Importing Footage off of DVD

[janzenman]

I just bought a new iMac G5 and have some old footage and films that I had burned to DVD a few years ago that I'd like to import, modify, and make DVD copies of. What is the best way to import DVD footage into iMovie with the least amount of generation loss? Or is this even possible?

 

[Heb1228]

Use Mac the Ripper to rip the DVD to your hard drive and then try MPEG Streamclip for converting the MPEG2 file (.vob) to Quicktime's DV format. Both free utilities. There may be an easier way, but that should work for you, and its free.

 

[janzenman]

Mac the Ripper not downloading

It keeps giving me an error message. Any other rippers to suggest?

 

[ChrisFromCanada]

Handbrake, google it.

 

[Heb1228]

Here you go, I'll upload it for you...

Its too big for a forum attachment so I had to use yousendit... here's the link

http://s45.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=190L166RL5NCQ1K940JDGUA6QL

 

[mhunter]

I just bought a new iMac G5 and have some old footage and films that I had burned to DVD a few years ago that I'd like to import, modify, and make DVD copies of. What is the best way to import DVD footage into iMovie with the least amount of generation loss? Or is this even possible?

I have used DVDxDV

http://www.dvdxdv.com/

It's not free, but it works flawlessly.

What it does, is converts your DVD to iMovie compatible files (Quicktime Format). It also automatically segments them into files that are small enough to import (iMovie has an 8 minute??? or 2 Gig file size import restriction).

So, the resulting files are directly compatible with iMovie, and they are small enough segments to be imported.

The program is available with different licenses at different prices. The one I used was the cheapest one available ($25) and worked great for me.

The Pro version is $80, and then they also have one designed for high-definition video.

To me, $25 is a reasonable price for something that works effortlessly, and puts it in a format that is directly compatible with iMovie.

Note, this will only work for video that is not copy-protected (such as commercial movies)

 

[dejo]

Use Mac the Ripper to rip the DVD to your hard drive and then try MPEG Streamclip for converting the MPEG2 file (.vob) to Quicktime's DV format. Both free utilities. There may be an easier way, but that should work for you, and its free.

In order to use MPEG Streamclip to convert to DV, don't you need to purchase Apple's $20 QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component? You need it for the conversion, I believe.