MiniDVD – the new format for the “financially challenged”

 

How To Make MiniDVD disc (updated Oct. 2nd, 1999).

(thanks goes to the friends who mailed me for test results, Blight, b27, Dracore, tom^jerry, n0mad, dubnium, mdx, Kakz-youknowwhoyouareJ , Max10, PowerKiller and all of the nice dwellers of #pcdvd – the source of all things PCDVD)

Latest news:

The preliminary article is still available below, after this update ;)

First of all, I want to do some advertising :). I LOVE MY MITSUMI CDRW :). Its cool its hot and its nasteeeehhhh... As soon as i got that writer last week, it put me back on track with this miniDVD project. The result? Yes, there will be releases coming to ftps near you.

But with this come along a long process of testing, burning, failures, and eventually SUCCESS.

Here goes the update:

For people who owns DXR2 card and want to watch miniDVD on their tv-sets via an svideo cable connected to their pcs:

  1. You have to DOWNGRADE your driver and frontend apps for your Encore Creative DXR2. Why? It seemed to me that Creative is not supporting what they use to be able to do. And after some search to find old drivers, I found that Creative DXR2 used TO DO WONDERS!!! For example, DXR2 was ONCE capable of EMULATING a video_ts directory in your Harddrive! So, in other word, it reads a video_ts.ifo file. This is something they DO NOT SUPPORT ANYMORE with their latest/updated driver :( The particular driver for DXR2 capable of reading a video_ts.ifo OR a video_ts directory is DVDER0.exe -- still available at www.creativelabs.com. But, I also has to mention that this driver version really SUCKS BIG TIME in terms of MONITOR DISPLAY!!!
  2. One step upgrading from DVDER0.exe to DVDER1.exe, you will get a much nicer MONITOR DISPLAY, BUT with the price of losing the capacity of being able to read video_ts directory and/or video_ts.ifo :(
  3. Later version CANNOT read the miniDVD I made :(. So, DXR2 owners, you be the judge for this yerself.

Software DVD Players I tested:

  1. WinDVD v. 1.2.45, v. 1.2.75, v. 1.2.85, and then upgrade to 1.2.97

WinDVD seems to be able to handle miniDVD without problem. Even in a laptop with only CDROM and NOT DVDROM drive(s). And as for the authoring process, there is a way to trick winDVD to be able to play a video_ts directory (not by reading the video_ts.ifo, BUT by reading your HD AS a DVD-VIDEO DISC!). Here's how you do it (thanks to BOUNCY for "teaching me this workaround":

  1. QI Cinemaster 1.6 with various engines (I tested 28, 29 and Beta 32)
  2. ATI Software player 3.1
  3. Xing DVD player 2.03
  4. Win98 DVDPlay
  5. AsusDVD (of course, as WinDVD plays them miniDVD)
  6. Varo DVD (the trial and the patch --- THE BEST SOFTWARE FOR DISPLAYING miniDVD on Monitor, IMHO)

I have reports that H+ plays the disc nicely too :)

AS FOR POWERDVD, IT WONT PLAY miniDVD :(. I went down to v. 1.5, and it still wont recognize the disc. It seems that PowerDVD check the media type :( in which case, a CDR/CDRW wont get read as DVD-VIdeo DISC :(((

AUTHORING:

I found a lot of interesting facts, good and bad, on this issue. First the bad news. CDMOTION6 won't create a miniDVD that is readable by DXR2 (even with DVDER0.exe). Burning Video_ts directory from your title created by BOTH CDMOTION6 and Scenarist WILL NOT, I repeat, WILL NOT create a miniDVD that is READABLE by DXR2. The reason being is that somehow you HAVE to put certain files in a PHYSICALLY CORECT ORDER in the CDR. Burning Video_ts directory won't achieve this. Even when you make a DVD image file with forDVD, somehow it won't achieve the DXR2-Readable-miniDVD. BUT, MOST, if not all, of the Software DVD player i listed above WILL READ YOUR miniDVD created by burning Video_ts directory.

