I just purchased Studio Plus 12. I have a DVD that has one title, about 20 chapters inside the title, and a menu with just the one title. The DVD was created by my stand-alone Toshiba DVD-writer (connected to my TV). Studio Plus 12 reads the DVD as one title (and does not show/import the chapters). However, I have an evaluation copy of Ulead DVD MovieMaker and its import function shows the title and all the chapters as expected (and allows me to import one, several or all the chapters)

 Why can't Studio do the same?

 Vaughn Seward

I believe this is being discussed on this thread also.

So the DVD movies that are created in Studio 9 are read by Studio 12 with different chapters? Do you still have Studio 9? Can you do a simple movie using the photoshoot file, create one Menu with 4 chapters? Import the created DVD in Studio 9 and Studio 12.

 

 

I do not have Studio 9, I have only just purchased Studio 12.

NOTE: If any DVD player can see the chapters in a non-copy protected DVD, why can't Studio see them and allow their import. That is my point.

Just wanted to get some clarification. When you try to import the title that Studio 12 finds, are you missing several parts of it? Does it import the whole title with all of scenes in it?

It imports the whole title and does not give me a chance to pick-and-choose chapters that I know exist. I assume the whole title is there, I have not played through it all (it is 2 hours long) to see if there is anything that is missing.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this yet?

Thanks,

Vaughn

My thoughts:

Studio doesn't do this.  Period.

It's been requested before -- all the way back to the first iteration of DVD import.  And as of yet, as you know, it hasn't been addressed.

This is "the way it's supposed to work", according to Pinnacle.  So -- we can either use it the way it is, or go through some other means.

Way back in the S8 days, I started using MEncoder/MPlayer to "rip" my discs, and added logic to a small batch file that I'd written to allow for a single chapter to be selected.  And nowadays, as there are (demonstrably) quite a few discs out there -- many made with S9 and S10, apparently -- that Studio 12 will refuse to import, I still find my "MPlayer method" of disc import to be helpful from time to time.  Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the most recent post that I'd placed on this board to give the particulars of how I accomplish this has been removed?

And other solutions exist as well.  But don't expect Pinnacle to change S12 to do chapter-based selection...they do title-based selection, and that's that.

Anyhow -- that's what I think.

BittMann

The "mencoder method" of extracting video from Studio-burned DVDs:

 

1)  Download the Windows MPlayer package (just Windows Mplayer -- you don't need the Windows GUI for this) from MPlayer Headquarters...go to the archive downloads link and download MPlayer-mingw32-1.0rc2.zip, and unzip the resulting file onto your C:\ drive.  I suggest that you rename the newly created directory as "C:\mplayer", so that MPlayer.exe can be invoked as "C:\mplayer\mplayer.exe".

2)  Right-click upon and download this small batchfile:  getdvd.bat and place it in the C:\mplayer directory that you just created.  (In other words, put it in the same directory as the MPlayer.exe file)

The install (such that it is) is now done.

To extract a chapter from your disc,  open "my computer", browse the C:\ drive, open the mplayer folder, and double-click on getdvd.bat.

You'll be asked for your DVD drive letter, which title you wish to extract, if you wish to extract chapters and if so, which chapters to extract -- you'll see a preview of what you selected (close the preview window to exit), then you'll be allowed to actually start the extraction.  You'll give a filename (make sure the name ends in ".mpg"!), and then your video will be extracted.

This method doesn't re-encode the video at all -- it's kept unchanged.  It does re-encode the audio into MPEG audio, which means that the extracted files are compatible with all versions of Studio back to Studio 8.

It's low-tech (an ugly batchfile), but it does seem to work.  It's good enough for me, anyhow.

BittMann

bittmann:

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the most recent post that I'd placed on this board to give the particulars of how I accomplish this has been removed?

I'm keeping an eye on this one, Bitt. Pinned this thread as well.

Thanks for the info and the tips.

I am totally puzzled that Pinnacle would have this policy. If a regular dumb DVD player can read the chapters then what's the problem? Especially if their own software writes them... ??!!!

I look forward to a reply from Pinnacle themselves.

Vaughn Seward

Any "official" answer to this yet?

Thanks,

Vaughn

bittmann:

The "mencoder method" of extracting video from Studio-burned DVDs:

Bittmann, I've copied your complete instructions and downloaded the components. I think I will give this a try.

I probably won't be able to give you an update until next year.

towbar:

 I probably won't be able to give you an update until next year.

And the new year it is !

The mencoder method worked real well for me. Thanks Bittmann, didn't want to leave this hanging.