How do I convert a production movie for use in iWeb

Question

I had an ad agency create a tv commercial segment for me a few years ago. Now, I'd like to be able to show that ad as a movie in iWeb. Is there a way this can be done?
iMac G5   Mac OS X (10.4.5)  

Answer 1

Chiman....
here's how you do it.
Load the movie onto your mac. Either by bringing it in on a external hard disk, or a data dvd, or even a video dvd.
If it's the data dvd or the hard disk... open iMovie and drag the movie file into the CLIPS area. It looks like little boxes in the upper right of the iMovie window.
You can then place it on the time line. That's the three lines running horizontally below the big black area in the middle of the window. When you see the arrow turn to a green + sign then drop it there.
You can then export it using the SHARE menu in a ton of different formats. I suggest using the IPOD setting in the SHARE menu, as it's easier for others on the web to download.
If your movie from the add agency is on a VIDEO DVD, ie one that plays in a dvd player, or tries to play when you load it into your computer, you need to "rip" it off of that Video Dvd first, and then go through the process I've outlined above. Load the DVD into your computer, then quit DVD player when it opens. Leave the DVD in the computer.
You rip a file from a DVD by using HANDBRAKE. it's a piece of shareware you can download at this url
http://handbrake.m0k.org/
once you have it downloaded, double click on the file, then double click on the disk image that is loaded onto your desktop. Inside you'll see a file that looks like a pineapple and a drink with a little umbrella. That's the software.
Double click on this artwork to open handbrake.
A window will open with a "select a DVD" and you can look at a volume or an image. set it to look at your DVD and click OPEN.
Select the file you want to load onto your computer by clicking on it once... then click RIP. The default settings of Handbrake will be fine for what you're doing.
When it's done loading it onto your computer, quit handbrake and open iMovie. Drag this file into the clips area and complete the steps above.
Remember to back up your work.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
Jim