How to (painfully) remove Sony ARccOS read errors on your new DVD

[Samantha H.]

Three questions derived from pain:
1. How can we tell for sure if Sony ARccOS protection is on a DVD disc?
2. Why can't we just copy problem files over from the DVD to the hard disk?
3. If we rip just the main movie VOB files, how can we create an IFO file?

Archiving newly purchased DVDs is great to both skip trailers and protect the
original DVDs. However, one DVD is very difficult. Since it's a kid's DVD,
nobody yet has posted a method for archiving it (based on multiple google
searches run today).

Initially both DVD Shrink and DVD Decrypter failed to archive the DVD in one
pass giving errors like:
DVD Shrink 3.2
- DVD Shrink encountered an error and cannot continue.
- Failed to read file "H:\".
- Data error (cyclic reduncancy check).

A usable archive was possible, but only after almost a dozen attempts
variously using Shrink DVD version 3.2.0.15, DVD Decrypter version 3.5.4.0,
DVD43 (DVD FOR FREE) version 3.5.3.113, IFOEdit version 0.97, and Sonic
RecordNow version 7.

So many methods were attempted (there were so very many different kinds of
errors), it's hard to tell exactly what worked in the end, but surely the
VTS_01_2.VOB file was a main culprit. It was horrid. No matter what settings
used in DVD Decrypter (with or without DVD43 running in the background), DVD
Decrypter (in all modes, but generally in "File Mode") kept throwing read
errors on the VTS_01_2.VOB file, even with the aggressive settings of:
DVD DECRYPTER "Tools" "Settings":
- "General" tab set to "Removal Method = Aggressive",
- "CSS" tab set to "Brute Force -> I/O Key Exchange",
- "I/O" tab set to "Ignore Read Errors",
- "File Mode" tab set to "Remove IFO PUOs",

After burning a few dvd coasters, what finally seemed to work was to use DVD
Decrypter in the aggressive settings, ignoring read errors, and retrying zero
times in order to bring over just the one problematic VTS_01_2.VOB file to the
hard disk (ignoring the scores of read errors that resulted). Then, with DVD
Decrypter still in aggressive settings, the rest of the files on the original
DVD disc could be ripped to the hard disk. A manual copy of the VTS_01_2.VOB
ripped alone onto the hard disk into the VIDEO_TS directory back into the
VIDEO_TS hard disk directory was tried. VIDEO_TS.IFO was edited with IFOedit
0.97 to skip to title 1.

When IFOedit version 0.97 was used on VIDEO_TS.IFO on the hard disk in order
to change the "VGM_MAT", "First Play PGC", "4.Pre Command", "(Jump TT) Jump to
Title 1", IFOEdit immediately reported:
- There's something wrong!
- The IFO Endsector does not match the file size.
But we saved the IFO (and BUP) file anyway (not that we knew what we were
doing).

Even Sonic RecordNow version 7 reported errors:
- There was a formatting error in the VIDEO_TS/AUTIO_TS folders. Please check
the folders and try again.

So a manual copy of the original IFO file over from the original DVD was done
which was then re-edited with IFOEdit as explained above!
The resulting directory size was just under the limit for single-layer discs
so there was no need for DVD Shrink at this point.

Finally, this very painful exercise resulted in a playable DVD archive of our
store-bought original DVD.

After all this pain, do you know the answers for these 3 questions:
1. How can we tell for sure if Sony ARccOS protection is on a DVD disc?
2. Why can't we just copy problem files over from the DVD to the hard disk?
3. If we rip just the main movie VOB files, how can we create an IFO file?

[Mark Burns]

Sam:

If it is Sony or Columbia, then a good chance.

DvdDecryptor supports PSL files. If one has the PSL file, then it can
skip these. If not, then making one is a long process, as you have
seen. Article on how to make one:

http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=53134

Question 2:
The file should still be decrypted.

Question 3:

Go to http://www.ifoedit.com/
Guide: Creating complete new IFO files

I suggest using DvdShrink on the new .ifo set, just to be sure.

You could also try DvdFab Decryptor:
http://www.dvdidle.com/free.htm

Cheers...

[aßigMeanie]

Post by Mark Burns
If it is Sony or Columbia, then a good chance.
DvdDecryptor supports PSL files. If one has the PSL file, then it can
skip these. If not, then making one is a long process, as you have
http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=53134
The file should still be decrypted.
Go to http://www.ifoedit.com/
Guide: Creating complete new IFO files
I suggest using DvdShrink on the new .ifo set, just to be sure.
http://www.dvdidle.com/free.htm
Cheers...

i think slysoft's "anydvd v5.4.1.1" is the only current ripping tool
able to handle the arccos bad sectors. dvddecrypter had started
working on it just before it was discontinued.

