Video editing???

[Magic.]

OK so I have about 5 video files in .IFO format that I need to put together and edit / convert to played on DVD players / laptops etc.
My dad filmed a drama show I was in and put it on DVD, however the bits are for some reason in the wrong order, and I haven't found an editor that can deal with .IFO files.
I have just found that VLC media player will play the files on my laptop, but I'm trying to make copies for my fellow cast members ...
Can anybody help?? This means a lot to me and the rest of the cast, as for most of us was the last performanece with the company, and it was my first big role

[Digilodger]

Originally Posted by Magic.

OK so I have about 5 video files in .IFO format that I need to put together and edit / convert to played on DVD players / laptops etc.
My dad filmed a drama show I was in and put it on DVD, however the bits are for some reason in the wrong order, and I haven't found an editor that can deal with .IFO files.
I have just found that VLC media player will play the files on my laptop, but I'm trying to make copies for my fellow cast members ...
Can anybody help?? This means a lot to me and the rest of the cast, as for most of us was the last performanece with the company, and it was my first big role

Hmm, I don't understand your question.

You cannot play an IFO file. IFO files are supposed to only contain information associated with the video, including but not limited to info on navigation control, subs, etc. It's Video Manager Info File. The actual video are supposed to be in VOB or VRO files.

In some players, when you open the IFO file, it would automatically start the VOB file, too; so you would see the video. But you cannot play the IFO file alone by itself because it only contain management info on the video; it does not contain the actual video.

[Magic.]

Ahh OK, I just checked, there are also VOB files in the folder ... so change of question to does anyone know a program that can edit VOB files? And is able to convert them to put onto DVDs and then play on DVD players / computers?

Thanks for explaining that Rod

[Digilodger]

Originally Posted by Magic.

Ahh OK, I just checked, there are also VOB files in the folder ... so change of question to does anyone know a program that can edit VOB files? And is able to convert them to put onto DVDs and then play on DVD players / computers?

Thanks for explaining that Rod

I would suggest transcoding it first, rather than editing it as VOB.

Editing a VOB is very tricky. Transcoding the best approach, as far as I know. Even if you purchase some high-end NLE (Non-Linear Editor) and try to edit it as VOB, the editor would still attempt to rip the MPEG-2 from the VOB and deal with that.

If transcode is not an option (for whatever reason), you can also try demuxing and remuxing it. But that would take a while to learn. Transcoding is much easier.


--------------------------

So again, first, transcode it with your favorite program.

If you don't have one, I recommend HandBrake. It's open-source, GPL-licensed, and multiplatform; that means it's free and it works on Windows, Linux, and Mac. One downside is that unless you have a graphic driver that supports Open GL, Handbrake can be a little slow. However, the quality of the transcoded video is really good. Handbreak supports MP4 and MKV output formats; it used to support AVI, too, but now it no longer support output in AVI (input still works fine, though).


Once transcoded, you can use your favorite video editor, like Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, AvideMux, etc., to edit it.

If you do not have a favorite video editor, then I recommend Lightworks. This is arguably the best free yet professional video editor as of now. It is an open source software that has previously been used in the making of well-known movies like Shutter Island, Centurion, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Mission Impossible, etc.

[Magic.]

Thanks!!! Can I transcode it using my computer as is? Or do I need an extra program??

[Digilodger]

Originally Posted by Magic.

Thanks!!! Can I transcode it using my computer as is? Or do I need an extra program??

What do you mean by "as is"? And I just edited the previous post. So that might help.


If by as is, you mean "copying the DVD to your hard disk as it is." Then no, that's not transcoding; that is called ripping.

Transcoding means "copying the DVD to your hard disk while changing it to a different format."

[Magic.]

I meant as my computer is, like would there be a program already installed that could do it, but your edit cleared that up!
Can I transcode if I no longer have the DVD? As all the files are now on my computer?

[Digilodger]

Originally Posted by Magic.

Can I transcode if I no longer have the DVD? As all the files are now on my computer?

That's even better! On Handbreak's GUI, go to Source ---> Folder ---> and locate the folder containing the files you want to transcode.