@johnmeyer77 Hmm, well the VFAPI Converter I downloaded didn't come with an install application, it just came with an application that went straight into it, no install.
@Wrestlingfan414 What O/S are you using? VFAPIConv is a VERY old hack, and I am pretty sure it doesn't work with any 64-bit O/S, and probably doesn't work on Win7. I run it on Win XP Pro 32-bit.
You might want to read about an alternative "serving" approach, detailed in this thread 162006 at doom9.org (I can't seem to post a direct link here).
Did all this, however it wouldn't let me drag any of them onto the timeline using the explorer or importer in sony vegas. I'm using Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9. Any help?
The VFAPIConv program takes the d2v file information and converts it into a "fake" AVI file that can be loaded into most Windows program. When you click on the "Convert" button, this AVI "signpost" is created in less than one second. You should then be able to double-click on that AVI and play the original VOB or MPEG-2 file through the d2v-AVI chain. You can also load that AVI file into your editor. You MUST configure VFAPIConv (read the VFAPI install) for this to work.
Which version of Vegas are you using? Search in the Sony Forum under user name "johnmeyer" and type "drag drop" for the search term. The drag/drop functionality was diminished somewhere around Vegas 9. It worked fine in Vegas 8.
Hey I want to drag and drop files into the timeline that I've always used. Won't allow me all of a sudden. Did settings get changed some how? What do I do? Help:O(
winteresting wideo, I find that I can also just do the DGindex step and then just refer to the file produced in an anisynth script and mount the script and then use the file produced. just another way.
bye the way your method also works for people with premiere pro. I find premiere is very bad at opening mpg2 videos but usiing your method I can open them now.
@pr9nkaholic Yes, sometimes you can, depending on the VOB structure. However, many times the VOB will be truncated, or the audio will be out of sync or, if there are more than one VOB on the DVD, there will be a gap between the VOBs. This technique eliminates all those problems.
Good question. Go to about 0:25 into the video above (i.e., about 25 seconds into the video). Note that I talk about decoding the audio to WAV. You need to bring this into Vegas (or whatever editing program you use) and put that on an audio track under your video track. The AVI file you create and the WAV file should be identically the same length. Line them up, group them together (so they will move together), and you should have video and audio.
It doesn't work in Vegas pro 9. I do everything you said, and add both the wav and avi files to vegas. But the vegas doesn't allow you to drop the avi file into the time line. There is an icon with a red circle with the cross through it. It doesn't allow me to drag it in the time line. What should i do?
After you click on "Convert" in VFAPIConv, if you double-click on that AVI file in Windows Explorer, does it play? If it doesn't, then the problem is with Windows, not Vegas. It is possible that Vista or Windows 7 won't allow this old hack to work.
God I hate the people responsible for creating all these incompatible video formats and unnecessary complications. There should be a law to scrap all the current formats and force software/video companies to agree upon a single standardized format, with the only variables being HQ or low quality and the ratio.
Different file formats are required in order to solve different problems. Formats which are easy to edit compress each frame independently from surrounding frames. However, they produce VERY large files -- too big to fit on a disc or stream. Formats which produce small files only store the differences between most frames. These formats produce small files, but are difficult to edit. File size and quality are only two of the variables: there are many more. Thus, you have many formats.
Did you run the VFAPIConv installation program? I'll bet this is your problem.
The AVI file created by VFAPIConv is actually a "signpost" to the actual video which still resides in the MPEG-2 or VOB file (note how small the AVI file is). The VFAPIConv installation program copies files to the Windows folder that lets Windows (and Vegas) read this signpost as if it was really video. So, run the installation!
@johnmeyer77 It would appear as though you were correct. Vegas is now letting me edit the file. However, I'm now having trouble finding the WAV file. If the video is in one folder, shouldn't the output audio file be in the same one? Sorry if I sound like a complete dolt in asking these questions, but working with VOB files is very new to me.
The WAV file is created by DGIndex, NOT by VFAPIConv. In DGINdex, go to the Audio menu and make sure that the "Output Method" is set to "Decode AC3 track to WAV." Also, go to the next item in the audio menu, and make certain you have selected the correct track. You can only select ONE track. Press F5 to preview the video, and the preview dialog will provide info on each audio track. The WAV file will be created in the same folder as the d2v file.
@johnmeyer77 When I click on "Selects Track(s)", it doesn't give me a list of audio tracks like it does in your video. Instead, it gives me a search bar with the dialog "List desired audio id's separated by by commas". Should I just type in "Track 1"?
@johnmeyer77 I tried typing in "Track 1", as I asked if I should, and it still didn't work. The project file is still there, and the avi file is always created without a problem, but I can never find the wav file.
