Can't open .mov files for iMovie editing; can't even view in QuickTime, etc

Our band recently had a videographer record our performance using two panasonic hd cameras: AG-HVX200 and HPX170. Both were set to hd 720 X (?) at 30 fps.
All files were saved as .mov files.
We can't see them at all. We were told that they were designed to be opened in Final Cut Pro (which we told him not to do).
We do have Final Cut Express, but neither FCE nor iM allows us to select the files ("grey'ed" out).
Can someone please help us understand how to open these files? Do we need a specific codec?
Thanks much.

I am no expert on DVC Pro HD, but here is what I found out.
HD compression format by Panasonic.
Similar compression type to DV 25 but uses a higher bit rate up to 100 Mbit/sec, depending on
the specific HD format being recorded. Highly popular format because of its lowe r bit rates, and
incredible resolution considering how highly compressed the format is.
This format is very popular as an acquisition format used with Panasonic's Varic am camera as well>as several Panasonic cameras that record to P2 card systems. A lso used heavily to convert higher->end HD formats into a high quality offline e diting format. Uses component recording, DCT
compression at approx. 7:1 (intraframe), 4:2:2 color sampling, 8->bit depth and up to 8 audio channels.
1080 formats record at 1280x1080, 720 formats record at 960x720. At 1080p, frame rates include>23.98, 24, 25 fps. At 1080i, frame rates include 25, 29.97, 30 fp s. At 720p, frame rates include
23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 59.94, 60 fps.
Source: Moviola
I agree that you want AIC not DV. AIC is a 4:2:0 codec so you will lose some quality, but it is your best option without buying FCP.
Message was edited by: AppleMan1958
Message was edited by: AppleMan1958

Similar Messages

I have been backing up iMovie 08 files to my external drive, but for some reason I can't open these files in iMovie. I used drag and drop to copy them.

I have been backing up iMovie 08 files to my external drive, but for some reason I can't open these files in iMovie. I used drag and drop to copy them.

You really should be doing backups with an actual backup application, especially one that will work automatically, and, if your external HD is large enough, back up your entire system. These can automatically back up only what's changed since the previous backup, and some will keep "archive" copies of things you've changed or deleted, also.
Too many things can go wrong, such as your internal HD failing, and you'll have a major project to reinstall everything.
You already have Time Machine, built-in to OSX. You might want to review the Time Machine Tutorial, and perhaps browse Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions.
#27 in the second link mentions some alternatives, too.

Can't open mov files on my ipad

Since one of the last IOS updates, I can't open Mov files sent from my own IPhone via email.
I have had a new ipad swapped under warranty, and have reloaded all software from scratch.
When I get the email with the video file. The file is an attachment, I click the file, it downloads, then when I click it to view the video I get a white screen with the file name in the middle and the words quick time movie. And nothing happens

You should download VLC and try viewing the .mov file with it - for troubleshooting.

Can't open movie files

I downloaded windows media for mac and I still can't open movie files. When I click open a error window pops up saying "the file is not a movie file." That's crap I can open the files on my pc but not on my mac. By the way the files are on a external hard drive western digital my book. Is there some way I can convert the files to play on quicktime? Any kind of ideas would be helpful.

http://flip4mac.com
Then spend some money.

Can't open movie files in browser or email

Hi, I'm not sure if this issue has been dealt with yet; however, I can't open movie files contained in emails or in my Safari Browser--even ones labeled as QT files. I am running Quick Time 7.0.4 on my 10.3.9 eMac. This is a recent problem, as I didn't have this difficulty until the last month or so. I had unchecked the "Open Safe Files" box in Safari's preferences some time ago as a precaution against a virus/worm, but rechecked it after the last one or two Security Updates. What else should I do to resume opening movie files? QT Player runs just fine with movie trailers, etc, but not in mails or the browser.
eMac, iBook Mac OS X (10.3.9) 1 Ghz G4, 768 mb ram

Under the Safari Help menu choose "Installed Plug-ins". This will confirm your QuickTime install.
Under Safari Preferences/Security make sure you've got plug-ins enabled.
Try dragging the email attachment to the Desktop and see if it plays from there.

