help out a rookie

[zero1321]

I am new to video editting and also just bought my first Mac.

I'm trying to make some video clips for a work project with some basic effects and have no idea what I'm doing. I have to take the clips from VOB files on DVDs burned in a DVR, select clips, remove audio, and edit in some text and arrows/circle to direct attention.

What software will I need for my iMac to do that? Any more detailed assist or direction towards a good tutorial would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[zero1321]

32 views and no responses... Help a brother out before he has to go buy PC.

 

[bearcatrp]

First tell us what you have for a mac? What version of iMovie do you have? Have you tried to import them in Imovie? Did it import? As for effects, you will have to see what capabilities iMovie9 has. I am not fond of the newest version of iMovie because its too restrictive. I use iMovie 6HD with plugins from Gee Three that will do what you want. If you can get your hands on iMovie 6, go check http://www.geethree.com for some real cool effects. Apple used to allow owners of the newer iMovie download the older one because of allot of gripes about it but they pulled the plug. Maybe someone on here that uses the newer version can offer help. You can try the apple forums on iMovie. They are pretty active. Good luck.

 

[zero1321]

I have a new (4-5 days) iMac with iMovie 09. I did try importing the files from the burned DVD into iMovie. The files are in VOB format and iMovie would not allow me to select them from the file menu.

Normally I would change the file extension to .mpg and drag it into Win Movie Maker. I don't know how to do that on the iMac.

Thanks for the info, BTW.

 

[holidaypf]

I haven't converted vob files, but I believe I read that they are basically mpeg-2 files. So, you should be able to convert them to something else using Quicktime. I suspect you will need to upgrade to the Pro version and also buy the $19.99 or so mpeg-2 converter from Apple. Apple's mpeg-2 webpage lists .vob as a being mpeg-2.

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/pro/
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/

You might try mpeg streamclip, which is free, first. http://www.squared5.com/ You still might need the mpeg-2 converter with streamclip.

 

[bearcatrp]

How goes the transfer? Get it to work yet?

 

[Sdashiki]

How could any app, windowz or mac, would ever allow you to simply "change the file extension" of a video and then be OK with it...

.vob are "end codec" like files.

they are obviously taken from a DVD video, and as such are compressed into a format DVD players understand, hence .vob

Sure, you can play that video file in lots of apps, VLC comes to mind. But EDIT them, thats a big difference.

You must convert these to something else to have iMovie be able to "see" them and allow you to import them. But, its definitely not the preferred way to work with iMovie.

 

[arjen92]

You must get the video into something that quicktime can read: mp4
How do you do that?
Download handbrake. http://handbrake.fr/?article=download
Place the dvd into your dvd player.
open handbrake, make your preferences (I guess you want highest settings, make the format mp4)
Import with iMovie your freshly made files. (making the files in handbrake will probably take as long as the time of the video you import: 1 hour video, 1 hour importing).

Go edit your stuff in iMovie.