I just downloaded the latest version DGIndex and you are correct. What a stupid, backward step the author took in eliminating the simple checkmark dialog.
So, instead of selecting the track, what you need to do is press F5 and play the video for 2-3 seconds. Press Esc to stop the playback. During playback the "Information" dialog appears. This is where you will find the ID you need to use. You'll see something like: "80: AC3 3/2 448" The first two digits before the colon is the ID you use.
I don't think you read my previous post. You need to press F5, and then get the audio track code from the Information box. It most likely will be 80. I just tried this with this latest version of DGIndex and it works exactly like it always did. The WAV file is in the same folder as the d2v project file.
@johnmeyer77 Well, I finally got it to work, and I have to say, hell of a job well done. You have no idea what an important lesson this has been to me (as I'll have to work with .VOB files often in the future), and you've made it all the easier on me. I cannot thank you enough.
Glad it is working for you. Too bad the DGIndex author made that silly change in UI.
I think you will find that this makes a HUGE difference in handling VOB files in Vegas. It makes the timeline performance infinitely faster, and it also gets rid of the audio sync issues and gaps between VOB files. However, if you do end up with problems at VOB boundaries, use DVD Shrink or DVD Decrypter to copy the files from your DVD and tell them to create a single VOB file.
@johnmeyer77 I've already been using DVD Shrink, but thanks for the tip. My biggest problems with it before coming across your tutorial was that not only the video and audio was out of sync, but the video was sped up for some reason, which I suppose caused the audio to play at a different speed. Thanks again for your help.
Im about to try this for using windows 7, so I'll post if it works. Looks promising. Hopefull this fixes jagged motion blurs after rendering .mpg's in vegas. By the way, where did u get vfapiconv?
Most recent versions of Vegas, including Vegas Pro 8, can import MPEG-2 files. However, there are two problems: 1. Playback performance on the timeline is sluggish; 2. VOB files, which are much more complex than MPEG-2 files, often import with the audio truncated or out of sync, and sometimes the video breaks up during playback. This method of handling VOB and MPEG-2 files completely eliminates BOTH problems, and works in ANY version of Vegas.
I don't know what "VDownload" is. Nothing in this tutorial has anything to do with downloaded video. It is about editing VOB files. These VOB files are the "Video OBject" files found on DVDs. They are almost never posted on the Internet.
So, since I don't understand the question, I'm afraid I can't provide an answer.
There is no more video loss than if you put the MPEG-2 (or other) file directly on the Vegas timeline. All DGIndex and VFAPIConv do is "serve" the video into Vegas in a manner that Vegas can handle more easily. The video itself is not recompressed or altered in any way on its way into Vegas.
As for DGIndex, all you have to do is Google the name and you will immediately be taken to Donald Graft's site. He is the author of this excellent free tool, as well as many other useful video tools.
Also I tried playing the file, it won't play in ANY of my video players.
Wrestlingfan414 6 months ago
@Wrestlingfan414 Perhaps you didn't install the VFAPIConv handler correctly.
johnmeyer77 6 months ago
@johnmeyer77 Hmm, well the VFAPI Converter I downloaded didn't come with an install application, it just came with an application that went straight into it, no install.
Wrestlingfan414 6 months ago
@Wrestlingfan414 What O/S are you using? VFAPIConv is a VERY old hack, and I am pretty sure it doesn't work with any 64-bit O/S, and probably doesn't work on Win7. I run it on Win XP Pro 32-bit.
You might want to read about an alternative "serving" approach, detailed in this thread 162006 at doom9.org (I can't seem to post a direct link here).
johnmeyer77 6 months ago
@johnmeyer77 Windows 7, so I guess that's why. Never mind my comments, I've found a way to convert the files to avi and it's the same quality.
Thanks for replying.
Wrestlingfan414 6 months ago
Also I tried playing the file, it won't play in ANY of my vidoe players.
Wrestlingfan414 6 months ago
Did all this, however it wouldn't let me drag any of them onto the timeline using the explorer or importer in sony vegas. I'm using Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9. Any help?
Wrestlingfan414 6 months ago
this really helped a lot. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
mdelmundo 7 months ago
The VFAPIConv program takes the d2v file information and converts it into a "fake" AVI file that can be loaded into most Windows program. When you click on the "Convert" button, this AVI "signpost" is created in less than one second. You should then be able to double-click on that AVI and play the original VOB or MPEG-2 file through the d2v-AVI chain. You can also load that AVI file into your editor. You MUST configure VFAPIConv (read the VFAPI install) for this to work.
johnmeyer77 8 months ago
what do y do when you make it to where yo CONVERT and hit the button and "???????" you see that. i'm stumped.HELP!!!!!
