Best way to import Mpeg-2 Video

I have a load of Mpeg-2 video that was encoded on my friends windows computer, is there an easy (and preferably free) way to import the video into iMovie without the quality degrading?

I'm almost certain that you need the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component. MPEG Streamclip requires it, so I'm sure it's required to do anything with MPEG-2. http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/
Use Quicktime Player either on the PC or Mac to determine if the file is a muxed file. On the Mac open the file in Quicktime Player and open the Movie Inspector window (command-i) or Window -> Show Movie Inspector. You will have to find where it's located on the PC (maybe alt-i).
In the Inspector window you will see Format which will include "Muxed" in the description. Muxed means that the Audio and Video are combined into one data stream. For some reason Quicktime Pro doesn't let you directly export the video with audio from muxed files. It takes a 3rd party program like Streamclip to separate the audio and video and recombine them into a different format.
I have a feeling that your files are not muxed and you only need the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component to get it to work. If you can get iMovie to import it then you can export it. Quicktime Pro may not export it for you. You can blame all this on patents and license fees.
Best of luck

Similar Messages

Best way to import already edited videos

All I want to do is take a movie from my video camera that is already edited and convert it to a quicktime movie. The project is only 7 minutes long, but when I capture it, it slices it up into a bunch of files that still have skips when I put them in the correct or in the timeline. Also, it doesn't put the clips in order of capture, but instead of timecode (I guess). Why would this be the case? It doesn't make any sense and makes a very simple procedure seem very hard. All I want to do is turn my movies into DVDS and put them on YouTube. Does anyone have any advice? Should I use another program?

Russ's suggestion is probably the easiest to implement - and if you use external media you won't incur in much hard drive space penalty for it.
If you really want to import just the video and not the audio, here is a small shell script that you may use to replicate the structure of your folders, using symlinks, and omitting the photos file. It assumes only one level down.
You could copy and paste the text below to a file, replacing the two occurences of <path-of-top-folder> with the actual path of that folder, make the file executable and run it in Terminal.
(a similar thing could probably be achieved with a little applescript or perhaps automator, as well)
Note: I tested this in a small example, and it worked for me, but there is no guarantee, of course; but since the script below only creates some folders and symlinks, it is nondestructive, at least. At the end you should have at the same level as the original a "videos-only" folder replicating the structure of the videos using symlinks (no copied media).
Here is the script:

Best way to send Mpeg of video

I have a Sony digital camera that will record short video clips as well as still photos. I imported a few short video/ audio clips from iPhoto to iMovie, and the clips transferred over but without sound. Can I import directly to iMovie with this camera (Sony Cybershot DSCS90)?
What I'm trying to do is to email an Mpeg of the video.
Thanks!
-BB

Hello BB,
iMovie doesn't readily accept MPEG footage from USB devices such as digital still cameras. You should be able to get the clips on your Mac using Image Capture.
Find some more info on Dan Slagle's Unofficial iMovie FAQ: Mpeg clips from digital cameras
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml
hope this helps
mish

What is the best way to import pictures from iPhoto without compression?

I'm trying to create a slide show using Final Cut Pro. No, I'm not interested in using iDVD slide show function because it doesn't allow me to do a whole lot. I would like to add titles and music for certain segments with video inserted here and there.
Anyway, when I used the slide show function in iPhoto, exported it out as a quick movie file, and then imported it into Final Cut Pro, I noticed a significant downgrade in quality of images. It obviously looks different from when I play the slide show in iPhoto. What would be the best way to import pictures into Final Cut Pro without any compression?
Thanks in advance.

I only see Share > Export.
Some versions of iPhoto work that way -it's just Apple moving things around.
what's the difference between exporting it from iPhoto then import it into FCP vs. just importing directly from FCP?
Your first post mentioned exporting a slide show from iPhoto -I assumed that is where your images are stored.
I do not want to import pictures one by one...
You don't have to. iPhoto will let you select as many as you want, or if the images are elsewhere, you can also select multiple files from FCP's Import dialog.
...and stick them together manually.
Editing is an art and involves some effort on your part. It is not an automated process. This method opens up far more possibilities, access to filters and color correction and the opportunity to use Motion for even more sophisticated animation.
But, it only allows me to export it as 720 x 480. The original size of my photos is 3872 x 2592. Is there any way I can create a quicktime file in the original size?
You should be aware that 3872 x 2592 is not a standard pixel aspect ratio that is used in video. The images will be resized to the Sequence settings that you set up in Final Cut Pro.
I have never used iPhoto to make a slideshow before, but I just gave it a try and was able to export one with the images in their native size, simply by typing the pixel dimensions into the boxes in the dialog window:
I don't have PhotoMagico myself, but it comes highly recommended by several of the forum regulars.
Perhaps one of them will see this discussion and help with your last question.

