Transferring a video to Windows Movie Maker

[spotit3]

My daughter is training to be an interpreter for the Deaf. For her university course she needs to produce various clips of her work. She is using a JVC Everio HardDisk drive camcorder. I have managed to get it on to a DVD but she is only allowed to send 5 minutes worth. I have tried to get it transferred to Windows Movie Maker to attempt to cut bits but it keeps telling me that E:\SD_VIDEO\PRG001\MOV001.MOD is not a supported file and cannot be importedinto Movie Maker. Can anyone help? As I am sure you have gathered I know absolutely nothing about this video business and am stumbling in the dark. Here's hoping someone can help.

[LeMarchand]

.mov files are Quicktime files, and Bill Gates doesn't want any of that nasty Apple stuff in his movie editor.

You can convert it to a format MM recognises, like WMV using something like eRightsoft's SUPER (free) or WinAVI (old versions are free, the latest version isn't). WinAVI definitely needs the QuickTime Alternative codec to convert .mov files, not sure about SUPER.

If you have a capture card and software, you can capture directly into something like WMV or AVI. You'll probably get better results than converting, too. It may be possible to connect your camera via USB to capture footage.

I would also take a look at any software that came with your camera, most cameras come with a Movie Maker equivalent.

[spotit3]

Thanks for your fast reply. I don't think you realise how much of a novice I am around these things. I did try the software from the camera but didn't get very far. That is why since I had a little knowledge of Movie Maker I woud use it.
I don't understand what you mean about a capture card and software - sorry for being stupid! Also what do you mean about connecting my camera via USB - connecting it to what?

[LeMarchand]

Most computers have a video OUT card (you connect your monitor to it) but a few have video IN cards (which enable you to - say - use your PC as a "video recorder"). You can also get external devices that do he same thing.

Anyway, two things: try right-clicking the MOV001.MOD file, clicking properties and and report back on what it says under "Type of file".

It doesn't sound as if you have a capture card, so (assuming that I have picked the right camera) you should be able to back up your footage from your camera to your PC via USB according to http://www.jvc.com/presentations/everio_g/feat 3.html . Take a look at the file created and see if WMM will open it (warning - may take ages if its a large file!). I've always found WMM to be a bit prone to crashing, so save your work often. If not, rc+properties and post the "Type of file".

[spotit3]

When I check properties it says Movie Clip (.MOD)

[LeMarchand]

.mod files are apparently some sort of proprietary .mpg file, not Quicktime - sorry! (QT files have a .mov extension, hence the confusion). There's a discussion at the address below of various ways to deal with .mod files that covers pretty much any questions you might have. Basically you can change the extension to .mpg (MAY not include audio) or use the Cyberlink program that should have come with the camera to open the file and then save it as .mpg or .avi (both formats should open in WMM). It seems to make sense to me, but then I'm used to fiddling around with video files, so if there's anything that stumps you post here!

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

[spotit3]

Thanks a lot for all your help. When I get time I will have a go and give you another shout if I have any problems. That is, if you don't mind!

[LeMarchand]

Good luck - hope you get it working; I'll be happy to try to help if not. BTW, don't forget to copy the file from Disc E to your computer before trying to change the extension if you go down that route as you won't be able to change the extension on any files that are on DVD or CD.

[LeMarchand]

PS, an easy way to change extensions is to use this free software: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/exchanger.html . You just right-click the file and type in the extension you wish it to have. I use it a fair bit and it's very useful (and much quicker than doing it manually).

[spotit3]

Thanks a lot LeMarchand for all your help. You have gone to a lot of trouble for me and I much appreciate it.
I have now got it sorted so thanks again.

[spotit3]

Thanks to all the help I received on this thread I have now managed to get the clips recorde on to a DVD. My only problem now is that when I play it on a PC it is fine but when I play it on a stand alone DVD player It comes out really small, about quarter of screen. Is there any way to enlarge it to cover entire TV screen?

[LeMarchand]

Hello again, just noticed another post on this thread.

Are you burning the file to disc in DVD format? Some DVD players will play DivX/AVI files as well as "proper" DVDs.

The process varies, depending on the program you are using to create the DVD, but normally you can create a "data" disc or a DVD/video disc. If you stick the disc you have created into your PC and then right-click and "explore" it, you should see what sort of files it contains. If it is a "proper" DVD the files will be things like Video_TS and/or VOB files. If the disc has AVI or MPEG files (or even WMV) it is probably a data disc. In the latter case, try burning a new disc as a "DVD video" disc and see if it helps. If the files are already the correct format, I'm afraid that I'm not sure what the problem is!

Anyway, feel free to post if you need a hand with creating a DVD.