Apparently, a stupid question about dv.

[xqr74]

Ok, I have done my searching.

Since I have found similar questions posted (all with zero replies) on this and other forums, I must assume that what I am going to ask is simply not possible. Hopefully somebody can clear up this myth for me.

The situation:

I have compressed my minidv camcorder cassette to xvid for backup (firewire). It looks/sounds great thanks to everything I have learned here in these forums. Now I want to put the video back into the camcorder.

Why do I have to decompress it to put it back?

I realize that even 'raw' dv video is still compressed, so some sort of transcode with a dv output would be necessary. I also realize that a compessed.avi file can have any number of codecs, framerates, etc., and simply dv outputing what is playing would be complicated.

But what if I know all the file details? What if I am comfortable at the command line? I have raked over mplayer & vlc documents, trying to find a way to get dv output over firewire (from a compressed file decoded while streaming/playing) with only one hope:

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/17612&vid=89648

Note the 'untested dv output'
Perhaps there is commercial software that can do this.

In closing, I am ready to accept that it is simply impossible. It seems that 'raw' dv isn't compressed alot so it should be possible, maybe with a buffer or something. I guess I am hoping there are some mplayer, vlc geniuses out there.

Other info FYI:

ibook700combo12"jaguar
sony DC-TRV33 camcorder via firewire

Thanks in advance for any replies,
Chuck

[WiseWeasel]

Just out of curiosity, why do you need to get the video back on the camcorder? Perhaps there is a better solution to your ultimate goal here. However, if you have the Divx QT codec installed, you can use QT Pro to export the divx to DV stream format, open that in iMovie, FCP or FCE, and export it to the camcorder. With a better idea of what you're trying to accomplish here, though, I or someone else could maybe suggest some better ways of going about it.

[The village idiot]

Well you theory is certainly sound. Assuming enough processor horsepower, you should be able to convert the xvid on the fly to dv to send to the recorder. I haven't seen a windows counterpart yet either, so you are not alone. It might be easier to make a dedicated hardware solution to do the conversion. Haven't seen that yet either.

[xqr74]

Thank you both for your thoughts and replies. Well, for starters, I can't watch my family iMovies on TV anymore. I used to use the camcorder 'pass-thru' feature to watch the iMovies on television. I did not realize I was loosing tv viewability by compressing. I reused the dv tapes and deleted my crowded 20gig HD iMovie files after compressing to divx.

It was a time consuming project to compress those iMovies with my g3 ibook and my hd is now filled with new iMovies. I know I am a prime candidate for an external large firewire HD, but still I am left with these beautiful compressed files only viewable on my ibook and with a wife who doesn't understand why I spent so much time 'making the files smaller and less useful'. Now I am in the process of transfering current dv from hd to new tape (to free up space and decompress the finished movies again, etc).

I just thought there must be an easier way to recover my goof.


WiseWeasel - "use QT Pro to export the divx to DV stream format"

I have not yet purchased a QTPro license. Is this faster than 'demux' remux etc. -> imovie, with GNU soft?



Thanks again, Chuck

[WiseWeasel]

I'd say so, since you're exporting straight to dv. iMovie might be the slow step in the process. QT pro might not do it in real time, but it will take as long as it takes without losing any frames or too much quality. You might also check out OnTheAir Video X, as it might do what you're looking for through QT, but there again, you have to have the QT divx codec installed.

[BernieR]

Hello,

sorry if this idea sounds dumb ..... i am not sure i follow what you want to do but,

Why dont you buy a DVD player that plays xvid ? I bet there is one that plays also divx/mp4 stuff and all the other current vid formats.

Then you can output the DVD to your tv and watch it or output it to your inputs on the camcorder

this looks like quite a impressive player for 125 bucks

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDnameid=2509&Search=Search&#comments




hope it helps!

Bernie

[The village idiot]

Of course for a little more than $125 you could buy a firewire connected DVD burner, and the problem would be solved too.

Or you could spend a lot of money on a brand new G5 xvid player

[xqr74]

Anyone seen a progressive scan dvd/svcd/divx BURNER with firewire input, an 80 gig HD, tivo capabilities, wireless ethernet, and SACD, Dvd-Audio???

Ok, I'm dreaming. Thanks Everybody
Chuck

[BernieR]

Anyone seen a progressive scan dvd/svcd/divx BURNER with firewire input, an 80 gig HD, tivo capabilities, wireless ethernet, and SACD, Dvd-Audio???

Ok, I'm dreaming. Thanks Everybody
Chuck

ask and ye shall receive:

http://interact-tv.com/products.php


(ok its not all of the above, but we are getting there....)



Bernie