Best Video Archive Format?

This is my first post ever - I am using a MBPr 10.8.2.
I am in the process of copying all our VHS, 8mmHS, and miniDV tapes to DVD using a VHS/DVD recorder that also allows you to hook up the cameras and record to the DVD.
After I do that, I copy the files (VIDEO_TS) to my computer and an EHD. I have Steamclip and understand that I drag the VIDEO_TS folder to Steamclip.
That is where I have questions - What settings do I choose to get the best quality and long term access to that conversion? These are precious (irreplaceable) videos of my wedding, my children as babies/children and footage of family members that are either now gone or won't be with us much longer. I want to do everything I can to keep this footage safe, hight quality and accessable for many years.
What format meets those qualifications?
Thanks a bunch,
Julie

I have no experience with the iGrabber so I can't comment one way or the other. The Amazon comments might be useful.
The EyeTV Hybrid is the one I have used.
Here is a link. http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/products/EyeTV-Hybrid-10/product1.en.ht ml
It is a little more expensive because it allows your Mac to receive TV signals through a rabbit ears antenna as well. I think EyeTV makes a version without the TV capability just for video capture, but I have not had any personal experience with it.
Here is the video capture product.
http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/products/Video-Capture/product1.en.html
Here is a sample of the quality I am getting through the EyeTV Hybrid.

Similar Messages

Best Video/audio format to upload to YouTube

Please recommend best Video/audio format to upload to YouTube, for a) upload speed, b) picture and sound quality.

Emailing video can be a real drama.
You can easily convert YouTube video if you have the free software MPEG Streamclip: http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
Download version 1.9.3b4 and install in your applications.
Open then File > Open URL and copy/paste the YT clip address.
Then File > Export to QuickTime and select Apple Intermediate Codec for the compression.
The converted file will import into iMovie.
Regards, Z.

What is THE best video file format to import into Premiere Pro CS6?

What is THE best video file format to import into Premiere Pro CS6? I am tired of the guess work of "this might work if you do this." Just tell me which is, flat out, the easiest for Premiere to read?? I generally animate in Adobe Flash, and some times with a Live camera. Premiere seems to pick and choose which video file it wants. I import from the File drop down box in the upper left hand corner, then move the video file to timeline. Under the "scrubber" there is a thin red, (or when rendered) a green line. The videos I put in the timeline show a thin yellow line which means Premiere is confused. So, in basic terms, which video format is MOST commonly accepted with the least amount of trouble/hassle?

Premiere has a function now where you can import a clip and drag onto a timeline and it will prompt you with a message about changing the timeline settings to match your clip, (or if there is no timeline it will automatically create one that matches your clip.) This is in CC of course so you might consider upgrading. They have fixed a lot of compatibility issues from CS6 to now. If you don't want to get all of CC for 60/month then you can at least shell out 20/month on premiere. It's worth it. They've made it where you don't have to worry about 99% of all video formats. They just work.

Best video file format to email for use in imovie09

Does anyone know which video file format is best to send by email so as to be able to then use the file in imovie09. For a business project, I have to request short videos to be emailed to me from a variety of individuals, and then I will put them together as an imovie project. Should Youtube be avoided as a source ? Thanks.

Emailing video can be a real drama.
You can easily convert YouTube video if you have the free software MPEG Streamclip: http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
Download version 1.9.3b4 and install in your applications.
Open then File > Open URL and copy/paste the YT clip address.
Then File > Export to QuickTime and select Apple Intermediate Codec for the compression.
The converted file will import into iMovie.
Regards, Z.

What's the best video/audio format for PPCS4?

Question looks like a simple and stupid one, but I've noticed many differences using various kind of file extensions.
For example when you have to put an effect.
Mercalli is very performing if the effect is applied to an .avi file instead of a native .mpeg file taken from my Sony HDR-SR videocam.
So the question is:
If I have to change the video file format, what is the best one (or one of the best) I can use?
Avi, we know, is an uncompressed (and eavy) one, but, if you have 700/800 file to edit, maybe PP could go slowly. Am I wrong?
Of course I have tried using the same video strip differently converted.
Wait helps.
Many thanks,
Ciao
Giorgio

Re-thanks Harm,
I know about .ac3 audio problems, I've posted a discussion time ago concerning this trouble.
But now I'm mainly looking for a video format.
Example:
clips in native video compression are 'round 25Mb each
converted in .avi file can reach 630 Mb
Honestly I'll fill my entire pc with a format like this.
What I'm asking is a suggested kind of file that can easily work with PP and if you know a sw that do it.
I have Tmpge but I do not know how to set it for the best results (unless I just set AVI output with the problem mentioned above).
I've read on the forum that DV AVI could be a good chance but which good sw can give me this files?
Ciao
Giorgio

What are Best Video Settings format to be used in Encore?

