Converting VideoCD to DVD with iMovie

Is there a "best way" to convert a video CD disc created in iMovie 3 to a standard DVD in iMovie 4? I have a bunch of video CDs I'd like to combine onto one DVD. I do not have the original iMovie 3 files - just the final video CD discs.
I'm guessing quality will suffer, but I'll appreciate any advise I can get.
iMac G5 20-inch   Mac OS X (10.3.9)   2 GB RAM, 250 GB External HD

VCD quality is so poor that I wouldn't degrade it any more with any MPEG-DV-MPEG conversions!
Instead, just resample the 44.1 kHz VCD audio to the 48 kHz DVD spec. The VCD video "happens" to already be in DVD spec so you don't have to do anything to it.
Then just re-author the audio and video as a video-DVD. Voila: original VCD quality on a DVD!
See also:
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/SVCDon_a_Macintosh.html#edit_convertMPEG
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/SVCDon_aMacintosh.html#CVD

Similar Messages

  • Converting VHS to DVD with preserved closed captions

    Can this be done via DV capture?
    I'm trying to convert some of my old out of print VHS tapes to DVD, since they are obscure enough to probably never see an official DVD release. I figured firewire/DV would be perfect for the job because...well, my Mac already has that built-in. My intended workflow is to capture via DV using an ADS Pyro A/V Link analog->DV converter box (see tip below if you're trying something similar by the way).
    Anyway, being the quasi-perfectionist that I am, I'd like to make as close a copy to the original as possible, preserving the closed captions. In researching this I've found that this data is stored in "line 21" which is normally not a viewable portion of the video signal, rather like metadata. I have read that DV does support this data in the "VAUX" data area, however before I even begin, I am concerned that any step of my intended workflow might not preserve this data (reencoding in the converter box, transferring into iMovie/FCP, reencoding onto DVD). I presume that any amount of editing to the captured video will hose the captions if they are preserved, but I'd only shorten the black padding at the beginning and ending of the program if anything, which I can't imagine would scramble it too bad.
    I have read many suggestions of just manually transposing the CC text to subtitles instead, however since the DVD spec does support true closed captions, I figure it's gotta be possible somehow.
    I'd like to be able to do this without purchasing a PCI capture card. And I'd also like to be able to do this without spending $6000 on a certain Mac captioning app (a ridiculous price for functionality which in my opinion should be free). I've seen some pretty cheap VCR+DVD combo standalone units on the market, but I'd like to think my Mac, as expensive as it was, will suffice.
    Am I asking too much? Should I just give it a try to see if everything magically works? And if my current setup is not up to this task, what sort of setup would I need to realize my goal?
    (Tip: By the way, if anyone is trying to convert VHS to DVD with a similar setup, be warned that the marketers of such analog->DV converter boxes generally don't mention that you'll also need a time base corrector (TBC) to do anything useful with less-than-perfect analog source video; I've found that without such a device, the video tends to drop frames like mad on rough spots of the source tape [I'm talking drops measured in seconds]. Too bad TBCs cost more than the converter box itself usually. Odd that those VCR+DVD combo boxes ostensibly must have a built-in TBC by definition, and yet often are cheaper than a standalone TBC...)
    Power Mac G4 dual 867 Mirrored Drive Doors   Mac OS X (10.4.4)  

    Ok well I tested it by going VCR->DV converter->iMovie->iDVD, and the closed captions were lost at some point. The tape does have closed captions when played in the VCR, and I know my DVD player displays closed captions properly (I tested a commercial disc both in the Mac and in a standalone DVD player and those showed captions), but the DVD I created doesn't display closed captions either in the Mac DVD Player or the standalone unit.
    So...anyone think maybe importing into Final Cut Pro and burning with DVD Studio Pro would work better for this than iMovie? I imagine there would be no difference (since iDVD uses the same Compressor app as DVDSP).
    So I guess I'm stuck. At this point I can't even use the DVD/VCR dub machine since it won't allow dubbing of copy-protected tapes (even though this tape will likely never see a DVD release and it's crappy VHS quality anyway and it's just for my own personal use as a backup)...any suggestions?

  • How do I convert old work done with iMovie HD 6 to view/work with iMovie 11 on my new iMac?

    How do I convert old work done with iMovie HD 6 to view and work with in iMovie 11 on my new iMac?

