Working with .DAT files

Hi SandeepBangia:

Welcome to discussions! 🙂

DAT files are not importable to iMovie

Read this discussion (especially what Karsten posts):

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2667478&#2667478

Also, I understand that iSquint may import those files.

Sue

iMac ppcG5 1.8 GHz 20FP & (2)iMac G4 800MHz 17FP Mac OS X (10.3.9) OS X 10.4.6 / iLife 4,5,6 Superdrives & 1 G RAM / QT6 pro

Sue,

I think SandeepBangia may be talking about files with an extension of .DAT rather than data from a DAT (Digital Audio Tape).

If this is the case, Toast may be another answer. I know it creates VCDs and I think it may also have the capability of converting the VCD to the DV format that iMovie needs.

I don't have Toast myself. Perhaps a Toast user will come along to help us!

Not familiar with iSquint. That may work too and is no doubt cheaper!

Matt

Message was edited by: Matthew Morgan

How can I retrieve MPEG2 from a (S)VCD:

http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/SVCDon_aMacintosh.html#retrieve

How can I edit MPEG or convert DVD or MPEG to DV:

http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/SVCDon_a_Macintosh.html#edit_convertMPEG

...but the best option is to re-digitize the VHS tapes straight to DV! MUCH better quality!!

Usually just renaming the .DAT file to .mpg will allow you to uses them.
The Finder can do this for you. Ignore the alert dialogs.
The trouble with MPEG-1 files is that you need third party software to convert the audio portion or a format that QuickTime understands.
Use MPEG Streamclip (free) to convert your .mpg files.
PC's use the .DAT extension of some image formats, too. If you know the file extension used you may be able to add it manually.
MPEG Streamclip (free) can convert .mpg files (DAT) to those you can use on your Mac.
If they are "image" formats you should look to Graphic Convertor to help convert them.

http://www.squared5.com/

I wsa given this info by Dick Napoli
You may want to try this freeware and use it to convert the dat file to a DV Stream which you will be able to open in iMovie, do your editing, and then export or "Share" to a .mov file. Mpeg StreamClip

I am going to try it. I have the same problem.