Problem importing Sony DVR files into Mac

[stefanc]

Hi - my first post!
I recently bought a Sony hard disk digital video recorder - apparently we're calling them DVRs.
In order to edit a home movie, I have imported some video footage from my camcorder to the DVR's hard disk and then first burned it to a DVD+RW.
My computer (a non-SuperDrive eMac running 10.4.3 and connected to a LaCie DVD burner) would not recognise the DVD+RW in either its own drive or in the LaCie.
I burned a DVD-R with the same material, and the computer showed that on the desktop.
Next I tried to import the files into iMovie, but it says that it won't accept the files because QuickTime can't 'parse' them.
I tried copying the files to my computer from the DVD-R using MacTheRipper, but I get the same message.
Any clues? There is little info anywhere on the web that I can find on this subject, and the 116-page instruction manual for the DVR just doesn't mention anything to do with editing the material on computers of any kind.
Thanks
Stefan
Sydney

[MisterMe]

DVR's are not designed to output editable data, but rather finalized DVDs. The DVR has editing functions built-in. Once finalized, the DVD that pops out of your DVR can be played on any DVD player. It is in MPEG-2 format. Perhaps, you are using incorrect settings in MacTheRipper, because it should work. You may also try Handbrake. However, the first thing that I would try is the built-in MacOS X DVD Player. If your DVD plays in the Apple player, you know that it is good. If it does not, then you have no expectation of doing anything else with it.

[stefanc]

Originally Posted by MisterMe

DVR's are not designed to output editable data, but rather finalized DVDs. The DVR has editing functions built-in. Once finalized, the DVD that pops out of your DVR can be played on any DVD player. It is in MPEG-2 format. Perhaps, you are using incorrect settings in MacTheRipper, because it should work. You may also try Handbrake. However, the first thing that I would try is the built-in MacOS X DVD Player. If your DVD plays in the Apple player, you know that it is good. If it does not, then you have no expectation of doing anything else with it.

Thanks MisterMe!
The DVD player does recognise the file and it will play. Does that mean there will be some way to edit it in other Mac software?
Regarding MacTheRipper, it did copy the files successfully, but then they weren't playable on iMovie.
I know the DVR has built-in editing, but I'd prefer to do it on the Mac.

[MisterMe]

Handbrake

[stefanc]

Ok. I've got Handbrake now, and it seems to be doing something like I want ie I end up with a file that QuickTime can 'parse'.