Leg3ndKilla687 8 months ago
Which version of Vegas are you using? Search in the Sony Forum under user name "johnmeyer" and type "drag drop" for the search term. The drag/drop functionality was diminished somewhere around Vegas 9. It worked fine in Vegas 8.
johnmeyer77 9 months ago
Hey I want to drag and drop files into the timeline that I've always used. Won't allow me all of a sudden. Did settings get changed some how? What do I do? Help:O(
blacksheepgirl 9 months ago
winteresting wideo, I find that I can also just do the DGindex step and then just refer to the file produced in an anisynth script and mount the script and then use the file produced. just another way.
bye the way your method also works for people with premiere pro. I find premiere is very bad at opening mpg2 videos but usiing your method I can open them now.
elwoodetubes 11 months ago
I do, however, distinctively remember being able to import VOB directly into Vegas, many, many versions ago.
Hmmm..
pr9nkaholic 1 year ago
@pr9nkaholic Yes, sometimes you can, depending on the VOB structure. However, many times the VOB will be truncated, or the audio will be out of sync or, if there are more than one VOB on the DVD, there will be a gap between the VOBs. This technique eliminates all those problems.
johnmeyer77 1 year ago
@johnmeyer77 Oh, I just found out Vegas 8+, there's an import option now.
File >> Import >> DVD Camcorder Disc
Quality is pretty decent.
pr9nkaholic 1 year ago
Thanks BUD! Your tutorial is great. 5 Thumbs up.
pr9nkaholic 1 year ago
It is astounding that something as plentiful and common as a MPEG-2 file is so complicated to edit from a Handycam!
AmosPressley 1 year ago
sorry for sounding like a retard, but how do I play the video and audio? I can only get audio to work. I know, I sound stupid asking that. XD
lovedrreid1 1 year ago
@lovedrreid1
Good question. Go to about 0:25 into the video above (i.e., about 25 seconds into the video). Note that I talk about decoding the audio to WAV. You need to bring this into Vegas (or whatever editing program you use) and put that on an audio track under your video track. The AVI file you create and the WAV file should be identically the same length. Line them up, group them together (so they will move together), and you should have video and audio.
johnmeyer77 1 year ago
It doesn't work in Vegas pro 9. I do everything you said, and add both the wav and avi files to vegas. But the vegas doesn't allow you to drop the avi file into the time line. There is an icon with a red circle with the cross through it. It doesn't allow me to drag it in the time line. What should i do?
SpikeChaosBleeds 1 year ago
@SpikeChaosBleeds
After you click on "Convert" in VFAPIConv, if you double-click on that AVI file in Windows Explorer, does it play? If it doesn't, then the problem is with Windows, not Vegas. It is possible that Vista or Windows 7 won't allow this old hack to work.
johnmeyer77 1 year ago
Aha! Thanks you are THE man
dharty 1 year ago
God I hate the people responsible for creating all these incompatible video formats and unnecessary complications. There should be a law to scrap all the current formats and force software/video companies to agree upon a single standardized format, with the only variables being HQ or low quality and the ratio.
videochemist 1 year ago
Different file formats are required in order to solve different problems. Formats which are easy to edit compress each frame independently from surrounding frames. However, they produce VERY large files -- too big to fit on a disc or stream. Formats which produce small files only store the differences between most frames. These formats produce small files, but are difficult to edit. File size and quality are only two of the variables: there are many more. Thus, you have many formats.
johnmeyer77 1 year ago
WHERE DO I GET DG INDEX?
realityexplorations 1 year ago
For some reason it won't even allow me to drag the AVI onto the timeline in version 8.0. I'm pretty sure I did everything right...please help?
DarkbladeMediaTV 1 year ago
Did you run the VFAPIConv installation program? I'll bet this is your problem.
The AVI file created by VFAPIConv is actually a "signpost" to the actual video which still resides in the MPEG-2 or VOB file (note how small the AVI file is). The VFAPIConv installation program copies files to the Windows folder that lets Windows (and Vegas) read this signpost as if it was really video. So, run the installation!
johnmeyer77 1 year ago
@johnmeyer77 It would appear as though you were correct. Vegas is now letting me edit the file. However, I'm now having trouble finding the WAV file. If the video is in one folder, shouldn't the output audio file be in the same one? Sorry if I sound like a complete dolt in asking these questions, but working with VOB files is very new to me.
