How can I input data from dvd and VHS to iMovie 6?

Question

I am trying to copy excerpts from a dvd that I recorded from a commercial dvd into iMovie for inclusion in a power point presentation. With the dvd in my super drive and using the help menu procecure of 1. Choose File >Import 2. Select the file you want to import 3. Click Open. When I select the dvd icon on my desktop and click Open, I ged a drop down window for importing files for about 20 seconds, but I never have any files presented in the clips squares on iMovie. I get the same results if I drag the dvd icon to the "drag clips her to build your project" strip. Same thing if I drag the icon to the clips squares. However, I never get any data presented in the areas and the play, reverse, review clips buttons. Same thing happens if I try to transfer the file on the dvd (VIDEO_TS) to the same locations. If I try to transfer the seven sub files individually, I get--The file could not be imported: The file “Hard Drive/Volumes/B04101500/VIDEO_TS/VTS_011.VOB” can’t be imported; QuickTime couldn’t parse it: -2048--. In all these situations there is no data presented in clips or display, but a gray clip area will go blank. This dvd is about 20 minutes in length and is not broken down into scenes in a menu. I recently upgraded to iMovie 6, so I reloaded the program to no avail. I have previously used iMovie 5, but it will not load as long as '6 is loaded.
Since I also have this data on a VHS tape, I tried to recode it through an ADS Tech Pyro A/V Link converter to enter it into iMovie. In the past this was a simple procedure--connect a VCR player to the converter, connect the converter to the firewire port on the iMac, the system profiler automatically recognizes the converter, start iMovie, then Play on the VCR, and press Import on the File menu. That starts the recording in the past. Now I get another drop down window with an "open" button. However, since there is no software for the Mac with the Pyro A/V, there is nothing to open. Has iMovie 6 made these procedures obsolete?? They have worked in the past.

Answer 1

Hi LesToile - welcome to the forum!
It is not possible to directly import material from a DVD as you are attempting. DVD is MPEG format - iMovie is incompatible with this. In order to use it, you must firstly convert it to DV format. Have a look here:
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6030.shtml
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=232703&tstart=0
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
http://www.moviecodec.com/topics/5155p2.html
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/%7Eshmhav/SVCDon_a_Macintosh.html#edit_convertMPEG
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=267352&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=630709&tstart=0
I have no knowledge of your A/V Link Converter, but if you have a vidcam you can use it to record from VHS to DV tape, and thence into iMovie (there are now problems with the alternative 'pass-through' method using the camera).