dvd import to imovie

[jsteve]

Hi,

I am unable to complete import of a dvd into Imovie. After using disk utility to get "new image", I open iMovie and the .dmg clip appears on an "Import From" page where it will play, but with no audio. I have tried everything but can't move the clip onto the iMovie Project page.

Thanks for your help,
Steve

 

[spice weasel]

Assuming this is non-copyprotected content, you need to use software such as MPEG Streamclip to transcode the vob files to DV, then import into iMovie for editing.

 

[jsteve]

Thanks spiceweasel

I am working with a non-copywrighted dvd. I just downloaded ffmpegX (best reviews on free download site) and was able to transfer 3 out of 4 of the .vob files to Silverkeeper, but don't know what to do next.

 

[neonkru]

Thanks spiceweasel

I am working with a non-copywrighted dvd. I just downloaded ffmpegX (best reviews on free download site) and was able to transfer 3 out of 4 of the .vob files to Silverkeeper, but don't know what to do next.

try hanbrake for extracting video from the dvd to movie

 

[spice weasel]

try hanbrake for extracting video from the dvd to movie

No, don't do this. You'll only be adding an extra step of transcoding, which will take more time and will end up with poorer picture quality. You want to limit the number of times you transcode. Going from mpeg-2 to mpeg-4 to DV to whatever your final delivery codec is will just make your video worse.

To jsteve: I'm not sure what Silverkeeper is. Just take the converted vobs - which should now be dv files - and import them into iMovie. That's all you need to do. Then you can edit away to your heart's content.

 

[spinnerlys]

The following is copied from to posts I made. And spice weasel is right about the transcoding procedure, the less transcoding steps, the less image quality loss.


There is MacTheRipper, RipIt and Fairmount to rip (copy the DVD to your HDD while removing the copyright protection) the video DVD to your HDD.

Then there is Handbrake to convert the ripped DVD to a file like .mkv, .mp4 and .avi with MPEG-4 codecs like Xvid and H264, which are not meant for editing though, as they don't store every frame of the video (video DVDs use MPEG-2 as a codec, which also only stores every 15th frame and the frames in between are approximations).

After that you can use MPEG-Streamclip to convert the compressed video file to a .mov file encoded with the DV codec, a codec iMovie can read and is meant for editing, as it stores every frame and takes up approx. 220MB/s.

You can also skip Handbrake and use MPEG-Streamclip for converting directly to a DV encoded .mov file from the ripped video DVD, but you need the QuickTime MPEG-2 component (19USD) to be able to access the MPEG-2 encoded video DVD footage via MPEG-Streamclip.

But it would save one encoding process.

OR

In order for you to edit your videos stored on the video DVD, you need to rip it via MacTheRipper / RipIt / Fairmount, if the video DVD is copy protected (all commercial video DVDs are).
If it is not copy protected, you might be just able to copy the Video_TS folder onto your HDD.

Now there are two ways to convert the MPEG-2 compressed footage.

1. Get Handbrake and convert the footage to either an .avi file with the Xvid codec (2-pass or Constant Quality of 100% and highest bitrate for video and audio) or an .mp4/.m4v file with the H264 codec (the same as with Xvid).
Then use MPEG Streamclip to convert/export the .avi or .mp4/.m4v file to a QuickTime (.mov - CMD+E) file encoded with the DV codec or to a DV file (CMD+OPTION/ALT+E).
Both, .mov and .dv, can be read by iMovie.

2. Get the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component from the Apple Online Store for 20USD, open MPEG Streamclip, in there go to File > Open DVD and select your Video_TS folder on your HDD.
Then either export it as QuickTime with the DV codec or as DV file as explained in step 1.
This saves you one encoding process, therefore time and image quality loss.


Btw, SD is short for Standard Definition, meaning the broadcast systems PAL and NTSC, which has a pixel resolution of 768/720/640 x 576/480.
HD is short for High Definition, the new fancy high resolutions like 720p or 1080i/p.
A video DVD stores its video in SD.

Have fun.

Screenshots:

MPEG Streamclip export options

Handbrake export as .mp4 - example

 

[spice weasel]

Thanks Spinnerlys - I forgot that the mpeg2 component is needed to use MPEG Streamclip for this process. I've had it so long I sometimes forget that it's there.

ffmpegX will work without the mpeg2 component, as jsteve found out, but it's not as user friendly.

 

[pyrrhiclyric]

What about .VOB?

Spinnerlys and spiceweasel, you seem to have a good handle on this question, so I'm hoping you can help me, too:

I am also trying to take a portion of a non-copy-protected DVD and use it in iMovie or iDVD.

