[pmrtvcom]

I have a fair number of DVDs that I would like to make avallable as Kodi content (without, that is, simply inserting each one as desired). I have tried several methods of putting the content of the DVDs on my hard disc, but have not been successful in getting them to play.

One method generates .iso from the disc - trying to access this in Kodi causes it to close without explanation.

Another makes a directory containing the VIDEO_TS directory - I think I did this with dvdbackup - Opening VIDEO.IFO therein seems to play but without any sound.

Obviously I don't want to rip many discs until I know how to do it in a way that works. So:

Should Kodi be able, possibly with an addon or some configuration, to play my .iso files?

Should Kodi be able to play from the VIDEO.IFO file with sound?

Will I need to do anything special to select soundtracks/subtitles?

[MatteN]

Use http://www.makemkv.com/ to rip your discs to .mkv, you can choose what subs and audio you want.
MakeMKV is free with keys from their forum https://forum.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopi...f=5&t=1053

[pmrtvcom]

Hmmm... hardly what I'd call a Linux solution but one I'd certainly consider.

It seems that playing from the VIDEO.IFO kills the sound from at least the current Kodi session altogether - no sound on Catchup TV & More afterwards either.

[Karellen]

It seems that playing from the VIDEO.IFO kills the sound from at least the current Kodi session altogether

Don't know why that would be. Can you provide a Debug Log that captures that problem.

Ripping to mkv files using makemkv are the way to go as already suggested.
No need for the complexity of a dvd folder layout (it's a dated system).
And iso can be huge files with content that is irrelevant or you probably don't need.

[MatteN]

https://snapcraft.io/makemkv

[pmrtvcom]

It seems that playing from the VIDEO.IFO kills the sound from at least the current Kodi session altogether

Don't know why that would be. Can you provide a Debug Log that captures that problem.

Ripping to mkv files using makemkv are the way to go as already suggested.
No need for the complexity of a dvd folder layout (it's a dated system).
And iso can be huge files with content that is irrelevant or you probably don't need.

Will provide a debug log a bit later - maybe in an hour or two.

I haven't found a practical way to run makemkv yet. Any way to get it to work on Debian without making too much mess? I tried the Linux version and it couldn't find makemkvcon the way I tried... will try again just in case I was trying to be a bit too tidy for its liking.

[pmrtvcom]

It seems that playing from the VIDEO.IFO kills the sound from at least the current Kodi session altogether

Don't know why that would be. Can you provide a Debug Log that captures that problem.

Ripping to mkv files using makemkv are the way to go as already suggested.
No need for the complexity of a dvd folder layout (it's a dated system).
And iso can be huge files with content that is irrelevant or you probably don't need.

Will provide a debug log a bit later - maybe in an hour or two.

No debug log as problem failed to replicate. Trying uout makemkv and handbrake, individually, as means to get the content on. All subject now to how well each works,

[Karellen]

No debug log as problem failed to replicate

No problems. It sounded like a very unusual problem, so no surprise the Gremlins left you in peace.

Trying uout makemkv and handbrake, individually, as means to get the content on

Handbrake if you want to convert the HEVC/h.265 and save some storage space.
But once you rip to mkv, go the extra step and ensure the file is correctly tagged with audio and subtitle language, "Original", "Hearing impaired", "Forced", "Commentary" and other tags as required.
Use MKVToolNix to do this.

[pmrtvcom]

Among my DVD collection is "Clue" (1985). This has three endings - you can have a random or selected one of the three, or the TV version containing all three. Is there any way to emulate the random play in a ripped to play on Kodi format?