How to import Canon FS100 footage (.MOD) via Log and Transfer?

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Level 1

12 points

How to import Canon FS100 footage (.MOD) via Log and Transfer?

I have a Canon FS100 video camera. I records in standard definition 480p video, and saves the files in the .MOD format. Lately, I've just been using iMovie to edit my videos because it can easily import to files. Final Cut Express cannot, though, as far as I'm aware. What I've been doing is copying the files onto my computer, then using a convertor to convert the MOD files into .MOV files, but then FCE has trouble editing it. It causes it to have to render after each edit. Is there an easier way to edit my video? I've tried converting the MOD files into other formats such as DV video, but it still has the rendering problem. My FS100 doesn't show up in the Log and Transfer window of FCE. Is there a way I can make it appear? Thanks.

15" MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on May 3, 2010 5:45 PM

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Answer 1

peter62709 Author

Level 1

12 points

May 3, 2010 5:47 PM in response to peter62709

Another thing I thought I should mention is that in the file system of the camera, each video has an MOD file, then an MOI file with the same name for each clip. I don't know if it's relevant, but I thought it might help.

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Answer 2

MartinR

Level 7

25,586 points

May 3, 2010 6:05 PM in response to peter62709

.mod files are a problem. Are you shooting in 4:3 or 16:9 mode?
What app are you using to convert them ... and what are you converting them to?

The .moi files are index information associated with the .mod files that contain the actual video.

MPEG Streamclip should be able to convert the .mod files. You may need the QuickTime MPEG2 Playback Componen, if you don't already have it on your Mac. ($20 download from the Apple Store). (You may need to change the .mod file extension to .mpg then open it in MPEG Streamclip.) If you are shooting 4:3 then in MPEG Streamclip convert the videos to QuickTime using Apple DV/DVCPRO-NTSC compression (this is a selection on the conversion screen).

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Answer 3

peter62709 Author

Level 1

12 points

May 4, 2010 7:09 PM in response to MartinR

I use MPEG Streamclip to convert them; and I do have the Playback Component, and I can import the MOD files directly into Streamclip without changing the extension.
The videos are recorded at a resolution of 720x480, which is 16:9, I think... right?

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Answer 4

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,889 points

May 4, 2010 7:14 PM in response to peter62709

It may or may not be 16:9. All of this type of media is 720x480, it can either be 4:3, or it can be squeezed into frame anamorphically and replayed as widescreen 16:9. What was the original media, 4:3 or 16:9?

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Answer 5

peter62709 Author

Level 1

12 points

May 4, 2010 7:16 PM in response to MartinR

I just tried your idea about the DV/DVCPRO codec and it worked. It doesn't appear in Log and Transfer, but if I just import it regularly, I don't have the rendering problem. Thank you very much!

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