How to convert MOD to MOV for FCE

[mirata]

A more recent solution

Hello All,

I've just been tipped by a friend about another handy software called handbrake (www.handbrake.fr). it works excellent for converting .mod files to mp4 or avi, which can then be easily viewed. The files are still not directly useable in FCE though... perhaps someone more technically literate will figure out a way.

 

[s1m]

Hi

I bought a JVC HDD camera in 2006 and was very disappointed that the .MOD file could not be read in iMovie - so much so that we have nto used the camera for over a year now.

Some initial google searches today (on the back of a decision to potentialy get a new camera) indicated that iLife08 might be a possible solution - is this correct?

I am running a non intel iMac G5 from Oct 05 with 2 gig of RAM.

Cheers

S

 

[r.j.s]

Use MPEGStreamClip to convert MOD files to DV, which can be edited in FCE iMovie or any other program.

 

[s1m]

Use MPEGStreamClip to convert MOD files to DV, which can be edited in FCE iMovie or any other program.

That's what I am trying to avoid - spending time converting to one format before editing...

 

[r.j.s]

That's what I am trying to avoid - spending time converting to one format before editing...

Well, MOD is MPEG2 - a delivery format, not an editable format. So if you want to edit the video, you need to convert it to something.

 

[killmoms]

MPEG-2, H.264, DivX/XviD (MPEG-4 Advanced Simple Profile)—all these are delivery formats, as r.j.s noted. You don't edit in delivery formats, you edit in editing formats (like Uncompressed 8-bit, Apple ProRes 422, DV, DVCPRO 25/50/HD, and others).

Formats like HDV, AVCHD and some of the more proprietary solutions (like JVC's .mod MPEG-2 files) are using lossy delivery-like formats to acquire footage so that storage requirements on-camera are less strenuous (to keep prices down). That doesn't mean that they are ideal for editing. There's a reason iMovie converts these formats to Apple Intermediate on import.

 

[s1m]

Thanks for the responses - both of you.

I understand this now. I realise that I will need to convert if I want to retain this camera. The problem I have had is the clunky way of doing it at the moment through "captympgedit" and then into iMovie/Final Cut HD.

Based on the comment above, do later versions of iMovie remove the need for the extra software solution - I would be happy to grab the files in iMovie08, wait for the conversion and then edit - that works for me quite well if it is an option. That would be a reason to buy iLife for me.

 

[r.j.s]

Give MPEGStreamClip a shot, all you have to do is open the file, then choose an export file type. Nothing more, and it can even do batch conversion, set it to convert all your files, and let it run all night.

 

[Caplak]

what is the best quality format for exporting/converting from .MOD to .mov?

Hi guys,

I just join in and found this thread. Lucky me
I just bought FS100 and try importing the movie file to my macbook 10.5.6 by following the instructions from all members has posted. I am using iMovie 7.1.4 and works well. Open the application, plug the usb, plug the power adapter, switch to play and .... done. And, I just realize that if transferring movie direct from the camcorder is to complicated (have to plug the adapter & usb), you can just plug the SD card using card reader while the imovie's running and the application will detect and transfer the file the same way.
and.... of course, via card reader, you can also click and drag the .MOD file to your macbook.

Now, the next step.

after renaming .mpg, the blank paper icon changed to movie thumbnail, and can played with QT, BUT, no sound. because its a MPEG2 muxed format. And the worst part, the picture is not clear, meaning there's kind of jaggie on the moving object (the pict like blown by a tornado). Its the same issue with if you convert movie from DVD to MOV without clicking the deinterlace button.

So, I try and do some experiment by export/converting the MOD file to MOV using:
>> iMovie 7.1.4 with several compression format
>> Mpeg Streamclip 1.9.2 with several compression format

The result:
>> iMovie with H264 compression, 11.29 mbits/s, 720x576, deinterlace checked: Jaggie gone, but picture not sharp.
>> iMovie with apple MPEG2 compression, 15.68 mbits/s, 768x576: Picture Jaggie, audio available.
>> iMovie with apple photo-jpeg compression, 55.60 mbits/s, 720x576, deinterlace checked: Jaggie gone, but picture not sharp.
>>Mpeg Streamclip with H264 compression, 15.31 mbits/s, 720x576, deinterlace checked: Picture sharp, but still jaggie a little bit.
>>Mpeg Streamclip with apple photo-jpeg compression, 20.07 mbits/s, 720x576, deinterlace checked: Picture sharp, but still jaggie a little bit.

Overall, mpeg streamclip with apple photo-jpeg compression is better than the other, but not satisfied me yet.
so, I still trying to find the way how to export the movie with the best quality result.
is anyone having the same problem? I need some advice from you guys.

thanks a bunch.

Caplak
Mac freak

 

[sirmarksalot]

Bringing up old thread, but this is still relevant. MPEG Streamclip worked as the best option or me.
It kinda makes me mad that we would even have this problem, especially when Macs are supposed to be good with the movie making. These codecs should be included, not purchased for $20.

 

[spinnerlys]

Bringing up old thread, but this is still relevant. MPEG Streamclip worked as the best option or me.
It kinda makes me mad that we would even have this problem, especially when Macs are supposed to be good with the movie making. These codecs should be included, not purchased for $20.

Strangely, MPEG Streamclip was never mentioned once in this thread.

Try Google? Try a browse and a search in dvinfo.net/conf? Try specifying which exact model of camera you're using when asking for help about it? That makes finding help (for example, on Google or anywhere else) much easier.

Try MPEG Streamclip?

You can open your MOD files in MPEGStreamClip (http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html) and convert them directly to Quicktime that way. Here is a thread that might be of use to you.

Final Cut uses the DV NTSC compressor natively, so to avoid unnecessary rendering in FCE, I would use that compressor when converting to MOV.

