Convert MOV to AVI or MPG

My digital camera create MOV files. It's crappy video but it's all I have. In the end I want to create a DVD that will play on regular television DVD players. If I use Windows Movie Maker to edit the videos and combine them, I need AVI or MPG files. So, I downloaded WinAVI Video Converter from I can't remember where. I started the process of converting my file to an AVI but it seems to be taking more time than it should. It ran for about an hour last night without any signs of progress so I gave up. This morning I tried something different but I am getting no where fast.

I have never played around with video files before so any advice would help. Did I download a bad converter? Do file converters typically take hours to create the new file? If I need a different converter what and where should I get it from?

Thanks,

Lilou Needs Help again.

 

hi Lilou,
I have been using WinAVI Video Convertor for quite sometime now and have been more than happy with the results...If all you want is a DVD output, why don't you try converting MOV directly to a DVD output in WinAVI.I have converted a lot of formats in WinAVI and it doesn't take a long time..Well,the duration it takes to convert may also depend on your System Configuration.If you have a pretty old system with a very basic configuration,it may take longer.
Alternatively you can also use QuickTime Pro to export it out to AVI if you want the AVI or MPG output..
You can also use Ulead DVDMovie Factory to convert it to a DVD output.It also accepts MOV format as the input.
Goodluck!

 

Thank you mad_havan. So I guess it's not the software. I don't think it's the computer either. I have XP, Pentium4 and 504MB of RAM. I mean it's not the latest and greatest but I don't think it's that old. I think it should be able to handle it even at a slow pace.

Do you have any idea why the progress stays at 0% even after two or three hours? I can accept slow but not dead! I know I had to get/install QuickTime Alternative for it to even open the software. I had QuickTime 7 before but it didn't have the Codec thing and some other thing. Do you think there is something else missing?

 

Lilou,
wrt WinAVI Convertor,when you give the command to convert, does it come up with any message saying "x codec missing" or something of that sort? If yes, then i would suggest you first download the k-lite codec pack and install..It has a variety of codecs.

As u say,it doesn't seem to be a problem with the system either.What do you do when you see no progress? If you try cancelling the convertion,does it say "task not completed". What happens if you still say "ok" and cancel the convertion? 'Coz a few times when this happened to me i cancelled the convertion and it immediately gave me a message "Finshed converting" and i could view the converted video.Maybe a bug in the software.

If you have a DVD writer then it should have come with some DVD Burning Software.That might also have the option to convert you video directly to DVD output.Without a DVD writer you are not going to be able to burn out a DVD that will play in your television.So please check it.lemme know the results so i can be of some help.

 

After I click Cancel, I receive a message that the task is not completed and asks me if I am sure. I click ok and the app just hangs.



I didn't register it because I thought I could use it for free. Do you think that might be the problem? If so do you know of any freeware out there?

Once I have the AVI format I will be able to edit it and combine other files using the Windows Movie Maker that came with XP... I think... I hope. After all the editing is done I will be able to burn the DVD. This was the original plan.

Unless you know of a software that will allow me edit an MOV file... But I would still have to convert it eventually to play on a regular DVD. QuickTime will only play them not edit them.

Thanks for the help so far.

 

HERE is a pretty good guide.

Also, for editing, try TMPGenc. I haven't used it for a long time so I can't help you with the stages, but it's not difficult.

 

Insomniac,
Tmpeg is a good convertor but doesn't import MOV files.

Lilou,
Before registering any software try this out.If it doesn't work we shall think of some other alternatives.

Make a copy of your file and paste it in a different directory.
Now RENAME the file from "X.MOV" to "X.MPG"
If you can't see your file extension, then in windows explorer, GOTO TOOLS- FOLDER OPTIONS- VIEW- Advanced settings- Uncheck the "HIDE EXTENSIONS FOR KNOWN FILE TYPES"
Now, Rename.
You will get a dialog box asking you if you are sure you want to change the extension as it may render your file useless.Say, yes(MAKE SURE THIS IS NOT YOUR ORIGINAL FILE BUT ITS COPY)
Import your "X.MPG" in Windows Movie Maker and viola..
This may sound wierd but it works.I even tried it out once to make sure before i wrote to you.This option has served me well in times when iam working on some other comp which doesn't have the requisite software..This option doesn't work with all extensions though....

NOTE: YOU WERE WRONG ABOUT QUICKTIME.QUICKTIME PLAYER doesn't let you edit or save files. But QUICKTIME PRO lets you do both.
Hope this helps(THIS SHOULD!!)..Lemme know....

 

There are various flavours of TMPGenc like TMPGenc XPress that support MOV files.

As far as QuickTime, you need the Pro version to do any editing etc.

 

Insomniac,
I took it for granted that you were talking about Tmpeg Plus.Sorry about that. And wrt Quicktime,what you've said is right and is exactly what i've said too

 

No problems, I was never specific anyway.

 

Well I finally got something to play in my regular DVD player on the television. These are the unbelievable steps I took to do it though!!!

I imported my MOV files into the TMPGenc Xpress and it created a MPEG file. With WinAVI I was able to create a folder that had all the necessary files and formats to created a regular movie DVD except for some that I don't know. After that I used DVD Shrink that created the missing files (ISO I think) and burned the so desired DVD.

The end result is that I can at least see the footage of my daughter first dance recital on the tv but it has a stupid registration notice in the middle of the screen from WinAVI. Also I was not able to edit the footage so that I could add information slides with TMPGenc. I could create more MOV files with QuickTime to have the slides but for some reason TMPGenc would hang when trying to import them. I guess those MOV's are different than the MOV's directly from the camera.

Oh ya... I tried the renaming thing and still didn't work. It would still hang. I also found that I needed RealMedia 9 or higher but that didn't work either.

So I am almost ready to give up on the possibility to create my self the desired final result using free software. I guess I will just have to break down and buy something. The Grand Parents will love it!

Thanks for help guys. I will check in again late tomorrow in case more suggestions are offered.

Lilou

 

So what is the main problem now? Is it hanging?

And which applications are doing that?

You don't have a lot of RAM, and onboard video, but it really shouldn't cause it to hang.