Video format conversion help

My friend imported video footage from two separate "action" cameras onto his mac book. The files are labeled as .avi files. I plan to edit the videos in PE4 to create a movie. I've transferred the files to my PC, but they only play on VLC media player. Other media players only play the audio portion.
I tried importing the files into PE4 and again...only audio. I believe what I need to do is to download video conversion software and convert to a usable format (although I thought .avi was usable).
I don't want to compromise video quality. Can someone suggest a good "free" video conversion program? Are there better programs for a nominal fee?
Thanks.

I'm not sure how he converted those files to AVIs, tm (Macs don't use AVI natively), but my guess is that they're not DV codec AVIs. More likely Cinepak AVIs.
To see, open the videos in Windows Media Player and go to File/Properties. You'll see the codecs displayed there.
From there, you could look for a converter -- or, even better, you could ask your friend to output DV-AVIs instead. He should have that ability if he's using Final Cut or even Quicktime Pro to output those AVIs.

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Automated video format conversion on Windows?

Hi all,
I'm sure there are dozens of posts on here about video conversion, but I'm looking for something quite specific so thought best to start a clean thread. On my MBP I use Visualhub quite happily to convert other formats to MP4 for ATV, but I'm looking for a separate solution for my Windows machines that does the following:
- Monitor folders for supported video files
- Supports XVID, DIVX at a minimum, preferably more
- Works relatively quickly and/or performs well, preferably able to respect the processor requirements of other apps on the machine by optionally using 'idle' processor
It would be brilliant if there were something that did all of the above for free, but I'm happy to pay a reasonable amount for something that works well. I've tried using ImToo MPEG Encoder but it only satisfies the second criteria above and not very well at that. In my tests it also resulted in really bad audio sync issues in most formats (although i did have a slightly older version).
Thanks in advance!
Tom

If you are willing to roll your own solution, directory monitoring can be done using DirMon2.
http://www.dragonglobal.org/
Transcoding can be done using MPEG StreamClip
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-win.html
And if you do a Google search, you can find some code that uses the iTunes API's to add a file to iTunes.
Of course, other than DirMon2, it's all theory to me. I've never been able to get MPEG Stream Clip (or Quicktime Pro for that matter) to transcode anything longer than a couple of minutes. I've had pretty good results with Handbrake but it only works with DVDs.
As far as "relatively quickly" goes, Handbrake runs at about .5x real time for me (AMD X2 3800+) on a two pass encode.
I've pretty much given up on transcoding as an approach to feeding Apple TV until something that's more reliable and less work comes along. Or Apple comes to its senses and realizes that the lack of MPEG-2 support is hurting sales. Or I buy another Mac (my Powerbook takes forever to transcode). Short-term, I'm settling for photos, music, podcasts, and ITS content on my Apple TV

HT3290 what is the best video format for iMovie?

I'm a basic newbe on imac compiuters. Although I like it the transition is a bit painful.
I download stuff from my (cheep) video cameras BUT after closing the oniginal window I can't find the vids OR pictures I just downloaded from the devices.
I am hsving a difficult time figuring out what is the BEST video promat to record in that can be used in imovie AND final cut pro.
I'd appreciate any assoistance at this point.
All tips appreciated,
:-) Cheers

iMovie is friendly with .mp4, .mov, .m4v etc video formats. Here this article about iMovie supported video formats may help you.

Looking for help with converting a ppsx file to a video format such as .mov or mp4

Hi All, I am looking for conversion software that will allow me to convert a ppsx file to a video file on OS10.5.8.

Hi Klaus1, Thanks for your response. I can open and view the file without difficulty. My issue is getting into a video format that I can upload to a Website for client viewing. All the conersion products I can find are for a newer OS then 10.5.8. I am working on a deadline of midnight tonight-and cannot upgrade that quickly. So What I need is a conversion program that will still run on my OS

Please help i started my project video format 720HD resolution 12x720 rate 25p at last when i finish and burn to dvd the edges are cut off any one help please i am really in trouble

please help i started my project with video format 720HD, resolution 12x720, rate 25p. at last when i finish and burn to dvd the edges are cut off and my logo cut off the screeen aswell any one help please i am really in trouble. thanks

Sorry, but I don't know anything about that app.
I did go to their Web site and I see they have a support link. Perhaps you can get help there or in their forum.
If you are OK with a DVD with a basic menu, you could try the Share>DVD option in FCP.
Good luck.
Russ