Best way to import from camcorder.

Camera:
Sony Handycam v. HDR-XR100
Outputs:
(don't know the exact terms) USB, mini hdmi, component
Question:
I am trying to import videos shot from this camera to the mac. I think firewire works best when it comes to importing, but this camera does not have the port. The USB cable works, but mostly only for programs to import pictures such as iPhoto. Ideally it would be nice to import directly into FCP, but if it is too inconvenient than I understand. What is the best way to import the video? Are there adapters to convert one of the cables into firewire? Just looking for the best option/solution. Thanks again for the help.

I have a tutorial on the full process for tapeless import into FCP. Rule #1: BACKUP YOUR CAMERA ORIGINAL
Tapeless Workflow for FCP 7 Tutorial
Shane

Best way to import from external drive that I'm loading LPs on

I'm transferring many LP's to an external hard drive as MP3 in a LP folder.
#1 - What's the best way to import into iTunes and still keep my original file where it is as well as have a copy in iTunes? Would I just import each song individually or could I add folder? I do have the setting checked for copying song to itunes. Just not sure if I should import or add?
#2 - Is there a way to import into iTunes as AAC or do I have to import original MP3 and then convert to AAC? When I do this and try to delete the MPEG-3 songs from iTunes.. I'm somehow also deleting my original MP3 file that's in the LP folder. I believe this pertains to what I'm doing in question #1

None of the above.
There's no importing involved. All you do is open the v6 Library with 09. It will then update the Library, preserving all your work. As always, back up first.
To move an iPhoto Library to a new machine:
Link the two Macs together: there are several ways to do this: Wireless Network, Firewire Target Disk Mode, Ethernet, or even just copy the Library to an external HD and then on to the new machine...
But however you do choose to link the two machines...
Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.
Then launch iPhoto. That's it.
This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.
Regards
TD

Best Way to Import VCR tapes to iMovie

Hello, all.
I have a small problem that I hope somebody can help me with: I currently have an ADS Pyro A/V unit. I was told my the local Apple dealer that would be the best way to import VHS tapes into iMovie. It has worked for a few tapes, but now does nothing except give me a static-greenish-loud-high pitch sound when I try to import a tape.
I have given up on this unit!!!!!!
Can anybody recommend a decent way to import my old VHS movies to my MacBook and into iMovie??
Thanks for your time & input!

I have the same situation as the original poster (VHS tapes I want to edit and store on DVD).
However I don't have a CamCorder.
What I do have is a PVR that I have used to capture the video and I can write that to a DVD. That gives me the base video that I can work on.
However, the files on the DVD have a .VOB file type. I have tried StreamClip but it provides me with a number of options as to the format I can import it into.
Ultimately I want to bring the image into iMovie, edit it and then burn it back onto a DVD. I don't really care if the intermediate files are large, but I am a little concerned about loosing picture quality (which is not great to start with - the original images were on recorded on Super-8 movie film, then 'projected' and recorded onto the VHS tape of which I have a copy. However it is all I have!!!)
What is the best format (and if necessary, tool) to copy the .VOB files to - something that iMovie can use without conversion preferrable - and then write back to a DVD.
Thanks
Susan
(PS in case you haven't gathered, I'm new to all this side of things, but I have time and a strong desire to learn!)

FcpX best way to import photos

What is the best way to import jpegs into Final Cut Pro X? I was told by Apple Tech Support a few years back to import them into IPhoto and access them through IPhoto. Is this still the preferred way to import photos? I'd rather not use IPhoto.

cleporehart wrote:
… To clarify, JPEG for screen is generally acceptable at 72 ppi or dpi because screen resolutions are 72 ppi. For print jpegs need to be higher, 300 dpi or larger. …
ok, that ol' dpi-myth ... :
video has no dots-per-inch - a fullHD screen with 50" has the same1920x1080pix as a tiny 7" fullHD screen.
dpi matters only in PRINT: it's an 'advice' how to interpolate btw two pixels. dots ≠ pixel! Video cares only for pixel, never for 'dots'.-
next …
jpgs usually are highly compressed. too high. if you notice banding in pics, in many cases this is based upon jpg-compression! people use 40Mpix cameras, but squeeze the data into tiny 250k files ...
max res of video is 1920x1080; additional pixels only needed when applying re-framing (crop, Ken Bruns etc); dpi can be set to 500 or 7 - no difference; if you like to get that last 0.01% of extra quality, convert your raws to tiff or png. or jpg in 'best'/100% ...
iPhoto is - imho - only 'needed' as a very handy data-base.
FCPX has/is a data-base too - I like all my 'footage' in my Events; not elsewhere. But this is no general advice.

