AVI PC to MAC

[Russ1]

I have a client with many hours of video from a Canopus system that produces AVI files that we need to import/convert to MAC (Imovie, FCE or FCP). The files will need to be put on a Firewire/USB drive from the PC so we can Read them and convert them on the MAC.

First of all what is the best way to format the Drive to be readable/writable on both PC and MAC OSX.

Second what is the best way to convert these files? Will Quicktime Pro be able to convert from the AVI to say DV format for use in IMOVIE, FCE or FCP.

The project or actually a series of projects are simple and can be done in IMOVIE but I'm trying to decide if I should go FCE or FCP for this project.. FCP is more $$ but it comes with DVD pro which eliminates the barriers of IDVD for menus.

[Cornucopia]

Format as FAT32.

Make sure when you capture the DV stream coming in from the Canopus that it's DV-AVI Type2. (Or if it's already in Type1 format, use something like DVdate to convert from 1->2).

Also make sure you limit the maximum filesize of the final files being put onto the FAT32 external drive (<4GB). Use Virtualdub to create "Segmented AVI" files.

Use QTPro to open these type2 files and resave as DV .MOV (will be a lossless conversion, just swapping containers)

Put those on the drive, and that's IT!

Scott

[Case]

AVI is a container format: the movies can have one of many codecs for both audio and video. So you may want to check what kind of AVIs this Canopus system produces. If the AVI contains DV, it may or may not be the kind QuickTime likes. Test that first.

Mac OS X can read FAT32 and NTFS file systems just fine, but can't write to NTFS drives (without 3rd party help). FAT16 has a file size limit of 2 GB, FAT32 has a file size limit of 4 GB, NTFS is only limited for file size by the disk size. So if some of your files are over 4 GB, then you really have no choice.

If QuickTime Pro can read the AVI, then it is very likely to be able to convert it to DV. But if QuickTime can read the AVI, then your movie editor will convert it on input; no need to convert manually. QuickTime isn't considered a fast converter, tho'.

If you're willing to invest the time and money for Final Cut, then go with that as you'll be able to offer more to future clients as well.

[Cornucopia]

IIRC, Canopus BOXES are all DV. Which type depends on the app used (but like I said, you can get around that).

Canopus boards are DV + sometimes Analog and/or MPEG, in which case you should set it for DV. If if only has Canopus software to drive, it'll be type1, but should have come with a Canopus DV File Converter Utility which will change Type1 to Type2 (as well as changing fourCC from CDVC to DVSD, and optional filesplitting if needed). So no worries either way.

Like I said, FAT32 most universal here. 4GB limit.

If you have FCP, it ---SHOULDN'T--- have trouble with DV-AVI type 2, but I have had experiences where it does anyway. And at least OLDER versions of iMovie wouldn't accept ANYTHING except DV-MOV. That's why I said swap containers in QTPro. Yes, it's a somewhat slow, but often necessary evil.

HAVE done over 100 of these very kinds of conversions--this is the most straightforward and foolproof.

Scott

[Russ1]

Thanks, all good suggestions..