Hey,
So I have been raking my brain an issue or two I have with Encore. I am Exporting video files to be used in Encore CS5 and am coming up with mixed results. I created a 30 sec video and exported it as an .avi, .mov, .m2p all with mixed results. Once I render a DVD from Encore the Avi is the best results with crisper quality but I loose some quality and all the colors are muted but the blacks are fine. The M2P is blocky and jump on the footage and the MOV file is close to the M2p file output. I am using footage that is SD 29.97 4:3 format and the settings are correct when I export it. Also the Menu when it is finished and on a DVD is muted in color as well in comparison to the one I created and imported from Photoshop. Is there something I am missing that allows the quality to be its best on the menu screen in Encore? I am transcoding the settings out in Encore as Mpeg2-DVD and I am setting the rest to match my assets that I am importing. Please any help on these issues would be apprieciated.
Sincerely,
Confused

> created a 30 sec video
How? Capture/transfer from camcorder... web download... animation... the dreaded fraps? What CODEC is your source?
When I used to use NTSC DV AVI type 2 with 48khz as captured (digitized) via Pinnacle Dv500 from a Sony analog 8mm camcorder, the same specification AVI I output after editing in CS3 to give to Encore for authoring looked exactly like the source
Now I have a Canon Vixia HFS100 so copy AVCHD "MTS" files from SD memory to hard drive for editing in CS5, I simply use a DV NTSC Widescreen output setting to create AVI... and the DVD I create with Encore also looks very close to the original
You need to provide more details concerning your Premiere processing
Some reading/help...
This is aimed at Premiere Pro, but may help
A link with many ideas about computer setup http://forums.adobe.com/thread/436215?tstart=0
Work through all of the steps (ideas) listed at http://ppro.wikia.com/wiki/Troubleshooting
If your problem isn't fixed after you follow all of the steps, report back with ALL OF THE DETAILS asked for in the FINALLY section, the questions at the end of the troubleshooting link... most especially the codec used... see Question 1

Best video asset format?

Help! I'm working out of FCP, original footage in 24pA, Sequences in ProRes 422 with Markers. When I export two Sequences as self-contained QT files and then import them into DVD Studio Pro, one of my videos looks like 4:3 (squeezed) and another looks like 16:9, but stretched horizontally too much. One comes in with the Chapter Markers and one doesn't. What's going on? And, if I start over, what's the best Sequence format and Export format out of fcp such that 24pA footage will arrive in good shape, with markers?
Thanks!

Not sure if this wold help, but I usually export the sequence from FC to compressor first, and make the mpeg files in compressor, then pull those assets into DVD Studio Pro.

Most efficient video file format

Hi - I have been trying to use FMLE to stream video files to Ustream. I am using several virtual camera programs at the moment like ManyCam, Fake Webcam (does not work with FMLE apparently), etc. If I understand correctly what is happening - the virtual cam software is decoding the video files (flv, xvid, mp4, etc.) into raw video such as comes from a webcam. I assume FMLE is then recoding that raw video back into Flash flv or vp6?
The process is proving to be very CPU intensive. And it seems pointless to undo a FLV file just to have FMLE turn around and rebuild it back to FLV. I am assuming here since I am not certain what FMLE is doing exactly.
Is there a "best" video file format to start with in this process? Or better yet, can I do ahead of time to my video files what FMLE is doing to them so I can send them up to Ustream's servers ready to go and avoid the performance hit with all the real time processing the virtual cam software and FMLE are doing? Thanks for any insight on this!

You can play the file directly from FMS as VOD. Also you can write your own action script publisher which can take input from any device and can stream to FMS but Flash player does not support many functionality like FMLE. It can stream VP6 video only.

