Can't copy VCDs

[exie]

I haven't figured out how to copy VCDs. I thought it would be a straightforward process, but apparently it's not.



Tools: TiBook 400, OS 9.2.2, Toast 4.1.2, VST SmartDisk external FireWire CDRW.



In Toast I've tried

- using Disc Copy, but an error message pops up, saying Toast can't copy a "multitrack" disk.

- using Video CD, but Toast doesn't recognize my VCDs as VCDs.

- ISO 9660, and copying the files inside the VCD. But the moment burning begins (whether in actual or simulation mode), the process is interrupted by an error message that says the files can't be copied because of an I/O error.



I've also tried (1) copying the VCD files to an empty folder on the desktop, but a similar I/O error message pops up; and (2) creating a disk image of the VCD using Apple's Disc Copy app, but it doesn't work; the files won't get copied.



So, anyone know how I can make copies of VCDs?

[casablanca]

Exie,



If you're using Toast to copy VCDs, it should be able to make a disk copy. The problem is with the source CD. The CD probably has a bad sector which is why you couldn't make a copy. Sometimes, the problem can be solved by using another CD drive to read. Once the drive reads the disc perfectly without any errors, then will be possible to make another copy.

[gonz]

Originally Posted by exie

I haven't figured out how to copy VCDs. I thought it would be a straightforward process, but apparently it's not.

Hi Exie -- for some people with certain Macs and CD drives, the procedure is as straightforward as Hans describes. For others, such as you and me and the person who started this thread, it's well-nigh impossible. Depending on who you ask, the difficulty stems either from errors on the source VCD (in which case ALL of my 200+ VCDs contain errors, which I find highly unlikely), or VCD copy protection, or the fact that MPEG files are multitrack affairs.



I don't know precisely what hardware configuration makes it easy for some and not for others, but I can tell you what worked for me.



I used Astarte CD-Copy 2.0.3e under OS 9.2.2 (it's an old Classic application) to duplicate the VCD to a Toast-ready image (.img) file. Once that's sucessfully done (it takes about 5-10 minutes to image a typical VCD), you can use Toast to create an exact replica from the image file. Just drag the image to Toast's window, and it will know what to do.



Be warned: Astarte CD-Copy 2.0.3e (the particular version number is important; this and only this version will work under OS 9.2.2) is hard to find. The parent company is long defunct. Your search will take you to some strange places. But I know for a fact that this works, as I've used it myself. Good luck!

[exie]

Originally Posted by gonz

I don't know precisely what hardware configuration makes it easy for some and not for others, but I can tell you what worked for me.



I used Astarte CD-Copy 2.0.3e under OS 9.2.2 (it's an old Classic application) to duplicate the VCD to a Toast-ready image (.img) file. Once that's sucessfully done (it takes about 5-10 minutes to image a typical VCD), you can use Toast to create an exact replica from the image file. Just drag the image to Toast's window, and it will know what to do.



Be warned: Astarte CD-Copy 2.0.3e (the particular version number is important; this and only this version will work under OS 9.2.2) is hard to find. The parent company is long defunct. Your search will take you to some strange places. But I know for a fact that this works, as I've used it myself. Good luck!

Thanks, Gonz! Soon after you replied, I did a web search for Astarte CD-Copy 2.0.3e, downloaded it -- the site didn't seem that "strange" or exotic, heh heh -- and I was up and running in less than fifteen minutes. I've burned several VCDs already.



Though I'm happy to be able to do what I wanted, this workaround is a reminder -- as if I needed yet another one -- of how opaque and counter-intuitive the computing experience can be, even on a Mac. Sigh.



Follow-up questions:



(1) Is there a way to copy only certain files on the VCD and not everything? I can't get CD-Copy to make an image file from selected files. I have to Select All to get it to work.



(2) How do I edit the VCD video files themselves? I'm thinking of putting together a kind of lecture disc composed of snippets from various movies, as a supplement to my fiction classes. I spend some time in my freshman lit classes discussing movies as a special kind of narrative fiction. This isn't urgent; I'm due to teach my next lit class in June.



Thanks again for the quick and helpful info.



As for casablanca: You're a lucky dog!

[ginoledesma]

I've run into my share of VCD copying problems in the past. The usual "copy the .DAT files onto your hard disk" trick doesn't work as well as it does on PCs, and I think I was only able to do it using Mac OS 9.0.4 and my DVD drive. On later systems (whether Mac OS 9.2.2 / Mac OS X), I get the usual I/O errors -- though I think I've narrowed this down to my CD-RW (Plextor 8/4/32).



