Editing software for DVD camcorder mpegs HELP!!!

[lordhutt]

For the love of god is there any good video editing software that can handle mpeg files from my Sony DVD camcorder??

I rip the files right off of the dvd-rw's. They are in mpeg format.

I tried Pinnacle Studio Plus 9. When I bring the files up in edit mode it won't play it. It obviously recognizes something because it will display the 1st and last frame. I was in a Pinnacle forum and someone suggested a program called trex (I believe by pinnacle) that does something to the files and makes PSP9 recognize the mpegs. I tried and it worked but I have about 20 gig of files on my pc and this will take forever to change them all over....besides why should I have to.

I also tried Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5. It will not even let me import the files into the program. I get an audio format not supported error. I downloaded a plugin called mpeg pro by Main Concept. It allowed me to import the files but I dont get any audio. I called main concept and they said it was because DVD camcorders use Dolby AC3 audio and Premiere and there plugin dont support it!!! WTF!!!
I thought this was like the best program out there He said they hope to have support with their plugin within a few weeks....

Anyone have any suggestions what I could use that will recognize my files without me converting them to something else....or is there a fix for one of these 2 programs?

Thank You!!

[pfh]

Try Womble mpeg-vcr or their mpeg wizard- easy, quick,frame accuracy, and no re-encoding.
For authoring to dvd i like dvd lab but you might want to stick w/ what u have.

[daamon]

Hi lordhutt,

Also for MPEG editing: VideoReDo

Just in case your Sony records to MMV format, there's mmv2mpg out there.

The reason why some NLE's (Non Linear Editors - Premiere Pro etc.) don't natively handle MPEG is because MPEG is a format that's designed as the end product - i.e. no more editing etc.

Premiere Pro and co. natively work with DV AVI - a much better format for editing.

So, why do these MPEG camcorders exist? They're a blag to allow marketing to say "record and play straight in your DVD player". In short, and in my opinion, the manufacturers are conning the consumers.

[edDV]

Sony's position on the subject is that the intended purchser of their DVD format camcorders is not interested in editing their DVDs. If they wanted to edit, they would have purchased MiniDV format. Hence no serious solution was provided.

They do provide crappy ImageMixer by PIXELA. They think you should be happy with that.

[lordhutt]

Thanks guys...those 2 programs look pretty decent. I will try them both out.

Hey edDV...if that is Sonys answer then they need smacked. I bought the DVD cam so I did'nt ever have to see a tape again...I thought they would be better quality also. Who the hell wants discs with only 20 minutes (HQ) of footage!!!....most of which will probably need edited anyway!

Oh well, live and learn I guess.

[edDV]

It gets even worse. Over at Camcorderinfo.com forum

nicholasn wrote:

" Hugely Dissappointed with my DCR DVD 201, This camera has taken my footage hostage !!

The software that comes with this camera, ImageMixer by PIXELA, is the worst software i have ever seen in my life, (I am a software developer, I have seen it all...) i want to cry. This camera is basically useless to me because there is only one program which can read or write footage from the camera. Any other program, say Premier or AfterEffects, etc. will immediately crash on trying to load the footage exported from ImageMixer. There is not a single program, not one, which can convert or read the mpeg-v format which comes out of Pixela.

Sony replied to me, after asking there advise on the situation, by telling me i should contact the people who write Premier and AfterEffects to tell them there program doesn't work. I have been working with digiatal footage for years now and have never been as frustrated as i am trying to convert my footage.
..."
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/sony-dcr-dvd201-fi-camcorder-review.htm

[daamon]

There is not a single program, not one, which can convert or read the mpeg-v format which comes out of Pixela.

Based on that, this could well apply:

Just in case your Sony records to MMV format, there's mmv2mpg out there.

[lordhutt]

well, I don't know what that mmv2mpeg is supposed to do for me but....it just changed my a couple of my mpg that were between 4 and 20 meg into 3kb files that are totally worthless.
Thank god I have them backed up on dvd.

I am not even sure these are mmv files I have. How do I check? I thought they were regular mpegs??

[edDV]

Try this forum or the one on Sony's site. Someone must have it figured out by now.
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/f102

It looks like they found a solution using Cyberlink's Power Producer 3.

[lordhutt]

Thanks edDV. I will check out there forum and I have a trial of Cyberlinks PP3 coming down.
Hope it works.

[lordhutt]

I got Cyberlinks Power Director and Power Producer.
They seem to be really nice programs and handle my mpegs fine. Lots of transitions, effects, simple editing, tons of features....I think I am happy again!!!