How to import movie clips from DVD?

Question

Hi,
A really stupid question, and possibly this has been asked before, but I am at my wits end--is there a way I can import video clips to iMovie from a DVD disc that contains video files? When I try to select 'import movies' from the file menu, it won't import the clips because the video files contained within the dvd are VOB. IFO. and BUP. formats, and the iMovie will only read MPEG or mov. Is there a way I can somehow import these clips by changing the setting somewhere in the iMovie or am I to require some other type of application to convert these files before I can successfully import them?
I'm really only trying to make a simple short clip, nothing big. The longest it will probably be is at most 5 mins. Any suggestions?
Thanks!

Answer 1

Is there a way I can somehow import these clips by changing the setting somewhere in the iMovie or am I to require some other type of application to convert these files before I can successfully import them?
Not by changing a setting. Multiplexed MPEG-2 content is not iMovie '08 "edit" compatible. Either the content is recognized as being on a compatible camcorder and converts the content to an "edit" compatible compression format or you must manually convert the multiplexed MPEG-2 content yourself for import at the "Finder" file level.
Any suggestions?
If your VOB files are not encrypted (i.e., on a homemade DVD), then they can be copied to your hard drive. Once on your hard drive, you can use any of several applications to perform your conversion. Cost and work flow depend on the application you use. I normally recommend a new user try something like iSquint for their initial attempt. It is free and simple to use. Simply drop the copied VOB file containing the video you want to the application work area, set the "Optimize for TV" option, and press the "Start" button. This will produce an MPEG4/AAC file that can be edited. Other applications can produce alternative compression formats for editing but are either more difficult to use or are not totally free. My preference would by MPEG Streamclip here, but it requires a $20 QT MPEG-2 Playback component and s much more difficult to use since it has many more options and capabilities. Visual Hub (iSquint's "big brother") is as simple to use, but is a "pay-ware" application. In any case, the free application should allow you to do what you want and then you can decide if you need/want to invest more in the way of cost, time, and/or effort in a better application.
I use Quicktime pro as well to export any file to a version that iMovie will work with
Unfortunately, QT Pro will not work in this case since QT Pro is not conversion compatible with multiplexed MPEG-2 formats. Even if you add the $20 QT MPEG-2 Playback component, it will only convert the video portion of the file. Use an MPEG-based, third-party application like those mentioned above or FFmpegX (donation-ware/difficult to use) or MPEG2 Works (Pay-ware that also requires the $20 MPEG-2 component, etc.