Is it possible to import .asf files into iM5 (yes/no)?

I have not had any replies whatsoever to this question in over 10 weeks so I will add what little info. I have found to date.

Apparently it is not possible to import .asf files directly into iMovie since the latter is QT based and the former is a movie file intended mainly for PC's / Windows platforms. And more specifically to a software product known as "Ulead".

I happen to own 3 different digital cameras (sony, samsung, and a lesser known brand called Emprex) The first 2 cameras capture to QT format (that is when using the camera in movie mode) However the Emprex works only on PC's while in movie mode: hence the .asf format for these latter movies. I am able to import the QT movies (from the sony and samsung devices) directly into iMovie but not the .asf movies from the Emprex digital camera.

My objective is to be able to edit (or shorten) these short .asf movies so it is possible to email a few movie clips to family & friends but it's looking more and more like I will need a PC in order to do this type of editing (perhaps only w/in "Ulead").

If anyone can help me out here I would be very appreciative. I've learned my lesson; namely to only use QT for All future movies. But there are still a few clips I need in this PC format / .asf How do I do this???

Might there be a workaround that I am not yet aware of?

Hi SDIllini,

Hey this was really helpful indeed. Thanx! Some progess is being made now with audio which now imports into iMovie. But still no video. I have tried every available setting for video for bitrates since I have no way of knowing it's native bitrate from Windows Media Player (it won't even play there). But I did upgrade VLC and it works fine there. Not sure exactly how I can tell what its native bitrate is in order to approximate with the link you kindly provided. I'll keep trying and post back if I make any further progress.

SDMacuser

Thank you Karsten for this product suggestion.

Never heard of Flip4 Mac but it does claim to support the above file format. Prices for the software range from $29 to $199; depending on the product one purchases (per the following link).

https://store5.esellerate.net/store/checkout/CustomLayout.aspx?s=STR1307002805&p c=&page=OnePageCatalog.htm

I'm wondering if the $29 version will suffice in which case i'd gladly pay for it ... I see they offer a free player version. But not sure if they offer trial versions for any other software listed below.

Just curious, which one of the following would you recommend I purchase for .asf conversion to QT?


Flip4Mac WMV Player Pro — $29.00
Import Windows Media video and audio for editing or conversion to other formats. more info


Flip4Mac WMV Studio — $49.00
Adds the ability to create Windows Media files from QuickTime applications using preset standard definition, single pass encoding profiles. more info


Flip4Mac WMV Studio Pro — $99.00
Adds the ability to create your own standard definition, one-pass encoding profiles. more info


Flip4Mac WMV Studio Pro HD — $179.00
Adds the ability to create high-definition, multichannel audio and two-pass encoding profiles. more info


Flip4Mac WMV Studio Pro HD - Delivered on CD — $199.00

Thanx for the reply Sue. I can actually already view this file on my mac using VLC.

The problem is I am unable to import or export the video to QT for use within iMovie and/or FCP.

Question: What's the difference between WMV Pro Player for $29.00 and VLC (which is free) for reading the file on my mac? Will either allow me to save the .asf for use w/in QuickTime Pro?

Or am I going to need WMV Studio for $49 in order to export the .asf to QT Pro? (which I can then hopefully use within FCP or iMovie)

Yep ..... looks like i'll need WMV Studio for $49. Thanx! This is helpful. 🙂

Just wanted to thank Karsten & SDIllini for all their help. I very much appreciate the time spent on this forum addressing .asf video files on a mac.

As an added note, last night I decided to load Virtual PC 6 to OS X.4.5 and was actually able to email all the above .asf files to family, friends, and myself within Windows XP (Windows emulation software) which at least allowed for this option under windows media player. A bit of a workaround; but it finally did work.

Converting the files to QT for use within iMovie or FCP was very time consuming and produced varied / mixed results (sometimes the audio played perfectly, other times only the video would work). So rather than attempting to address the proper conversion (if one indeed exists for both audio and video) I simply emailed the files thru Windows XP running on a Mac. Worked like a charm.