As for a DXR2-READABLE-miniDVD, I achieve this by burning a .dvd IMAGE file created by Scenarist. So, its like burning an ISO :). The process for DXR2-READABLE-miniDVD is described below:

BURNING:

  1. Correctly author your miniDVD with Scenarist NT
  2. In the final stage, create a DVD-VIDEO files (video_ts directory) AND a .dvd image file. Reason being is, you want to test your authored project first, BEFORE YOU BURN IT :). As described above in WinDVD section, you can use WinDVD to SIMULATE/EMULATE a DVD playback from your video_ts in Harddrive. You can also use DXR2 with DVDER0.exe driver/apps, QI Cinemaster (and consequently -- ATI player), win98DVDPlay, and XIng 2.03 for Harddrive EMULATION.
  3. Now, when all is well, you burn the .dvd image file with Nero 4.
  4. Load Nero 4, and choose BURN IMAGE in the FILE pulldown menu
  5. Burn the .dvd image as FOREIGN FORMAT, and use MODE-1 2048, and and all setting as default/no change.
  6. The finished product is DXR2-READABLE-miniDVD -- a DVD Video Disc in your CDR :)
  7. All software DVD Players I tested above also PLAY miniDVD created by this process.

Important Notes:

I have been testing WinOnCD Power Edition to burn Video_ts directory made by both CDMotion6 and Scenarist. I burn with Packet CD UDF format, Normal ISO format, Pure UDF and UDF/ISO. QI Cinemaster can read it as miniDVD, Xing, Win98DVDPlay, Varo DVD, and ATI player read them. WinDVD SOMETIMES READ IT, SOMETIMES DON'T.

So, target playback will determine how far would you go with this miniDVD creation. CDMOTION6 is much more easier to learn, but will not give maximum DVD compatibility. Scenarist IS A BITCH, but if you can tame her, she'll turn out a PRINCESS :)

Now, to ease up things, I will be putting series of IMAGE files (each approx. 640MB) for you to download and burn with the process above. NO.. I WILL NOT MAKE FULL MOVIE. IT's IMPOSSIBLE, .. IT IS PIRACY, and IT's AGAINST THE LAW. The releases will be trailers, and coming up is dolby trailers, thx trailers and SWSE trailers (eps. 4,5,6) miniDVD(s).

end of Update for Oct. 2, 1999. Thanks to Dracore, Freezy3k, the_n0mad, mdx, b27 and all you guys #pcdvd dwellers :)

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UPDATED Sept. 10, 1999

Guys, now that we have a working ripper that rips from A to Z, and allow us to make ANY video/media format of our choosing from it, I will try to push this a little further.

For those who ripped dvd to mpeg1 or .asf, don't bother reading this writing. This writing is purely intended to those who want to maintain the high quality mpeg2 files that they rip with DVDRip.

In short, with a 650MB capacity of a CDR/CDRW, we HAVE the possibility to make our OWN DVD, or to put it more eye-catching, MiniDVD disc.

1. What the hell is miniDVD?

MiniDVD refers to a "supposedly" DVD-VIDEO content written on CDR/CDRW. This MiniDVD is readable AS DVD-VIDEO DISC by your PC-DVD PLAYER (hardware/software) AND certain Standalone DVD player(s).

So, now, you CAN make your own kinky DVD MENU. Now this would push your artistic creativity, don’t you think?

2. Is this only Theoretical? Are there any documents backing this theory up?

Yes, here are the links to get more info:

http://www.heuris.com/MPEG/MPEG%20Information/dvd%20faq.html

#Can I use a CD-ROM as a short-length DVD-VIDEO disk?

I quote:

What files and folder structure define a DVD-VIDEO disk?

The basic element that distinguishes as DVD-VIDEO file structure is the presence of the VIDEO_TS folder (similarly, the distinguishing element of those yet-to-be-released DVD-AUDIO disks will be the presence of the AUDIO_TS folder). The VIDEO_TS folder is the first thing that a DVD-VIDEO set-top box will look for when the disk is inserted. The VIDEO_TS folder contains the .IFO files that describe the functionality of the DVD-VIDEO title and the .VOB files that contain the actual video content.

 

Can I use a CD-ROM as a short-length DVD-VIDEO disk?

Theoretically - but we have not tested this, yet. BUT NOW WE HAVE J

Many second-generation DVD-VIDEO set-top boxes are able to read a CD-ROM disk. That means that you can create a DVD disk image using a DVD authoring system. You can then use a product like Toast DVD from Adaptec to burn a CD-R disk that uses the UDF disk format that is used by DVDs. A second-generation DVD-VIDEO player should be able to read the UDF-formatted CD-R and will recognize the disk as a valid DVD-VIDEO disk. One thing to remember, though, is that a CD-R can hold only 650 MB, which translates to perhaps 15 minutes of content. This makes this method suitable only for short clips.