I can't open swf files for schoolwork. Installed VCL, Flip4Mac and Adobe flash and shockwave players. Can get white screen with connection erro message with adobe flash player. Help me!

i can't open swf files for schoolwork. Installed VCL, Flip4Mac and Adobe flash and shockwave players. Can get white screen with connection erro message with adobe flash player. Help me!

Apple dropped playback support for .swf formats in QuickTime almost ten years ago.
Adobe Flash Player is the only way to view them.

QT for Win can't open .mov made with iMovie

Hello
Is it possible?
Joking around I created a clip with the built in iSight camera in iMovie, clicked share, email and of my two windows recipients one could hear not see, the other, nothing.
Tried saving the clip as quicktime movie seperately sent it via mail and still nothing. The one recipient said she had checked for the latest Quicktime and was current (free version) the other, my brother, wouldn't be bothered checking. I saved one of the clips to a dvd not using iDVD and a QT icon was there but only the sound would come through the DVD player.
Is it even possible? I'm wondering whether to give up on interacting with windows friends with the iMac, I love the iMac (my first) but I do have a windows machine I can go back to (hoping NOT to go back but......).
I know from experience chatting with them (Windows users) is near impossible so wondering if I should give up on this part of sharing as well.
Paul.
iMac 20 Core 2 Duo 2.16 2 gb ram Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Paul,
Try MpegStreamclip (versions available for Mac and PC).
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-win.html
1.) You can convert your xx.mov to xx.mpg1, that should be playable on both platforms (Mac/PC).
OR
Since MPEG Streamclip can save MOV files as AVI, you can import the AVI (Large file size) into "Windows Movie Maker" and export as WMV (small file size, Microsoft's version of mp4) for your PC family and friends to view.
Note: I believe you mentioned you had a PC, "Windows Movie Maker" is a free video editing program that's included with Windows ME & XP installations.

How can I convert .mov files for use with other apps?

When loading movies taken on a friend's digital camera to my PC, the video files were saved as Quicktime .mov files. I am now unable to pull those files into any other software program (I want to put them onto a CD or DVD and play on external players.) How can I convert .mov files to a .wmv or .avi or mpeg?
Thanks - J
RS720G Windows XP