Best video format to export from final cut pro to encore

hi, i'm using final cut pro and no matter what format i export my video in, be it quicktime, mpeg2 or avi, there's still a slight degradation of picture quality when i import it into encore. mpeg2 by far suffers the least. but is there a best video format i can export from final cut to adobe so dat there's minimal loss in quality?

Sure, export it as an uncompressed AVI or QT file.

What's the best choice re video file format in a camera for iDVD production

I currently am using a Sony DSC H1 digital camera which does shoot video in MPEG 1. I use MPEG Streamclip to convert those clips to MPEG 4. The results on my TV screen after processing through iMovie and iDVD are "acceptable" but I will want to upgrade to a good video camera at some point to expand my capabilities. My question is - what video file format should I look for in a camera in order to produce the easiest to work with and best quality result from my iMac?? I am using iMovie HD 5.0.2 and iDVD 5.0.1. Thanks for any suggestions.
iMac G5 20" 1.8 GHz - 400GB HD - 2GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.8) 300 GB & 160GB Ext drives, QT 7.1.3 Pro

miniDV
that's what the iApps are meant for...
a superior pic quality can be accomplished with socalled 3ccd cameras, as from Panasonic...
HD (=HiDef) offers much more detail/quality, but is (yet) not supported natively to any disk-delivery format (Apple supports the BluRay consortium); external BluRay Burners (=$$$$) come bundled with a special HD-edition of Toast7...

What is the best way to format Videos for ipod touch?

What is the best way to format Videos for ipod touch? Used Quicktime Pro/ Export (iPhone setting). Videos aren't as crisp as downloaded Videos. Compressors /ipod video Setting also looks crapy (with bitrate med & High). What should I use?

Visualhub is a transcoder with multiple input and output formats with specific setting for iPod,iPod touch. Costs around $19-used to work great but recently everything I convert suffers audio crash than closes out the player. Hopefully they will fix it.
Elgato H.264 hardware transcoder is $99 dollars(USB stick that plugs in to Mac)-speeds up encoding of any file quicktime can handle, settings for apple tv, iphone/touch, ipod,Sony PSP. Worth the cost if you transcode a lot of video for the Touch or own an elgato HD tuner. Files work flawlessly and look great.
Mpeg streamclip-free. Works great, has presets or can customize the output.

HT3290 what is the best video format for iMovie?

I'm a basic newbe on imac compiuters. Although I like it the transition is a bit painful.
I download stuff from my (cheep) video cameras BUT after closing the oniginal window I can't find the vids OR pictures I just downloaded from the devices.
I am hsving a difficult time figuring out what is the BEST video promat to record in that can be used in imovie AND final cut pro.
I'd appreciate any assoistance at this point.
All tips appreciated,
:-) Cheers

iMovie is friendly with .mp4, .mov, .m4v etc video formats. Here this article about iMovie supported video formats may help you.

Best choice for format and preset for a simple video

I have a simple video of plain text and some music assembled in AE. I now want to encode it using the Adobe media encoder. What is the best choice of format and preset, if I want to be able to send (or link) the video to others, and have it play well on most devices like computers, particularly a Mac, with whatever the default player they come with?

Thanks for the reply, but I remain flabbergasted by the permutations of format and preset. Why it appears to be a miracle that anyone can watch anything on any device. Who knew such codec madness existed. What on earth is wrong with manufacturers? Surely they should convene in order develop some universal standard, or at least limit the field to a managable two or three options.
Are resolution changes cumulative? In other words, let's say I had a fairly low resolution video, do I need to convert the format and preset to the highest settings to maintain that quality, to avoid something analogous to a fourth or fifth generation magnetic tape copy degredation? Or will matching the quality leave the resolution unchanged?
Also, I have a JVC video camera that uses MOD codec. I just bought the darn thing a year ago, and would have anticipated it would use a current or more common codec. If I send someone a video with a MOD codec, what is the likelihood they will be able to view it? Perhaps I should be converting it? And if so, is Media Encoder the right tool?

Best video format to encode for playback on iBook G4 1.2GHz?

