Loading DVDs into Final Cut via firewire

Mihde · #1 October 28th, 2006, 05:53 AM

I bought a Canon mini DVD camcorder (first mistake) it only has a usb out which I then have to convert before Final Cut will accept it (and lose quality) Is there a DVD player with a firewire OUT that will allow me to play finalized mini DVD discs into the G5 so Final Cut will recognize them?
Mike

MisterMe · #2 October 28th, 2006, 08:16 AM

Final Cut is not intended to edit finalized DVDs. You need a DVD ripping app that will convert your DVD into an editable format. A popular choice is Handbrake. You can find it wherever Mac shareware is available for download.

Mihde · #3 October 29th, 2006, 02:28 AM

I tried Handbrake and it turned it into a MPEG 4 file of even lower quality than the original. Maybe I just don't understand what Final Cut needs to see to allow me to import a file.
Also, to the other question I asked, since the finalized disc can play in a regular DVD player, is there a player that has firewire out that I can connect to the firewire in port on my G5?

Mihde · #4 October 29th, 2006, 02:29 AM

I also have Mac the Ripper if that helps. But I don't know how to use it for a situation like this.

**fryke** · #5 October 29th, 2006, 05:25 AM

Do you have _any_ chance of returning the camera and turn it in for one which uses DV tapes and has a FW out (and preferrably in & out)? It's just *so* much less hassle.

You _might_ be able to transcode the DVD to a suitable, good quality file for Final Cut Pro, but the process would - for me... - be too tedious. What are you using to "convert the USB to something Final Cut Pro accepts" (from your first post in this thread)? Kind of a USB to FireWire cable? And then FCP sees the camera like a FW camera? If so, that would probably be the _best_ you'll get out of the cam...

MisterMe · #6 October 29th, 2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mihde

I tried Handbrake and it turned it into a MPEG 4 file of even lower quality than the original. Maybe I just don't understand what Final Cut needs to see to allow me to import a file.
Also, to the other question I asked, since the finalized disc can play in a regular DVD player, is there a player that has firewire out that I can connect to the firewire in port on my G5?

I'm curious. Do you want to edit your mini DVDs or do you just want to play them on your computer? You cannot edit finalized mini DVDs. You have to rip them into an editable format. This process will necessarily lower the quality of the resulting content. The only question is "How much?" If, however, you only want to play your mini DVDs, then all you have to do is to pop your disc out of you camera and into your optical disc tray. MacOS X's DVD Player should have no problem with them.

Mihde · #7 October 29th, 2006, 12:16 PM

I'm using an Canopus ADVC converter box. I play the camera into it and it connects to the Mac via FW. It works OK but there is one generation loss in quality. I need to do a lot of editing in FC for a DVD that will be with a book I'm writing. I don't care about having to buy programs to get it done, if there are such things.
My other option would be using the usb into a PC and buying FC for a PC. Not my first choice but if it will keep the quality at the original specs I may have to do it that way.
It's not "that bad" after converting it for the Mac but there is a noticable difference when played on the TV between the original and the editied version.

MisterMe · #8 October 29th, 2006, 04:15 PM

AFAIK, there are no commercial applications designed to edit finalized DVDs. As stated above, you will have to use an app like Handbrake or MacTheRipper to transcode them into an editable format. If your "G5" is a PowerMac G5, you would do better (conveniently, anyway) using your trayloading optical drive. If your computer is an iMac G5, then you are probably doing the best that it's possible. In either event, you may try Handbrake to see if it produces a higher quality rip.