DarkbladeMediaTV 1 year ago
The WAV file is created by DGIndex, NOT by VFAPIConv. In DGINdex, go to the Audio menu and make sure that the "Output Method" is set to "Decode AC3 track to WAV." Also, go to the next item in the audio menu, and make certain you have selected the correct track. You can only select ONE track. Press F5 to preview the video, and the preview dialog will provide info on each audio track. The WAV file will be created in the same folder as the d2v file.
johnmeyer77 1 year ago
@johnmeyer77 When I click on "Selects Track(s)", it doesn't give me a list of audio tracks like it does in your video. Instead, it gives me a search bar with the dialog "List desired audio id's separated by by commas". Should I just type in "Track 1"?
DarkbladeMediaTV 1 year ago
@johnmeyer77 I tried typing in "Track 1", as I asked if I should, and it still didn't work. The project file is still there, and the avi file is always created without a problem, but I can never find the wav file.
DarkbladeMediaTV 1 year ago
I just downloaded the latest version DGIndex and you are correct. What a stupid, backward step the author took in eliminating the simple checkmark dialog.
So, instead of selecting the track, what you need to do is press F5 and play the video for 2-3 seconds. Press Esc to stop the playback. During playback the "Information" dialog appears. This is where you will find the ID you need to use. You'll see something like: "80: AC3 3/2 448" The first two digits before the colon is the ID you use.
johnmeyer77 1 year ago
I don't think you read my previous post. You need to press F5, and then get the audio track code from the Information box. It most likely will be 80. I just tried this with this latest version of DGIndex and it works exactly like it always did. The WAV file is in the same folder as the d2v project file.
johnmeyer77 1 year ago
@johnmeyer77 Well, I finally got it to work, and I have to say, hell of a job well done. You have no idea what an important lesson this has been to me (as I'll have to work with .VOB files often in the future), and you've made it all the easier on me. I cannot thank you enough.
DarkbladeMediaTV 1 year ago
Glad it is working for you. Too bad the DGIndex author made that silly change in UI.
I think you will find that this makes a HUGE difference in handling VOB files in Vegas. It makes the timeline performance infinitely faster, and it also gets rid of the audio sync issues and gaps between VOB files. However, if you do end up with problems at VOB boundaries, use DVD Shrink or DVD Decrypter to copy the files from your DVD and tell them to create a single VOB file.
johnmeyer77 1 year ago
@johnmeyer77 I've already been using DVD Shrink, but thanks for the tip. My biggest problems with it before coming across your tutorial was that not only the video and audio was out of sync, but the video was sped up for some reason, which I suppose caused the audio to play at a different speed. Thanks again for your help.
DarkbladeMediaTV 1 year ago
Im about to try this for using windows 7, so I'll post if it works. Looks promising. Hopefull this fixes jagged motion blurs after rendering .mpg's in vegas. By the way, where did u get vfapiconv?
roun0213 2 years ago
Just Google:
vfapi reader english
It's the first link.
johnmeyer77 2 years ago
so vegas pro 8 does not except mpeg-2 files in any way?
grayblacknblue 2 years ago
Most recent versions of Vegas, including Vegas Pro 8, can import MPEG-2 files. However, there are two problems: 1. Playback performance on the timeline is sluggish; 2. VOB files, which are much more complex than MPEG-2 files, often import with the audio truncated or out of sync, and sometimes the video breaks up during playback. This method of handling VOB and MPEG-2 files completely eliminates BOTH problems, and works in ANY version of Vegas.
johnmeyer77 2 years ago
when u are using the VDownloader, what is the best format to download a video so it can go into the timeline?? HELP pleasee!
NileyStories0894 2 years ago
I don't know what "VDownload" is. Nothing in this tutorial has anything to do with downloaded video. It is about editing VOB files. These VOB files are the "Video OBject" files found on DVDs. They are almost never posted on the Internet.
So, since I don't understand the question, I'm afraid I can't provide an answer.
johnmeyer77 2 years ago
There is no more video loss than if you put the MPEG-2 (or other) file directly on the Vegas timeline. All DGIndex and VFAPIConv do is "serve" the video into Vegas in a manner that Vegas can handle more easily. The video itself is not recompressed or altered in any way on its way into Vegas.
As for DGIndex, all you have to do is Google the name and you will immediately be taken to Donald Graft's site. He is the author of this excellent free tool, as well as many other useful video tools.
johnmeyer77 2 years ago
Thanks for the tutorial. Can you tell me what if doing this results in any sort of video quality loss?
TheGreatTurnip 2 years ago
Yeah, whats DGIndex?
skydogz1 2 years ago
what is dg index@?
FLENNN1 2 years ago