[T. K. Edwards]

Post by aßigMeanie
i think slysoft's "anydvd v5.4.1.1" is the only current ripping tool
able to handle the arccos bad sectors. dvddecrypter had started
working on it just before it was discontinued.

I had a similar bad-sector CRC error problem with "DIN0T0PIA: Quest for the
Ruby 5unstone: The Movie", which I never was able to archive (a Lycos
search shows nobody else has either).

I'm not sure why but I thought "DVD For Free" with DVD Decryptor (or was it
with Shrink DVD) handled the sony arccos intentional bad sectors (but it
didn't work for me).

I don't have "anydvd" (is that freeware or buyware)?

Since this is a technical group, may I ask:
What actually happened when the OP ignored the read errors?
Do those ignored read errors get fixed automatically somehow?
Are they really not there (so ignoring them causes no problem)?
Or is real data actually lost when ignoring read errors?

How the hell does the DVD player handle the bad sectors properly?

Please explain so we all learn from you,
TKE

[aßigMeanie]

On Wed, 10 Aug 2005 03:10:50 GMT, "T. K. Edwards"

Post by T. K. Edwards

Post by aßigMeanie
i think slysoft's "anydvd v5.4.1.1" is the only current ripping tool
able to handle the arccos bad sectors. dvddecrypter had started
working on it just before it was discontinued.

I had a similar bad-sector CRC error problem with "DIN0T0PIA: Quest for the
Ruby 5unstone: The Movie", which I never was able to archive (a Lycos
search shows nobody else has either).
I'm not sure why but I thought "DVD For Free" with DVD Decryptor (or was it
with Shrink DVD) handled the sony arccos intentional bad sectors (but it
didn't work for me).
I don't have "anydvd" (is that freeware or buyware)?

www.slysoft.com they have a 21 day free try before having to buy
policy

another one to try is the freeware program dvd43. only works on winxp
and 2000. http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=DVD43

Post by T. K. Edwards
What actually happened when the OP ignored the read errors?
Do those ignored read errors get fixed automatically somehow?
Are they really not there (so ignoring them causes no problem)?
Or is real data actually lost when ignoring read errors?
How the hell does the DVD player handle the bad sectors properly?

a dvd player will try to fix the bad sectors using crc but when that
fails just move on. it's only when trying to copy it that problems
arise, because those sectors can't be written and therefore messes up
the entire file structure system. it is overcome by writing good
sectors in their place.

Post by T. K. Edwards
Please explain so we all learn from you,
TKE

[Sharon Heningsen]

How does a DVD player handle Sony ARccOS bad sectors?

A dvd player will try to fix the bad sectors using crc but when that
fails it will just move on. It's only when copying that problems
arise because those sectors can't be written which messes up
the entire file structure system. The Sony ARccOS problem is
overcome by writing good sectors in the place of the bad ones.

Hmmmmm....

If sectors are all of a known size (and I presume they are), then why
wouldn't DVD Decrypter have a setting to just replace unreadable sectors
with dummy (but good) sectors?

[Mark Burns]

Sharon:

DD does. Just set the options to ignore read errors and the retry
count to 0.

It is still time consuming, as the DVD reader itself will try to fix
the errors, unlike a player that is trying to keep up with viewer. I
don't know of nor have I heard of anyone who has gotten around this on
PC.

I have used DD to recover a scratched dvd generating a .psl file. I
would wait until the errors started, look at the log, make a .psl file
with a guess, and then try it again. A little trial and error and I
had recovered the DVD.

Cynthia ad Digital-Digest is one of the most knoledgable on DD.

The whole idea behind the .psl files was that once someone has broken
it, then that file could be shared. L!UK would then collect the .psl
files and place them into the next version of DD. Macrovision put a
stop to that though.

More on .psl files:

http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=53134

Cheers...

Cheers...

[Sharon Heningsen]

Just set DVD Decrypter options to ignore read errors
and set the retry count to 0.
It is still time consuming, as the DVD reader itself will try to fix
the errors, unlike a player that is just trying to keep up....
The whole idea behind the .psl files was they could be shared.

Oh. I +think+ I'm getting it.

From what you said, set up to ignore read errors, DVD Decrypter +does+
insert good dummy data for the bad sectors. That's what I would expect.

