The HotFix Manager is a small utility that allows users to quickly and simply fix most DVD copy errors. The resulting HotFix database is also ideal for any processes developed with our DVD-Ranger. For example, you can use it for fixing the newest DVD releases that are not part of the current DVD-Ranger version!
The HotFix Manager is a brand new function that comes included with the DVD-Ranger software application. Take a minute to read the short manual; you'll see the advantages of using the HotFix Manager for optimized DVD copies.
The HotFix Manager comes free with DVD-Ranger 2.7.1 and above, no need for any additional purchase!
Why the HotFix Manager
Regardless what most experts say, there is no real "copy protection" on a Video DVD. Now, there is encryption based protection on most DVDs, but since the original developer of DeCSS was acquitted by the highest Swedish court, there is no other protection available.
Generally, Video DVD publishers try to manipulate the content of the Video DVD by hiding bad sectors and rubbish content throughout the Video DVD. This action is meant to block copy software reading the DVD by making it think there are errors.
One thing is sure; the more they try to protect it, the more copying solutions will arise. Written and not encrypted IFO control files can enable common Video DVD players to read the Video DVD. Therefore, with some experience and the original DVD specification it is possible to find the back end to any DVD. This is a must because 10 year old DVD players have to read these DVDs, too!
This is where our HotFix Manager comes in. It lets you specify the original playing path of a Video DVD, (the path the DVD Player will play), and write it inside the database. DVD-Ranger can then read this Hotfix database and copy the DVD without any errors.
Manual
Please read the HotFix Manager's manual prior to beginning.
NOTE: Make sure that AnyDVD is disabled. AnyDVD will manipulate the content of the DVD so a real & unique CRC checksum is not possible.
What you will need:
1.) DVD Player software (Power DVD, WinDVD or other)
2.) DVD-Ranger & the HotFix Manager
3.) Latest database from the web (download here or from other sources).
Workflow:
1.) Start the Hotfix Manager.
2.) Backup the current database.
3.) Load the database you want to edit.
4.) Load the DVD you want to fix (if the DVD is already inside the database, it will be found by the HotFix Manager).
5.) Enter a unique disk name.
6.) Add the DVD settings.
7.) Save the database.
8.) DVD-Ranger and test the new database.
Case Samples:
Case: Copy is to big
Reason: Content that DVD-Ranger cannot recompress. Fix: Change the Target Size Deviation.
Open the HotFix Manager and load the DVD.
1.) Open the database.
2.) Select the Drive / DVD and press "Set".
3.) Enter a unique name.
Enter double the amount of your DVD: for example if your DVD was 10MB too big
you have to enter -20. If it was 20MB too big you have to enter -40. The “Minus” symbol
is important and used before the value to instruct the HotFix Manager that the movie
has to be made smaller. It is possible that you may have to redo this 1-2 more times.
Case: Wrong movie
Reason: Confused titles sets Fix: If the wrong movie was selected by DVD-Ranger you can force the movie with the values: Movie Only VTS and Movie Only PGC.
Play the DVD inside the DVDPlayer software and write down the title it played
Start the HotFix Manager. Set the HotFix database and set the DVD to fix.
Right after this, click on "View IFO" and
check the VTS according to the PGC the player showed you.
Enter PGC and VTS into the fields of the HotFix Manager and save.
Case: To many movies in the final copy
Reason: The UDF filesystem and the IFOs also point to some ghost movies besides the real movie. Fix: Find out the original title and cut all ghosts.
Find out the original Title that is played by the software DVDPlayer
Start the HotFix Manager. Set the HotFix database and set the DVD to fix.
Right after this, click on "View IFO" and
check the VTS according to the PGC the player showed you.
Now you open the DVD in the Windows Explorer. We asume that Windows Explorer will show VTS 3, VTS4, VTS 5, VTS 6, VTS 7 as a main movie. Then you mark all wrong movie VTS inside the Column Cut with a "yes".
Case: DVDRanger crash at the end of a DVD
Reason: It is often a popular method to add garbage or bad sectors to the last VTS. Fix: Check the size of the last VTS or the last couple VTS. If they are very small they may be garbage VTS. You will have to make DVD-Ranger ignore those VTS while copying. So select "yes" in the ignore column at any of the suspected VTS.
NOTE: You can only ignore the last VTS or a set of VTS immediately preceeding the last VTS. For example: if, say, VTS 10 is the last one, then you can ignore "VTS 10" or "VTS 10 and VTS 9" or "VTS 10 and VTS 9 and VTS 8", and so on.
Open the Windows Explorer and check the last VTS. If these VTS contain only very small VOB file(s) then they are the problem.
Then select "yes" inside the "Ignore" column for all bad VTS you just detected at the end of the DVD.
Case: DVD-Ranger will crash or hang at the beginning of a DVD
Reason: The first movie ttle inside the IFO is a trap. Fix: Ignore the first PGC of the main movie title set (VTS) you find out.
Find out the original title that is played by the software DVDPlayer.
Start the HotFix Manager. Set the HotFix database and set the DVD to fix.
Right after this, click on "View IFO" and
check the VTS according to the PGC the player showed you.
Add to "Ignore PGCs" field: <VTS>::0 (NOTE: indexing starts at 0). So if the first movie title is bad, add 1::0 to the field.
Please take a look to the screenshots of DVD-Ranger to see how easy it is to use. DVD-Ranger's UI was designed to ease your dvd copy work and give you the best experience. Please click on the small screenshots to see the original size.
Opened not loaded:
This window shows the HotFix-Manager right after being started. Nothing has been loaded yet.
Loaded and added settings:
This window shows the HotFix Manager loaded with a HotFix database and a new DVD to add. This sample DVD crashed at the end because of a damaged VOB file. So the last VTS was set to be ignored.
Loaded and opened IFOView
This window shows the HotFix Manager loaded with a HotFix database and a new DVD to add. This sample shows the IFOView, where you can check the VTS according to the original played PGC (shown in Player).
Min. and Suggested Requirements for HotFix Manager
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Case: Copy is to big
