Importing DVD into iMovie

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Importing DVD into iMovie

I recently had an old 16mm home movie transferred onto DVD. I would now like to re-edit it, but don't know how to import the scenes into iMovie. Any advice? Do I need another piece of software?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Jul 10, 2007 5:35 PM

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Answer 1

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Karsten Schlüter

Level 7

34,086 points

Jul 10, 2007 9:33 PM in response to Don Zauli

welcome Don Zauli to the  boards...

DVDs are in a socalled delivery format (mpeg2), which isn't meant and made for any processing as editing...

for using the iLife apps, you have to convert'em first, in recommended order, choose one of the following tools/workarounds:

* DVDxDV (free trial, 25$, Pro: 90$)
* Apple mpeg2 plugin (19$) + Streamclip (free)
* VisualHub (23.32$)
* Cinematize >60$
* Mpeg2Works >25$ + Apple plug-in
* Toast 6/7/8 allows converting to dv/insert dvd, hit apple-k
* connect a miniDV Camcorder with analogue input to a DVD-player and transfer disk to tape/use as converter

none of these apps override copyprotection mechanisms as on commercial dvds...

http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml

be nice to copy rights

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Answer 2

Jul 10, 2007 11:01 PM in response to Don Zauli

Why didn't you have them converted to miniDV (or even HDV)?

The footage is now highly compressed on your DVD using MPEG-2. You must convert to DV in order to do your editing. After that, you need to compress to MPEG-2 again, if you want a DVD. All this conversion will cost you quality.

That's why a DVD is the FINAL destination; it's NEVER an intermediate step.

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Answer 3

Don Zauli Author

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Jul 11, 2007 11:43 AM in response to Karsten Schlüter

Hi Karsten

Thank you for your helpful reply. I downloaded DVDxDV, but was not able to import the contents of the DVD. Do I just need to drag the DVD icon over, or is there more involved?

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Answer 4

Jul 11, 2007 9:56 PM in response to Don Zauli

.. Do I just need to drag the DVD icon over, or is there more involved? ..

launch DVDxDV
select 'open..'
follow advices (format, location...)

I like to work from a copy of the DVD on my internal harddrive.. going straight from DVDdrive could cause .. hickups....

plus, DVDxDV has a Help function.. 😉

just to mention:
DVDxDV does NOT overrun any copy protection mechanisms as on most commercial DVDs!
How-Tos for 'ripping' of DRM is against ToU of this board..

(and, no, I don't answer on this topic via mail... my German laws are much more restrictive than US laws....)

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Answer 5

Don Zauli Author

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Jul 12, 2007 7:15 PM in response to Karsten Schlüter

Thanks again. I'll try it.

No worries regarding copyright protection. The original movie was home-made by me. I'd just like to be able to re-edit it digitally, add music, etc.

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Answer 6

Don Zauli Author

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Jul 13, 2007 6:58 PM in response to Karsten Schlüter

Hi Karsten

I was finally able to make it work using DVDxDV. Thanks again for your help!

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Answer 7

Don Zauli Author

Level 1

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Jul 13, 2007 6:59 PM in response to Lennart Thelander

Thanks, Lennart

I did notice that the quality wasn't that great, but I put it down to the quality of the original 16mm print. Next time I'll know better!

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