What is the importance of PGC ripping? Why not just use the ripped vob files unprocessed for conversion. Well, an unprocessed vob file can contain more than you think, it may infact contain the same movie twice, just different versions of it, a directors cut and a theatrical version, all in the same vob set, converting this would give unexpected results. Some movies may play fine, others may play all the way through then the movie may start again from the middle and jump about, many other strange things like that. Lets take a closer look at the region 2 UK release of Independence Day (special edition). This has two different versions of the same movie in the same files. pgc.NET will show you two PGC's, [PGC 01] is 2 hours 27 minutes long and [PGC 02] is 2 hours 18 minutes in length. By playing the movie you'll get a choice of which version you want to watch, special edition or original theatrical release. By the length displayed of these versions you'll know the special edition is the longer [PGC 01] and the normal edition is [PGC 02]. So if you wish to rip the special edition you would choose [PGC 01] in pgc.NET.
So when it comes to converting a movie to AVI, you'll need to have already ripped the correct program chain rather than the original dvd vob set files. pgc.NET used to be able to do this directly from the dvd disk, and in many cases still can, but with the advent of extra anti-copy techniques this is becoming more difficult so pgc.NET will also allow you to process a full dvd folder on your hard drive that you have previous ripped using DVDFab Decrypter, RipIt4Me, or
DVD Decrypter and extract the required program chain. This may also prove important for episodic dvd disks that contain multiple episodes per vob set.
pgc.NET is an extremely easy program to use. Click 'Scan' and the dvd disk in your dvd-rom will be scanned. If no dvd is in the dvd-rom, then you'll be presented with a dialog allowing you to choose a previously ripped dvd folder. This folder must contain ripped dvd files in the structure the same as that present on the original dvd. The 'Output' button allows you to choose a folder where you would like to place the ripped vob file. When you're happy with your pgc selection pressing the 'Start' button will start.
pgc.NET (see picture) is split into three main sections, right-clicking anywhere in the 'pgc.NET' groupbox, bottom left - which contains the web and email links, will give you the option to minimize the program. So to re-cap, scan your dvd or folder, choose your output folder, select your required program chain in the 'dvd.INFO' section, and start. pgci.NET is a .NET application thus requires the latest Microsoft .NET Framework (windows update). pgc.NET is a Windows XP/Vista application.