When I open the folder entitled VIDEO_TS, I have a list of the following file names:

VIDEO_TS.BUP
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VIDEO_TS.VOB
VTS_01_0.BUP
VTS_01_0.IFO
VTS_01_1.VOB
VTS_01_2.VOB
VTS_01_3.VOB
VTS_01_4.VOB

What part of this do I need to convert to use as raw footage for editing? and which steps do I take from the previous posts to get there?

Thanks!

 

[spinnerlys]

The .vob files contain the actual MPEG-2 encoded video (seen by their size), but in order to convert them the whole VIDEO_TS folder has to be preserved and used, including the .ifo and .bup files.

Just use MPEG Streamclip or Handbrake and open the VIDEO_TS folder in either of those programs and follow one of the steps pointed out earlier.

 

[spice weasel]

The .vob files contain the actual MPEG-2 encoded video (seen by their size), but in order to convert them the whole VIDEO_TS folder has to be preserved and used, including the .ifo and .bup files.

Just use MPEG Streamclip or Handbrake and open the VIDEO_TS folder in either of those programs and follow one of the steps pointed out earlier.

I don't think this is entirely true. You can convert just the vobs alone and then import them into iMovie. They will appear as separate clips that way. I've definitely done this before for iMovie HD, but I haven't done it for iMovie '09. The benefit of doing this is that you don't have to import the vobs you don't want, saving time.

The VIDEO_TS folder structure is only necessary to maintain if you want to create a playable DVD.

 

[spinnerlys]

I don't think this is entirely true. You can convert just the vobs alone and then import them into iMovie. They will appear as separate clips that way. I've definitely done this before for iMovie HD, but I haven't done it for iMovie '09. The benefit of doing this is that you don't have to import the vobs you don't want, saving time.

The VIDEO_TS folder structure is only necessary to maintain if you want to create a playable DVD.

As far as I have experienced the structure is also necessary to open the Video_TS folder in Handbrake or MPEG Streamclip, to properly read the titles, but one can also open the .vob files individually and in MPEG Streamclip even select (mark) an in and out point.

 

[spice weasel]

As far as I have experienced the structure is also necessary to open the Video_TS folder in Handbrake or MPEG Streamclip, to properly read the titles, but one can also open the .vob files individually and in MPEG Streamclip even select (mark) an in and out point.

Ok, yes this is correct. I was thinking in terms of converting the vobs individually. You are right, though, that if you want to convert the entire VIDEO_TS folder you need to keep the structure intact.

 

[dberch1956]

You can also skip Handbrake and use MPEG-Streamclip for converting directly to a DV encoded .mov file from the ripped video DVD, but you need the QuickTime MPEG-2 component (19USD) to be able to access the MPEG-2 encoded video DVD footage via MPEG-Streamclip.

I'm trying to do this also. I purchased and downloaded QuickTime MPEG-2, but it won't install on OSX. It says "QuickTime MPEG-2 can't be installed on this disk. This software is intended for an earlier version of Mac OS X." I have 10.7.5.

I also have quicktime x, do i still need the MPEG2?

Please advise...

Thanks!
David

 

[Dave Braine]

do i still need the MPEG2?

No. The MPEG2 playback component has been included in Mac OSX since Lion.

 

[dberch1956]

Thanks Dave Braine. So, is there a step by step How-to to get playable dvd into iMovie? with os x 10.7 and iMovie '11. I sure can't find a current one.

Thanks!
David

 

[Dave Braine]

So, is there a step by step How-to to get playable dvd into iMovie?

Download Handbrake:
http://handbrake.fr/

Use it to convert your dvd to a video file. There are numerous choices for the output file, but the NORMAL setting should be fine. You can also select just the main part of the dvd rather than all the other bits and pieces. Choose MP4 for the output format and MPEG4 Video/AAC Audio for the codec. Don't use the h264 option as this produces a compressed file which is not really suitable for editing with iMovie.

Import the resultant video file into iMovie via the File>Import>Movies and away you go.

 

[dberch1956]

Download Handbrake:
http://handbrake.fr/

Use it to convert your dvd to a video file.

Pardon my ignorance, but like I said, step by step is what I need.

I have the following files in the Video_TS folder:
Video_ts.bup
Video_ts.ifo
video_ts.vob
vts_01_0.bup
vts_01_0.ifo
vts_01_0.vob
vts_01_1.vob

Which of these do I select for Source? And what's the difference between them? Why are there 3 vob files? and 2 bup and 2 ifo files? In layman's terms please...

 

[Dave Braine]

Run Handbrake. Click on the Source button in the top left corner. Navigate to the Video_TS folder, select the Folder(ie don't open it) and click Open in the dialogue box.

Details of that file; ie, title, duration etc should appear under Source in the main Handbrake window. Choose a destination fro the converted file. Choose the mpeg-4 codec(for iMovie) and then click the Start button. See the Handbrake screenshot at Post 6 above.

 

[Eyden]

Handbrake +1