Editing MPEG4 video (MPEG-4, MP4)

[fourthquark]

I recently purchased a digital camcorder that records video in MPEG4 format (.MP4 file extension). I would like to edit the MP4 video and eventually author a DVD. I realize this will involve transcoding from MPEG4 to MPEG2. I have a good understanding of digital video and I have worked a lot with DV video as the starting point for editing and authoring DVDs, but this is my first time working with MPEG4 video. I would appreciate if anyone could provide any tips or information on tools for working with MPEG4 video (editing, transcoding, authoring). Thanks for any input.

[yoda313]

Hello,

Try out virtualdub. It works with avi files. I know you said it's .mp4 but MPEG4 is part of the avi family I believe. Give it a go as virtualdub has plenty of options.

Kevin

[fourthquark]

Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your suggestion but the format of the files I have is not an MPEG4-encoded AVI file - it is an MP4 file - so Virtualdub does not work. Anyone else out there have any luck editing *.MP4 files? Thanks.

[thecoalman]

Ulead VS8 is compatible with mpeg4, haven't used it but that might get you started.

[fourthquark]

I thought I would post what I have found out so far, just in case anyone else needs to edit MP4 files.

QuickTime 6.X will play MP4 files, and I have read that the QuickTime Pro upgrade will allow simple edits (e.g. trim and cut) of MP4 files.

I downloaded the Sony Vegas 5 Trial, and the Sony Vegas Movie Studio 4.0 trial, and both were able to open and edit my MP4 files. However. the MP4 files are visible under File - Open only if you select "All files" from the File Types pulldown.

I read that the video editing component of the Nero 6 Ultra suite can edit MP4 files, but I did not try it.

[Cornucopia]

QT 6 pro will also allow you to convert mp4 to something else--AVI included. Then you could work the way you're used to. Just make sure to use a codec that is available from within both Quicktime and most VFW/Directshow apps (uncompressed, DV, and a few others that aren't worth mentioning).

Scott

[Evhmoon]

QT 6 pro will also allow you to convert mp4 to something else--AVI included. Then you could work the way you're used to. Just make sure to use a codec that is available from within both Quicktime and most VFW/Directshow apps (uncompressed, DV, and a few others that aren't worth mentioning).

Scott

kewl.. just found this thread. i am giving this a shot right now..........