Best way to create an excerpt from a DVD?

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Best way to create an excerpt from a DVD?

And the best way to embed it in a webpage?

directrix

2:53 pm on Apr 7, 2008 (gmt 0)

I'm doing some work for a friend who runs a small business. She has a short DVD of testimonials, and would like to excerpt one or two of them to place on her website. This prompts two questions:

(a) How do you create an excerpt from a DVD? Are there free tools to do this, or will it require commercial software? The DVD contains files with extensions .BUP, .IFO, and .VOB, if that is relevant.

(b) How best to embed the excerpts in a webpage? From recent comments here, it seems Flash is the best way to go?

rocknbil

4:06 pm on Apr 7, 2008 (gmt 0)

Look for VOB2MPG, which converts the files to an mpg.

Edit the mpg for the clips you want.

Use Adobe's encoder or Flash itself to encode the mpgs to .flv.

Create your Flash player, or link to them with a free Flash player.

Add the Flash to pages.

Upload, latte (or beer.)

thecoalman

5:11 am on Apr 8, 2008 (gmt 0)

The .vob file is just a glorified .mpg. In some cases you can just rename it .mpg and play it however the correct procedure is as Rocknbil suggested. The vob file also contains extra data specific to the DVD which may interfere with some programs for playback and editing. You can also use the infamous DVD Decrypter to do this if you can find a copy. Actually a much better tool for the job because you can rip specific portions of the DVD. last time i used vob2mpg it just ripped the entire disc into one video.

You may also want to look into using a MPEG editor for editing before encoding. MPEG can be somewhat troublesome to edit especially with the wrong tools. One free tool is called cuttermaran but this only does simple cuts, other good tools for editing MPG include Womble any Ulead editor and the TMPGenc line of products.

I'd also research deinterlacing if you really want to make it look good. If you have ever seen video clips that have those horizontal lines, especially during fast motion that is because they didn't deinterlace the video. thsi should really be done to any video you intend to distribute via the web intended for playback in embedded content.