    If you still have your iMovie 6 project, you can import it using FILE/IMPORT/iMovieHD Project.
    If all you have is the finished movie, you can FILE/IMPORT MOVIE.
    If your movie is in DV Stream format, it is advisable to convert it to QuickTime MOV container containing DV codec. Otherwise, the import will be chronological by the date and time the clip was shot, rather than in edited order.

  • Suggestion request for creating a DVD with iMovie 4, but no iDVD

    ...or even a DVD burner. Sounds stupid, right? Allow me to explain.
    I recently filmed a wedding for a friend using a borrowed Panasonic MiniDV camcorder.
    My girlfriend has an iBook G4 with iMovie 4.0.1. However, she doesn't have iDVD...because she didn't purchase a superdrive with this machine. Only the standard combo drive.
    Without knowing or thinking about any of this (this is where I was completely stupid) I successfully imported and edited the wedding footage. The final time clocked out at an hour and a half. I had a grand old time doing it, until I started thinking about how I would get this to DVD. I have since returned the borrowed camcorder.
    Do you think it is possible or even advisable for me to:
    a) not purchase iDVD or a DVD burner as this is most likely the only video project I'll ever work on
    b) Export the movie in the highest quality format as possible
    c) Transfer said file to an external hard drive (which I would be willing to purchase as I would have other applications for it later)
    d) Bring it to a public facility in my town (like Screenz) that has iMovie, iDVD, and a superdrive and burn it there. Of course I realize that depending on the quality I export at, this could take several hours to do, but if it could be successful I'd have no problem doing so. I also realize I should scope them out and determine what versions they have.
    Your thoughts? Should I attempt this? Need more info?
    Thanks so much for your suggestions! Call me an idiot if you need to. I have no pride in this matter.

    Should I attempt this? Need more info?
    ... hm, don't know the folks of Screenz, wether they allow to "use" their machines without a fee... but, why not giving it a try?
    .. buy the ext. harddrive there... makes you a "friend" & good customer..
    after purchasing the drive...
    * make sure, it has a firewire connection (=100% compatibility)
    * connect drive, power on...
    * launch Disk Utility from your Utilities Folder...
    * select drive
    * choose in drop-down menu "MacOsExtended/hfs", give a nice name..
    THEN, export your project, share/Quicktime/Full Quality...
    AND drag'n drop your iM project (that with the star icon) onto drive
    File 1 is in case, for some reasons, File 2 isn't accepted.. the qt.mov could be imported into any iDVD version...
    File 2 is in case, they have versions which accept your iMproject folder (any iDVD4 - 6 should do so); this file keeps chapter markers, in case you use one; and stills have probably a slightly better quality... then, you launch iDVD, choose a nice theme, drag'n drop the iM from your hd to iDVD window...
    try to get access to some "überMac", Intel quadcore 4GB RAM ... then, iDVD creation is done with your 90min project in less then 15minutes....
    buy Verbatim dvd-r, no second try needed..

  • Using MPEG streamclip to convert VIDEO_TS files (DVDs) with chapters

    I am using MPEG Steamclip to convert DVDs (ie VIDEO_TS files).
    Where the DVD has no chapters then it converts in one go into a new file.
    However where the DVD has some chapters, it gives me an option to convert each chapter individually. I actually just want to convert the whole DVD in one go, with all the chapters merged together - is there any way to do this?
    Thank you

    Thanks for the help

  • Problem converting the matrix dvd with videora

    Hi, Iv'e been using dvd decryptor and videora ipod converter to get my dvd's on my ipod and it's been working until now but I'm having a problem with the matrix dvd (the first one widescreen edition). For some reason when ever I convert it with videora a little piece of the video gets cut out (the part where trinity goes into slow-mo and kicks the cop in the face) but the audio dosen't so for the rest of the movie the av sync is off by about 5 seconds. If anyone else has had this problem or has any ideas please help.

    I tried ripping the dvd with smart ripper instead of dvd decryptor and got the same problem so it seems like the problem is with videora. Are there any other programs like videora that might work? Also I do have quicktime pro and the mpeg encoder for it so is there a way to do it using that?

  • Converting Chapters of DVD with Viedora iPod Converter

    I am trying to convert one chapter of my David Bowie concert DVD that is at most 4 minutes long. Why does Videora iPod converter take over 4 hours to transcode this segment? And why is it over 600,000 KBs? It's just one chapter.