Help me set video format

Hi ALL!
I am trying to set the video format, but it doesn't work, can someone help me?
public void initDevice(int wantedHeight, int wantedWidth, int wantedDepth) {
System.out.println("<initDevice()>");
Vector videoDevices = CaptureDeviceManager.getDeviceList(new RGBFormat());
VFWDeviceQuery deviceQuery = null;
CaptureDeviceInfo deviceInfo = null;
for(int i = 0; i < videoDevices.size(); i++) {
deviceQuery = (VFWDeviceQuery) videoDevices.elementAt(i);
if(deviceQuery == null) {
continue;
deviceName = deviceQuery.getName();
deviceInfo = CaptureDeviceManager.getDevice(deviceName);
if(deviceInfo == null) {
deviceName = null;
continue;
Format[] formats = deviceInfo.getFormats();
int bitsPerPixel = 0;
for(int j = 0; j < formats.length && userFormat == null; j++) {
if(!(formats[j] instanceof RGBFormat)) {
continue;
userFormat = (RGBFormat) formats[j];
if(wantedHeight != userFormat.getSize().height) {
userFormat = null;
} else if(wantedWidth != userFormat.getSize().width) {
userFormat = null;
} else if(wantedDepth != userFormat.getBitsPerPixel()) {
userFormat = null;
if(userFormat == null) {
errorMessage = "Format not found in system devices";
return;
locator = deviceInfo.getLocator();
if(locator == null) {
errorMessage = "Device info not found";
return;
try {
player = Manager.createRealizedProcessor(new ProcessorModel(locator, new Format[]{userFormat}, null));
} catch(Exception e) {
errorMessage = "Player/Processor not found: "+e.getMessage();
player = null;
return;
// player.addControllerListener(this);
if(player instanceof Player) {
visualComponent = ((Player) player).getVisualComponent();
if(visualComponent != null) {
videoPanel.add(visualComponent);
((Player) player).start();
System.out.println("</initDevice()>");

Even though you have posted almost all of your code you don't give enough information.
Are there any exceptions being thown? In there are what is the stack trace? Is the programme running without any problem but there seems to be no effect on the transformation of the video dimensions??

I have proubleam with string to date conversion, i out put date fromat is 2012-04-30T23:48:55.727-07:00 . so please help me the format conversion

i have proubleam with string to date conversion, i out put date fromat is 2012-04-30T23:48:55.727-07:00 . so please help me the format conversion.
i wrote the method but it not workig
My method is
-(NSDate *)dateformstr:(NSString *)str
NSString *date = [str stringByReplacingPercentEscapesUsingEncoding:NSUTF8StringEncoding];
NSDateFormatter *dateFormate = [[NSDateFormatter alloc] init];
[dateFormate setDateFormat:@"yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:sssZZZZ"]
// NSDate *formatterDate = [dateFormate dateFromString:str];
return formatterDate;
but i did not the value and if i try othere formate i is working but my requiremet format is 2012-04-30T23:48:55.727-07:00.
can any help it out in this senario.

Sorry Butterbean, but I'm interested in the answer to your question myself.
I've spent a few hours transfering my library from one computer to another and then find out that my ratings didn't transfer. Like you, I've spent many hours rating my 2000+ songs. I'm sure you have more, nevertheless, I want to find out how to get those ratings. They still show in my iTunes on my laptop but, when I go to the iTunes folder and display the details of at song, no rating is there. If you find out how to get them to display there in the iTunes folder, it seems that would be the key.
Hope you get your answer soon.

Video Formats - can AVI, MPG etc be added to the N...

Hi,
PLEASE HELP!!
I have just bought a Nokia N95 & I am loving it!! the only let downs for me is the Flash (there are some much better qualitiy camera phones/flashes out there), & the Video Formats.
I am trying to find out if you can play other video formats on the N95 such as AVI,MPG etc.
people keep telling me I can convert them, but I would much rather be able to install another player that supports those formats straight away so no conversions have to be done.
does something like this exist??
Cheers,
Matt :-)

There are various additional video player apps for the N95; SmartMovie, Core Player, DivX player, etc.
In any case, if the video files you are trying to use is using display resolution, frame rates, or other attributes that the phone or those players cannot handle, you will still have to use a converter first.
Search this application catalog for other video players apps (like those I mentioned above):
http://my-symbian.com/s60v3/software/index.php

Use QuickTime Player to convert movies to iPod video format......

