[Answer]Copying Video Files

Question：For the past 3 yrs I have been recording my son's athletic events using a Panasonic 3CCD video camera and burnt them onto DVD's using a Sony VRD-MC1.  This unit creates the video files as .vob  s.

Up until about 6 months ago, I was able to copy the created dvd onto a WD external HD using my Dell Inspiron.  Since that time, my Inspiron will play the movies, but I can no longer copy the files onto the HD.  I'm using Vista Home Pro.  Do I need special software now, that I didn't need then?

Answer 1：

Hi Smith605,

We would like to know more information about the computer. Please answer the following questions as best you can, so that we can assist you better.
1. Are you trying to copy the contents of the same DVD that you created very long back?
2. Do you get any error message when tried to copy the DVD contents?
3. Did you try to copy the contents of any other DVD to the hard disk?

As a workaround, try to copy the contents of the other DVDs and check if you are able to copy successfully.
Make sure that there are no scratches on the DVD.

For your reference, I'm adding a link that talks about "You Cannot Copy Files from DVD Movie Disks": http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313327

Hope this information is helpful.
Let me know if this worked.
All the best!

Thanks and Regards:
Syed V - Microsoft Support.

Answer 2：Thanks for responding.
I have a Dell Inspiron 1525 running Vista Home Premium.

The DVD was created on Saturday (3 days ago).    The Sony dvd burner created 2 directories on the dvd:  VIDEO_RM and VIDEO_TS.

Windows explorer will copy the contents of VIDEO_RM, and the smaller files from VIDEO_TS.
It will NOT copy the .vob files, which are the five larger files (127,424 kb)in the VIDEO_TS directory.  Even when I try to copy them one at a time, it fails and says "Discovered (0 items) items.  

I can copy files from other (non dvd's) and there are no scratches that I can see 


Answer 3：

Hi Smith605,

Thanks for replying.

Were you able to copy the contents of the DVD in the past? If yes, then what changes did you make on the computer?
Did you try to copy the same DVD on a different computer to check if the issue is with the DVD?

To see if any non Microsoft service is interrupting while copying operation, try disabling all the non Microsoft services and then copy the contents of the DVD. To do this, follow these steps.
Follow Step 1: Perform a clean boot i.e. disable all the non Microsoft services: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
After restarting the computer, try to copy the contents of the DVD.

Steps to reset the computer to start as usual:
Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click OK.
When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

If you are unable to copy the contents of the DVD in clean boot, then look for some .vob converters on the Internet and try to convert the files and save it to the hard drive.

Hope this information is helpful.
Let me know if this worked.
All the best!

Thanks and Regards:
Syed V - Microsoft Support.