tech question - converting .vob to .avi

[beloved4always.livejournal.com]

Hi, wondering if someone might be able to offer some advice.

I currently use FlaskMPEG Ver 0.6 to convert vob files (made by SmartRipper) to avi (using DivX 5.1.1 codec and uncompressed PCM audio). Flask works, of course, but the problem I have is that the resulting avi is much, much darker than the original vob.

Does anyone have any suggestions to correct this problem? Are there other free conversion programs available that work well for you? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Comments

[zoerayne]

You don't say what platform you're on. I'm on Windows XP and I use virtual dub (the mpeg-compatible version) to convert my .vob files. I don't notice any darkening post-conversion (though all video clips are dark on the computer as opposed to on a television, IMO).

[beloved4always.livejournal.com]

thanks for replying

I'm on XP too. I also have Virtual Dub (V 1.5.10) but clearly I must have the wrong version or something because it will not allow me to pull in vob files - seems to support lots of other vid extensions but not vob - if I use 'all types' and click on the vob file I get an error message. so I'm either doing something wrong or I have the wrong one.

Do you have an URL available where I can d/l the version you are using?

[zoerayne]

Do you have an URL available where I can d/l the version you are using?

VirtualDub v.1.5.3

[beloved4always.livejournal.com]

thanks for the link! Unfortunately, while the cutting feature is quite nice and the output was slightly lighter, the video quality is not as good as what I get from Flask, plus the audio was out of sync on each of the vobs I tried :((

Thanks anyway.

[zoerayne]

>.<

I don't even think about the audio, because I use it to cut clips for vidding and I split the audio off anyway. Sorry.

[dlady-muse.livejournal.com]

I use Virtual Dub too - all you do is actually "rename" the VOB file - so example movie.vob, rename to movie.mpeg and it automatically becomes an mpeg. Then open that in your virtual dub and save to avi!
Hope that helps!

[beloved4always.livejournal.com]

lol, well that didn't work for me, I just got an error message - must not be my lucky day ;(

[dlady-muse.livejournal.com]

Did you go into the file itself and simply rename it, then import that file into virtual dub? It should work. I go into the file folder where the vob was saved, rename the file with an mpeg extension, then I open up the virtual dub and open up the mpeg file and save as avi on the virtual dub. It could be something else tho. I'm not a vidding expert, but I read somewhere that vob files are "really mpegs in disguise" and was told to simply rename it with the mpeg extension. It worked for me. I don't know why you got an error. Maybe check to see somewhere to accept all file extensions or something. I don't know maybe it's a missing codec perhaps? I hope you are able to get it to work soon. I know how frustrating it is!

[entropic.livejournal.com]

I use the process outlined here (http://www.animemusicvideos.org/guides/avtech/videogetb1.html), which uses several free programs and ends up with footage that is identical to what was ripped from the DVD. It looks rather daunting, but it's really easy to understand and follow the directions. ^_^

[moonlight-soldr.livejournal.com]

I stand by that as well.

[beloved4always.livejournal.com]

whoa! lol, you're right it does look daunting but I'm gonna try it anyway since nothing else I've done or d/l has worked. I'll report back... if I survive ;D

[beloved4always.livejournal.com]

ooops, ETA: thanks!!