But then, what does the hardware DVD player actually +DO+ with that dummy
data?

Is the dummy data that was inserted by DVD Decrypter just a white or black
background for example? Would the user see a scene of nothingness?

Or does the dummy data written by DVD Decrypter in place of bad sectors act
as a software SKIP (as in skip to the next sector please)?

[Stephen Stewart]

e

Post by Sharon Heningsen

Just set DVD Decrypter options to ignore read errors
and set the retry count to 0.
It is still time consuming, as the DVD reader itself will try to fix
the errors, unlike a player that is just trying to keep up....
The whole idea behind the .psl files was they could be shared.

Oh. I +think+ I'm getting it.
From what you said, set up to ignore read errors, DVD Decrypter +does+
insert good dummy data for the bad sectors. That's what I would expect.
But then, what does the hardware DVD player actually +DO+ with that dummy
data?

A standalone DVD player never encounters the ARccOS data as it's invalid
structure information applied to parts of the files that aren't accessible
through the DVD's menus.

The ARccOS is designed to confuse PC ripping software and does not interfere
with viewing either on a PC or a standalone player.

Post by Sharon Heningsen
Is the dummy data that was inserted by DVD Decrypter just a white or black
background for example? Would the user see a scene of nothingness?

It's not part of the video that's corrupted merely the indices on the disc
which are invalid so there isn't anything to view.

Post by Sharon Heningsen
Or does the dummy data written by DVD Decrypter in place of bad sectors act
as a software SKIP (as in skip to the next sector please)?

It's a bit academic now really given that the software is no longer
supported but DVD Decrypter identifies which sector entries in the index are
invalid and skips/ignores these when reading the disc.

Repaired indices are generated as appropriate with dummy entries replacing
the invalid data.

It's not actually replacing sectors on the disc but inserting dummy sector
references that will never be accessed anyway.


Stephen

[Gene E. Bloch]

Post by Stephen Stewart
e

Post by Sharon Heningsen

Just set DVD Decrypter options to ignore read errors
and set the retry count to 0.
It is still time consuming, as the DVD reader itself will try to fix
the errors, unlike a player that is just trying to keep up....
The whole idea behind the .psl files was they could be shared.

Oh. I +think+ I'm getting it.
From what you said, set up to ignore read errors, DVD Decrypter +does+
insert good dummy data for the bad sectors. That's what I would expect.
But then, what does the hardware DVD player actually +DO+ with that dummy
data?

A standalone DVD player never encounters the ARccOS data as it's invalid
structure information applied to parts of the files that aren't accessible
through the DVD's menus.
The ARccOS is designed to confuse PC ripping software and does not interfere
with viewing either on a PC or a standalone player.

Post by Sharon Heningsen
Is the dummy data that was inserted by DVD Decrypter just a white or black
background for example? Would the user see a scene of nothingness?

It's not part of the video that's corrupted merely the indices on the disc
which are invalid so there isn't anything to view.

Post by Sharon Heningsen
Or does the dummy data written by DVD Decrypter in place of bad sectors act
as a software SKIP (as in skip to the next sector please)?

It's a bit academic now really given that the software is no longer supported
but DVD Decrypter identifies which sector entries in the index are invalid
and skips/ignores these when reading the disc.
Repaired indices are generated as appropriate with dummy entries replacing
the invalid data.
It's not actually replacing sectors on the disc but inserting dummy sector
references that will never be accessed anyway.
Stephen

Terse, clear, and interesting explanation. Many thanks.

Gin

[Stephen Stewart]

Post by Gene E. Bloch

Post by Stephen Stewart
e

Post by Sharon Heningsen

Just set DVD Decrypter options to ignore read errors
and set the retry count to 0.
It is still time consuming, as the DVD reader itself will try to fix
the errors, unlike a player that is just trying to keep up....
The whole idea behind the .psl files was they could be shared.

Oh. I +think+ I'm getting it.
From what you said, set up to ignore read errors, DVD Decrypter +does+
insert good dummy data for the bad sectors. That's what I would expect.
But then, what does the hardware DVD player actually +DO+ with that dummy
data?

A standalone DVD player never encounters the ARccOS data as it's invalid
structure information applied to parts of the files that aren't
accessible through the DVD's menus.
The ARccOS is designed to confuse PC ripping software and does not
interfere with viewing either on a PC or a standalone player.

Post by Sharon Heningsen
Is the dummy data that was inserted by DVD Decrypter just a white or black
background for example? Would the user see a scene of nothingness?

