How do I actually convert my .mod files from my JVC Everio to use on iDVD?

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How do I actually convert my .mod files from my JVC Everio to use on iDVD?

Hi! Again...new MAC user.

I have an Everio. I have searched all the posts and found that I needed to download MPEG2 converter from the apple site. I have downloaded that. But, I need the "second grader" approach to download my movie files from the camera.

I saw "drag and drop" to the internal drive, but I can't figure that out.

Please help! I am video camera challenged.

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

iMac Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Mar 18, 2007 8:17 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 18, 2007 8:57 AM in response to ArmyTallGirl

So are you trying to make DVDs with them using iDVD or just trying to view the files on your mac?

Also, tell me what kind of cables (USB2, firewire, etc.) came with your camera.

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Answer 2

Mar 18, 2007 9:15 AM in response to ArmyTallGirl

When you connect the Everio to your Mac with a USB cable and power it on (check the Everio manual for proper settings) it should mount on your desktop like another hard drive. At this point you should be able to look at the files inside just like you do on your Mac. You should be able to click-hold on a mod file on the Everio window, a then drag it to your mac desktop to copy it.

As for the ".mod" files, I do know they are MPEG2 but not sure if they are a special "flavor." If you can view them in Quicktime using the Apple MPEG2 Playback component, then you should be able to convert them to a DV format for use in iMovie or iDVD using MPEG Streamclip. Find it at versiontracker.com.

Once you have converted the mod files to DV files, you can import them into iMovie or iDVD.

One BIG caveat. The ".mod" files on your hard drive are already compressed. You will be "uncompressing" (which takes time) and, if you eventually want DVDs, re-compressing (which takes even more time). This causes compression artifacts and a quality reduction. So while it is possible to use this camera with iMovie and iDVD, I wouldn't reccommend it beacuse of the quality reduction, extra time, and difficulty of use. iMovie and iDVD were really made for DV (and HDV) inputs. Though other inputs are possible, I feel that they are more for occasional use only. Just one opinion.

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Answer 3

ArmyTallGirl Author

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Mar 18, 2007 12:54 PM in response to John Beatty1

Thanks, John.

I have a USB cable that came with the camera. I want to edit and create a DVD with the movie files from the camera.

I am now copying the files to my desktop...I will let you know how it goes.

Do you have a particular camera that you would recommend for use with iDVD?

Thanks again.

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Answer 4

ArmyTallGirl Author

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Mar 18, 2007 1:18 PM in response to John Beatty1

OK. I have copied the .mod files to the desktop, but I can't figure out how to convert them to .mpg using the MPEG2 program from Apple. Maybe I don't have the Playback component right. I downloaded it directly from the Apple.com site.

Again, I apologize for my ignorance...please help!

Thanks so much.

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Answer 5

F Shippey

Level 7

21,500 points

Mar 18, 2007 4:16 PM in response to ArmyTallGirl

The QuickTime MPG-2 plug-in by itself won't do you much good. You need to use it with something like MPEG Streamclip ( at http://www.squared5.com/ ) to convert your mpg-2 compressed content from your camera to DV video that can be used in iMovie/iDVD.

As an alternate, you might want to look at VisualHub ( http://www.techspansion.com/visualhub/ ) to convert you content. It is a lot more user friendly than MPEG Streamclip.

F Shippey

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Answer 6

ArmyTallGirl Author

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Mar 18, 2007 8:57 PM in response to F Shippey

THANK YOU!!

Thank you so much...finally, someone who understands the meaning of "user friendly." That VisualHub program is a complete lifesaver for me. You rock!!

I hope that I may return the favor someday for you. Have a great week.

Thanks again! 🙂

iMac Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Answer 7

Apr 10, 2007 5:36 AM in response to ArmyTallGirl

I am looking for the solution to a problem you seem to have sorted. JVC everio and my Mac just don't want to talk to each other. Jpegs are OK but movie ...... that is something else. I downloaded visualhub but I evidently do not possess enough language to get the set up right. Can you help this simple minded technophobe?

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