What software to buy to convert vcd & dvd for editing ?

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Level 1

121 points

What software to buy to convert vcd & dvd for editing ?

Hi there,

I have found some old Hi8 and miniDV tapes in my storeroom. They are previous to me now bcos it contained videos of my children when they were baby and toddler.

The problem is I cannot show them to my children because both my video camera that plays the Hi8 and miniDV have spoil.

I went to some shops and only found one old shop that said it can convert for me to VCD and DVD but they do not provide service to convert it to mov or mp4 which I need to edit them in FCPX.

So is it better to convert it to VCD or DVD ?

And what software can I buy to convert VCD & DVD to mo4 or mov ?

Thanks

15.4, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 27" iMac - 4GB RAM, 1TB HDD, 1GB ATI Radeon HD, i5 QuadCore

Posted on Feb 28, 2013 7:25 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,808 points

Feb 28, 2013 7:30 AM in response to RyanManUtd

DVD is better. MPEG Streamclip will rip the disc.

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Answer 2

Feb 28, 2013 7:35 AM in response to RyanManUtd

I would throw out one more option. You can find a used Digital 8MM camera on eBay that will pass through High 8 analog. I had several 8mm tapes to capture, and I bought a Sony TRV-230 on eBay for about $140. I sold it on eBay a year later for $120, so I captured in DV for a net cost of $20.

You can do the same with a DV camera for your miniDV tapes.

If your choice is between VCD and DVD, pick DVD.

Here is advice on converting from DVD. This advice is for iMovie. If you are using FCPX, I would suggest using MPEG Streamclip to convert your DVD to ProRes rather than Apple Intermediate Codec, but otherwise, it is the same.

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3951

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Answer 3

Feb 28, 2013 7:37 AM in response to RyanManUtd

I had the same problem with Video 8 tapes until I found someone with a player last September.

However, if you are not miserly like me, you could probably find one going cheap on eBay etc.

With Hi8 you will need an analogue to digital converter as well.

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Answer 4

RyanManUtd Author

Level 1

121 points

Feb 28, 2013 8:00 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Thanks Ian but unfortunately it is very difficult to find anyone has a Hi8 video cam over here ! 🙂

Ian R. Brown wrote:

I had the same problem with Video 8 tapes until I found someone with a player last September.

However, if you are not miserly like me, you could probably find one going cheap on eBay etc.

With Hi8 you will need an analogue to digital converter as well.

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Answer 5

RyanManUtd Author

Level 1

121 points

Feb 28, 2013 8:04 AM in response to AppleMan1958

Thanks Appleman & Tom,

Does that mean I need to install the Mpeg Component 2 ?

I bought it when my QuickTime was QuickTime6.

Since using this new iMac I didn't install the Component 2.

But is there a problem since it will search ofr the QuickTimeMpeg2.dmg which in my case was QT6 era ?

So I must install it for Sreamclip to be able to read the DVD ?

Thnaks

AppleMan1958 wrote:

If your choice is between VCD and DVD, pick DVD.

Here is advice on converting from DVD. This advice is for iMovie. If you are using FCPX, I would suggest using MPEG Streamclip to convert your DVD to ProRes rather than Apple Intermediate Codec, but otherwise, it is the same.

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3951

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Answer 6

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,808 points

Feb 28, 2013 8:16 AM in response to RyanManUtd

Yes, you will need the MPEG2 playback component. See the Streamclip web site for instructions for the beta version.

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Answer 7

RyanManUtd Author

Level 1

121 points

Feb 28, 2013 8:22 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Tom Wolsky wrote:

Yes, you will need the MPEG2 playback component. See the Streamclip web site for instructions for the beta version.

Hi Tom,

I have read it & installed the the 1.9.3b beta version.

My worries are this sentence which I underlined:

"To install the component in Lion or Mountain Lion, please download MPEG Streamclip 1.9.3b8 betaabove; inside the disk image you will find the Utility MPEG2 Component M. Lion: use it to install the MPEG-2 Playback Component in Lion or Mountain Lion. The original installer's disk image (QuickTimeMPEG2.dmg) is required"

My original QuickTimeMPEG2.dmg file is for QT6 and not QT7 ... will it be a problem ?

Thanks

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Answer 8

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,808 points

Feb 28, 2013 8:29 AM in response to RyanManUtd

I don't know. It might be.

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