Way to add .mov files to Videos app

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Level 1

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Way to add .mov files to Videos app

I have a ton of .mov files that I recorded with my iPhone. What is the easiest way to get them into the Videos app on the iPad. From what I can tell I have to convert them to .mp4 for iTunes to accept them under the Movies section of the Library. First of all, why is this? If the iPhone is an apple product and the iPhone/iPad obviously can play .mov (I can play them under the Photos application!) then why won't iTunes allow me to add them to the Movies library? So I end up having to convert them to .mp4 using another program. The same method needs to be used to play them on my Apple TV since they need to be under Movies on my iTunes library for Apple TV to recognize them.

Is there an easier way???

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Oct 31, 2010 9:05 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,163 points

Oct 31, 2010 9:45 AM in response to bchicos

Yes, you will have to convert them because iTunes will not play them nor will the iPad. Use the freeware utility, HandBrake, to convert them - CNet Downloads or MacUpdate.

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Answer 2

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Oct 31, 2010 10:33 AM in response to bchicos

bchicos wrote:
From what I can tell I have to convert them to .mp4 for iTunes to accept them under the Movies section of the Library.

actually, iTunes does support MOV files - if QuickTime (QT) can play them, you can add them to iTunes.

you could then select (highlight) the files in iTunes and, from the advanced menu, choose to +create iPad or Apple TV version+. the newly created files can be synced to your mobile devices.

not sure if the normal version of QT can but, if you own QT Pro, you can export the files into an iPad friendly format.

J GG

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Answer 3

Nov 1, 2010 6:48 AM in response to bchicos

You can send video directly to your ipad and it will play there, but in the photos app, not the videos app. Here's how (done with ipod, but it's the same for iphone):

http://barbarabrundage.com/2010/09/25/transfer-video-and-photos-from-ipod-touch- to-ipad/

(disclaimer: there's a commercial link on that page)

Message was edited by: Barbara Brundage

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Answer 4

bchicos Author

Level 1

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Nov 12, 2010 4:02 AM in response to bchicos

These are all good suggestions but I was aware of most of them. I use either Handbrake or Wondershare right now. My point here is that Apple products should be easy to use. That is usually the selling point. It makes no sense to me that a video shot with an Apple product (iPhone) needs to be converted to a .mp4 prior to adding to iTunes so it can be shared with another Apple product (Apple TV). One person said that you can add .mov files to iTunes. I have not found a way. I go to drag them into my iTunes library and it doesn't accept them. So you need to convert them first. This seems pretty odd since .mov is an Apple format and it's shot with a frikkin iPhone.

Also, as far as synching them with the Photos app it would be nice for them to show up under 'Movies' so I have more flexibility on which movies I add and which ones I don't. If I synch them with Photos I believe it's all or nothing right?

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Answer 5

Nov 12, 2010 5:21 AM in response to bchicos

Also, as far as synching them with the Photos app it would be nice for them to show up under 'Movies' so I have more flexibility on which movies I add and which ones I don't. If I synch them with Photos I believe it's all or nothing right?

If this is in response to my post, I was talking about sending movies directly from the phone to the ipad, in which case you can choose which to import.

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Answer 6

bchicos Author

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Nov 12, 2010 4:09 PM in response to Barbara Brundage

Yes. Thanks for the suggestion... I don't have a camera kit so that doesn't work for me. My post is more of a rant about Apple needing to provide an easier native way to support adding .mov files to iTunes so iPad or Apple TV can see them.

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Answer 7

Nov 13, 2010 8:14 AM in response to bchicos

Sorry I wasn't more clear: I can send a video made with the iphone directly to the ipad and it will play just fine, so the format is clearly not a problem. I'm not sure where the bottleneck is, but it isn't that.

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