Kodak Digital Camera QuickTime MOV Problems
After battling a number of serious problems with the videos taken by my new Kodak Digital Camera, I decided to write up this page so that anyone searching the web would find out the true answers without as much grief!
I’ve also made some other comments about my experience with the camera, in case anyone was considering buying a Kodak camera in the near future.
I bought the camera just before Christmas 2004 in the US. At the time of writing, it is a pretty good model for domestic use—about 5.2 megapixels, costing about US$400 (or AU$600 back here in Australia). From a company as reputable as Kodak, I expected no problems.
The first disappointing thing was that the spring inside the spring-loaded battery clip, inside the camera, came loose within days. It proved impossible to reattach it without completely dismantling the camera, which (despite my engineering qualifications) I was not willing to do. This would usually have been a warranty item, but Kodak’s warranty does not extend to other countries. I’ve since had to jam cardboard in to keep the battery clip engaged, and have taped the battery bay shut to avoid it opening accidentally when taking the camera out of the case. This works fine with the docking station (an extra AU$100!), but it means I can no longer charge the battery without the docking station (since you need to take it out to charge it). I was not impressed!
The camera takes good photos, and I have no complaint with that. The controls and camera menus are well-designed. The large display is excellent.
The EasyShare software is not as easy to use as it looks, has a habit of crashing, has a web update program that is always running in the background of Windows, and transferring images is nowhere as easy or quick as it should be. I’ve now uninstalled it completely, and simply copy the photos directly from the device. (If the camera memory is nearly full, and you just want to transfer the last few photos, then it’s impossible to use the EasyShare software to browse the camera’s photos without it actually downloading the whole lot through the USB cable—and it takes forever! Copying from the device directly doesn’t hit this bug.)
The capability to take video using the camera was a great attraction when I selected it, and, if it worked properly, it would make it quite a handy little camcorder in its own right. With a 512 MB memory card in it, over an hour of video can be recorded at Video-CD quality (320 x 240 24fps video, 8 kHz audio). It’s not full digital video, but it would still be a pretty good feature for a US$400 camera. If it worked.
The first disappointing thing about taking videos is that the optical zoom cannot be adjusted while the camera is recording. It can only be adjusted between video sequences. I don’t know why this restriction was made in the design.
The real problems, however, start when you try to do anything with the video clips captured by the camera. Kodak has chosen to capture the videos in QuickTime format. This is fine—QuickTime is, technically, excellent—except that there is no simple way to convert QuickTime MOV files to AVI or MPEG or VCD. The Kodak software comes with a QuickTime player, so you can see the video clips on the computer you installed the software on—and they look good. Problem is that you can’t just dump those MOV files onto your Video-CD creator (it will usually want AVI or MPEG files).
It takes some time to realise that Kodak have not even bothered to include any software with the camera that can convert these MOV files to a more useful format. This is a serious PR blunder, and anyone bitten by this is unlikely to go near the Kodak brand ever again.
After some web searching, owners of these cameras generally find that the best (only?) freeware solution to convert MOV to AVI is Bink and Smacker’s RADtools program.
RADtools is amazingly powerful for the price (i.e. free), but it hits two fundamental problems with Kodak Digital Camera MOV video files, that are the fault of the Kodak camera, not RADtools. (I know this because every other MOV converter hits the same problems—except one, as you will see below.)
The first problem is that the sound cannot be converted properly. When you convert any Kodak MOV files, there is an “aliasing” of the sound at the upper frequencies. This is a technical description—you get a whispery, tinny, C3PO type of echo to everything. It really destroys the quality of the video clips (especially bad when I am trying to capture priceless memories of my 4- and 7-year-old sons—I don’t want their voices destroyed for all time).
Every conversion program I tried ended up with the same audio problem. I concluded that it is something strange in the way the Kodak cameras store the MOV files.
Strangely enough, I noticed that the QuickTime player didn’t distort the audio like this. The audio sounds just fine through QuickTime. More on this shortly.
The second, more serious problem is that RADtools could not properly convert some of the video clips at all. (This problem only affected less than 10% of the clips I originally filmed, but most of those clips were very short—less than 20 seconds. It seems that the probability of this problem gets worse, the longer the clip.) RADtools would misreport the number of frames in the clip, and would stretch out a small number of frames of video (in slow motion) to match the length of the audio.
Again, I confirmed that this is a property of some of the MOV files stored by the camera. Other conversion tools also had problems with the same MOV clips.
After more angst, I found a number of websites in which frustrated owners of these Kodak cameras have reported the exact same problems.
It was only then that I discovered that QuickTime itself can convert MOV files to AVI. Believe it or not, it’s built into the QuickTime Player that Kodak supplies, or that you can download free from apple.com. The problem is that you can’t use it unless you pay Apple to upgrade to QuickTime Pro.
After realising that this would probably be the only way to get decent audio for these clips, I paid the AU$59 to Apple Australia to get the licence key that enables the extra “Pro” menu options in QuickTime.
Sure enough, you can “Export” any MOV file to a number of formats, including AVI. And guess what? The audio comes out fine!
So, the first piece of advice I can give is: pay Apple the US$29 (or whatever amount it is in your country) to upgrade QuickTime to QuickTime Pro.
From here, however, there are still a few snags to untangle.
The first is that the default settings for Exporting to AVI don’t give a great result. It defaults to the Cinepak codec, medium quality. This looks terrible compared to the original QuickTime movie. Even on maximum quality, that codec just doesn’t give good results.
I finally found that the best option is to use the Intel Indeo Video 4.4 codec, set on maximum quality. This creates AVI files that are 10 to 20 times larger than the original MOV files, but the quality is there. If (like me) you only want the AVI files so you can dump them into your Video-CD program, then you want to keep the quality as high as possible in this first step. The extra hard disk space is not really a concern. When your VCD program converts the AVI files to MPEG, it will compress them to the usual VCD size.
Now for the biggest snag: those problem MOV files are still a problem, even for QuickTime Pro. Unbelievably, these Kodak cameras are spitting out MOV files which have some sort of technical flaw in their data specifications. QuickTime is able to play them back fine—and that seems to be all that the Kodak engineers really checked. However, if QuickTime Pro tries to export them, then when the progress bar gets to the end, it never finishes. It just keeps going. If you check the output folder with Explorer, and keep hitting F5 to update the file listing, you can see the file getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger. It never stops.
That this happens even for QuickTime itself (the native format for these files) confirms that the problem is with the software built into these Kodak cameras. It would be nice it they issued a patch or a fix. I couldn’t find one.
Fortunately, there is a “workaround” for this problem. I found it when trolling the net trying to find solutions to all these problems. The workaround is to use QuickTime Pro’s cut and paste facility. Open the problem MOV file, then press Ctrl-A (the standard key combination for “select all”—in this case it selects the entire film clip, as you can see by the grey selection of frames at the bottom of the player). Then hit Ctrl-C (i.e. copy, which in this case copies all the frames, but not the incorrect data structure in the original MOV file). Now hit Ctrl-N (i.e. new, in this case a new MOV file or player). In this new player, press Ctrl-V (i.e. paste). Now you have a new version of the MOV file with the bad data structure exorcised. You can save this under a new name, but make sure you specify “Make movie self-contained”—otherwise, it will simply be a link to the original (bad) MOV file, which you are probably going to delete once you save the exorcised version. (You also cannot overwrite the original file, because it needs to access that to make the “self-contained” movie. You need to give it a slightly different name, save it “self-contained”, then delete the original and rename the new copy back to what you wanted it to be. A pain, I agree, but at least the **** thing works—finally!)
The exorcised MOV file can now be used to Export to AVI format. (I also keep all the MOV files on a separate CD, in case I want to reconvert them to a different format in the future. I figure it’s better keeping the exorcised ones than the haunted ones.)
So I hope that all this answers a few of your questions. No, you weren’t being incredibly stupid.

