#1  
01-17-2010, 03:15 PM
JMann JMann is offline
Free Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm dubbing VHS tapes to DVD recorder (Panasonic DMR-EZ486)
RAM vs -R ?? What is best for long term keeping/future editing?

RAM DVD will not play on Imac....VRO files
-R files will play...neither will allow me to move into i movie for simple editing.

What do I need to download into i movie so I can edit? I only plan to do light editing with the i movie?
Reply With Quote
Someday, 12:01 PM
admin's Avatar
Ads / Sponsors
 
Join Date: ∞
Posts: 42
Thanks: ∞
Thanked 42 Times in 42 Posts
  #2  
01-19-2010, 07:13 PM
admin's Avatar
admin admin is offline
Site Staff | Web Development
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,310
Thanked 654 Times in 457 Posts
DVD-RAM is intended only for temporary storage. The phase change alloy that makes up the disc will break down in time -- sometimes in a matter of months, used or not.

On the other hand, dye-based media is intended for much longer shelf life, which includes DVD-R and DVD+R. A well-handled store-indoors DVD will last at least 25-50 years. Vetted tests by respected archival researchers have concluded at least 90% of discs will be readable in 40 years, if not longer. Those are all conservative numbers, too. You could have a higher % of discs stay good for much longer.

So "future" really depends on how long the future is. For something you plan to edit in a few days, use a DVD-RAM if you want. For something you may keep for a few years before coming back to it, then definitely go with a DVD-R.

Of course, you may want to abandon DVD-RAM altogether. As you have seen, it's not the most compatible format, being in the DVD-VR spec instead of the DVD-Video spec.

The videos are compressed in MPEG-2 format. iMovie doesn't natively support this. I've been (sadly) Mac-less for almost a whole year now, so I can't run any tests. (Know anybody that may want to donate, trade or sell an Mac mini, Powerbook or other hard cheap!?)

The Quicktime Pro codec may allow MPEG-2.
Per Apple, Quicktime Pro DOES NOT allow iMovie to import an MPEG2 video file. more on that from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2657

It appears iMovie '08 may have some limited MPEG-2 support, so which version are you using? iMovie '9 may or may not allow MPEG-2. Because Apple is known to downgrade features in software/OS sometimes, it's hard to say without testing it out.

Apple purposely limits iMovie/iDVD -- they want you to spend $$$ on Final Cut Express, Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Studio.

Do let me know what you find out!

- Did this site help you? Then upgrade to Premium Member and show your support!
- Also: Like Us on Facebook for special DVD/Blu-ray news and deals!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
01-20-2010, 06:27 PM
JMann JMann is offline
Free Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
thanks, glad I asked before I spent time on the ram format. I'm using the latest i movie, 2009--8.0. I was told by apple support that I needed to convert vro to mpeg in order to edit. I will experiment and get back. thanks again!!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
01-20-2010, 07:14 PM
admin's Avatar
admin admin is offline
Site Staff | Web Development
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,310
Thanked 654 Times in 457 Posts
Apple gave you a stupid answer. So typical.

VRO is an MPEG file. There's nothing to convert. iMovie apparently just has a really limited extension list. Rename file.vro to file.mpg or file.mpeg.

Done. The file is "converted".

(NOTE: This is NOT the same as a VOB file. VOB files have extra data in them beyond MPEG video and a single audio stream. So renaming like this only works 100% on VRO files, made in DVD recorders or cameras using the DVD-VR recording format. VOB needs to be properly ripped/extracted. Just mentioning this for your DVD-R recordings, or any other DVDs you may look to edit in the future.)

To rip DVD to MPEG files on Mac, use this software and guide: http://www.digitalfaq.com/guides/video/edit-dvd-mac.htm

- Did this site help you? Then upgrade to Premium Member and show your support!
- Also: Like Us on Facebook for special DVD/Blu-ray news and deals!
Reply With Quote
Reply




Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Capturing on new iMac, what to get? via Email or PM Project Planning, Workflows 1 12-26-2009 08:39 AM
Archiving movie clips off my still camera Sossity Project Planning, Workflows 4 11-04-2007 07:36 PM

Thread Tools



 
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:48 AM