How do I go about getting those PSS files out of PS2 games?

[Bushido Philosopher]

I've already read http://www.animemusicvideos.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=27803 so don't point me in any direction that goes to.

I've tried to do the HEX Editing as mentioned there, but the tutorials somehow don't work. All I get is a bunch of useless 16 KB files or "supposed" files that don't work.

I'm will to learn anything (like I did Premiere four years ago or this HEX editing). But if I'm misled then how am I supposed to do it right? Maybe I'm just doing something wrong but I literally did this dozens of times with no luck. Kinda annoying.... to say the least.

What I'm thinking is getting a program that allows me to see all of the files on the DVD rather than just the few that can be shown on Explorer. Then I can just use RipPSS and try that.

Or if you can point me to a HEX tutorial for PSS files other than those in Square Realm then point those out too.

But if anyone has a way that they KNOW works, (as in they've dont it themselves. None of these guys going "oh I don't have a PS2 but I'm sure this works") then please post what to do.

Word from me spreads fast so you can bet that the information will not help just one person, but many many more.

[keyboardsamurai]

I'm not sure, but I believe .pss files are encoded in MPEG2 (SVCD format) so any prog that can convert SVCD should be able to convert the *.pss files into mpeg1 then you can use virtual dub to convert to avi. A prog called DVDX may be able to convert them (try renaming the .pss to .mpg and see if dvdx can pick it up). I think they can be viewed using a software dvd player, such as powerdvd or windvd (in the .pss format).

[keyboardsamurai]

Here is a good tutorial I found. I still think you are going to have to convert it to a .mp2 first (you use a prog called TMPG to do this) or try simply renaming them. Here is the tutorial

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/mpeg2tovcd.htm
www.filemirrors.com should be able to find all the progs you need.

[Bushido Philosopher]

Tell me something I don't know, please. Read the whole post before responding.

What I'm thinking is getting a program that allows me to see all of the files on the DVD rather than just the few that can be shown on Explorer. Then I can just use RipPSS and try that.

I can't see them so I can't convert them. If I could I wouldn't be asking this like some newb who hasn't clicked the Search feature.

[keyboardsamurai]

$amn, calm down. Get a program called Smartripper. It can show you all files on the entire DVD and allow you to choose which you want to rip. Again check filemirrors.com

[BigDude]

PSS Plex

That'll work on most games... it rips the pss files off the disk and directly converts them to mpeg2. Which from there you can put it through DVD2AVI, AVISynth or whatever you want to do with it... Of course, if you're trying to get the videos off, for say, Xenosaga or FFX-2, it won't work.

[CaTaClYsM]

GOD DAMNIT! can someone PLEASE update the video game footage guide so we don't have to deal with this freaking question again? Failing that, sticky a thread here for people so see with an explanation.

[Bushido Philosopher]

Of course, if you're trying to get the videos off, for say, Xenosaga or FFX-2, it won't work.

And of course, those are the games (among others) I want the files from....

GOD DAMNIT! can someone PLEASE update the video game footage guide so we don't have to deal with this freaking question again?

Y'know, you kinda need to answer the damn question for you to be able to say that. I haven't run into a person yet who could explain to me a truly effective method of extracting PSS files. And besides, no one's asking you to hang around these forums. Leave if you're getting tired of it. And if you're so fed up then I suggest you updating the game footage section yourself.

[Bushido Philosopher]

I really appreciate the help keyboard, I really do, but you're telling me all that I've tried. And it looks to me like you haven't yourself tried to extract PSS files from games. Your heart's in the right place, but it's like you're like giving blood to something that's already dead.

Everyone, assume that I have tried everything in the past forum threads. Like I said, I even tried HEX editing (as stated in the thread I linked). I know all about PSS Plex, things at PS2MODS Paradise, RipPSS, FFX-2 Tool, the whole deal. I know it's a MPEG-2 based file. I know the difference between real-time and rendered scenes.

[CaTaClYsM]

I did kind of answer the damned question. Just not to you.

Believe it or not you arent the first person (screw it I'm tired) to ask about PS2 ripping.

[Castor Troy]

I took this from GameFAQs

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Introduction, for PS2 FMV they put the movie files as PSS file. So every movie file that resembles videos in games or maybe cutscenes/real time are in PSS files ( most of them ) Some DVDs the PSS files can be found if you explore it but some like FFX and X-2 they are hidden and you need to find them.

Let us start off by getting these softwares:
1)Isobuster ( for creating an image of the game ) and VirtualCD 5 for backup purposes
2)PSS Demux to demultiplex the PSS file to m2v, wav and ac3
3)Nova Software Extractor 2.4 to extract the files
4)Tmpgenc ( to encode the videos to mpeg ) or DVD2AVI+Virtual Dub ( for avi files )
5) The File Splitter 1.3 to split the image into smaller files.

1)First, you open up Isobuster to create an image of FFX-2 which is 3.7GB.
2)After getting the image, use The File Splitter to split them to 1GB each.
3)After splitting it, use Nova Software Extractor. In the format section below, click on .mpg only then select the file and start scanning.
4)When you get all MPG files, right click on the file and change the properties from .mpg to .pss and save it to a location. Make sure to check the box at the left side of the file.
5)Then use PSS Demux to demultiplex the PSS file into m2v, wav and ac3 ( Dolby Digital 5.1 sound )
6)Use Tmpgenc to simple multiplex the m2v and ac3 together. Make sure the Mpeg-2 plugin is not expired. If its expired, you can't use the ac3 format file
7)Or use DVD2AVI to convert the file to avi then use Virtual Dub to dub both the video and the wav file.

-------------------------

I don't actually use PSS Demux, I use MFAudio instead.

[BigDude]

My goodness, it works! Thanx Castor! ^_^

[Bushido Philosopher]

PSS Plex will rip the video from PS2 games. Note that some games it will not work with and some it will but it still beats getting a capture card.

Everyone, assume that I have tried everything in the past forum threads. Like I said, I even tried HEX editing (as stated in the thread I linked). I know all about PSS Plex, things at PS2MODS Paradise, RipPSS, FFX-2 Tool, the whole deal. I know it's a MPEG-2 based file. I know the difference between real-time and rendered scenes.

In your fury to get back at me you failed to read that I looked at that post and every other pertaining to PS2 ripping.

[keyboardsamurai]

well then, I guess it just can't be done. Suck it up and record the vids off of your monitor with a cam. Other than that go do more research.

[Bushido Philosopher]

I am much in your debt Castor Troy.

My schedule permitting, maybe I'll send a guide to Phade. I know enough HTML to get a decent one up. No promises though.

So yes, for those reading consider this a working method for Final Fantasy X-2 video ripping. Too bad there are only 11 videos though.... didn't realize there were that few.

I'm going to try this on the Kojima games next (MGS2 and ZOE2). But I highly doubt that I'll be able to get them working. I think I remember getting them somehow but then something was wrong...

Thanks again Castor.