Playing DVD images from hard drive on Mac

[joedavis123]

Hi all,

This is my first time posting here, I'm not really a Mac guy, and I already searched through the forums and couldn't decipher the information I need. Please forgive me if this question has already been asked and answered elsewhere.

I'm trying to help a friend out with playing DVD images (.cdr, .dmg, etc) on his Mac using a video player (he currently uses VLC). So far he has just been opening the image and playing the .VOB files, which can be frustrating because you don't have access to menus, have to open each .VOB file manually, etc. He also does training on his Mac so it kind of looks unprofessional. Being a Windows person (please be nice), I am accustomed to using DVD Shrink to create an ISO, MagicDisc or Daemon Tools to mount the ISO file as a drive letter in Windows, and then using Media Player, etc. to play the DVD as if it was on a disc.

With a Mac the process might be easier or harder, I don't know. Once he has the .cdr or .dmg file saved to the hard drive (i.e. using Disk Utilities http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/making_dvd_copies.html), is there a way to play the DVD (in it's original state, with menus, etc.) from an image stored on the HD?

I've read about the numerous different programs, some free, some not, but I'm not sure if they are that straight forward. Another frustrating part of it is that I don't have a Mac to really test things out. My friend isn't very computer savvy, so if there's something out there that isn't too difficult that would help.

I appreciate any help or suggestions. Thanks.

 

[spinnerlys]

Normally when one rips a DVD to a hard drive, it just copies the two TS (audio and video) folders with its content.

Why he uses an image file I don't know.

But normally if you drag the VIDEO_TS folder to VLC or DVD Player (the Mac OS X DVD player) it opens the DVD with its menu (sometimes it might play the first title/track automatically).
Has he still got the .ifo and .bup files in the VIDEO_TS folder?

 

[joedavis123]

I'm not positive that he used an image file, but I did see a DVD with the .CDR extension. I think he was individually opening the .VOB files that were contained in that image. He should have all the original files (.ifo, .bup, .vob) from the DVD, so I'll ask him to try and drag the Video_TS folder to VLC and see if it opens up correctly.

 

[rpaloalto]

Try ripit, works great for all DVD's
It even will give you a free trial
http://ripitapp.com/

Then just use Apple's dvd player to play the image

 

[spice weasel]

Mac the Ripper is another standard ripping app. You can still find version 2.6.6 for free on the web. To get version 3.x you need to jump through some hoops with the developer.

 

[MaskingTape]

Make a new folder with the TS folders in there then name the folder Movie.dvdmedia. It should make a package file that can be opened with the dvd player when you double click it.