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Thank God I found this place

Hello, all!

I tripped over this site after seeing Brians very cool video. I've been trying to buy a camcorder for 3 months now to help me with the acting classes I teach.
I've been leaning towards the new JVC Everio GZ-MG335 after seeing them on-line.
Being a non-geek-type person (not that there's anything wrong with that) I have been stymied by the confusion surrounding getting an Evario to talk to a Mac. My mind has truly been blown.
All the very good postings I've read so far on this site about this issue have been about earlier model JVC Everio camcorders. Does anyone have any input about these newer cameras? Specifically the GZ-MG 335 & 330. Is the process for dealing with these newer files the same as what I've seen here?
I'm running a G4 Powerbook with V 10.4.11 and, unfortunately, I bought it without the DVD burner.
I'm an idiot when it comes to codecs & stuff so please speak in short, easy to understand sentences. Please. Before my head explodes.
Thanks, folks. You don't know how nice it is to have found you.

--David
 
VLC worked for me

After goin crazy trying to download everything, I stopped just short of buying the $20 quicktime add on (did not order ciz they wanted a shipping addy...could not figure out how to just pay and download???) and just did the following: Changed file name to <mpeg> and then opened in VLC (google it) and converted ("transcoded") to mpeg-4, then dropped in iMovie 07...so far so good...

I have no idea what the heck I was to do with those little apps once i got em anyway...one of them you could only get a demo?????

Why can't this be easier? Does anyone make a camera that just records in a workable format to begin with?

Figured if I had a nice intel mac, I could just go get an HDD camcorder and drag movies into imovie...but nooooooooo...what gives?
 
Thanks

Thanks for the video: I Just got a JVC Everio - too early to tell, but seems like a good camera. Though, I have the GZ-HD7U and it uses TOD files ...
 
Quicktime Component for Everio HD G3

Does anyone have the quicktime component needed for mac?
I returned the camera because of the work arounds needed for Mac, but have transfered the footage to another computer. So I don't have the CD anymore with the component.
 
A free option.

I tried using MPEG Streamclip to convert a .MOD file to .DV, but it wouldn't do so without the $20 MPEG-2 Playback Component from Apple ("The Apple QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component is not installed...").

I tried ffmpegX instead, and it converted the .MOD to .dv just fine, even without the purchase of Apple's MPEG-2 component. After I converted the clip, I was able to just drag and drop it into an iMovie project.

Hope this helps some people.
 
Thanks for the video

Brian. Thanks so much for your video on how to use the JVC camcorder on the iMac. I recently purchased a sony handycam and found when I got it home that it was not compatible with my iMac. After searching the web, I did find that I could download software and that I might possibly have to upgrade my os, but even then my computer was not fast enough--or so I concluded. I returned the camera to Circut City and came home with a JVC.

Still unable to get iMovie to read it, I once again turned to the web to see what I could possibly do and I found your video, followed your instructions, and now I am on my way to creating memorable videos. Thanks for your efforts. aras :)
 
I bet this whole procedure works plug and play on windoze - with some software from the camera maker. I did not dare to search so you can correct me if you want.

Too complicated!

"Macs just work" does not apply here.
 
...I tried ffmpegX instead, and it converted the .MOD to .dv just fine, even without the purchase of Apple's MPEG-2 component. After I converted the clip, I was able to just drag and drop it into an iMovie project.

Hope this helps some people.

I concur! ffmpegX is the solution for ALL video format mismatches ! Convert to ANY format you wish in one step...Very powerful video converting software and very FREE! But I loved it so much I donated to them...

I tried every other suggestion in here starting with the method on the original post but after all that ffmpegX is THE total solution I was looking for all along...me thinks that not only does it work with the MOD everio files but would probly work for ANY and all formats!!!!
 
