I was trying to rip a DVD the other day using HandBrake as documented in a previous TechTraction article. Each time I stepped through my process, all HandBrake could find was a single 45 second clip. What happened to the rest of the DVD’s contents? Could it be that this disc had some unknown or unbreakable form of encryption, or was HandBrake simply failing me?

Found possible explanation in the HandBrake forums

I headed over to the HandBrake forums and based on my search results I concluded I had one of two problems: No IFO file on the DVD, or a poorly mastered DVD. Since the DVD was a collection of personal camcorder clips from a friend, I went with the poorly mastered DVD. Fortunately, I managed to find a way around my problem.

Selected individual source files to work around problem

HandBrake might not have seen all of the titles on the DVD, but when I examine the DVD with Windows Explorer I could see 4 VOB files (the files that contain the clips I wanted). Back in HandBrake I changed my source selection method from “folder” to “file.” Then, when I browsed the source I was able to select an individual VOB file and give it a unique destination name and add it to the encoding queue. I repeated the process for each remaining file as if I were ripping several episodes of a television series from a single DVD. Once each file was added to the encoding queue I kicked off the encoding process and went back to work.

Got exactly what I wanted but your results might vary

About an hour later all 4 files were ripped for my iPod using the low-rez preset. I opened each converted file in QuickTime and confirmed I got what I wanted. Everything worked perfectly. Video was good and so too was the audio. Hey, it was even in sync!

Switching the selection from “source folder” to “source file” might not work for similar DVD reading problems, but it is one more option you can try before completely giving up on ripping a particular DVD.

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Filed under: How-To & Tech Tips