I don't know if this has been posted but, thought everyone might find it useful.
You can convert quicktime movies to readable ipod video format without having to purchase Quicktime Pro. Thats right, just the Quicktime player.
Now, I know that you can use Handbrake along with other converter programs for free. but just in case you want to use Quicktime Player here is a link that will show you how via applescript or automator.
http://www.cs.brandeis.edu/~ari/scripts/Quicktime2iTunesVideo.html

Here's a step-by-step of ONE of the ways (I have a Mac) you can convert your videos (mpgs) to mpeg4 files to view on your 5th gen iPods so your videos will have sound:
I use Mpeg streamclip found on www.squared5.com.
(This is from memory and I don't have the program opened in front of me so apologies if this is not totally accurate!)
Once you've installed Mpeg streamclip, and opened up a new window, drag the mpg file you want converted onto the new window. You should now see the first clip of your video in the window.
Go to File and choose "Export to MPEG4". This will open up another window. Click the button "iPod" on the upper right corner of the window and that will automatically input the settings for an iPod. Then click the button "Export to MPEG4" at the lower right corner of the window. You have to choose where you want your file saved. I just place them in the Videos folder of my hard drive. Then this will start the conversion of your mpg.
Depending on how large your file is, this may take awhile.
When the conversion is complete, simply take your new file (now with ".mpeg4" as an extension) and DRAG it into your iTunes library. I don't remember if you have to actually drag it onto your iPod as well.
As you drag the mpeg4 file onto your iPod, it should say "updating song" at the top of you iTunes window, then you know it worked.
So now you have a VIDEO on your iPod that plays SOUND!!
Hope this was helpful.

My ipod touch is not supporting mp4 video formats?

Can anyone try to find a solution for me?I used itunes to change the format into ipod version.Then when I synced the movie to my ipod,there was only audio but no video.Someone please help.

These may help:
Verifying iTunes video conversion and video syncing using sample QuickTime files
iTunes: Frequently asked questions about viewing and syncing videos

What video formats does Final Cut Express support?

I have Final Cut Express HD 3.5. What video formats are compatible with this program? Also, what frame rate and aspect ratio do my videos have to be in for Express to accept the video file?

Good of you to have read the manual. It helps us answer the question now that you've included that information.
Your material must be converted to either DV, HDV or AIC (FCE Native formats). As you have discovered, while FCE will accept a number of non-standard or native formats, it will not play happily with them.
DV and HDV are anamorphic formats. That is, they use non-square pixels. Standard DV is 720x480 (a 3:2 ratio) that FCE will do the conversion magic and have is display in a 4:3 format. Widescreen DV (aka 16:9) is ALSO 720x480 but the narrow dimension of the pixel is oriented the other way. When you tell FCE that the file is 16:9 anamorphic, it will do the magic and display the material properly. If you do not, it will display as though it is standard definition 4:3 and the people will be much skinnier but not taller.
HDV is 1440x720 but displays in 16:9.
AIC can be 1280x720 or 1980x1080.
All other dimensions are not supported and you may have very unreliable results when using them. This very limited abiltiy to deal with more than a couple of formats was one of the main differentiation points between Express and Final Cut Pro. There were a great number of other differences but this was one of the biggest limitations for most consumer level users.
If you want to edit a lot of non-standard, non-native formats, look into Final Cut Pro X or Adobe Premiere Pro. Premiere Pro is within the editing paradigm of Final Cut Pro/Express. Final Cut Pro X has gone in a different direction which involves a new learning curve. Don't be fooled by the name, it is a very different animal than Express.
x

Apple TV Best Video Format & Converter

Hi, I'm considering getting myself an AppleTV instead of building an HTPC type box just to stream TV & my movies.
Basically I will have the always-on PC upstairs hardwired into my gigabit network, which will store all of my movies, TV shows, music etc. as well as hosting my printer. That PC is also the one I'll be using to sync my iPad & iPhones to.
Currently I use VLC streamer to play videos on my iDevices; and I could just Airpay the stream through to an AppleTV, but this ties up a device (to a extent), slows it down & drains its battery. Plus it would mean that if I started something, then wanted to go out with my device, it would screw up playback for my wife. Therefore I plan to get all of my library into h.264 format & imported into iTunes so the AppleTV can play it via home sharing.
So what I would like to know is what is my best option for conversion? Is there a format I would be best off downloading it in in the first place to make conversion easier/faster? I only have a 32" 720p TV, so full HD is unnecessary, but I would like to include the surround sound info so that in the future I can output the AppleTV's HDMI through a home theatre processor. Hopefully can keep the filesize up to around 1GB, maybe 1.5 max?

Video formats supported
H.264 video up to 1080p, 30 frames per second, High or Main Profile level 4.0 or lower, Baseline profile level 3.0 or lower with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
MPEG-4 video up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format
Audio formats supported
HE-AAC (V1), AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound pass-through
Photo formats
JPEG, GIF, TIFF.
It's impossible to suggest a converter without knowing the compression type used for audio and video in the source material, perhaps you can provide that information.
We cannot provide information to help circumvent any copy protected content.

