Sirius999

Q: Backing up video files to DVD for future editing

OS X Yosemite

Version: 10.10.4 (14E46)

 

iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)

 

Processor: 3.2 GHz Intel Core i3

Memory: 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3

Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5670 512 MB

 

Hi,

 

I would appreciate help with three questions.

 

1. On my hard drive I have .mov files (the extension is shown after the file name), QuickTime movies (no extension is shown after the file name) and movie files with the extension .m4v.

 

I want to back up all my movie files to DVD in order to keep them safe and in order to transfer them back to my internal hard drive for future editing. Should I transfer the files as they are or should I convert them to the same extension (if that's possible)?

 

2. Once the files are uploaded (from DVD) which program should I use to edit them? (I have iMovie 09, Version 8.0.6 (821) and FCE 4.0.1)

 

3. Once the files are edited what is the recommended output format? (My movies are of sentimental value and I want to preserve them for my family.)

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Regards,

Sirius 999.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Aug 3, 2015 3:10 AM

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Q: Backing up video files to DVD for future editing

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  • by MartinR,

    MartinR MartinR Aug 3, 2015 3:44 PM in response to Sirius999
    Level 6 (14,891 points)
    Aug 3, 2015 3:44 PM in response to Sirius999

    If your goal is to preserve your movie files for future editing, then transferring them to DVD is not a good way to go.  For starters, DVD media are limited to either 4.7GB or 8.5GB depending on whether the discs are single or dual layer.  You probably have QT video files larger than that.  In addition, writing and reading files from DVD media is slow, slow, slow.

     

    My recommendation is to get a couple of good external FireWire or Thunderbolt hard drives for your backup/archiving purposes.  2.5" drives now come in 750GB and 1TB capacities, they are fast and inexpensive.   (FWIW, I use WD Scorpio Black 750GB/7200rpm drives, currently $58 from B&H, in removable enclosures so it's easy to swap hard drives).

     

    If you anticipate future editing, copy your video files as is, do not convert them to any other format.   (BTW, your m4v files are iTunes protected movies; they cannot be converted anyway.)

     

    As far as editing is concerned, iMovie and Final Cut Express are fine.  Do keep in mind however that Final Cut Express was discontinued about 4 years ago.  You should consider moving to Final Cut Pro X.

     

    Once you have edited your movies, the output format depends on your intended use.  For example, if you are using Final Cut Express and intend to burn DVDs you should output as QuickTime Movie only.  (You will also need software to burn the DVDs.  Roxio Toast is one of the few options still available for burning DVDs on Macs.)   But if you intend to save your finished movies on a streaming player then output to QuickTime/H.264 or MP4/H.264 is the way to go.

  • by Sirius999,

    Sirius999 Sirius999 Aug 4, 2015 8:08 AM in response to MartinR
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 4, 2015 8:08 AM in response to MartinR

    Dear MartinR,

     

    Thanks for the good advice. Much appreciated!

     

    The reason I used FCE and iMovie was that I could not import video files from my Sony Handycam using iPhoto so had to use FCE.

     

    The only remaining questions I have are, if I want to preserve the 'final' outputted material should I conclude that QuickTime will 'always' be accessible? Should I, for example, put it on to VHS tape?

     

    Thanks,

    Sirius999

  • by MartinR,Solvedanswer

    MartinR MartinR Aug 5, 2015 10:43 AM in response to Sirius999
    Level 6 (14,891 points)
    Aug 5, 2015 10:43 AM in response to Sirius999

    QuickTime is your best choice, imho, for long term preservation and use.  It will be around a long time.

     

    Outputting to VHS would be nearly the worst choice because you would lose significant quality between the double re-encoding that would be necessary (to output then later to re-edit), plus the low-grade quality of VHS in the first place.

  • by Sirius999,

    Sirius999 Sirius999 Aug 5, 2015 12:28 PM in response to MartinR
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 5, 2015 12:28 PM in response to MartinR

    Thank you very much for solving the problem for me.

     

    Much appreciated!

     

    Sirius999.