I've read a lot about why ratatouille causes problems with dummy chapters, wrong duration, turning off VFR, etc. But my problem seems to be different, and never the less I can't seem to find a definitive solution. Keep in mind, that I am definitely NOT very well versed in using these sorts of softwares, and I do NOT understand a lot of it, so please pardon me if I say the wrong things. Incidentally, if you could provide a dumbed down version of suggestive advice on remedying my predicament, I'd appreciate the simplicity.
So far, I've been able to rip many movies, without too many issues. Searching for the right title to rip, ripping it with mac the ripper first and then encoding with handbrake. This has provided great results with all the movies I've tried...that is, up until trying to rip Ratatouille. The best that I've gotten so far is as follows (my usual method): I used MTR to rip Ratatouille to a Video_TS format. I padded VOB when prompted as there are supposed "deliberate bad sectors". I then tried to encode this rip with handbrake. I used an unmodified standard preset, I believe the classic preset under the "normal" pull down menu. What ends up happening after its done, is that the movie begins at chapter 8. It skips about 10 minutes of the film, and begins with Remy talking to Gusteau about the different types of cooks in the kitchen just before Linguini starts trashing the soup. It also just repeats this "kitchen scene" (actual chapter is 8 on the dvd) over and over. Eventually however, the movie continues to run, and works flawlessly after that, making its way to the credits with no problems. The video quality also looks good...well definitely acceptable to me anyways.
When using handbrake, I always check the picture settings menus to ensure that the video will rip correctly. It usually gives you a couple of frames to "preview", to make sure the picture will actually come out the way you want it to. Once again, typical to most DVD's, I've found that the first frame is the opening of the movie. With ratatouille however, I open the picture settings and low and behold, the image that shows, is where my rip begins; once again at about 3 to 4 seconds into chapter 8. Flipping to the next few preview frames shows the exact same thing. Not sure if my problem is making sense, again my apologies if I don't know how to explain it well. I've tried encoding from chapter 2 as some people have said ratatouille has a dummy first chapter, but the same problem arises. It still starts at chapter 8. I don't think starting at chapter 2 is what I need to be worrying about. I think my problem is something else. Either the way MTR is handling the rip, or figuring out a way to get handbrake to recognize the first 7 chapters of the film.
So, in other words, my encoded version plays ratatouille successfully...it just starts at chapter 8 and repeats over and over for a "while" (which seems to be about the duration of the first 8 chapters prior) then resumes as normal eventually and completely plays all the way through.
I've also tried to encode the DVD directly without using mac the ripper. I put the DVD in, cancel the automatically launched dvd player, then open handbrake, and source the disc itself. After if finishes scanning all 29 titles, once again I go to the picture settings to ensure that the video is even working. The picture is covered with green/pixelated squares, and each preview frame seems to have the same problem. I thought, what the heck, try it anyways and who knows it might be successful. No such luck. The video won't even open.
As I said earlier, I am sorry I don't understand much about how to use this software. I've read posts here, and I am immediately lost. All these acronyms, formats, error logs, etc. I just get flat out confused. I hope my "detailed" (lol..) explanation might find someone who knows how to help me fix the problem. Even more over, I'd LOVE to be able to get access to the bonus features and menus and all that stuff too, but that might just be pushing way to far. If I can just get the movie in its entirety, I'd be super happy.