Code update

I just found this thread thru Google when I was looking for workflow information for JVC .TOD files to DVD. I just purchased a GZ-HD6. The HD video is incredible, especially when I output it HDMI directly to the TV. I video record for my son's high school band. The band director asks for a SD DVD to review the performance. For the past two years I have been using a JVC GZ-MG21 that outputs .MOD files. The workflow has been to use MpegStreamclip to convert to .DV, import to iMovieHD, edit, share with iDVD, burn. Thru a couple of other forums I discovered that the GZ-HD6 has the Apple Quicktime codec to convert .TOD files on the included CD. When I installed the codec and attempted to import to iMovie I received the error message others here have reported ... cannot parse ... Upon further investigation I found the following link:

http://www2.cli.co.jp/products/ne/update_qtc_for_gzhd7/qtc3e_update.htm

This is an update, you have to install the CD included codec first, then run the update. Now I copy the .TOD file to my hard drive, start a new project in iMovie, change the iMovie video format to HD, choose my .TOD file. The other forums report that iMovieHD does a conversion as the movie is imported, but that iMovie '08 does not need to do the conversion to allow you to edit. After my editing is done, I can open iDVD thru the Share menu, create and burn a SD DVD. I lose some quality to the video, but the band director can play it in a regular DVD player. I hope this helps someone out there.
 
I haven't tried this "YET" on a Mac, but on a PC if you change the .mod to .mpg or .mpeg it will allow you to bring it in Adobe Premier Pro. It will bring in both sound and video. Once in Premier you can separate the video from the video if you like.

Here is the link that I used a long time ago to get my .mod files into premier:

http://www.moviecodec.com/topics/9735p1.html

I don't know about the .tod files.
 
Here I go again...

Firstly changing the extension of the .TOD file doesn't work. You can import into iMovieHD with a bit of time but importing .TOD (JVC HiDEF files) into iMovie08 is very simple. Firstly you need to buy Steve Mullen's guide for the HD7 http://www.mindspring.com/~d-v-c/GZ-HD7.htm then purchase Visualhub. The process here does not include a lengthy conversion process. No need to use MPEG Streamclip to covert to AIC files. It's almost a direct import into iMovie08.

BTW Teddy's... if you check other video forums you'll find all sorts of issues windows users have using other NLE software except for the lame Cyberlink Powerdirector that comes bundled with the camera.
 
just upgraded to iLife '08

hello everyone, I just bought a JVC Everio MG365 (60 gig hdd) I was browsing most of the day trying to figure out how to get the video onto my iMac. I just upgraded to iLife '08 and opened iMovie, it started to download the videos automatically! I tried using DVDrop and found it was hurting the resolution of the video, new iMovie is amazingly clear!! Thought it might help someone to know that iMovie will read the .mod files.
 
I connect the Everio and drag the .MOD files onto my mac. Then using 'get info' I simply rename the files with an .mpg suffix. The mac immediately recognizes them and can play them in real time with good quality and audio. Now at this point these vids are 'muxed'. If you drag them into FCP you'll get video without audio. I use MPEGStreamclip to convert the .mpg's into Quicktime movies so I can use them in FCP. That conversion takes a couple minutes... pretty fast really. NOW HERE'S THE KEY to keeping you from eating a bullet. Make sure the Sequence settings in FCP are the same settings you have for the Quicktime conversion in MPEGStreamclip, otherwise the audio and video won't synch perfectly and you'll be editing for days trying to get everything timed right.

Good luck
WW
 
MOD to DV with MPEG Streamclip but file cuts short

Hi all,

I am inspired by all of the positive input posted here.

I have Everio MG-575. I have been struggling to get the files editable with iMovie. Brian's instructions (kudos Brian) were cogent and helpful, but I am finding that when I am converting a file from MOD to DV it inevitably ends at 4 GB (19 minutes and change) and says "Error or disk full" or some such. I am wondering why this is and, more urgently, what to do about it.

I wonder if I need to try to edit the videos on the hard drive...and am open to other ideas. Thanks folks!