Converting VOB movie files for iMovie 09

I would like to import movie files into iMovie 09 which are in the VOB format. How do I convert the files to a format for iMovie 09?

I purchased this Mac two days ago. For a work application I purchased this camera 1 week ago. When I bought the camera I asked the vendor if software came with the camera that would allow me to load the videos onto the computer but when I received the camera no software was included and no one from Canon or the camera vendor would help. I had a Canon DC 330 that came with the software last year but someone from my company made off with it. Another story another day.
I've used PC's for years but I've been wanting to try a Mac anyway so I went into the Apple store with a VOB file that the PC would not read. It took a little fussing but the tech loaded the VOB file directly from the 3" DVD (took a few minutes to find a machine that read the DVD) into iMovie. Worked real slick so I walked out with a new Mac. I knew there would be a significant learning curve but nothing ventured nothing gained.
The Apple Store is over an hours drive one way but I suppose I'll have to go back and see if I can figure this out. Not an issue, just time consuming.
Anyway suggestions would be most appreciated. I will try the tip found on this post but any steps I can save would be great.

Can't open .mov files in quicktime anymore

I can't think of any system changes that I've made recently but a few days ago I was able to open .mov files with quicktime and now I can't. I get the following error when I try to open one. Error -1856: an unknown error occurred (filename.mov) I've uninstalled quicktime, rebooted and reinstalled with no luck. I've searched these forums and googled the error number but can't find anything. Does anyone know what might be going on? Thanks.

Actually, I can't open anything in quicktime anymore. I've tried opening avis, mov, mp4 and m4a files... all give the same error message and number. I've reinstalled both qt and itunes but no luck.

Logic X can't open .mov files?

Logic Pro X won't allow me to open .mov files, whereas Logic 9 had no problem. Is Logic 9 still better for "Music to Film" projects?

Hi, when Garageband 3 (GB07) came out, the same thing happened but they released a patch/update shortly after. Seeing as how iLife '08 just came out, I'd say just sit tight for a week or so and they're bound to come out with the update.
/my two cents

I can't open pps files with FF4. I have Powerpoint Viewer installedAny suggestions?

I can open Powerpoint (pps) files with Google Chrome but not Firefox 4. How do I get FF4 to associate pps files with the Powerpoint Viewer that is installed on my computer?