I've not had problems with Toast's Disc Copy feature, though, thank goodness. I guess its luck that I either use "good, no-problem" VCDs or just have a config that can handle VCDs without problems.



I used to use Nero for the Mac (it was beta, only for Mac OS 9.x, and never made final release, I think), as well as Astarte's program and CD/DVD SpeedTools (just to get it to work correctly).



I've found that working with the MPEG-encoded VCDs on the Mac can be a pain, regardless of what video editing software is used -- Final Cut Pro (for Mac OS 9.x), Premiere, and even iMovie/FCP Express. Best luck I've had was to demux the file to video and audio so that the video editing app wouldn't have as much problems (not to mention that it eases audio+video syncing).



If you've the time and space, I guess converting it from the MPEG version to RAW/AIFF would mean "faster work" in editing the movie, but could mean a "long time" when it comes to exporting/finalizing the movie.

[gonz]

Originally Posted by exie

(2) How do I edit the VCD video files themselves? I'm thinking of putting together a kind of lecture disc composed of snippets from various movies, as a supplement to my fiction classes.

I concur with Gino; MPEG-1 is just a bear of a format to edit in; not only because its highly compressed, but because the audio and video are "muxed" into a single track. However, if all you need to do is cut-to-cut without adding any transitions (because you can't), then I suppose you could do what you want in QuickTime Pro.

[peterson]

Originally Posted by exie

(2) How do I edit the VCD video files themselves? I'm thinking of putting together a kind of lecture disc composed of snippets from various movies, as a supplement to my fiction classes.

Hi Exie!



gumawa na ako ng ganito dati.

medyo madali lang, pero matagal.



first, i used VCD Copy X to copy the entire VCD to my HD

-coz simply dragging it to the desktop may not always work.



then, i used bbDemux to split AVESEQ0?.DAT into separate audio and video tracks.

-coz, as Gino and Gonz said, it won't be editable while muxed.



i then open them both in Quicktime Pro to join the audio and video.

i can also cut and paste unwanted scenes from there.

then save it as a self-contained movie using the compression of your choice.



i hope this helps.



i'll try to find the links to VCD Copy X and bbDemux later.

-they're both freeware, btw.



meet tayo sa AdMU kung kailangan mo pa ng tulong.



-----

pakisabi pala kay Hilda: thanks for my copy of the 2003 President's Report.

[exie]

Peterson: are the apps you mentioned for OS X only? I'm still on OS 9.2.2 kasi.



Gonz: yup, worst-case scenario is that I just do cut-to-cut. Kind of like the old days of tape-to-tape. I know I'll probably get compulsive about it and want to put transitions and titles in, but cut-to-cut editing seems much simpler than having to deal with separate video and audio files. I'll deal with that complexity at a later time.



In any case, is there a free app that can do the cut-to-cut editing?



And about the other question I had: can I copy only selected files, and not all of the AVSEQxx.DAT files? I notice that some of the VCDs I'm copying have more than one video file, and I'd like to be able to leave out clips (like trailers) I don't want.

[Jughead]

This is a very belated reply but I just downloaded the demo version of Discribe and the PDF manual shows a simpler way of making VCD's using this CD-burning software although I haven't tried it yet. You can download the full-featured demo of Discribe at this link:



http://www.charismac.com/discribe/



The demo version's only limitation is that it only lets you burn up to a maximum of eight CDs for OS9 and five for OS X before it expires. That's pretty generous from where I sit. If it works as advertised then it's probably worth keeping as well.

[Jughead]

Originally Posted by exie

Follow-up questions:



(1) Is there a way to copy only certain files on the VCD and not everything? I can't get CD-Copy to make an image file from selected files. I have to Select All to get it to work.



(2) How do I edit the VCD video files themselves? I'm thinking of putting together a kind of lecture disc composed of snippets from various movies, as a supplement to my fiction classes. I spend some time in my freshman lit classes discussing movies as a special kind of narrative fiction. This isn't urgent; I'm due to teach my next lit class in June.

So sorry for the late reply to this question but I learned this recently myself. I guess the others can also learn from this post as well.



Using MacVCD which is available for both Mac OS9 and Mac OS X, you can easily edit a VCD (AVESEQ0?.DAT) file, choose and save only the parts you like and save them either as a Quicktime movie file (a very small file that would still require the VCD disc to remain in your Mac) or as a self-contained Quicktime movie, which is usually a large file that's as big as the entire AVESEQ0?.DAT file itself.



Which leads me to the question, is there a way that I can still make the saved VCD Quicktime movie segment file much smaller? It would be nice if I still can.



Anyway, you can download MacVCD from this link, Exie:



http://www.mireth.com/pub/mvme.html



It's not free, though but it is very useful.