Importing from a DVD Disc, editing it?

[cipher]

I got this Sony DVD Handycam that can only be connected to the computer by the USB Port, and I know that I need it to be FireWire so the Mac recognizes it.

If I plug the cam by USB, the computer recognizes it, but as some kind of DVD Reader, and I'm able to view the movie by using Apple's DVD Player. I could extract it, but the problem is what can I do to be able to import the video in iMovie for then to edit it? Is there a way to convert or something?

[cbkilner]

I think you want this app:
http://www.dvdxdv.com/

Convert the DVD to DV to import into iMovie.

[Frobozz]

Check out my review of PixeVRF Browser here:
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=268473

Also, check out MPEG Streamclip.

[cipher]

Thanks! I'm going to check those links.

[ryan woo]

I think you want this app:
http://www.dvdxdv.com/

Convert the DVD to DV to import into iMovie.

Is there anything like this for a Windows environment? also does it lose video quality?

[cipher]

Works like a charm! Thanks. (DVDxDV)

[maetel99]

You might want to take a look at Cinematize. It works well and is available for both Mac and Windows.

[brewdog]

You might want to take a look at Cinematize. It works well and is available for both Mac and Windows.

I have used both DVDxDV and Cinematize (both full versions) and I prefer Cinematize's UI and finished product.

I experimented with my buddy's new Sony DVDcam, not realizing it didn't have a FireWire. So, I copied the disc's VIDEO_TS folder over to my hard drive. One thing I expected was bad quality- the 3" DVD yields like 1.4GB for 30 mins of video, significantly less than MiniDV tape. Cinematize converted the file and I edited in iMovie just to check it out- not great, but not as bad as I feared. No still frames could be captured- maybe it needs to be deinterlaced.

My conclusion is that Sony isn't expecting people to buy these cams to end up with editable video, they are going after the convenience market: Record, pop into DVD player to watch. I did really like the cam's ability to randomly access individual chapters and such, much like on a digital still camera.