Home movies on DVD & iPod Video?

[jaw04005]

What programs would I need to copy my sony DVD camcorder discs (MPEG 2) to my iMac and process them for use on an iPod video?

Can I just copy the VIDEO_TS file from the disc to my iMac or do I need to use a program like DVD backup? How would I convert the files from MPEG 2 to h.264 or MPEG 4?

 

[26139]

Um...

So you're saying you have a mini dvd camcorder (not mini DV)?

If so...you're out of luck. Never heard of anyone who has been able to get that to work on a Mac.

 

[balamw]

If so...you're out of luck. Never heard of anyone who has been able to get that to work on a Mac.

I can understand why editing MPEG-2 from any DVD source might be difficult, but once the disc from the camcorder is finalized and can be read in any DVD player, isn't this (i.e. conversion to H.264 or MPEG-4) just a job for Handbrake or Mac The Ripper?

B

 

[DeSnousa]

If you have still kept your iMovie project (assuming), go into export and make a Quicktime movie

 

[jdechko]

if you have a slot-loading drive on your iMac and a camcorder that uses mini-DVD's you cannot just put the disk in. you have to find a tray-loading drive or risk getting the disk stuck.

 

[Bear]

What programs would I need to copy my sony DVD camcorder discs (MPEG 2) to my iMac and process them for use on an iPod video?

Can I just copy the VIDEO_TS file from the disc to my iMac or do I need to use a program like DVD backup? How would I convert the files from MPEG 2 to h.264 or MPEG 4?

You need a QuickTime Pro license. And starting with 7.0.3, there is an Export to iPod (320x240) option.

 

[jaw04005]

if you have a slot-loading drive on your iMac and a camcorder that uses mini-DVD's you cannot just put the disk in. you have to find a tray-loading drive or risk getting the disk stuck.

I have a tray loading drive on an older PowerMac. If I just copy the VIDEO_TS folder from the disc, how do I turn the VOB files into a format that can be used by QT to export to the new iPod's specs?

 

[jaw04005]

If you have still kept your iMovie project (assuming), go into export and make a Quicktime movie

Maybe you didn't read my post, but iMovie was not used. I have a Sony DVD Camcorder that records directly to a mini-DVD disc. There are no project files.

 

[jaw04005]

I can understand why editing MPEG-2 from any DVD source might be difficult, but once the disc from the camcorder is finalized and can be read in any DVD player, isn't this (i.e. conversion to H.264 or MPEG-4) just a job for Handbrake or Mac The Ripper?

B

I'll look up Handbrake, never used it before. I'm not sure if I need Mac The Ripper simply because the Sony DVD Camcorder does not put copy-protection on the discs (at least I don't think it does).