It's not part of the video that's corrupted merely the indices on the
disc which are invalid so there isn't anything to view.

Post by Sharon Heningsen
Or does the dummy data written by DVD Decrypter in place of bad sectors act
as a software SKIP (as in skip to the next sector please)?

It's a bit academic now really given that the software is no longer
supported but DVD Decrypter identifies which sector entries in the index
are invalid and skips/ignores these when reading the disc.
Repaired indices are generated as appropriate with dummy entries
replacing the invalid data.
It's not actually replacing sectors on the disc but inserting dummy
sector references that will never be accessed anyway.
Stephen

Terse, clear, and interesting explanation. Many thanks.
Gin

No problem, I was just correcting the direction of this thread as there
seemed to be some confusion


Stephen

[Sharon Heningsen]

Post by Mark Burns
I have used DD to recover a scratched dvd generating a .psl file. I
would wait until the errors started, look at the log, make a .psl file
with a guess, and then try it again.

I'm confused about the intended purpose of the PSL file for scratched DVDs!

Since you have to rip the DVD before you can create a PSL file, is the PSL
file merely a time-saving hint for the SECOND (and subsequent) time the
+same+ scratched DVD is ripped?

Or does the creation, editing, and import of a PSL file do something
+DIFFERENT+ than just setting DVD Decrypter to ignore read errors without
retrying?

[Mark Burns]

DD will ignore the sectors specified in the .psl file.

What I did was wait for the errors, stop the rip, review the log to
find the sectors, edit the .psl file, start again. We know the
starting sector from the log, just not how long it is, unless we let DD
laborisly finish copying the disk, and at that time why bother?

If my guess on length is too short, then I double it for my second
guess, if not go back an shorten it.

Pretty much do this just on the .vob files, and then reconstruct the
DVD with my own menus.

Cheers...

[Melissa W. Wright]

Post by aßigMeanie
i think slysoft's "anydvd v5.4.1.1" is the only current ripping tool
able to handle the arccos bad sectors. dvddecrypter had started
working on it just before it was discontinued.

Does not the freeware DVDFab Decrypter v2.9 from Fengtao Software also handle
Sony ARccOS™ discs?

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/6538.cfm

[Mark Burns]

Yes.

The ones that I am aware of include:

DvdDecryptor (free)
DVDFab Decryptor (free), Other payware from Fengtao as well
Slysoft (pay)
DVD43 (free)

Cheers...

[Stephen Stewart]

Post by Melissa W. Wright

Post by aßigMeanie
i think slysoft's "anydvd v5.4.1.1" is the only current ripping tool
able to handle the arccos bad sectors. dvddecrypter had started
working on it just before it was discontinued.

Does not the freeware DVDFab Decrypter v2.9 from Fengtao Software also handle
Sony ARccOS™ discs?
http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/6538.cfm

Yes it does and it's a pretty good tool as well.

It's fairly basic though and the more sophisticated tasks such as demuxing
audio streams (ripping music from concert DVDs for example) still require
software such as DVD Decrypter.


Stephen

[Melissa W. Wright]

1. How can we tell for sure if Sony ARccOS™ protection is on a DVD disc?

From http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=53344&page=2

"When your DVD Decrypter log says something like ......
"W 18:59:52 Possible Structure Protection Found!
W 18:59:52 7 areas have been marked as 'suspect'.
W 18:59:52 Dummy sectors will be inserted where necessary. "

This is proof positive the DVD uses Sony ARccOS™ .
Most people use DVD43 to make a legitimate archive of Sony ARccOS™ discs.
Works every time.

[Stephen Stewart]

Post by Melissa W. Wright

1. How can we tell for sure if Sony ARccOS™ protection is on a DVD disc?

From http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=53344&page=2
"When your DVD Decrypter log says something like ......
"W 18:59:52 Possible Structure Protection Found!
W 18:59:52 7 areas have been marked as 'suspect'.
W 18:59:52 Dummy sectors will be inserted where necessary. "
This is proof positive the DVD uses Sony ARccOS™ .
Most people use DVD43 to make a legitimate archive of Sony ARccOS™ discs.
Works every time.

Not necessarily. It means what it says that it's likely that there's
structure protection but this isn't always the case.

I have discs that are definitely not structure protected that come up with
this warning.

It's not necessarily ARccOS either there are other forms of structure
protection such as Settec ALPHA-DVD etc etc.

Admittedly ARccOS is the most likely target though.


Stephen