I have been scratching my head for a week on this. What is the best video format that is highest quality and will playback smoothly on my iBook g4 and my iPhone 4? It has 1.25GB of RAM and I upgraded the HD to a WD 250GB 5400 RPM IDE drive 2 years ago and it's running dual boot Leopard 10.5.8 and Tiger 10.4.11 (keeping Tiger for Classic Mode).
I have a very large HD video collection consisting of 720p HD DVDs and 1080p Bluray discs that I have already spent a year to convert to MKV and MP4 files for storage on my media server. They have all been ripped and encoded with H264 using Handbrake. The average 720p movie is about 4.5GB and the average 1080p movies run about 8GB. I have over 100 movies stored on my media server and they playback fine on all my computers. They work fine on all my Windows 7 systems, they even play fine on my G5 2.0GHz DC late 2005 Powermac with 8.5GB Ram and the NVidia 7800GT.
Most of my 720p files can be reduced in size and or quality to 1-2GB and are playable on my iPhone 4, iPad 2 and even my little Acer Aspire One netbook in m4v or mp4 format.
I know my iBook is out of date, but no matter what compression method I have tried, the only thing it can play is MPEG-2 encoded media. And it cannot handle any h264 video I make, even at 480p settings using the simple profile. Since MPEG-2 takes 4-8GB per movie, this is a huge waste of HD space. And if I encode my movies like the old iPod video size, it looks like crap in full screen. I really want to store about 20 movies on this iBook for playback when I travel since I have 2 extra batteries. I need to movies to playback on the iBook and be able to transfer them to my iPhone 4 or iPad at any time.
Is there any method for getting 480p to encode and playback well on this iBook without making it look like crap or using the old DivX avi standard? If I have to reduce all my movies for playback on the iBook, I don't want to go lower than 480p because I want the same conversions to work on my iPhone 4 as well with decent quality. It is redundant to keep making copies of each movie for each device. Anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to take my little netbook around with me because the screen is too small and there is no opticle drive.
If anyone has any ideas, please post which Handbrake profile or other that can work... or let me know if my iBook is just garbage now. Thanks!

I am not asking you how to rip a DVD. I am asking how to convert any video file for decent playback on my iBook or iPhone!
This feature is available in iTunes so you can convert your DVDs to iPod playable formats. But when iTunes or Handbrake (or even Apple Compressor) convert anything, even my own videos made with Final Cut and iMovie, they will play on any iDevice other than my iBook unless I use the lowest most terrible video format.
I am just trying to figure out the proper video format the iBook can play. I am not ripping the DVD's right now... did that years ago anyways (and half of the videos I want to convert I made with iMovie during my travels in China and Hong Kong... I am just trying to play movies I already own on an older iDevice... my iBook. Converting purchased videos and home made videos is in no way illegal.
You misunderstand what I am asking. I am not trying to break digital copyright. If this is breaking digital copyright, then why does iTunes allow me to convert the movies for my iPhone 4 in the first place? You are telling me if I didn't purchase the movie from Apple I cannot watch it on my iPhone and iBook? That is not right.
I just want to know what the proper video playback requirements are for the iBook hardware. Plain and simple. If it is illegal in any way to tell me how to do it, just tell me what video my iBook supports. Apple tells me what video my iPhone supports ie. 1280x720p @ 29fps.... blah blah blah. Seems so far the iBook can only play a DVD MPEG-2 stream and no advanced codecs like h263 or h264. I just want to know what format the iBook can handle.
I have exported movies from iTunes and of my time in Hong Kong from iMovie and I cannot get them to play on the iBook at all if they are even 480p. So I just need to know what the max video playback is. If it can only play 320x240 or something, it is completely useless. I remember years ago when I bought the iBook, it did play the sample h263 and h264 videos that Apple had on their website (some of them 480p-720p)... but today it seems it can't play anything but 320x240 or less without getting locked up. I know the HD video requirements are G5 or higher... but we are talking DVD size cannot play in h264 mp4 formats, only MPEG-2 formats. This makes no sense? So I need to know the exact maximum resolution, framerate and codec this iBook 1.2 GHz can handle.
Don't tell my watching movies on my iBook, even the ones I made is illegal.

Best Video format to use for Windows

I am creating a CD ROM (for Windows) that will show 3D animation. I need to make sure that the animations will play on user's computers without any problems.
What is the best video format to use?

Flash video has no dependency on pre-installed players, so is often a good choice

Best Video Archive Format?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for