Many thanks!!! This works and is probably the best fix for now. Thank you!!!
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:58:01 -0800
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: I can't open NEF files with PS Elements9 (Mac) and have just performed all avail. updates
    Re: I can't open NEF files with PS Elements9 (Mac) and have just performed all avail. updates
    created by 99jon in Photoshop Elements - View the full discussion
For the D600 NEF's you have two alternatives: (1) Upgrade to PSE 11. (2) Download and install the free Adobe DNG converter to convert your raw files to the Adobe universal Raw format and the files will open in all versions of PSE (keep your originals as backups and for use in the camera manufactures software) Windows download click here DNG Converter 7.3 Mac download click here DNG Converter 7.3 You can convert a whole folder of raw images in one click. See this quick video tutorial: You Tube click here for DNG Converter tutorial
     Please note that the Adobe Forums do not accept email attachments. If you want to embed a screen image in your message please visit the thread in the forum to embed the image at http://forums.adobe.com/message/5034913#5034913
     Replies to this message go to everyone subscribed to this thread, not directly to the person who posted the message. To post a reply, either reply to this email or visit the message page: http://forums.adobe.com/message/5034913#5034913
     To unsubscribe from this thread, please visit the message page at http://forums.adobe.com/message/5034913#5034913. In the Actions box on the right, click the Stop Email Notifications link.
     Start a new discussion in Photoshop Elements by email or at Adobe Community
For more information about maintaining your forum email notifications please go to http://forums.adobe.com/message/2936746#2936746.

Can't open MOV files in FCP: "Searching for movie data in file..."

I know this has been posted before, but none of them seem to match up to what I'm all of a sudden dealing with. I have 4 MOV files that I'm converting to WMV. Movie 1 & 2 exported fine. Now, however, any time I try to open another MOV file, I get an error that it's "Searching for movie data in file..." and the file name is ALWAYS the same. The weird thing is, the file it's looking for is none of the 4 movies I'm working with. So how did the first two work and this pop out of nowhere??
I have cleared out the render cache. Dumped all the cache and prefs files I can find, etc. Restarted the machine. Started FCP with the Option key held down.
I've searched everywhere, but people usually seem to come across this error while opening FCP (I'm running 6.0.6). This only happens when I open a MOV file (oddly, I can open WMV files in FCP without issue).
HELP!

So, I open the movies in QT and the EXACT same thing is happening. So it appears the guy who created the videos did something when he was making them (probably made a reference files along the way). I'm having him re-export the MOV files.
So, it's not a FCP issue.....

Can't import .mov file into iMovie

I have a video clip in .mov format that won't seem to import so that I can edit it. I'm a guy who's worked with windows for years and I am Mac illiterate. Is there a reason why I can't import the clip, but it still plays in quicktime?
G5 Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Hi Solace,
welcome to this forum
to give you some background info for better understanding in the future:
the file extension".mov" is a bit irritating, should NOT be translated with "movie"! a .mov is just a socalled container, it can contain (sic) many kind of media: stills, music, VR...- and for sure video.
just to impress you, have a look in this list:
Apple's list of formats supported by QT
iMovie is an edit-app meant to work with firewire-connected miniDV camcorders..... you can import "other" files&formats, but then it gets a bit tricky....
so, my usual guess, you're trying to import some mpegs (contained in a .mov file, you don't read .mpg as suffix.....)
some very good advices here, in plain english:
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml
have fun with your Mac!

Can't open .ses file in Cool Edit 2.1

Hello,
I hope I'm on the right forum here. I have a big problem with a *.ses file in Cool Edit 2.1. When I try to open it it simply doesn't do anything. It starts Cool Edit but it doesn't start importing the files and effects of the tracks.
I saved the project last night, there is no recover file for it. There are to many wav files to recover it manually...
If someone could help me and give an advice why I can't open it anymore, I would be really thankful!
Greetings,
Christian

Thanks Steve
Just email me the ses file (no audio).
Send it to me via the aatranslator website
You should checkout my SesBackup program - also available via the same site

Can't open .mov files for iMovie editing; can't even view in QuickTime, etc

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for