How do you convert a movie in .DAT format so its iPhone ready

Question

Level 1

6 points

How do you convert a movie in .DAT format so its iPhone ready

I'm on a current MAC BOOK PRO syncing with a iPhone 3Gs. I can play the .DAT movie in VLC on my MAC BOOK but cant work out how to get it into my iPhone. I cant open it with QT
Any idea anyone?

MBpro, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on May 2, 2010 4:46 PM

Reply

Answer 1

DaVBMan

Level 6

9,292 points

May 2, 2010 5:05 PM in response to fimfie

What type of movie?

Reply

Answer 2

May 2, 2010 5:14 PM in response to fimfie

.DAT is not any video format that I am familiar with. That is usually the Windows file type for a program's internal data, such as preferences.

Reply

Answer 3

fimfie Author

Level 1

6 points

May 2, 2010 5:17 PM in response to DaVBMan

I actually don't know how to describe it other than it ends in .DAT
Its an instructional video a friend did and he gave it to me on a DVD. I have been able to get it onto my Mac Book and view it using VLC Media Player. iTunes wont let me import it and iMovie doesn't want to know about it, Quick time doesn't want to know about it
??????????????
I want to get it onto my iPhone for daily use.

Reply

Answer 4

snkhan

Level 3

677 points

May 2, 2010 5:18 PM in response to fimfie

I've got a feeling that the file extension is obfuscating the actual file type. Have you tried renaming the file to 'file.avi' or 'file.mov' to see whether Quicktime can play it?

Reply

Answer 5

DaVBMan

Level 6

9,292 points

May 2, 2010 5:20 PM in response to snkhan

Agree, VLC is just good at looking into a file and trying out decoders to show video while others rely on proper file naming.

I am guessing it is an AVI myself.

Reply

Answer 6

fimfie Author

Level 1

6 points

May 2, 2010 5:30 PM in response to DaVBMan

Have tried changing to both .avi and .mov and neither work... are openable
????????
Any other possibilities?

Reply

Answer 7

DaVBMan

Level 6

9,292 points

May 2, 2010 5:37 PM in response to fimfie

Does the DVD play like on a normal DVD player? Trying to find out if you have a real DVD formatted video.

If you just copied off the data, that is not how to take a DVD to a computer. It has to be converted off.

You said it is a personal video he made so if that is the case, look up Handbrake on Google as it can convert it for you. Even has setting for iPhone.

Use the DVD he gave you as I don't know what is up with that DAT file.

Reply

Answer 8

fimfie Author

Level 1

6 points

May 2, 2010 5:41 PM in response to DaVBMan

Yes its a yoga instructional vid that I do every day. I cant remember how exactly I got it from the DVD across to my MAC but it does play. The original DVD does play just like a normal DVD. Insert, play bla bla
OK I'll explore Handbrake and revert back. Thanks all for your time
Cheers

Reply

Answer 9

fimfie Author

Level 1

6 points

May 2, 2010 7:48 PM in response to fimfie

Handbrake worked perfectly thank you

Reply