Mick
 
I would always edit the video's on your hard drive and not on the camcorder itself.

My work flow is the following:

Bring the video over from the camcorder
Back up the video prior to any editing two locations
Do what I need to the video
Save the new file in two locations
create dvd

That is the cliff note version but you get the idea.
 
I tried everything, please help

I concur! ffmpegX is the solution for ALL video format mismatches ! Convert to ANY format you wish in one step...Very powerful video converting software and very FREE! But I loved it so much I donated to them...

please help.

my friend gave me a hard drive with the .tod files for me to edit. (GZ-HD7)

I installed:
QT component (disc that came with the camera),
update patch
iMovie HD 6.04

I still can't get iMovie to recognize the .tod files (error message saying QT not parse)

Is it because the movie files do not come directly from the camera?
Does the update patch works for QT 7.5?

I also tried ffmpegX. but I can't find the mencoder so I can't get it to work. where can I get it besides sourceforge?

what else can I try?

:confused::mad:
 
Major Problem

I use a MacBook and cannot even get the computer to recognize my JVC Everio MG-130 as a drive. Nothing comes up on my desktop when I plug it in USB and turn it on. Does anyone know if I need to find a driver?
 
hi

I am posting this because it seems to come up alot in the forums that I frequent about macs and video.

I have dtailed how to

1. connect the JVC Everio Hard Drive camcorder to your mac via the included USB cable
2. how to open the hard drive,
3. locate the video files,
4. move them to your desired drive,
5. convert them to dv,
6. import them to iMovie, \
7. basic editing,
8. and export them as a .mp4 or other file format.

this video is about 120 MB, but I wanted the quality to be good enough for you to know exactly what I was doing.

This link should just start letting you download it, if there are issues, let me know.

http://www.simplesurvivalmoves.com/JVCEverioInstructions.mp4

Thanks, and best of luck,

Brian

Thanks for the video you did it help me 100%

i want to add my full length movie on youtube 1 hr. 30 mins in HQ on youtube

so everyone can watch it clear and nice picture and HD picture

the movie will cut in 10 parts

do you have something please
ASAP:apple::apple::apple::apple::apple:
 
JVC Hd camcorders

I purchased a JVC camcorder 8 months ago and still have not been able to use it properly on mac. The TOD file are not recognised by mac or any other software. Every clip has to be converted which takes hours

If the camera is linked with the firwire cable the mac or the camera don't even talk to each other and the mac dosn't even know its attached.

The JVC Help Centres have no answer and told me to go back to my retailer who tells me that JVC haven't written any software to back there cameras up. It's a total farce, don't purchase any JVC camera's if you have a mac because they don't work.

I have been on to JVC head office and am awaiting a response from there head technicion and to resolve this in the mean time a warning to all Mac users dont by the JVC Hd eviro camcorders they don't work on mac Yet
 
JVC Everio HD7 .TOD

I guess I am having problems I have downloaded MPEG Streamclip and still csnnot open the files to convert I get a prompt that I require MPEG-2 Playback component with a link to a US site (I am in UK) is this correct?
 
mod files to work on final cut pro

my jvc is 3 years old (2006) with it came softwares to convert mod files
{capty mpeg edit ex for everio} and this is how it works
open the software
file->load file
locate your file one at a time->ok
mark your in and out points
file->create file->ok
format->quicktime movie
conversion format->quicktime movie
option->settings->dv/dvcpro-ntsc
frame rate->29.97
size->ntsc720x480 16:9
execute->save
that should work on Final Cut Pro
good luck
 
I didn't know I was still subscribed to this thread...

Anyways, a while ago I went and bought iLife '08, and just for the heck of it, I plugged in my JVC Everio... and it worked just fine with iMovie '08. I plugged it in, it popped up in iMovie, and I was able to grab the videos off the camcorder and do what I wanted with them.

So for anyone pulling their hair out over getting their Everio to work, I suggest getting iMovie '08 or '09.
 
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