Problem with not seeing files on DVD disc

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Level 1

9 points

Problem with not seeing files on DVD disc

Hello,
I have recently purchased a Sony RDR-VX500 which has enabled me to convert my home videos on VHS to DVD. I was then going to put the DVD into my MAC and edit them with Final Cut Pro. The problem now is that the computer does NOT read ANY files on the discs.

My internal DVD burner in my MAC (non-oem)is DVD-R.
The DVD-R disc appears on the desktop but NO files appear.

I tried both DVD+R and DVD-R discs in my pc and saw EVerything!

I did an update and looked on the apple support site, but I do not have a clue and was hoping someone here did.
I am definitely going to have to return thing if I cannot find a way to edit the files!

I have a G4 with OS 10.2.x

Thanks for any info..

Posted on Sep 8, 2005 9:52 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 8, 2005 10:22 AM in response to dirtcircus

I'm not sure why you wouldn't see the files, but in any case even if you could they would not be importable to Final Cut.

DVD Video is a final format and is unsuitable for input into editing programs. And while you could rip the encoded video off the DVD using tools such as DVDxDV and others, quality will suffer as you will be ripping already-encoded material.

If you can, your best bet would be to capture the video from VHS directly into Final Cut. You can use a dedicated A/D converter, or any DV video camera to do this.

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Answer 2

dirtcircus Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 8, 2005 12:20 PM in response to Bear Bibeault

Man!!! agh... I might be willing to do this with some stuff, maybe an interesting effect,etc., but ALL in ALL this is not good news.
I do have a miniDV camera and that stuff is no problem, but I also have footage from the older style of camera and band footage on VHS tapes that I really want to import.

Can you suggest an A/D converter?

thanks!!!

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Answer 3

Sep 8, 2005 6:12 PM in response to dirtcircus

If you already have a minDV cam, you probably don't need a converter -- your camera can probably do it. What model is it?

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Answer 4

dirtcircus Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 9, 2005 6:34 AM in response to Bear Bibeault

Well yes, I do already have a minidv camera, but I also still have all the footage from my previous camera that is not minidv and does not have firewire.
I also have footage on regular videotape. Stuff that I would like to import and edit.

I have tried going from a vhs into my minidv camera and that works for the most part, but I feel it wears out both the engine and the head of the minidv camera...

Final Cut Pro as far as I know only accepts firewire. That's actually why I upgraded from my old mac to the G4...

I guess I don't need a pro a/d converter, but I would need something with reasonable quality. thanks

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Answer 5

Sep 9, 2005 9:27 AM in response to dirtcircus

If the camera has "pass-thru" there will be no wear and tear on the camera parts. If it's an older (or less capable) camera that requires you to put the video on tape before streaming it to the system then it might make sense to invest in a stand-alone converter if this is something that you will be doing a lot of. I wouldn't make the investment for one or two videos, but if you have hours and hours of footage to transfer, that would make sense.

I've not used any stand-alone converters myself (I use pass-thru on my Canon ZR-70 DV cam) but I know that this subject has come up a lot in the past in the iDVD and Final Cut forums.

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Answer 6

dirtcircus Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 9, 2005 11:01 AM in response to Bear Bibeault

Wow, that sounds hopeful..I will look this weekend for a 'pass-thru' capability.
I probably got this consumer minidv camera in 1997 or 98..
thanks for your help...

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Answer 7

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Sep 15, 2005 8:43 AM in response to dirtcircus

I am not familiar with the model you are using, but one thought that comes to mind is many of these set-top DVD recorders require you to "finalize" the DVD before it will be playable on another machine or in a computer drive. The set-top can replay any footage it recorded on an unfinalized DVD but other devices won't be able to see this footage until finalized (essentially putting on the directory structure and whatnot for other devices to know where to find the data).
Of course, as others pointed out, if this is what you need to make the footage appear on your Mac, you now have the issue of converting this compressed format back into DV form that iM4 (and previous versions) can use.
Patrick

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Answer 8

Sep 15, 2005 9:42 PM in response to dirtcircus

Sounds like you are on your way with the pass thru option. Had a question about the DVD recorder that you got. I just got one also. Have you been able to export video from the firewire on the MAC to the firewire input on the Sony recorder? I made an attempt about a week ago and it was not recognized on either end (MAC or the recorder)

Just wondered if there is some setting that I am missing.

Thanks,

Kyle

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