    Ok well I tested it by going VCR->DV converter->iMovie->iDVD, and the closed captions were lost at some point. The tape does have closed captions when played in the VCR, and I know my DVD player displays closed captions properly (I tested a commercial disc both in the Mac and in a standalone DVD player and those showed captions), but the DVD I created doesn't display closed captions either in the Mac DVD Player or the standalone unit.
    So...anyone think maybe importing into Final Cut Pro and burning with DVD Studio Pro would work better for this than iMovie? I imagine there would be no difference (since iDVD uses the same Compressor app as DVDSP).
    So I guess I'm stuck. At this point I can't even use the DVD/VCR dub machine since it won't allow dubbing of copy-protected tapes (even though this tape will likely never see a DVD release and it's crappy VHS quality anyway and it's just for my own personal use as a backup)...any suggestions?

  • Unable to burn DVD with iMovie?

    Am fairly dissapointed with Apple.
    I have spent time today creating a short movie of photos of my 2 month old son.
    When trying to share with iDVD I have realised that my iLife 11 doesn't come with this software and I can't download it!
    I am therefore unable to burn my project to disc and feel I have wasted my time.
    In my opinion this seriously reduces the usablility of iMovie.
    Is there anyway I can burn the DVD without spending a shed load of cash on some third party software??
    Thanks

    I was also disappointed when I bought my Mac and it came without iWeb and iDVD.
    For burning DVDs, I use a free app called Burn http://burn-osx.sourceforge.net/Pages/English/home.html.
    You can't do fancy menus or anything that iDVD can, but at least you can get your iMovie Projects onto a DVD.
    You have to export your project from iMovie and then drag the .m4v or .mov file that comes out onto Burn (Make sure the Video tab at the top is selected.
    Of course, if you have a MacBook Air, you'll need an external optical drive capable of burning DVDs.

  • How do I burn a DVD with iMovie 11?

    I am new to Macs.  I understand that imovie can send a project to idvd, but I don't seem to have idvd on my computer.  This is such a simple question, How do I burn a dvd?

    AppleMan1958 wrote:
    Karsten, I am wondering why iDVD 6 does not work. ....
    My System is 10.73
    I 'reinstalled' iDVD09 from an original iLife09 disk
    => fully operational (=I did create lately a few disks)
    .... I wouldn't be surprised, if you have to 'launch'/install Java to make it run
    (half kiddin', half serious .... iDVD had a .... weird internal structure)
    I haven't tested it wether the 'send to iDVD' works in iM11 ... I never used it ...
    always exported 'manually' with my own 'master settings'.
    dragging these huge HDef.movs into the projects and let iDVD decide what to do

  • How can I burn a DVD with iMovie (my Mac does not have iDVD)?

    Please help!  I have Googled everything I can think of to solve this problem.  I have a Mac desktop that did not come with iDVD (as they no longer do!).  I have movies that I have loaded onto iMovie, but cannot figure out how to get them onto a DVD.  Any one know how to do this?  TIA!

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/22010031#22010031

  • HT4997 I want to burn a movie to a dvd with iMovie but idvd doesn't show up in the "share" menu--why?  My SuperDrive indicates that my DVD+R can be written to.  Please Help.

    I just spent a week creating an iMovie and wanted to burn it to a DVD.  The instruction tutorial said to go to the "Share" menu and select "iDVD", however there is no "iDVD" listed in that memu.  I checked to see that my DVD+R was writeable in my SuperDrive--it is?  Why doesn't "idvd" show in the "share" menu?  Please help, thank you.  Fustrated Mark.

    I may have found a way around this issue. I have the old style mouse with a wired usb connection. I've learned from other discussions that by holding down the 'Control' key and pressing the mouse button on an Apple a menu similar to the right-click menu of a PC will appear. When I tried this from the 'Project Library' on iMovie on my iMAC, a menu appears that DOES contain the export to iDVD choice. This choice is still not visible from the 'Share' menu in the menubar. This appears to be some glitch in the Apple software, but my computer is currently formulating the iMovie into the iDVD format. I have my fingers crossed.