You're lucky this is such an easy conversion! Most hard drive cameras are not compatible with Macs. So in the future, you might consider going with a digital tape-based format such as MiniDV.

Without buying the mpeg2codec from apple, you can view the .mod files by downloading mplayer for os x...it's free, just google it.

install it, and then change the .mod extesnion to .mpg, and drag it to mplayer.

Should play fine. Mine does.

If you want to cover the .mod file, you'll need MPEGStreamclip and the mpeg2codec for quicktime.

I haven't tried to convert it using ffmpegX, but it is free, and the codecs for it are free as well.

Best,

Brian

Not to be a d*ck but ppc_michael gave you the answer two days ago. Go back and read his post about using MpegStreamclip to convert your files to DV NTSC and then editing the resulting file. Also, FYI .mov is a quicktime native format. If you go to export to quicktime, you can choose whatever codec you want including "quicktime movie" which = .mov.

In any case you don't need .mov anyway. Use ppc's advice and convert to DV NTSC. This is .dv footage which is really what you want to be working with anyway.

edit: MpegStreamclip is free also, and now that you have the quicktime MPEG2 plugin it should work fine.

Yeah, if only it cost around $5000 including a big P2 card. Once you add two decent sized P2 cards you're looking at a lot more than $5000. Lots of people at my local Final Cut Pro users group find the P2 workflow to be "horrid." Then there's the question of archiving and file transferring as you go along. You could get a Firestore to make it less of a pain, but that costs a lot of $$$ too. For ~$5k most people are much better off with a JVC HD110 or Sony V1 / Z1.

Have you tried the MPEG Streamclip method?

Within MPEG Streamclip, select "Export to DV" under the File menu. Bring that resulting DV file into iMovie.

Use MPEGStreamClip to convert MOD files to DV, which can be edited in FCE iMovie or any other program.

Give MPEGStreamClip a shot, all you have to do is open the file, then choose an export file type. Nothing more, and it can even do batch conversion, set it to convert all your files, and let it run all night.

Btw, how did you come upon this thread?

 

[tassy]

Tried and tested- it works , but...

Hi,
I just bought a mac book pro, and was very excited to edit my video on FCE. I make youtube videos so the prospect of using FCE was amazing until I realise, that my Mod files will not open.I googled and came across this thread. I went and googled some more but had to come back to this thread and take the advice of a few people who mentioned streamline. It works and I had to buy the mpeg2 for it to work with the sound but it was only £15. Then, my problem was, when I started to convert, my video loses its HD quality. I have a JVC evario which record in HD and in 9:16 ratio.

I have converted one single short clip, in many different formats, just to see the differences of each. Some were awful. So far, the best is , I think, when I use the DV NTSC, but it still looses its HD quality. I imported it into Final cut express and it opens up fine, so that was a relief, and then I exported it to quicktime , so I can upload on youtube. Then when I go to youtube , it will play only to 480p.

If anyone can tell me , what is the best format I must use to convert .mod to other format which will open in FCE but which will also allow me to play it in HD on youtube, I will be very grateful.

 

[martinX]

I'd convert it to Quicktime (Command-E in MPEG Streamclip ) using the AIC codec, not because AIC is such a great codec but it's the standard codec for FCE. Fairly sure you'll want to deinterlace it.

Then drop the resulting MOVs into a folder in your movies folder and call the folder Project Whatever, create a new project in FCE, save it in the same folder (may as well keep everyone together) and import (Command-I) the MOVs into FCE.

HTH

 

[tassy]

Thank you

I'd convert it to Quicktime (Command-E in MPEG Streamclip ) using the AIC codec, not because AIC is such a great codec but it's the standard codec for FCE. Fairly sure you'll want to deinterlace it.

Then drop the resulting MOVs into a folder in your movies folder and call the folder Project Whatever, create a new project in FCE, save it in the same folder (may as well keep everyone together) and import (Command-I) the MOVs into FCE.

HTH

Hi Martin!
sorry it took me a while to get back to you. I have been very busy but however I took your advive and it works like a dream.

When I convert my movie in AIC, I do not have to keep rendenring in FCE- so that is great. then I convert it to mp4 to upload on youtube, I deinterlace and choose HD and it is perfect.

Thank you once again. Without your help, I would regret buying a Mac and I would probably break my JVC camera! lol

Thanks,
Tassy

 

[cgbier]

I deinterlace

If you shoot for the web only, why don't you shoot 25 or 30p from begin on? 50/60i is a thing of a distant past.

 

[tassy]

Okay

If you shoot for the web only, why don't you shoot 25 or 30p from begin on? 50/60i is a thing of a distant past.

I am not sure what 25 or 30p is I shoot from a JVC Evario and when I convert, I just make sure I pick HD , 720p . That's all I know But when I replay my video on youtube, it allows my viewers to pick 720p and sometimes even 1080p so I am happy with that.

 

[cgbier]

Check your camera's manual. There should be mentioned what framerate your camera can shoot and how to set it to a progressive mode. USA would be 30p, Europe and Australia/New Zealand 25p.

50i or 60i means interlaced for the use with those old, heavy CRT TV. For the web don't use any of the i-modes.... even though you might export to an i-device (j/k)

 

[tassy]

Check your camera's manual. There should be mentioned what framerate your camera can shoot and how to set it to a progressive mode. USA would be 30p, Europe and Australia/New Zealand 25p.

50i or 60i means interlaced for the use with those old, heavy CRT TV. For the web don't use any of the i-modes.... even though you might export to an i-device (j/k)

Thank you so much for this info. Okay, I will do that and hopefully, I will get it right! Never knew not to use i-modes! Thanks loads.

 

[cgbier]

Oh, just figured you live in London, so your framerate of choice'd be 25p.