How To Open Add .dv Movies To Mydvd Project?

[kmsheldon]

I'd like to add some movies created in iMovie and saved in digital video format (e.g.., movie.dv) but the Add New Movie dialog doesn't show that as one of the acceptiable formats. I have a previous version of MyDVD that accepted .dv files, and one of the Easy Media Creator 8 support notes (EE9000009) says it is a supported file type.

 

Am I doing something wrong? Did I miss something?

[grandpabruce]

I'd like to add some movies created in iMovie and saved in digital video format (e.g.., movie.dv) but the Add New Movie dialog doesn't show that as one of the acceptiable formats. I have a previous version of MyDVD that accepted .dv files, and one of the Easy Media Creator 8 support notes (EE9000009) says it is a supported file type.

 

Am I doing something wrong? Did I miss something?

 

MyDVD is a Sonic application. I have no clue what format iMovie is, but if it isn't in a format that the EMC software doesn't recognize, you will have to find a way to convert it to a real format, or use your old Sonic software to convert it.

 

You can then bring it into VideoWave for editing and then to EMC 8's version of MyDVD for authoring and burning.

[Beerman]

MyDVD is a Sonic application. I have no clue what format iMovie is, but if it isn't in a format that the EMC software doesn't recognize, you will have to find a way to convert it to a real format, or use your old Sonic software to convert it.

 

You can then bring it into VideoWave for editing and then to EMC 8's version of MyDVD for authoring and burning.

iMovie is a Mac app (pretty good from what I read). You'll need to save your file in a dv-avi or mpeg for MyDVD to work with it.

[ggrussell]

Am I doing something wrong? Did I miss something?

 

Since your file was created on a Mac, there are many difference in how the file is written even though they are both 'digtial video'. Mac files have additional meta data information in the header than on a PC so just renaming the file extension probably wouldn't work (although tyring that probably wouldn't hurt anything). As pcostanza pointed out, you will need an application that will convert the .DV Mac file to the PC equivilent which uses the .AVI extension.

[grandpabruce]

iMovie is a Mac app (pretty good from what I read). You'll need to save your file in a dv-avi or mpeg for MyDVD to work with it.

 

Thanks, Paul. Come to think of it, I do believe you told me that over a year ago. lollol

[kmsheldon]

As pcostanza pointed out, you will need an application that will convert the .DV Mac file to the PC equivilent which uses the .AVI extension.

 

Thanks, Gary. I was trying to avoid having to recreate the DV files in iMovie, since that process takes awhile and the old version of MyDVD seemed to import the movies fine (though I never actually achieved burning a DVD with it, which is why I bought EMC8). iMovie exports to just about every video format under the sun, with a hundred options for each one, so it's easy to get into trouble...

[ggrussell]

If you already have the file in the PC, you could try changing the extension to .AVI which is what is used for DV AVI on the PC. If it doesn't work, you can change it back.

[kmsheldon]

If you already have the file in the PC, you could try changing the extension to .AVI which is what is used for DV AVI on the PC. If it doesn't work, you can change it back.

 

Any idea why I was able to import DV files into the old version of MyDVD with no problem, but can't do it with the version in EMC 8?

[ggrussell]

The older versions have nothing in common other than the name. MyDVD 6 and earlier were developed by Sonic. MyDVD 8 is based on Roxio's previous product called DVD builder. Sonic and Roxio merged last year. MyDVD still imports DV AVI files just fine. Have you tried changing the extension once the file is in the PC?

[kmsheldon]

The older versions have nothing in common other than the name. MyDVD 6 and earlier were developed by Sonic. MyDVD 8 is based on Roxio's previous product called DVD builder. Sonic and Roxio merged last year. MyDVD still imports DV AVI files just fine. Have you tried changing the extension once the file is in the PC?

 

Thanks, Gary. Yes, I did try changing the extension. No joy. But I did recreate the files as AVI files and the program imported them, as you said.

 

Of course, I tried to burn a disk last night--this took several hours and appeared to finish with no problem. But the disk is unreadable in any computer or my brand-new DVD player.

 

Overall, my experience with EMC 8 and Roxio's support system has been extremely negative. I can almost forgive the program's flaws (frequent crashes, hangs, and the fact that it seems to slow to a crawl for no particular reason, such as when adding a movie to a video project). Perhaps a faster machine or more memory would help these.

 

What's driving me crazy is what Roxio calls "support." A few examples:

 

I searched the knowledge base for information about supported formats. I found support note #EE8000009, which states, "Check out our list of supported files" and lists .DV as one of the supported formats. Oh, yeah?

 

So I asked my question about importing .DV files of Roxanne. After navigating through several questions, I was directed to a page of "supported video formats." When I clicked on that link (https://is.nohold.net//noHoldCust537/Prod_7/Articles41176/roxio_supported_file_types.htm) I got a "page not found.

 

So I logged on to the "Web Self Service" system to submit a request. Before you can do this, you have to try Roxanne again. When you click on Ask Roxanne, you're told to "Select one of the options listed below" except that EMC 8 isn't one of the options, and you can't proceed until you pick one.

 

So I picked EMC 7 and asked my question. I waited. I waited. Five days later, I'd received no answer, so I updated the ticket and asked if anyone read these things. The next day I got an answer explaining how to OUTPUT a movie to a DV camera, which wasn't at all what I'd asked.

 

I restated the question and was told I'd need to save the video in a compatible format before importing it into a project. No explanation for the erroneous support note that said EMC supported .DV files.

 

Several times in this whole process, I tried to use the on-line chat system, only to be told that it wasn't available. Apparently all operators were busy helping other customers who were about to break the EMC 8 disk into little tiny pieces, or whose hard disks had already done so.

 

Before buying this product, I read many negative reviews and a few that said, "Oh, those people just don't know what they're doing." Of course, this seems to be the case with EVERY video product on the market. So I took the plunge. Right now, I'm about ready to box this thing up and send it back. It's been a long time since I've had this much trouble with software, and I've used a lot of packages over the years. Roxio needs to learn from a company like PG Music (maker of Band in a Box). BIAB's help system is a little funky, but if you have a problem, there's an on-line chat system that always seems to be available, the operators know the product, and they can usually answer my questions in minutes.

 

Gary, you seem to be very knowledgeable about this stuff. Am I crazy or what?

[ggrussell]

Nah, it has been debated why EMC8 runs so well on some machines and not others. It is a puzzle. I haven't run into any problems with either machine listed below. I must state that I do a custom install and did not install several parts that I would never use. Packet writers like Drag to Disc seem to cause more problems than it's worth. Personally, I've never had a use for something like that or Drive Image either.

 

As for support, I'm fortunate that I haven't 'needed' it. But this seems to be an industry norm. I have tried using other software support with about the same results. Send an email and you might get an answer. Support is something I think that the industry as a whole needs to address.

 

Me knowledgeable? LOL Only because I've spent the last few years making all the same mistakes which I try to learn from making them again.