Here's a way that I figured out how to get much of the footage from MiniDVDs made with a MiniDVD camera when the file system on the MiniDVD is damaged, or individual files may not have recorded correctly or are damaged.
1. Download the last known version of DVD Decrypter. Open DVD Decrypter. Under "Tools", set the following:
General Tab: Removal Method - Aggressive; Under "Other" check all
I/O Tab: Software Read Error Retries set to 0; Software Write Error Retries set to 0; check "Ignore Read Errors". Close DVD Decrypter.
2. Open DVD Decrypter. Insert MiniDVD in your dvd drive. The files will be listed in the right side window in blue. Click on the white space underneath the blue files to deselect everything.
3. Look at the list carefully. You will only be looking at LARGE .vob files. They will be numbered something like this: VTS_01._1.VOB, VTS_02._2.VOB, etc.
4. Click on ONE of them so that the file name turns blue. Click on the folder icon in the center of the screen to select where you want to save the file. Click on the DVD icon button to start the process.
5. One of two things will happen. If the entire file is read and decrypted successfully, it will get to 100%. Once that happens, remove the MiniDVD from the drive and close the program (even if you have more files to do). Look for the file you created where you save it. RIGHT click on the file and choose "rename" and change just the last three letters (VOB) to MPEG. When you click on the desktop to save your selection, you will get a message "are you sure...". Click YES.
6. The second thing that can happen is that you'll get to a certain percentage of the file (say 57% for example) and then on the log you will start to see errors. This means that the program was able to retrieve the first 57% of the file, and the rest of the file is probably corrupted. Next to the "buffer" area on the screen, there is a stop button. Click on the stop button. A screen will ask you if you really want to cancel. Click YES. The next popup will ask you if you want to delete the incomplete file--CLICK NO!!! Remove the MiniDVD disc, close the program and follow the instructions above for renaming the file to MPEG.
7. Many times when trying to close the program after there have been errors, you will need to hold down the ENTER key on your keyboard to quickly choose YES to lots of error messages that come up.
8. Make sure you always remove the MiniDVD and close the program in between files to make sure everything is reset.
Out of the 12 MiniDVD discs that I thought were lost forever, I've been able to save about 65% of the footage. Better than no footage at all.
I hope this helps others that are having trouble with damaged or corrupted MiniDVD discs. Please post how you do with your discs.
