How can I edit MPEG-2 content?

[dcv]

I've added this to the Digital Video forum as it seemed the best place for it, though what I'm actually trying to do is very basic.

I've been recording some TV programmes using EyeTV. The files are automatically encoded in MPEG-2. The EyeTV2 software allows you to make simple edits such as cutting out commercials and exporting to other formats, but it doesn't allow you to insert clips or paste anything. The problem I have with a couple of consecutive recordings is that the beginning of the second show is at the end of the first file. I can save this as a separate clip but then have no way of joining it to the second recording.

I know there is an MPEG-2 Playback component available for Quicktime, but if you have Quicktime Pro then does this also allow you to EDIT (i.e. insert/paste) mpeg-2 content in the same way that you can with .mov files? If so then I'll buy it! If not, then could you please recommend any other apps? Cheers!

[Sdashiki]

Ewwww MPEG2 is hard to edit, its mostly an end of the road codec, with no turning back.

I personally havent tried to edit MPEG2s in the same fashion as I would .movs

I think that the MPEG2 you have is a stream, like MPEG1, and you cant cut it apart....

I will try to remember to do this at home, but maybe you will find your answer by then.

I know of a workaround in DVDSP where you just place both video files on the same video track layer and just move the in/out points of the videos so they are "as one"

[LethalWolfe]

Asking how to turn MPEG-2 video into something more "edit friendly" is pretty common. If you do a search I'm sure you'll find a number of threads on the best ways to convert the MPEG-2 into another format.


Lethal

[kineticpast]

Womble Multimedia's products can all edit and save MPEG2 streams without re-encoding, but unfortunately it is only available for Windows. I'm sure that means there is a Mac app that does the same thing, I've just never found it (though I haven't really looked hard).

[live4ever]

Use MPEG Streamclip (with Apple's MPEG 2 QT component).
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html

[MacAficionado]

I thought you could send content recorded with EyeTV to iMovie for editing. Is this not true?

[macinzen]

DropDV (http://www.dropdv.com) can be used to convert MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 (program or transport streams) to LARGE iMovie projects that can then be opened and edited with iMovie.

[spacepower7]

ffmpegX

http://homepage.mac.com/major4/index.html

can convert almost anything

reads:
MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DIVX, XviD, non-encrypted VOB and VIDEO_TS, Quicktime .MOV, .DV, .WAV, Real Audio, Real Video, H.263, MP4 H.264, PGM, YUV, PPM, AC3, PCM8/16 bits, mulaw/Alaw, WMA-1/2, SUN AU format, MP2, MP3, AAC, 3GP, FPS1, ALAC, and even more formats

converts to:
DivX, AVI XviD, H.264 MP4, MOV, DV, 3GP, Sony PSP, MP2, MP3, AAC, AC3, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VCD, CVD, SVCD, KVCD, KSVCD, DVD, KDVD and MPEG-TS with complete control over encoding options.

[mpw]

Can we expect animated Green Wing avatars in the near future?

[dcv]

Oooh another couple of suggestions - thanks guys. Now I just need this magic thing called TIME to look into those!


Oh I wish I could create an animated Green Wing avatar, but sadly the limit on file size is tiny. :dammit:

[Mechcozmo]

Originally Posted by spacepower7

ffmpegX

http://homepage.mac.com/major4/index.html

Seconded. Don't need to pay for the MPEG-2 QT component, as this can read MPEG-2 and convert to a DV file.