On 03/04/2006, at 8:32 PM, Stephen Chape wrote:

G'day WAMUGGER's

Does anyone know how to import a standard DVD (containing VIDEO_TS files, etc) into iMovie.
It tells me the files are not recognised when I try importing.
I have also used Disk Utility to make a DMG file (which I usally do to make extra DVD copies), but DMG files are greyed out when trying to import into iMovie. Consequenty I cannot select them to import.

I have a family movie DVD that is not very well put together (not one of mine) and I would like to get it into iMovie so I can do some editing.

Hi Stephen,

You will need to convert the footage from the DVD into a format iMovie
understands before you can import it. DVDs use MPEG-2 format (which is for viewing not Editing), while iMovie
works with the DV format (DV Stream).

The options you have depend on 'What you have'.

1. If you can get the original Camcorder tape, that's the easiest & best way to go.
    then just hook up a Firewire Camcorder & Import into iMovie.

2. If the original tape is no longer available.

Connect  your DV Camcorder up to your TV using the video out on the TV.

Then play your DVD on your TV and record the bits you need on your camera.

What you see on your TV is what you get on your camera.

Then import this tape into iMovie.

I do all my tape transfers this way. VHS, DVD, all my old tapes.

3. If you have Quicktime Pro & the MPEG-2 Playback Component you can convert to DV Stream.

4. or Purchase DVDxDV
"After a DVD is created, the original source material can get lost or damaged. When this happens, there is no easy way to get the video off the DVD and back into the computer where it can be re-edited. DVDxDV makes it easy to get at your video when it's on DVD. With DVDxDV you can quickly convert the DVD video back into any Quicktime video format. From there, it can be re-edited and burned onto a new DVD."
<http://www.dvdxdv.com/DVDxDV.details.htm>

Cheers,
Ronni
When Microsoft asks you, "Where do you want to go today?" Tell them, "Apple!"