Import Mini DVD into Imovie

Hi
The sony handycam DCR-DVD-205E i used to film material on doesn't have a firewire or usb output ( just an av output ) and i can't load the 8 cm mini dvds into my mac .
I would like to import the film into imovie for editing .
Can any one suggest a solution please ?
Thanks
Chris
ps i have a MacBook Pro, 3,1 - Intel Core 2 Duo using Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Reply 1 : Import Mini DVD into Imovie

a drawer loading DVD drive - like one from LaCie. The slot loading drives like the one in your Mac Book Pro will not work with the small 8cm discs.

You will also want to download and install HandBrake to rip the video from the DVD...
http://handbrake.fr/
Save the ripped file to MP4 or MOV file for use with iMovie. Less compression is better.

Alert: The VOB files contain very highly compressed video. Chances are very high that the video you rip will not be very good quality. This is expected. The video captured by consumer DVD based standard definition video camcorders was never meant to be edited.

Good luck.

Reply 2 : Import Mini DVD into Imovie

Thanks ... do u think this dvd drive would do the trick ?
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TV638VC/A?mco=MTMxNDkzNTA
cheers
chris

Reply 3 : Import Mini DVD into Imovie

I have a similar unit without the LightScribe feature and have successfully used it with many different Macintosh desktop and laptop computers.

Reply 4 : Import Mini DVD into Imovie

Great thanks - and it will work with 8cm mini dvd's ?
cheers
chris

Reply 5 : Import Mini DVD into Imovie

Is has the same drawer loading tray design as regular DVD players that connect to a TV. There is an "indentation" in the middle of the drawer that accommodates the small DVDs.

Heads up: The VOB files captured by consumer grade standard definition camcorders are VERY compressed. Quality won't be very good. Best video quality when capturing video with those camcorders helps, but recuces available record time to around 20 minutes. Lower quality options selected in the camcorder result in higher record times - and the video quality degrades even more.

Be sure to finalize the disc before trying to rip the video.

Reply 6 : Import Mini DVD into Imovie

i also met this problem
one of my friends offered me a step by step guide on how to solve it.

http://forums.digitalmedianet.com/cgi-bin/displaywwugpost.fcgi?forum=sony-dv&post=100921084428.htm

really very nice i hope it helps

Reply 7 : Import Mini DVD into Imovie

i accidentally found the above link is unavailable, luckily i found the source guide link
i like to share it again here http://www.bigasoft.com/articles/easy-solution-to-import-midi-dvd-into-imovie.html?xcnet

hope it helps to successfully import mini dvd into imovie

Reply 8 : Import Mini DVD into Imovie

now i can successfully import my mini dvd into imovie with your solution, thanks my dear jamesjacson and i even can import dvd into imovie with this method

Reply 9 : Import Mini DVD into Imovie

You can certainly buy an external drive, but the easiest solution may be to buy a Canopus ADVC-55 Analog-Digital converter that allows you to plug your camera's AV cord into it and has a Firewire output that connects to the Mac, and iMovie will recognize the signal just like a Firewire camcorder. But, an external drive may cost less.

Reply 10 : Import Mini DVD into Imovie

i did get the external drive, but imovie still refuse to import my footage, it said it is the wrong video format, so i have to convert it to imovie compatible format with the above guide

Reply 11 : Import Mini DVD into Imovie

Both HandBrake and MPEG Streamclip are free. They both will convert the video file into a DV file for iMovie. Good luck.