Import Multiple AVI Files Into iTunes

[groove-agent]

Hello all,

I have imported my DVD collection into my hard drive so I can have the entire TV series on my Mac without swapping DVDs all the time (I want to access them via Front Row). Currently the format is AVI and cannot be imported into iTunes. I can however open the movie in quicktime, save as a reference file, then import into iTunes. However, this would take me hours and hours with my video library. If I convert them to *.mov format, it would also take hours and hours.

I know there's a program called videodrive that will import them all, but I'd like to buy it only as a last resort. Surely there must be a way to do it via Automator or something?

Thanks in advance.

[sammich]

Handbrake. It's what everyone around here uses.

Problem solved

[richard.mac]

or with QuickTime Pro (with Perian installed) save as a reference file (very small file size, like an alias) and then copy that to your iTunes movie library Important: dont move the original AVI as it is referenced.

[Chase R]

Originally Posted by richthomas

or with QuickTime Pro (with Perian installed) save as a reference file (very small file size, like an alias) and then copy that to your iTunes movie library Important: dont move the original AVI as it is referenced.

How do you go about making a reference file in Quicktime (with Perian)?

[Chase R]

I think I've found the best way to import AVI movies into iTunes. Download MPEGStreamClip and open the AVI in MPEGStreamClip. Go to File, Save As, and choose MOV. This will pass-thru everything from the AVI file into the MOV container. There is no re-encoding going on, just changing containers. There is no loss in quality. Now you can add the MOV file to iTunes.

[richard.mac]

Originally Posted by Chase R

How do you go about making a reference file in Quicktime (with Perian)?

in Save As choose reference movie. though Movie2iTunes and MPEG Streamclip are probably better ways.

[Chase R]

Originally Posted by richthomas

in Save As choose reference movie. though Movie2iTunes and MPEG Streamclip are probably better ways.

Ya, I've been using MPEG Streamclip to turn my AVIs into MOVs. For the longest time I thought that I wouldn't be able to organize my movies into iTunes unless I converted them via HandBrake. Works great now!

[Laurenz]

Originally Posted by richard.mac

or with QuickTime Pro (with Perian installed) save as a reference file (very small file size, like an alias) and then copy that to your iTunes movie library Important: dont move the original AVI as it is referenced.

Lets make it a bit clearer. The Perian component package allows QT 7 based applications play many common AVI A/V compression format combinations. Such apps may include the QT 7 Player, GarageBand, and iTunes. In the case of iTunes, whether or not the AVI compressed data will play depends on two things— the file container and the operating system.

For instance, Leopard and Snow Leopard will play the data if you can get the files to import to iTunes. This usually means the data must be re-wrapped to an MOV file container before import. Unfortunately, iTunes on Lion and Mountain Lion will not import most common AVI compressed data compression formats in either the AVI or the MOV file container type.

[beginninggrace]

According to Apple official website, iTunes only works with QuickTime and MPEG-4 Movie files that end in ".mov", ".m4v", or ".mp4" and are playable in QuickTime Player. Therefore, if you try to import .avi movie to iTunes (including import AVI to iTunes 11) for syncing, it will end in fail in importing AVI video to iTunes let alone transfer this AVI file to iPad, iPhone, iPod.

In order to successfully import AVI files to iTunes, we have to convert this AVI video to iTunes compatible video format like MP4.

[hagar]

Originally Posted by beginninggrace

According to Apple official website, iTunes only works with QuickTime and MPEG-4 Movie files that end in ".mov", ".m4v", or ".mp4" and are playable in QuickTime Player. Therefore, if you try to import .avi movie to iTunes (including import AVI to iTunes 11) for syncing, it will end in fail in importing AVI video to iTunes let alone transfer this AVI file to iPad, iPhone, iPod.

In order to successfully import AVI files to iTunes, we have to convert this AVI video to iTunes compatible video format like MP4.

Not if you create references files. You can easily do this with Quicktime Pro (manually) or VideoDrive (automatically). Actually, VideoDrive has an option (import method 9) to add AVI files directly without any conversions or intermediate files. I have tried it and it works fine, but it’s not officially supported by Apple.