How do I import DVD to IMovie? What is the best way to import DVD to a Mac?

Hi everyone!
I need some help, so here are my questions.
How do I import DVD to IMovie? What is the best way to import DVDs to a Mac?
I would like to keep the original quality from the DVD.
Thx.

You need to convert the VOB files in the TS-Folder of the DVD back to DV which iMovie is designed to handle. For that you need mpegStreamclip:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegstreamclip.html
which is free, but you must also have the Apple mpeg2 plugin :
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/
which is a mere $20.
Another possibility is to use DVDxDV:
http://www.dvdxdv.com/NewFolderLookSite/Products/DVDxDV.overview.htm
which costs $25.
For the benefit of others who may read this thread:
Obviously the foregoing only applies to DVDs you have made yourself, or other home-made DVDs that have been given to you. It will NOT work on copy-protected commercial DVDs, which in any case would be illegal.

Hi, Please help. I accidentally deleted my entire Iphoto Library. I used Stellar Phoenix 4.1 and I do believe that I recovered all. I recovered to "My Passport" for Mac External HD. Files are all mixed up, best way to import back?

Hi, a couple days ago, I was orgainizing my Iphoto libray. Then, I thought that I was emptying my trash on Iphoto. (the ones I deleted when orgainizing) after hitting are you sure button, I realized that it was 209 files with 18,000+ photos. So I frantically stopped iphoto from "saving critical information" thinking If I left it open I could copy all my files over to (I beleive somewhere in finder under pictures?) I thought, but it most have been under the applications folder. Well this is where I really messed up. So after saving every file to that section, and everything was normal again on iphoto, I decided to make space and delete them from where I put them. So instead of selecting each file indivually, I used the select ALL button. Only to find that it deleted EVERYTHING. Iphoto (the file) was apparently at the bottom of the page along with Nikon Transfer, Lightroom 2 and god knows what else. That is when I found a data recovery software program (Stellar Phoenix 4.1mac) 17 hours later it found 159GB. I read enough to know that I HAD to go and buy an external HD. (even though I already own Time Capsule, but I never hooked it up ) was confused about if I could actually use that for this matter so, I just went and bought My Passport an external HD for Mac. Plugged it in, and recovered what looks like all my files (hopefully) did also read enough that I knew NOT to use my computer after this occured.
Now that you all know how I got into this mess, I would like to know the best way to import the files back? Ok I know this sounds easy, but all the files are scattered everywhere on the HD. Is there a way to put them back on my Mac Book Pro that would possibly put them in some kind of order? Date? Image file number? Anything? 18,000 photos to reorgainze is going to be brutal. I can reinstall Lightroom 2, if i can locate where I put the disk. And I also have CS5. Also wondering if the quality of the photo was affected? I did get them back, so I am not complaining but any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
Will be turning on Time Machine and hooking up Time Capsule as well. Should I also use my new HD along with capsule? Any advice on that matter would also be greatly appreciated as well!!!!!
Thanks, Michelle

There is an iPhoto community forum if you are at all interested:
https://discussions.apple.com/community/ilife/iphoto

What is the best way to import and edit a large amount of footage?

Hello Apple world,
As a newbie to Final Cut 10 I have a question regarding best ways to import footage. I'll give you a quick run down.
I have a 150 gig of gopro footage that I just hit 'import' to recently (from my external HD), it took around 10 hours to process it all.
Its all under one event, but then somewhat organised into dates etc. But it is very slow. I imported it all at once because it was all footage from the last 6 months of my Whistler/states/fiji trip and want to make a movie out of it, using clips from all over the time, not just in chronological order.
I have the latest mac book pro, 4 gig ram,2.4 GHz i7, 750 hard drive, with nothing else on the computer.
Ive read about creating proxy media, after ive imported, but am still somewhat confused as to the benefit. Does it create duplicates? that will fill up my pretty large HD as it is!
Can you suggest any ways that might make my laptop run a bit faster? Should i delete and work directly from external HD etc etc?
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance
Harlee

