Problems ripping VCD's

ThaiJan · Feb 8, 2003

Due to the fact that even original VCD’s quite often contain distorted parts, I have made it a habit not to make backup copy directly, but first rip them with TMPGEnc, fix problems in the MPEG-1 file, and then burn a new VCD.
But lately I have encountered a problem doing that with new releases, because TMPGEnc cannot open/recognize the Music01.dat/Avseq01.dat file on the VCD.
I can still copy the VCD using NTI or Nero, but if I first make an image file and then want to burn a VCD using the image file, both progs inform that the content of the file isn’t compatible with VCD format (MPEG-1).
Also, if I try to copy the whole file (Music01.dat/Avseq01.dat) to HD, all I get is error messages.
Am not sure, but trying to find out what the problem can be, I think I came across that files on the VCD’s I can rip are in blocks of 2048, while the new ones I can’t are 2352.
Anybody came across this problem? Are new VCD’s in a new format? Can any progs rip and convert those VCD’s to MPEG-1?
Thanks in advance for any feedback.

stimpleton · Feb 8, 2003

i would create an image file using cloneCD or alcohol, these create an exact image and should burn them back as a 1:1 duplicate, no need to rip first

ThaiJan · Feb 8, 2003

Thanks "stimpleton", but that is exactly what I don't want, a 1:1 copy. Need to rip it to be able to fix distorted parts on the originals. To copy the VCD is only to copy the problem. (Where I'm located original VCD's are damm cheap, but also very bad made. 50% contain distorted areas, and many stop playback on VCD players due to this. That's why I often repair the file and then burn a copy).
But thanks for your reaction to my post anyhow.

Fox Mulder · Feb 9, 2003

I know exactly what you mean, ThaiJan; that's why I always used VCDGear to do that.
http://www.vcdgear.com/

ChickenMan · Feb 9, 2003

For 99% of the time I use ISOBUSTER ( www.isobuster.com ) to copy the *.dat file to HD as an *.mpg ( right click and select "Extract but copy only M2F2 mpeg frames"). If on the odd occassion that doesnt work, I then use Wombles MPEG2VCD as its able to demux a *.dat file directly from CD to HD. Then re-mux it to mpg file. Either of those 2 always works for me. I find VCDGear does not always work and has stuffed the mpg file rather than fix it on extraction.

ThaiJan · Feb 9, 2003

Thanks guys

Thanks to both of you. Are going to try IsoBuster first. (Just found that prog yesterday, and I already love it

)
But still a question: What has been changed on the new VCD's? Is it a new format or what?

ChickenMan · Feb 10, 2003

Sounds like the original producer of the VCD has been playing with things a bit to try and curb pirating of their product. For VCD's there is no known copy protection at this point of time. But I'm sure a fiddle with TOC, etc could help slow a few people up.

ThaiJan · Feb 10, 2003

ChickenMan said:
......But I'm sure a fiddle with TOC, etc could help slow a few people up.

- yeah, like me for example

. Well, thanks to you and this great forum it didn't last long though