WOW -- Vegas auto-merged .VOB files opening the 1st one! EZ DVD Import

RedRob-CandlelightProdctns wrote on 5/21/2023, 6:30 PM

Working with old DVD media, I was trying to load into the timeline. I started by "import DVD media" in Vegas -- it worked but broke it into about two dozen small clips with tiny blips between them.

I started going down the "merge the .VOB files" route with FFMPEG and in the process tested dragging the .VOB files into Vegas directly. Was confused at first that the VTS_01_1 file was the full length of the show, and then there were still the VTS_01_2, _3 and _4 files that seemed to duplicate content.

And then I realized... Vegas was smart enough to realize the _2, _3 and _4 files were continuations of the _1 file and auto-merged them on the timeline! Looking at Project Media it shows the _1 clip having the length of _1+_2+_3+_4, while still showing the original _1 file size. It's a bit confusing to see, but I'm happy in the end with how it was handled.

Sharing this info here in case anyone else runs into similar need to import DVDs still.

Comments

Ecquillii wrote on 5/21/2023, 7:28 PM

Not sure if this is relevant to you, but here is an earlier discussion with a recommendation about using the DVD IFO file: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/how-to-use-vob-files-from-dvd-in-vegas-pro-17--122854/

[Changed to correct link.]

RedRob-CandlelightProdctns wrote on 5/21/2023, 8:34 PM

Not sure if this is relevant to you, but here is an earlier discussion with a recommendation about using the DVD IFO file: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/wow-vegas-auto-merged-vts-files-opening-the-1st-one-ez-dvd-import--141055/

@Ecquillii I did a search before posting and do recall seeing a post that mentioned the IFO... I didn't use the IFO just added the .VOB and discovered this.

BTW -- that link you included above... it's a link to this thread, not the one I think you meant to reference ;-)

jetdv wrote on 5/22/2023, 7:15 AM

@RedRob-CandlelightProdctns, you want to use the IFO file. That will properly link all related VOB files for you with no gaps like you originally saw. There may be several IFO files so you may have to locate the correct one to use. But I'd recommend always using the IFO file instead of the individual VOB files.

RedRob-CandlelightProdctns wrote on 5/23/2023, 9:36 PM

Hey @jetdv! Since adding the first .VOB into the timeline automatically dropped in in as a full-length video that had the content from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th VOB too (in the timeline it looks like one media event), I think that is the identical effect that the IFO would have, yes? If not, what will using the IFO add?

Again -- the first .VOB is appearing in the timeline like a single, video much longer in length than just the actual .VOB file is -- no gaps -- Vegas seems to be looking at it as the full, merged, video.

jetdv wrote on 5/24/2023, 7:26 AM

In my experience, if the video required multiple VOB files, adding each VOB individually resulted in a slight "gap" between the files and each VOB file is a separate event on the timeline. Adding the IFO file creates a single event even if multiple VOB files were involved and there was no "gap" anymore.

rraud wrote on 5/24/2023, 9:15 AM

In my experience, if the video required multiple VOB files, adding each VOB individually resulted in a slight "gap" between the files

Same here,
I noticed this many years ago when a client was putting media on video DVDs that needed work. I came across the process using the IFO file. As I recall, the method was named after someone.

RedRob-CandlelightProdctns wrote on 5/24/2023, 9:23 AM

@rraud @jetdv same here regarding the gaps... happily surprised adding the 1st vob is behaving as if I added the IFO now!

EricLNZ wrote on 5/24/2023, 6:10 PM

Using the ".ifo" file to seamlessly import a video that's broken into several ".vob"s has cropped up on this forum several times over the years.

RedRob-CandlelightProdctns wrote on 5/24/2023, 6:18 PM

Using the ".ifo" file to seamlessly import a video that's broken into several ".vob"s has cropped up on this forum several times over the years.

"cropping up" .. is that like scaling up, but differently?

Hmm.. probably more like harvests starting to pop up their heads as the seasons turn. And a different scale ;-)

mark-y wrote on 5/24/2023, 7:11 PM

EricLNZ wrote on 5/24/2023, 7:39 PM

"cropping up" .. is that like scaling up, but differently?

No, in the context used it means appeared.