  • How to convert .IMG or DVD with menus to DMG EXE and/or iPad App

    Help!!!
    I have made a load of DVD's I want to convert into applications for windows, mac and iPads .... I've read a load of threads by others who have asked simular questions but the only solutions are to convert them into individual videos ...BUT... I want to keep the menus ... Is this really an imposible task? Any suggestions would be gratefully recieved.
    Many thanks,

    Ah yes, sorry I didn't really explain very well as I tend to ramble...
    I volunteer for a special education school and am trying to create choosing activities that can go onto the network. We have a program that symblifys the system so that the children with mild-severe learning difficulties can acess certain applications. I'd like the resources I have made to be acessed by both student and teachers throughout the school.
    Yes, burning them to disk is a last resort. It gets really busy in a PMLD class. And any disks I leave in the class usually ends up being severly scratched, dribbled, chewed thrown or just simply lost! And this is just one class!
    I did at one point try to just copy the DVD files onto the school computer and run it that way but I got in trouble with the IT guy at the school. There was an issue with space...but I thought If i could give him a program of each choosing activity for the various topics he could instal it on the network which could then be acessed on any computer.
    The mac version was just a thought really. If i can manage to convert any of this...one day...when someone clever invents something that will make magic...I want to be able to upload it onto the TES website as a free teaching resources. And I didn't want to exclude mac users.

  • Dvd with imovie/toast some pixilation

    Hi All,
    I am trying to edit pieces of an existing DVD.
    Basically I imported the movie into my mac using MactheRipper.
    I then converted it to a mp4 using Handbreak.
    I laid out the clips I needed then saved the movie.
    I started Toast and burned it with no menus, autoplay.
    I noticed there is some pixilation, particularly when people move quickly.
    I did do a quick search on this and I am lost!
    Thanks for any info! Its for a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser and I am starting to get close to deadline (huh- I thought it would be easy! )
    Laura

    I made the dvd and it works fine in my computer, my dvd player and one or 2 of the pc's at work.
    The laptop at work I need to play it on says I don't have the correct codec to play the dvd in windows media player.
    I paid 15$ to download a roxio plugin ( I guess that is what its called)
    It loads my movie, with the beginning screen of the movie (the menu)
    But when I try to play it it just goes to one of the photos that I used on the menu. (the drop zone photos)
    Now I am REALLY under the gun, 6 days and counting.
    Any and all help would be appreciated!
    thanks Laura

  • Canon HG10 work with iMovie 08?

    I know...you can't even get one yet, and it is not listed on the Apple camcorder compatibility chart for iMovie 08.....but does anyone have a guess if this will work ok with iMovie 08? One would think it would based on the other HDD AVCHD camcorders that are shown to work. I need to get an HD camera for the daughter's upcoming wedding in October.
    thanks, Bruce
    ps....I too was disappointed with iMovie 08....but I have been using it quite a bit now, and even with the few things I can not do, there are so MANY positives that I am very happy with it. I can always use iMovie HD for the few things that I might miss....but I doubt it.

    You will get a better editing platform for your home movies with iMovie HD6, which is a free download.
    http://support.apple.com/downloads/iMovieHD6
    You will also get better quality video if you buy an HDV camcorder, however, unless you also buy a Blu ray DVD burner and Toast, you will only be making standard definition DVDs with iMovie and iDVD, no matter what cam you buy.
    Tape is superior to hard drive AVCHD cams in many ways and iMovie HD6, the superior editing platform, REQUIRES a tape based format.

  • Importing with Imovie HD

    So i have a camcorder that records in the AVCHD format. I import and convert the video filed with imovie 08 onto an external hard drive (firewire 800) and they save there. I then imported the converted clips into imovie HD 6, and this takes a very long time. I noticed that it put the videos onto my local drive as my space decreased tremendously. What directory does imovie HD 6 store these imported files?! i can not find them and each time i import the same clips, it takes forever and i loose more disk space.
    Please help!
    and thanks in advance.

    Thanks for the quick response.
    Unfortunately, I have checked there. Inside the Movies folder, I have an imovie 6 project file and a folder containing an imovie 08 project. The movie folder is relatively small. I have 20 GB of hard drive space unaccounted for after importing videos into imovie 6. I am fairly new to the mac, and absolutely not used to the environment. I have checked the size of each main directory on my hard drive, and no folder is 20+ gb, which would be the size of the imported videos. I cannot find the videos anywhere while my hard drive space shows they otherwise by the lack of space. I went from 100gb free to 76gb.

Maybe you are looking for