Is there an all-in-one file for DVDs?

DataMeister wrote on 9/23/2006, 8:16 AM
Does anyone here know if there is such a file container that provides all the features of a DVD in a single file?

The goal would be to have a clean way to download the DVD on the internet and a cleaner way for archiving the whole disc on a network while still retaining playback and the full structure of menus, extra content, etct.

Prefereable it would allow for HD compression codecs like the H.264 or VC-1.

I don't guess direct DVD player compatibility is crucial as long as it can be stripped from the container and then burned directly to either a DVD or HD-DVD or Blueray disc.

Comments

p@mast3rs wrote on 9/23/2006, 8:32 AM
Actually when MS released WM Encoder 9, I sent in a suggestion recommending them to develop a way to include menus, multiple audio tracks, extras, and yes, even DRM to be bundled in one wmv file which would make distribution much easier to the masses especially online distro.

The response I got back was that and I quote, "Thats the dumbest F'n idea we at MS have ever heard of and it is impossible to pull off."

I replied to them earlier this year and said that Divx Networks managed to do it....is it still impossible?" No response from them.
Former user wrote on 9/23/2006, 8:34 AM
Using a Disk Image is kind of like what you are asking.

Dave T2
p@mast3rs wrote on 9/23/2006, 8:38 AM
Not really, a disk image is just that, an image of all the contents on a disk. If I understand him correctly, he wants one file that has menus, video, audio etc... in one file..like .mp4 or .wmv. See what I mean?
ScottW wrote on 9/23/2006, 9:35 AM
A disk image is just a file. You download it and then use something like Daemon Tools to mount the file as if it was a DVD drive.
Former user wrote on 9/23/2006, 10:37 AM
Yeah, I see what he wants, but there is no such thing now. But a disk image can be treated as a single file.

Dave T2
Joe White wrote on 9/23/2006, 10:43 AM
VLC Media Player will play .ISO and .IMG files fine just like it was the DVD original with all menues and navigation. Added bonus is its free.
bStro wrote on 9/23/2006, 11:40 AM
He says he wants to be able to burn the file back to DVD and play it. Seems to me that a disk image is the way to go. And since there are apps that can also deal with the file's contents without even going to DVD, all's well.

The Divx-with-menus option looks interesting (I had not heard of it until now), but DVD players that support Divx is not a standard yet. We've got four DVD players in the house, and only one of them knows what a Divx file is (the others are name-brand and not much more than a year old). And I'm guesing we'd have to buy yet another one to play one of these "enhanced" Divx files?

Rob
DataMeister wrote on 9/23/2006, 12:25 PM
I don't suppose DVD Architect will render to one of these all in one methods, DivX or an ISO / IMG file?

Also as a side note, I got to thinking about this after Apple finaly got the movie download business rolling. I really can't imagine there being another disc standard after HD-DVD and Blueray become obsolete. So what we'll need is an easier way to transfer the entire menu/content system in a single file. And yet still have it served up to the home theater system over the network.

Sony probably couldn't pull it off since they have such a proprietary track record, but perhaps Apple or Microsoft should develop such a new movie format and make it a plubic standard everyone, unless the DivX format can get in the door with the iTunes or WMP stores. Which I kind of doubt.



bStro wrote on 9/23/2006, 12:49 PM
I don't suppose DVD Architect will render to one of these all in one methods, DivX or an ISO / IMG file?

DVDA3 will render to an ISO. I would assume DVDA4 will, too. Can't recall if DVDA2 would. Go to make your DVD and when it comes time to choose a burner, pick ISO Image Writer.

To the best of my knowledge, the "Divx method" can only be done using the "DivX Menu Web-based Creation Tool". It's not a DVD or even DVD files; it's just a suped up DivX video.

So what we'll need is an easier way to transfer the entire menu/content system in a single file.

I don't think it necessarily has to be contained in a single file -- just descried by a single file. A glorified playlist (by way of an XML file, probably) could keep track of what needs to be transfered and how it will be used in overall package, and the application / device could go ahead and grab the content itself. I could even see, then, the viewer getting to decide before the transfer which content they actually want.

Rob
kkolbo wrote on 9/23/2006, 2:02 PM
Why not just Zip the directories into a single file archive for network storage and transfer. Unzip them to view on HD or to burn to disc?

Was that too simple an idea?
TheHappyFriar wrote on 9/23/2006, 3:52 PM
a zip/iso/img is the easiest way. every computer in the world can read those, nearly no other software required (linux can read both with a default install on many distro's & xp can read zip).
rmack350 wrote on 9/23/2006, 4:05 PM
Save the DVD as a disc image and then find a program that can mount the disc image as a volume. It's probably the cleanest way to do it and can be done with existing software.

<Edit> Okay, I posted first and read the thread second. Yes, the ISO file is the most obvious method and handles the basics. It was good to see a player recommended.

Rob Mack
DataMeister wrote on 9/23/2006, 8:48 PM
Well the problem with a zip file is that you can't open them with a computer based DVD software like on a Windows Media Center PC.

Also, I haven't looked deeply enough into the network home theater components like the D-Link MediaLounge or the Roku PhotoBridge, but I wonder how they would handle ISO files.