Quick Time can't open mpg video file

paragon · 04-24-2012, 02:12 AM

Hello, I have a video file captured by a camcorder with an internal HD (no idea make and model) the file was extracted from the camera by a windows machine (no idea method). Each video has three files: .cont .mpg & .mtv (see attachments).
VLC open the mpg file just fine, quick time doesn't (therefore also iMovie doesn't).
the camcorder is no longer available so I can't import the movies directly from the camera onto iMovie.
I need to be able to edit them because they are my wedding videos ;(
Any ideas?
I might add that I am running OS X 10.6.8

hayne · 04-24-2012, 09:53 AM

There are lots of 3rd-party video conversion utilities available. (some free, some $)
You will likely need to use one of these to convert the video to a format that can be imported by iMovie.
Look on www.macupdate.com for example

macosnoob · 04-24-2012, 10:11 AM

Use VLC's Streaming/Transcoding Wizard to convert the files to something iMovie can handle. Try the MPEG4 settings. (Expect a loss in quality.) You might also check whether Handbrake and/or MPEG Streamclip can convert the files.

paragon · 04-24-2012, 10:26 AM

all the conversion utilities I met also change the size and bitrate

paragon · 04-24-2012, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macosnoob


	Use VLC's Streaming/Transcoding Wizard to convert the files to something iMovie can handle. Try the MPEG4 settings. (Expect a loss in quality.) You might also check whether Handbrake and/or MPEG Streamclip can convert the files.

What's that? is it a part of the VLC player?

macosnoob · 04-24-2012, 10:49 AM

It's on VLC's File pulldown menu.

vanakaru · 04-24-2012, 10:56 AM

I would try After Effects. It seems to have its own set of codecs and I have been able to play every odd ball camera codec I have encountered.
It looks like you have mpeg2 coded file(maybe). Quicktime will not play it before you purchase mpeg2 component (20USD?). I recommend to find a friend with either AE or QT with this component and convert you movs into editable formats(if you plan to edit) like DV, PhotoJPG, AIC or ProRes(this codec comes with FinalCutPro).
VLC will export only to H.264 that is not good for editing nor archiving. But otherwise good quality and small file size.

Makoto · 04-24-2012, 12:37 PM

You might see if installing Perian might help in getting the video to open in Quicktime/iMovie.

04-24-2012, 02:12 AM	#1
paragon Major Leaguer Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 467	Quick Time can't open mpg video file Hello, I have a video file captured by a camcorder with an internal HD (no idea make and model) the file was extracted from the camera by a windows machine (no idea method). Each video has three files: .cont .mpg & .mtv (see attachments). VLC open the mpg file just fine, quick time doesn't (therefore also iMovie doesn't). the camcorder is no longer available so I can't import the movies directly from the camera onto iMovie. I need to be able to edit them because they are my wedding videos ;( Any ideas? I might add that I am running OS X 10.6.8 Attached Thumbnails __________________ there is nothing better than a... oh well, that aint that good... Last edited by paragon; 04-24-2012 at 02:17 AM.

04-24-2012, 09:53 AM	#2
hayne Site Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 31,938	There are lots of 3rd-party video conversion utilities available. (some free, some $) You will likely need to use one of these to convert the video to a format that can be imported by iMovie. Look on www.macupdate.com for example __________________ hayne.net/macosx.html

04-24-2012, 10:26 AM	#4
paragon Major Leaguer Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 467	all the conversion utilities I met also change the size and bitrate __________________ there is nothing better than a... oh well, that aint that good...

04-24-2012, 12:37 PM	#8
Makoto Major Leaguer Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 283	You might see if installing Perian might help in getting the video to open in Quicktime/iMovie. __________________ Surviving for years on little sleep and a mere diet of cup ramen and soda...

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04-24-2012, 10:11 AM	#3
macosnoob MVP Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,751	Use VLC's Streaming/Transcoding Wizard to convert the files to something iMovie can handle. Try the MPEG4 settings. (Expect a loss in quality.) You might also check whether Handbrake and/or MPEG Streamclip can convert the files.

04-24-2012, 10:49 AM	#6
macosnoob MVP Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,751	It's on VLC's File pulldown menu.

04-24-2012, 10:56 AM	#7
vanakaru All Star Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 610	I would try After Effects. It seems to have its own set of codecs and I have been able to play every odd ball camera codec I have encountered. It looks like you have mpeg2 coded file(maybe). Quicktime will not play it before you purchase mpeg2 component (20USD?). I recommend to find a friend with either AE or QT with this component and convert you movs into editable formats(if you plan to edit) like DV, PhotoJPG, AIC or ProRes(this codec comes with FinalCutPro). VLC will export only to H.264 that is not good for editing nor archiving. But otherwise good quality and small file size.