Can I remove commercials from programs recorded from the T.V.?

Question

Level 1

39 points

Can I remove commercials from programs recorded from the T.V.?

Hi there,

I've never used iDVD and am trying to establish whether I can edit stuff that I've recorded off the T.V.?

I have a DVD recorder and tend to burn to re-writable DVDs and would like to be able to remove the adverts and then burn to DVD-R (which works on my other DVD player - it can't play RW)

Is this possible with iDVD or do I need some other software?

Thanks in advance,

Juergen May

Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Apr 6, 2006 3:13 PM

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Answer 1

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Apr 6, 2006 3:20 PM in response to Juerg

You need other software like iMovie. iDVD does not have any ability to edit video. It is strictly an application to take already edited footage and wrap menus and such around it. iDVD doesn't even have the ability to add chapter markers to a movie.
So to edit your DVDs, first you need to convert them (from MPEG2 format) to a format compatible with iMovie (DV). Then you can edit away in iMovie, then you can go back to iDVD and burn your new edited version.
Keep in mind the your DVDs are MPEG2 which is a lossy compressed format, so you will lose quality by converting to DV format then going back to MPEG2 again. This is sort of like taking an MP3, expanding it out to a full AIFF file, editing, then converting back down to an MP3 again. Or editing JPG images and resaving as JPGs.
Patrick

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Answer 2

Juerg Author

Level 1

39 points

Apr 6, 2006 3:34 PM in response to PT

Ah.... OK.

When I put my DVD in my Mac there are two folders - VIDEO_RM and VIDEO_TS. These contain .DAT, .IFO, .VOB and .BUP files - but no files that look like MPEG 2 files.

I'm sure I'm being an idiot but I just don't understand! I tried iMovie but it won't allow me to import any of the files mentioned above. They're all greyed-out.

Am I supposed to convert these file or do something to these files before I can import them into iMovie.

Sorry for being a fool - just trying to understand something new!

Thanks,

Juerg

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Answer 3

SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Apr 6, 2006 3:41 PM in response to Juerg

Hi Juerg:

I believe that this is what Patrick meant when he said, "So to edit your DVDs, first you need to convert them (from MPEG2 format) to a format compatible with iMovie (DV). Then you can edit away in iMovie, then you can go back to iDVD and burn your new edited version. "
You can't just pull DVD files into iMovie. iMovie was made to import DV video-not MPEG2 files. So, you will need these:

How can I edit MPEG or convert DVD or MPEG to DV
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/%7Eshmhav/SVCDon_a_Macintosh.html#edit_convertMPEG

Using MPEG or DVD footage
http://www.danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml

MPEG Streamclip
http://www.alfanet.it/squared5/mpegstreamclip.html

MPEG-2 Playback
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/

Truthfuly? Might be easier to fast-forward....
Sue

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Answer 4

Juerg Author

Level 1

39 points

Apr 6, 2006 3:49 PM in response to SDIllini

Wow! I don't feel quite so stupid now! 🙂

I thought this would be a simple task. I'll take a proper look at the links and see if there's anything worthwhile.

Until then, I'll stick with FFWD!!!!

Thanks,

Juerg

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Answer 5

Apr 7, 2006 12:07 AM in response to Juerg

Hi Jürgen,

first of all:
iMovie is a video edit app meant to work with firewire connected miniDV camcorders
iDVD is a videoDVD authoring and burning app, meant to work in collaboration of other iLife apps

DVD uses mpeg2 for compressing video, an end-of-the-road format, not meant for editing..

but there are some options:
get for 20$ the Apple mpeg2 plugin
and for free the tool Streamclip for converting mp1/2/4, divx, avi, vob...

other tools are:
* DVDxDV, it has a 30d trial period (testdrive sets a watermark)... and cost 25$
* Cinematize >60$
* Mpeg2Works >25$ + Apple plug-in

http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml

or connect Your Camera to a DVD-player and copy to tape or import trough if Your Camera handles that...

for a beginner, I recommend DVDxDV... a one-click-only app, very Apple'ish

concerning quality, use Streamclip - is has some basic edit options WITHOUT converting the mpegs; due to the nature of mpegs, you can not edit with single-frame-accuracy; and you need an authoring app to create new .ifo etc files for a videoDVD.. try for free Sizzle

hope, that helps...

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