Importing from a DVD?

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Importing from a DVD?

hey, new to Imovie6. Have no problem importing from my DV camera, but does Imovie allow you to import from DVD's? I burned one home movie to DVD with iDVD, then tried importing some of that footage into imovie, but nothing happened. Your help is much appreciated?

20" Imac, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Jan 7, 2007 12:43 PM

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Answer 1

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SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Jan 7, 2007 1:58 PM in response to biggygreg

Hi biggygreg:

DVD is not made to edit. it's files are the end of the road, no edit, no changes-done.

If you need to edit something in the DVD then you are going to have to convert it back to DV so that imovie can use it. (really much simpler to save the original raw footage on DV Tape).

For converting the DVD files to something iMovie can use...read this:

Using Mpeg (DVD) footage
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml

And get one or two of these helpful tools:

MPEG StreamClip:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegstreamclip.html
Apple MPEG2 PlayBack Component:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/
DVDxDV
http://www.dvdxdv.com/

Sorry I couldn't give you better news!

:)Sue

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Answer 2

biggygreg Author

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Jan 7, 2007 2:16 PM in response to biggygreg

Thanks for the info. Because I'm considering buying one, if you have a DVD camcorder, can you use imovie to edit clips?If so, how?

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Answer 3

Jan 7, 2007 2:23 PM in response to biggygreg

Please read the answer Sue has given you. All you need to know about MPEG-2 (DVD) file format.
And, if you buy a DVD camera, you'll be missing the fun of importing, editing, and creating because your files must be converted before they can be opened by iMovie.
iMovie is a DV (Digital Video) editing app. Buy a DV camera.

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Answer 4

Booch123

Level 1

0 points

Jan 7, 2007 2:30 PM in response to SDIllini

i'm new to Mac and have a video camera and a lot of MPEGs that i'd like to move to this environment and edit. my video camera does not have firewire. any suggestions on software that will allow me to do this?

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Answer 5

SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Jan 7, 2007 2:39 PM in response to Booch123

Booch:

Welcome to discussions!

Read this:

Importing MPEG files
http://www.danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml

Sue

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Answer 6

Jan 7, 2007 2:51 PM in response to SDIllini

Sue is just too polite for first time posters.
Bad form to tag onto a thread with a new question. Post a new one instead.
This "Import from DVD" question has been answered so many times that it makes my head spin.
Upper right of this page is a "Search" feature. If you had used it you would already be on your way to file conversions.

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Answer 7

SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Jan 7, 2007 3:19 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

I think I am just getting tired, Kirk.

Really thought I'd give the info and let it slide.

Think I'll sign off for the night.

:)Sue

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Answer 8

Jan 7, 2007 3:32 PM in response to SDIllini

Yep.
I must awake at 3:30 to begin my day (stupid job and paycheck thing) so I can empathize.
We (us regulars) do spend so much time reviewing these questions and posting answers.
I just didn't want the new user to try and send a multi megabyte file over email.
I think I'll stop, too.
Play a little with my buddy Maya, make a nice dinner and watch some sports on TV.
Stupid computer use has become my life instead of enhancing it.

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Answer 9

SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Jan 8, 2007 5:13 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

I think I'd have to agree on all counts! 🙂

The computer becomes an addiction...need to walk away sometimes!

:)Have a great day, Kirk.

Sue

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Answer 10

DeePee

Level 1

25 points

Jan 8, 2007 6:14 AM in response to biggygreg

I was able to input video to iMovie from DVDs just as easily as from MiniDV. I just linked my DVD recorder's Firewire output to my iMac's Firewire input and the footage transferred perfectly. These are "home-made" DVDs mind you, not pre-recorded ones.

--Dave

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Answer 11

Jan 8, 2007 6:22 AM in response to biggygreg

The easy answer to your question is to use DVDxDV. We have hundreds of hours of home movie archives transferred to DVD using iMovie and iDVD. DVDxDv has completely changed the way our clients access, decompress and edit our footage. It works flawlessly.

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