Robshot’s note: Unfortunately, this is not 100% true. NOT MANY second generations of DVD-VIDEO set-top boxes can play miniDVD. This is confirmed by the Great Jim Taylor’s DVD FAQ.

http://www.videodiscovery.com/vdyweb/dvd/dvdfaq.html

#5.7

I quote:

[5.7] Can I put DVD-Video content on a CD-R or CD-RW?

[Note: This section refers to creating original DVD-Video content, not copying from DVD to CD. The latter is impractical, since it takes 7 to 14 CDs to hold one side of a DVD. Also, most DVD movies are encrypted so that the files can't be copied.]

Obviously there are advantages to recording a DVD-Video volume on inexpensive recordable CD rather than expensive recordable DVD. It would be perfect for testing and for short video programs. Unfortunately, you can put DVD-Video files on CD-R or CD-RW media but you'll have a hard time finding a player that can play the disc. The Philips DVD170 industrial player seems to be the only player that can play DVD-Video content from CD-R and CD-RW discs. The Pioneer DVD-V7200 industrial player can play DVD-Video from CD-RW, but not CD-R. In all cases, the disc must be formatted with the UDF file system in accordance with the DVD-Video spec.

Computers are more forgiving. DVD-Video files on CD-R or CD-RW, with or without UDF, will play back on any DVD-ROM PC as long as the drive can read recordable media (all but early models can).

An alternative is to put Video CD content on CD-R or CD-RW media for playback in a DVD player. Players that are Video CD capable and can read recordable media will be able to play such discs. The limitations of Video CD apply (MPEG-1 video and audio, 1.152 Mbps, 74 minutes of playing time). All DVD-ROM PCs able to read recordable CD media can play recorded Video CD discs.

Robshot’s note: Now, with all due respect to Jim Taylor, I say that there IS another Alternative. It is to make a ? D1 mpeg2 video stream. THIS WOULD ALLOW storing from 40 – 50 minutes of VOB with AC3 sound to the CDR/CDRW. A detail for a creation of such ? D1 vob has been written by b27. I put the article below, and added some “additional details” by his permission.

So, the possibilities are endless. MiniDVD is the suitable for the following projects:

  1. Your Family Video Recording, made as half D1 DVD specs of 352x480 or 576, would fit approx. 25-30 mins on your MiniDVD, or at 1/4 D1 (SIF), at approx. 40 – 50 mins.
  2. Your TRAILER COLLECTION miniDVD :)
  3. Mebbe 7 to 8 CDROM of the whole movie, but who wants to do this anyway :)
  4. Any other use you can think of.

 

3. So, HOW?

First, the requirements

  1. AN UDF CAPABLE CDROM WRITER or CDRWOM REWRITER. This is a MUST. Forget it if you don't have it. You can check compatibility or capability of your CDR/CDRW with UDF writing, at www.cequadrat.com and www.adaptec.com
  2. AN UDF CAPABLE CDR/CDRW BURNING/WRITING SOFTWARE. Nero, WinOnCD PowerEdition, both offers UDF format writing.
  3. A DVD AUTHORING SOFTARE: Scenarist NT, Streamweaver and later revised as CDMOTION6 are some of the options.
  4. A DVD DISC IMAGE CREATOR, such as ForDVD
  5. THE MATERIAL VIDEO/AUDIO along with their accompanying SOFTWARE UTILITIES (this is the widest range of utils you might or might not need).

THE PROCESS:

  1. You have 2 options for starting this:

You will need a capture card to capture your video and audio footage into an .avi format. You can capture at 720x480/576, 640x480, or 352x240/288. Make sure no frame drop. Then, you will need to convert the VIDEO ONLY of the avi to an mpeg2 format (m2v/mpv) using available avi->mpeg2 video converter. My Encoding article covers this subject. You will also need to convert your .wav to .ac3 OR mpa/mp2 audio file to later multiplex them with your video only files (at the later stage of AUTHORING).

You either get an .avi file, and get the audio file, and continue as the steps for original home video, OR, with DVDRip, you get a .vob WHICH YOU NEED TO DEMUX/SEPARATE to video only and audio only.

