Importing miniDV files losslessly

@Joe Herth.....

I am dealing with this exact same topic in the following thread and have found a solution that will work for archiving dv camcorder tapes in their original quality to .mov files. Here is the link:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5411868?start=0&tstart=0

Best wishes on your project....I've learned that dealing with video is a real bear until you get the basic required understanding of the concepts, options, and software so that you can maintain original quality all the way through the process.

Hi MartinR,

I been following this and other strings on the subject. I liked the comment you made that archiving using ProRes using iMovie 10 should provide a great long-term solution while saving file space. I'm wondering if you have any additional thoughts on that before I embark on converting and backing up many hundreds of hours of material. I saw the comment that ProRes a.k.a AVCHD wasn't a great format to work within. Given, I am capturing AVCHD moving forward, doesn't both iMovie and FCP do a conversation automatically to an inter format to actually work with?

One more thing. I see that when outputting using ProRes the extension is still .mov Is that right?

thx

Lou

What do you mean by saying ProRes will save space?

ProRes files are over 5 times bigger than DV . . . an hour of standard def ProRes will be well over 50GB.

Hey Guys, thought I'd throw out another option. I used a program called LifeFlix because I got frustrated with iMovie (I don't really understand all the format stuff). it's just a minidv import software, and allows import using MP4 compression or leaving the files in their original DV format. the only downside is it doesn't allow titling and more complex editing.... it's $10 on the mac app store. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lifeflix-minidv-importer/id630212114?mt=12

For what it's worth, you can capture DV (aka miniDV) with QuickTime 7, which is still available and can be installed alongside QuickTime X (which isn't useful for DV). Note, while QuickTime 7 itself is free, you will need a QT7Pro key,which currently costs $29.95.

Another utility that has been around quite a few years and works very well is CatDV, which in addition to capturing DV also provides cataloging and metadata support.

These are proven apps that have been around a long time and fully support DV video.

In addition, all versions of Final Cut, including the current version Final Cut Pro X, support DV capture.

Thanks for the additional options Martin. I use FCPX for editing and tried to use it for importing my minidv tapes, which works great for one, but didn't think it worked good for 20 tapes, same for QuickTime. That is why I switched.

FCP X captures in the highest possible quality and I don't see the relevance of "20 tapes" as however you capture them, they will have to take real time . . . an hour for a 60 minute tape . . . you can't speed it up like capturing AVCHD from a memory card.

Keep in mind I'm novice FCP user, just the basics. I know importing with either program takes the same time, but for me it's more about the complexity of FCP vs LifeFlix. the later is dedicated to importing with only two options, compressed with MP4 or uncompressed (that's all it does)... I just wanted to import my tapes, share a couple clips and then archive each tape in a single file onto a hard drive. Lifeflix does this in a button, in FCP you've got to drop all clips into the timeline and export blah blah... even all the export options I don't fully understand. believe me I tried to use FCP then someone pointed me to lifeflix.... anyway, I usually hate buying separate software, but I see an overall trend in the software and app world to create single function low cost dedicated applications that keep things simple. each time I open FCP, I have to relearn a bunch of things to do anything but I don't use it that often. again, that's just me.

I've followed this with great interest. A couple of years ago I downloaded the trial of FCPX and archived about 30 MiniDV tapes into .mov files on a separate hard drive - just in case the tapes degraded or the old camcorder failed. At this time I'd like to make the movies viewable - at the highest possible quality - on a TV (1080P) and I have an AppleTV.

I brought the camcorder and tapes out again and imported some clips to Quicktime Pro and then exported/moved to iTunes and it looked ok via the AppleTV. I also tried iMovie 10 as I understand there is no major quality loss for interlaced video any longer when creating projects.

However, is there any way I can leverage the already archived tapes (.mov files) and consolidate the clips into a 60 min movie (no editing interest at this time) and share that on AppleTV?

I was trying to avoid buying FCPX as I do not see the need for such an advanced editing software but would be willing to pay up for it if it can 1) save me time 2) provide a higher quality solution.