1080p/60 video format

I recently shot video using my Panasonic HDC-HS900 camcorder using the 1080p60 format. I am using Adobe Premiere Elements 9. I set up a new project, but didn't see a preset corresponding to 1080p 60. I picked AVCHD Lite 720p60 and added one of the video files (an MTS file) to the project. When I played back the video, it looked fine for a few seconds, but then became choppy and unwatchable. My computer is about 4 years old. It has an Intel dual core processor at 2.4 GHz and 4 GB RAM.
Any suggestions here? Should I
1) Pick a different preset?
2) Convert my MTS file to a different format? If so, what tool could I use for that?
3) Do some other option? Hopefully my computer is powerful enough to do this, as I don't want to have to buy a new one.
Any help would be much appreciated.

I've been using PE10 for months edititing 1080p60 files from a near twin camcorder (HDC-SDT750) and a Sony HX9V. I use a laptop that's a couple years old and has lots of memory. I had no idea that 1080p60 was "not supported". In fact, except for this forum, I can't find documentation that says it is not supported.
Bill T74 wrote, " I ..... added one of the video files (an MTS file) to the project. When I played back the video, it looked fine for a few seconds, but then became choppy and unwatchable."
Don't worry about that. The project preset is for real time viewing of your project. The rendering by pressing <Enter> reads the original files and makes a temporary file used during editing. It works the computer pretty hard because it tries to make it look like the final product. The preset that counts is under the Share tab. The share preset is where it is rendered again using all the markers you set in the project, to make a video usable and optimized for YouTube or your 55"TV. And , it can take a long time. In other words, the computer takes whatever time is necessary to read from your original footage one frame at a time and makes an entirely new video file that will play smoothly if played on the device it was intended for.
Bill T74 also asked, " I picked AVCHD Lite 720p60 "
That one works for me in PE10. The render me red line does not show up in my time line when using 1080p60. It might be because the frame rate is matched. Setting the project preset at AVCHD1080i does create the red render me line.
Then Bill T74 asked, " Do some other option? Hopefully my computer is powerful enough to do this, as I don't want to have to buy a new one." On another forum I've been following for a year it seems common for owners of the Pansonic 700/750/800/900 camcorders ignore the software that comes with it called HD Writer. My version is 2.6 and yours is probably 3.0. Its purpose is to make all the the Pansonic features usable, including 1080p60. The manual, included on the disk, is over 130 pages. You have to read, or at least scan it, to figure out what it can do. Included is the ability to trim clips, split clips, join clips, add titles, add transitions and make movies. It does that while preserving the original quality of the video. It will put the final vidoe on a Blu-Ray disc, a BD playable AVCHD Disk (up to about 30 minutes), a DVD, upload to YouTube or most anything you might want. It does not have the wonderful selection of color controls, effects and audio tools that PE has.
HD Writer has one major requirement. It must be used to transfer files from your camera to your computer. The reason is that each .m2ts file the camera makes, three more tiny files are made with it that include things for HD Writer. If you have already copied your files to your computer, HD Writer will be useless to you.
If you can't get Premier Elements to work on your 1080p60 files, HD Writer will convert it to an AVCHD 1.0 format that may work better. In other words a 1920x1080p60 file can covert to 1920x1080i30 file. ( In ver 2.6 select Tool>Movie>Format Conversion.)
Bill

What program to install and convert video formats...?

I am trying to find a program that will install on 10.3.9 and that can convert video formats (ie mpg and mp4 to wmv). Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated. I did buy a newer Mac (PowerBook G4 with Leopard) but for now need to use my old Mac. I need to convert to WMV to use on my GoGear mp3 player, which is NOT Mac compatible, only Windows. How I miss my iPod Thanks again for any help.

Well ffmpeg should be included by default. It is the core of the VH engine, but it may have been updated since your version of VH. And you may not need it depending on the conversion you are trying to make. Which version of VH is it ?
So you are trying to convert the mpeg and mp4 files into wmv. Do you select the 320 pixels wide option ? Are the source movies 320 pixels wide ? or larger ?
What settings do you use in VH ? ie. Which tab do you select for converting to ? and what options do you select within it ?
Do you change the destination directory ?
If you open the mkv files in QuickTime, it may complain about missing codecs, click Cancel and it'll leave you with a blank window. Select "Show Movie Properties" under the Window menu, what is under "Format" for the Video Track ? Is there also an Audio Track ?
QuickTime shouln't complain about the movie, mpeg and mp4 should open and play just fine. If it does complain it's almost certain that the files are not the format they claim to be - the Show Movie Properties will sort this out.

Video format conversion help

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