When you have a .m2v and .ac3 files separately, you have the option of WHICH AUTHORING software you want to make your miniDVD. If you want to go with CDMOTION6, you need their accompanying STREAMWEAVER to remultiplex your separated files into a “CDMOTION6 READY VOB”. YOU CANNOT use your freshly-ripped .vob straight into CDMOTION6.

If you want to go with Scenarist NT, you are not needed to remultiplex your separate files. Scenarist NT will do the job while you author your miniDVD title.

  1. The Authoring Process:

Create a DVD-Video TITLE DISC. This process is for you to find out. No other document can help you, only the MANUALS of the Authoring software you use.

Scenarist, Streamweaver, CDMOTION6, they have the manuals. READ! Do some testing.. You can open a channel for it on EFNET. This is the most difficult task. You are on your own on this subject. Basically you want to make a menu, and a subpicture menu to make it available for button navigation assignment and interactivity. Confusing? Read the Manual J

3. Burning the title

There are mainly 2 ways of going further on this stage... Either use ProDVD to make the DISC image of your Video_ts directory created by The DVD Authoring program, OR JUST WRITE OFF THE VIDEOTS DIRECTORY USING either ISO, UDF/ISO or pure UDF FORMAT with NERO.

A note from a successful author:

I used the HP 8100 CD Writer Plus. Contents created with Scenarist NT v1.2 (ifo/bup/vob and disk image).

Masterization programs:

  1. Adaptec Easy CD deluxe write the DVD disk image using Mode 2 XA
  2. Nero write the IFO, BUP, VOB files and correct directory structures (Video_ts and Audio_ts as root) utilizing the built-in pure UDF formatting support of Nero
  3. Nero write the DVD disk image using Mode 2 XA (2048 bytes per sector). CDRs created in either way do play on a DVD-ROM as a video DVD, but not on a standalone.

 

I will add more tips when some tests have been done again

As I have mentioned earlier, to push this process further, you can make the ? D1 miniDVD and have a 40-50mins of mpeg2 ? D1 quality WITH .AC3 files from your ripped DVDs. Here I present the “b27 document”

 

 

 

The new vcd’s – Mini DVD

  1. Note that the steps below are for NTSC. PAL would need a slightly changed fps than the explanation below – 25fps.
  2. First step is to rip the dvd – using dvdrip you should rip around 45-50 minutes of video and audio in 1 vob file (no separate files).
  3. Then you use vobtool (by our own Dracore) to fix the vob and split it into files if needed
  4. Use vobsnoopy by cdmotion to separate the m2v and ac3 files from the vob creaed by vobtool
  5. Using mpeg2avi command line – mpeg2avi –b d:\*.m2v f –2 –1 352 240 –o7 *.avi. Choosing 23.976 as frame rate and picvideo mjpg codec at maximum quality – you make a great avi from the mpeg2 file
  6. using lsx mpeg encoder you make a new mpeg2 file from the avi you just made changing the fps to 29.97 and choosing in advance option to keep the same time. You can also try Heuris mpeg2 encoder, digigami, or even the freely distributed BBMPEG (a nice result with this one J ).
  7. using streamweaver multiplex by cdmotion you multiplex the new m2v file and the ac3 file to 1 vob with ifo created also by the program
  8. after doing the same for all the files you want you go to the next step which is dvd Authoring
  9. using cdmotion6 pro you create a new project
  10. than if you want a menu you can create one but it’s not really necessary
  11. the you insert the vob inside the dvd video track also giving it a pic to show
  12. than in the edit applets you can choose what will each button do and what to do in the end of the track (jump to the next one , back to the menu …)
  13. after doing so for all the tracks you go to the grey area and pushing the right mouse button you choose to compile it
  14. if everything is done well it will create you a video_ts directory with a dvd inside
  15. you can test if it’s working properly with xingdvd moving the video_ts folder to the root of the drive and the playing it with xing
  16. if everything gone well till now you are ready to burn
  17. the first way is to burn the VIDEO_TS directory with nero using udf format
  18. second choice is making a dvd image with for-dvd by cdmotion and burning the image with nero choosing iso format

If you’ve done everything correctly, you should now have your MiniDVD with video better than any vcd and dolby digital sound – what more can u ask for?

thanx to robshot for all the help

b27

Well, that sums up the miniDVD document. Do some tests, and expect failures J .

Regards, Robshot