ascreenwriter wrote:
Hello,
I've just finished shooting what I am considering to be my directorial masterpiece. Shot it on the Canon 5D (1080p, 24fps), and the footage looks amazing. Now I am ready to start editing and have been using premiere lately, but I have yet to figure out the proper pipeline. I want to know the best way to retain resolution before I delve into this project.
My questions:
1) What is the best way to start a new project and import the footage without having to render whilst editing, so as to retain all resolution and originality of the source footage?
2) What is the best way/ codec/ format to export this same footage once editing is complete so as to retain that crisp 1080p for which the 5D is so recognized?
3) What is the best way/ codec/ format to import and export/ render between premiere and after effects? I am speaking mostly of vfx and color correction. I also have some 30fps footage that I intend to slow down in AE and then import into premiere.
I know this is pretty broad, but as a solo filmmaker I really need someone's guidance. I rarely ever finish my films with the same, crisp look as the footage. I need pipeline help, and really appreciate it!
1. Follow the advice above. Also use the Media Browser to import the footage in case you have spanned media files. Import files with the Media Browser.
2. It largely depends on what you wish to ouput to: Blu-ray, web, etc. This FAQ gives the best answer: What are the best export settings?
3. Use the Replace with Adobe After Effects Composition function.

Best way to import data to multiple tables in oracle d.b from sql server

HI All am newbie to Oracle,
What is the Best way to import data to multiple tables in Oracle Data base from sql server?
1)linked server?
2)ssis ?
If possible share me the query to done this task using Linked server?
Regards,
KoteRavindra.

check:
http://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/2011/export-sql-server-data-to-oracle-using-ssis/
      koteravindra
Handle:      koteravindra
Status Level:      Newbie
Registered:      Jan 9, 2013
Total Posts:      4
Total Questions:      3 (3 unresolved)
why so many unresolved questions? Remember to close your threads marking them as answered.

What is the best way to import photos from aperture to my new Lightroom

What is the best way to import photos from aperture to my new Lightroom ?

See if this helps
http://lightroomsolutions.com/articles/migrating-from-aperture-to-lightroom-where-do-i-beg in/

The best way to import photos from Picasa to iPhoto

Hi,
Many of my friends share their pictures online using picasa. Sometimes, I'd like to copy these pictures to keep a backup offline. As a software, I use iPhoto; not picasa. What is the best way to import pictures from picasa to iPhoto?
I first tried to subscribe to the RSS feed using iPhoto and then copy the pictures from there to my library, but then the dates of the pictures are set wrong: instead of indicating when the picture was shot, it indicates some other date (I guess it indicates the date when the picture was uploaded to picasa).
Then I decided to install the software picasa.app. From the webalbum of my friends, I could download the pictures directly to picasa.app. Then I exported them to the desktop, and from there imported them to iPhoto. The dates where set correctly, but I lost all the titles and comments of the pictures.
Do you have any method to download the pictures while keeping both the dates and the titles correctly?
Thanx!

There is a direct option in Organizer which lets you import from iPhoto. This is under Import dropdown menu in left panel.
If you are importing from iPhoto'09, your Tags, Albums Events, captions, star rating would also get imported apart from your media. This works differently for iPhoto'011 where you can get only the media to the Organizer,
Just a couple of things to know:
1. If in iPhoto preferences, you have chosen to create copies of your photos in iPhoto library and your library hence refers to the media store inside the library package, then on importing from iPhoto, Organizer would create copies of all those media under your pictures folder. That means, it would not corrupt your iPhoto package or modify it in any way.
2. However, if in iPhoto, you are organizing by using references to original location on your Hard drive i.e. you are not creating copies of media in iPhoto library then on importing from iPhoto to Organizer, the Organizer would also use the same references and would not create copies of the media.
Hope that helps!
~V

Best way to import Microsoft Word text?

Newbie question. I've been importing Microsoft Word text just using the clipboard. That is, I'll open Microsoft Word, open my document, select all, copy, and then go to InDesign and paste. InDesign gives me a text block with my text and I just re-size the columns. The text comes in all weird and I have to stylize it, of course. Sometimes I get some junk like nonbreaking characters and other hidden characters which screw me up until I figure out what's going on. My question is: what's the best way to import Microsoft Word text that will introduce the fewest errors? Thanks.

JoJo Jenkins wrote:
Whooops...posted in the wrong forum...sorry!
Don't worry, it happens all the time.

Best way to import Mpeg-2 Video

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for