[Waiserbase]

Originally Posted by sammich

Handbrake. It's what everyone around here uses.

Problem solved

So use a free conversion alternative like HandBrake which is available for both Mac OS and Windows OS users. As to conversion times, the H.264 codec is very CPU intensive. Depending on the power of your system, the encode matrix dimensions of your file, and specific settings used, it can take a long time to convert files. I usually recommend setting up a batch conversion queue and let them convert while you sleep.

[Flowersoice]

Well to be honest I don't like using handbrake. I mean it is great because it is universal (Mac & PC) but it doesn't have much to offer. Also, when I was setting it up and decided to stop the installation after watching a review of it, it froze my computer and restarted "Windows Explorer". Which was annoying... -.-

[Rosy]

You need to convert the movie to .mP4 or mpeg-4 format to be able to transfer and sync it to the iPad.

iPad can only play .mp4 type files

If you use the latest iTunes, in the top main menu, there should be a menu option to convert the movie to the iPad or iPod compatible format.

It dosen't matter if the original source was a regular DVD or Blu-ray. It has to be in the format that the iPad can handle.

Also, look at Handbrake for OS X

Good Luck

[hagar]

If you want to add videos to iTunes without hassle and complicated settings, have a look at VideoDrive. It adds AVI's with or without converting. Obviously, if you want to watch on your iPad, you need to convert (which it can do with HandBrake for faster performance). But if you want to organize all your videos nicely in iTunes, you can skip the conversion entirely.

VideoDrive will also download covers and descriptions, all in one automatic step. It handles both movies and TV shows.

----------

Just noticed VideoDrive has a new version out with a new interface. It looks very nice!

[groove-agent]

Thanks for everyone's reply.

I didn't want to convert all my files using handbrake. It would take forever.

I did a search on the macrumours forum (thinking someone must have posted this question before) but came up with nothing. However, then I Google searched and came up with a result suggesting to use a freeware program called Movie2itunes: http://dettmer.maclab.org/movie2itunes . Ironically this result was a Macrumors post.

It took me a bit to figure out as they would say "drag your files into this droplet". Well, there is no droplet (I'm assuming it's an icon of some sort). So, I dragged my files onto the applescript icon after setting my destination folder and voila, multiple reference files instantly imported into iTunes.

Patience was rewarded today. It took me some time to find this solution, but it also saved me from buying a piece of software.

[hagar]

You can do this easily, for instance with Quicktime 7 by creating reference files. There are also tools that automate this for you like VideoDrive.

They put avi files in iTunes within seconds. No conversions, no hassle.

[Fresh Tendrils]

I agree with the person above who suggested MPEG Streamclip. That app is fantastic, and you can create a batch list of all the files you want to change, and then go away and come back in 20 mins and everything will be done. I can't see the point in using handbrake because you'll just lose quality in the conversion. Handbrake is great but it's not needed here. You just want to change the container format as outlined above.

[Jolly Jimmy]

Originally Posted by hagar

That’s wrong, the original question was how to import avi files without conversion. You can do this easily, for instance with Quicktime 7 by creating reference files.

This is how I do it, takes only a matter of seconds. You do need Perian installed though I believe.

[karen589]

Just so it's clear, Perian enables you to play .avi in Quicktime but I don't think it extends to iTunes. You need to convert them to MPEG4.

Use iSkysoft Video Converter (shareware)

Just set the file size to be the same as the original and you can then drag and drop the converted file into itunes.

[Biscoe]

You can use Handbrake (freeware) to convert files to iTunes compatible. the downside is it will take quite a while to convert 100 movies but good luck anyway.

[Eodvince]

You can also import AVI files to iTunes with Quicktime. Here's how:

Step One: Open the AVI file in Quicktime

Step Two: Click the "Share" button (bottom right corner, box with arrow jumping out of it)

Step Three: Click "iTunes"

Step Four: Select which devices you plan on watching your AVI file

Step Five: Hit "Return/Enter" on your keyboard

VOILA!

If you plan on converting multiple files at once, you will need to repeat all five steps for each individual file. It takes about as long as any other file conversion program, and requires no additional purchase or download provided you have the latest version of Quicktime installed. Hope this helps!