Software to convert VOB to DV? (Windows Movie Maker?)

[HawkBoy]

I heard somewhere that Windows Movie Maker can open VOB files and export them in MS DV format (so I can edit them using the DV layout in Premiere). I upgraded to Movie Maker 2 but it doesn't seem to recognize the VOBs. Should it? Or is there some other software that does this?

Every VOB converter I've used so far just uses the basic Cinepak/Indeo/etc. codec's....

[Tommyknocker]

Try Virtual Dub mod with the Panasonic DV codec.

[HawkBoy]

Wow great I'll try that

Another quick question: Do you know if installing the Panasonic DV codec will erase whatever other DV codec came with Premiere? (I'm trying to find an e-mail addy on the download site to ask too....)

[Tommyknocker]

No, it won't. The only way to remove a codec I know of is to delete all of its associated files, or have the Device Manager disable it. Adding another codec only gives you the ability to use either one, depending on your program.

[HawkBoy]

Cool thank you so much for the quick replies!

[HawkBoy]

Oh no...now Adobe Premiere says "Unable to open that file. File uses an unsupported compression format" when I try to import the clips I made with the Panasonic DV codec.

Is there a different way I need to encode them, or can I add the codec to Premiere's codecs somehow? There weren't many different options for encoding so I don't think I could have done it wrong...Virtual Dub does give an option for AVI "compatability mode" though so maybe I'll try reencoding with that checked. (Windows Media Player plays the files fine.) Also I have tried using the Premiere DV project timeline as well as other types of timelines, and just playing the files individually without even importing them...still get the same message....

[HawkBoy]

Hmmm "compatability mode" didn't make a difference. I just noticed that the VOB and output file was 23 fps though instead of 29.97 so I'm changing that now....

[HawkBoy]

Nope didn't work

I can use other DV files in Premiere just fine though....

[troyvcd1]

I use virtualdub-mpeg2. I dont have the panasonic codec installed and I make sure all my avi files have fourcc of cdvc. I can create avi files this way but none of my media players will play them. I have to import them into premiere and then use premiere export to export the avi's. Then I can play the resulting avi files in any media player.

[HawkBoy]

Do you have trouble editing MPEG-2s with Premiere though? I know there are ways of setting up MPEG-2s so Premiere can edit them better but thought I'd try to avoid all this with a DV codec....

Are there better free codecs than the Panasonic one?

[troyvcd1]

I go straight from vobs. to avis with virtualdub-mpeg2. Also be sure to do the audio separately.

[jimmalenko]

Are there better free codecs than the Panasonic one?

You could try the Canopus DV Codec also.