VOB Converter?

[happydog]

I'm trying to get some video off a dvd that my son shot on vacation. The file extensions are VOB, IFO and BUP. Is there a free converter that will convert these into anything useable, or can you recommend something else?

Any help would be pathetically appreciated. Thanks in advance!

(if this is posted in the wrong place, feel free to move it)

[Steve Grisetti]

Two great products. Both free downloads.

VirtualDubMOD (from the makers of VirtualDub)

MPEGstreamclip
http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.3bc4800e

Convert your files to DV-AVIs and they'll work great in Premiere Elements!

[Dave McElderry]

Hey Steve, is there some reason you didn't suggest doing this as an import in PrEl?

[Steve Grisetti]

If you import VOBs directly into Premiere Elements, sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. And, even if they do, you're often reversing the field dominance and, if it's a long project, the program can choke while rendering and encoding a DVD.

So, it might well work with no problems -- I just think you're always better using a pure DV-AVI workflow whenever possible.

In my not so humble opinion.

[happydog]

I downloaded vdubmod. It seems to work fine but the video is coming out kind of jerky. If you stop it and restart it it plays ok for a few seconds then gets jerky again. Can you suggest the best settings to use with this program? I tried it with the default settings, now I'm trying again with the "old avi, 1.0 compatibility" setting. I have it on the compression setting "uncompressed rgb" would another codec setting be better?

Thanks so much for the help, this has been driving me nuts. Why the #$^@#$% would someone want a camcorder that doesn't let you edit the videos?????

[Gooder]

You could try connecting your DVD player to your camcorder and record the part you want from the DVD. Then use Premiere software to bring that segment back in to your project ( from your camcorder) this will give you a true AVI file.

This also sounds like the same problem that another user had!
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1977

Hope it helps!
Cheers

[kodebuster]

Thanks so much for the help, this has been driving me nuts. Why the #$^@#$% would someone want a camcorder that doesn't let you edit the videos?????

Is the camcorder of the type that records directly to a mini-DVD disc.

If it is, I thought these type cameras also provide a method to connect directly to a PC, usually via USB, and allow a download to Mpeg type files.

I have a Sony camera that's mini-DVD, and it has this feature...

[Ken Jarstad]

1. VirtualDubMod will also require the free Panasonic DV codec to properly encode the output.

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Panasonic_DV_Codec.htm

Select Video/Compression and scroll down to and select Panasonic DV codec.

2. VirtualDubMod is only an "editor" not a "player". Therefore it will usually always play "jerky". Incidently, that is why you have to "render" any video on your PrEl Timeline if it has a red line over it. The render is creating a "preview" file which WILL play smoothly - otherwise PrEl plays video jerky, too.

[happydog]

I wanted to come back and say thank you to everyone for the suggestions and post my solution for anyone with the same problem who finds this thread in a future search.

I had tried a free trial from AVS Video Converter and found it worked great except it added their logo in the middle of the video. To get it off you have to register it for $29. I finally got tired of "trying" different free things, so I bought the registered version and it worked flawlessly.

I checked the Canon website and it states that I own the ultimate camcorder for dummies - "The DVD video format is designed for direct playback rather than uploading to a computer for editing. Various third party software applications are available to assist in uploading your videos to your computer's hard drive for playback, but most video editing software packages do not currently have the ability to edit these files. If you wish to attempt to edit your DVD movies using your computer we suggest consulting with your software vendor.."

What the hell kind of useless piece of carp is that! You'd get more use out of it for target practice or opening coconuts with it.

[Steve Grisetti]

I'm actually surprised (and a bit impressed) that a camcorder manufacturer would admit that!

[RJ Johnston]

What I'm wondering is what the results would be if you add VOB's to PE, don't edit them, but just export to DV-AVI. If fact, you don't even need to add them to the timeline. You can export a file in the media bin to another available format. You could turn a non-editable MPEG into an editable MPEG, like the editable MPEGs in the HDV projects where the GOP structure is IPPIPPIPP (i believe), which they call "I-frame only."