I use a mac. What software do I need to take multiple dvds and create a short highlight reel from them?

video editing software handbrake image

tsphotogra

These dvds were made from a DV tape I presume. I need to get the content onto a video editor so that I can cut out areas a create a highlight reel from them. The file on the dvd won't load directly into a video editing program. What else will I need to convert it to a file that idvd or something similar will accept? Please help.

Answer
Ideally, you would get the original DV tape and a method to import that to your Mac. Normally, MiniDV tape and a miniDV camcorder connect to your Mac using a firewire cable... the DV port of the camcorder to the firewire port of your Mac. So, a 4-pin to 6-pin firewire cable to import to iMovie or FionalCut.

If you cannot get the original source video and can only use the video on the DVD, you need to rip the video with a DVD ripper like HandBrake.
http://handbrake.fr/
I presume the DVD you are using is a normal, full sized DVD and not a miniDVD used by some low-end camcorders. If yes, download and install HandBrake and rip the DVD videos to high quality QuickTime mov, MPEG4 or DV files. Then it will import to iMovie or iMovieHD and you can edit what you want. When editing is complete, save, and launch iDVD and burn the modified video to DVD.

Is it virtually impossible to edit footage taken with a DVD Camcorder or is it just me?

littleoneb

I just bought the Canon DC330 DVD Camcorder (uses 8cm DVDs) and have been trying for 5 hours to edit my footage. It is impossible! The editing software will not pull up the footage to edit, only to view. Did I choose the wrong camcorder if I am wanting to do a lot of video editing (for internet use)? What is the best type of camcorder to buy if you plan on editing all your footage?

Answer
Hopefully, your computer has a drawer loading DVD drive. If so, download and install a DVD ripper - I like HandBrake:
http://handbrake.fr/
You will rip the DVD to your computer's internal harddrive - use a format that MovieMaker (Windows) likes (.avi or DV). Or if Macintosh, DV or .mov or MP4 for iMovieHD. You did not tell us what kind of computer you use.

If your computer has a slot-loader or if the optical drive does not do DVD format (CDs only), then you need to get an analog/digital bridge like
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Dazzle/Family.htm
or
http://canopus.com/products/videoconversion.php
Connect the camcorder to the A/D bridge with the AV cables that came with the camcorder (the same ones you would normally use to connect directly to a TV). Then connect the A/D bridge to the computer with either USB or Firewire as required by the A/D bridge...

My opinion:
The video captured by DVD based camcorders was never really meant to be edited. The VOB and VRO files apply too much compression resulting in poor quality video transferred to your computer. I wish the manufacturers would stop making them and let the people who bought them return them and get a refund.

Hard drive and flash memory based camcorders compress less than DVD based camcorders and typically transfer files to your computer by copying the files using USB.

MiniDV tape continues to provide the best available digital video quality because DV (and HDV) compress less than the other available formats. You would use firewire/IEEE1394a/i.Link to import the video to your computer. One of the main reasons the professionals continue to use MiniDV tape is because it is best quality.

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