MPEG 4 conversion

[Guest]

My digital camera shoots video in MPEG 4 format. I want to include some
videos in a Movie Maker project, but Movie Maker doesn't accept the format.
Is there any way I can get Movie Maker to accept the format, or, if not,
convert the video to an acceptable format?

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

Can the software that came with the camera play it on your computer? If so,
does it have an option to save it or export it as a different file format,
or with a different codec.

What is the camera brand and model, and what software came with it...

 

[Guest]

The camera's an Olympus C-770 ultra zoom, and I haven't downloaded the camera
software as I view files in Windows folders and can play the MPEG 4s in
Windows Media Player. I tried using my Windows Media Encoder to convert the
file, but it also couldn't handle the MP4. Aaaagghhh! I'm going to look at my
instructions now, to see if I can save or export in a different
format.........your continued help would be much appreciated however......

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

Check the Digital Camcorders > DigiCams page of my website...

I'd appreciate a test clip if you would send one.... papajohn..... at.....
chartermi.net. I'm putting together a little library of test clips from
digital cameras and cell phones to test the conversions needed to get them
to Movie Maker.

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

online info says your camera records QuickTime motion JPEG....

 

[Guest]

Yup, I can play the movie files back on the PC as QT, Windows Media Player,
even Nero's own format, but.......it's still an MPEG 4, and MovieMaker isn't
interested. It looks like I'll need to convert to AVI or WMV..........can
this be done? I'll send you a clip as requested.

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

Yes, it can be done... it's a matter of figuring out the easiest and best
way for you to do it...

 

[John Kelly]

Hello,

For the best source of expert info you should go to
www.videohelp.com/convert

Its the best possible source of info on the net regarding conversion, as
you will discover, and its very likely the best on-line source of help on
all other Video matters as well, and very best of all....its all FREE with
no catches (that I have ever found)

Best Wishes.....John Kelly
www.the-kellys.org

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

Simon,

Your sample played fine in my Quick Time player, so I used Rad Video Tools
to convert it to an AVI file using Microsoft WMV9 for compression... went
smoothly, played well, and works fine in MM2.

Use the Importing Source Files > Video > MOV page of my site... and treat it
as if it was an MOV.

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

I left it with the MP4 extension but had to nudge it along at times... using
the dropdown list of file types to select 'all types' if your file isn't
shown in the folder or you get an error message about the file type...

 

[Guest]

It's not working for me.............converted the file using RAD video, to
AVI, but Media Player won't play it, and MovieMaker says C:\Documents and
Settings\Simon\My Documents\My Pictures\Olympus\Ventoux05\videos\P618188.avi
could not be imported. The selected file is not valid or is corrupted.
I can't believe this is so difficult! All I want to do is include my videos
in my moviemaker slide show, but as usual nothing seems compatible!

 

[Guest]

Sounds like the problem I had Try

Main Concept MPEGEncoder

 

[Guest]

Relieve your frustrations. Go to www.download.com and find AVS Converter.
It has a trial period and will cost $29.95, but it will convert your files
and handle a lot of situations you will run into. Check it out, and be sure
to click on the 'advanced' tab to get a look at 'before' and 'after'
conversion attributes. Good luck.

 

[Rehan]

It's not working for me.............converted the file using RAD video, to
AVI, but Media Player won't play it, and MovieMaker says C:\Documents and
Settings\Simon\My Documents\My Pictures\Olympus\Ventoux05\videos\P618188.avi
could not be imported. The selected file is not valid or is corrupted.
I can't believe this is so difficult! All I want to do is include my videos
in my moviemaker slide show, but as usual nothing seems compatible!

Which format did you shoose when converting using RAD tools?
If you chose "Uncompressed" format then note that this format does not
always play smoothly in media player, but would be editable in movie
maker. Try it.

Otherwise install th Windows Media VCM codec pack
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/codecs/vcm.aspx

This will add another format (Windows Media Video 9 fomrat) in the list
of AVI formats to choose when converting with Rad tools. This should
work smoothly.

Please send me a sample video as well for analysis.

Regards

 

[Guest]

Thanks everyone, I've now tried the AVS converter recommended by dickmr. It
was easy to use, quick, and having converted to a wmv file have had no
trouble importing it to moviemaker. Now I can get on with my holiday
DVD.......

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

Simon,

Thanks again for the sample and the feedback on what you used.... I added
the info to the Digital Camcorders++ > DigiCams page of my site to help
others with an Olympus C-770.

My notes about AVS Converter include: it places a watermark banner on the
video during the trial use period and stops adding it after you purchase the
software...