DVD's. The size of both combined fit on one dual layer DVD without being compressed. Is there a way to go about burning the whole show on 1 DL DVD? Is it as simple as combining the 2 Video TS folders?

Apologies if this is simple/stupid/has been answered before...like I said it's been years since I've done this. If we need to talk software keep in mind I'm on Mac. I have used Toast to burn DVD's in the past so I'm familiar with the basics. Thanks if anyone can help.

[Shadow_7]

VOB is basically mpeg-2 with navigation information.  The issue with your first ideal is that each disc has it's own navigation stuff (i.e. menus).  And I don't know of any "tricks" to make them merge gracefully without re-authoring the disc.  Is it worth a test disc that might not work?  Or just burn the two discs as originally intended?  Unless you plan on burning multiple copies, it's probably not worth the effort to re-author it and merge the content.  But if you're just making a data dvd to play on PC's.  You should be able to do that in a way to favor your favorite player(s).  Just don't expect it to play in the minivan or any stand alone players.

[DigiGal]

Perhaps one of these articles will help...

http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_encode_pro_handbrake

http://www.maclife.com/article/make_a_backup_of_your_movie_dvd

http://www.mac-dvd.com/mac-guide/how-to-copy-dvd-and-remove-copyright-on-mac.html

[sabre]

So I dl'ed a show that was separated into 2 separate folders (within each are separate Video TS folders)...apparently so the show would fit on 2 single layer DVD's. The size of both combined fit on one dual layer DVD without being compressed. Is there a way to go about burning the whole show on 1 DL DVD? Is it as simple as combining the 2 Video TS folders?

No, it's not possible without re-authoring the DVD.

Firstly you will need to rip each DVD to a single MPEG-2 file. Mac The Ripper can be used. http://www.videohelp.com/tools/MacTheRipper - A freeware alternative is MPEG StreamClip ( http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html )
Then you will need to load both MPEG-2 files into a DVD Authoring application. iDVD can be used for this. You will need to recreate the menu and chapter points. iDVD will then re-create a new VIDEO_TS folder containing both DVDs. If you don't have iDVD then there's a freeware authoring tool called DVDStyler - http://www.dvdstyler.de/en/downloads

[ashevillain]

No, it's not possible without re-authoring the DVD.

Firstly you will need to rip each DVD to a single MPEG-2 file. Mac The Ripper can be used. http://www.videohelp.com/tools/MacTheRipper - A freeware alternative is MPEG StreamClip ( http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html )
Then you will need to load both MPEG-2 files into a DVD Authoring application. iDVD can be used for this. You will need to recreate the menu and chapter points. iDVD will then re-create a new VIDEO_TS folder containing both DVDs. If you don't have iDVD then there's a freeware authoring tool called DVDStyler - http://www.dvdstyler.de/en/downloads

Thanks. I might try this. I haven't burned the DVD's yet though so I have nothing to rip (though I do have Mac the Ripper)...I just have the VIDEO_TS folders. Can I go directly from these to the MPEG-2 files that I need? Or can I reauthor directly from the VIDEO_TS folders? Creating the new menu/chapters might be the bottleneck that makes it more trouble than it's worth but I'd like to try (it'll be a new experience at least). No reason to have this show on 2 discs if it can be authored to fit on one.

[sabre]

Thanks. I might try this. I haven't burned the DVD's yet though so I have nothing to rip (though I do have Mac the Ripper)...I just have the VIDEO_TS folders. Can I go directly from these to the MPEG-2 files that I need?

I'm not sure, you'll have to check whether Mac the Ripper can do this...

Or can I reauthor directly from the VIDEO_TS folders?

You might be able to import the VOB files (do not use the menu VOB though) directly into your authoring application without having to convert them into 1 big MPEG file. Give it a try. I think it's easier to manage fewer files but I can't see why it wouldn't work.

Creating the new menu/chapters might be the bottleneck that makes it more trouble than it's worth but I'd like to try (it'll be a new experience at least). No reason to have this show on 2 discs if it can be authored to fit on one.

It's not hard to create a basic menu - it may not look particularly nice but it does the job.

If you were using the Windows OS, there are programs available that would be able to keep the menus intact. I can't remember the names of them though :/

Good luck.

[DigiGal]

DVD Remaster is normally $49.99, on special this weekend only for $4.99 in Apple's App Store.

http://www.metakine.com/products/dvdremaster/

edit to add:
The price of DVDremaster has gone back up to $49.99, it was a great buy for $4.99 while it lasted.