How to convert Sony .mpg files
August 16, 2011 9:55 AM Subscribe
What's the best method to convert a Sony Handycam .mpg to something that will play on an old Mac OS 10.4?
I just bought a Sony Handycam SX45 standard def. camcorder. I chose it because the reviews said the output format was .mpg. They neglected to mention that it's a special Sony .mpg that doesn't play on my old Mac OS 10.4. Newer versions of iMovie supposedly convert it but not my old iMovie 6.
I have VLC and can open and play the .mpg files, but I don't have any idea on the best method to export them to something that will work on my Mac (Ogg Vorbis? I mean… come on).
Other than buying a new computer; any hints on how to do this and preserve the quality of the video in the best format would be much appreciated.
I just bought a Sony Handycam SX45 standard def. camcorder. I chose it because the reviews said the output format was .mpg. They neglected to mention that it's a special Sony .mpg that doesn't play on my old Mac OS 10.4. Newer versions of iMovie supposedly convert it but not my old iMovie 6.
I have VLC and can open and play the .mpg files, but I don't have any idea on the best method to export them to something that will work on my Mac (Ogg Vorbis? I mean… come on).
Other than buying a new computer; any hints on how to do this and preserve the quality of the video in the best format would be much appreciated.
Poet_Lariat has it. Handbrake it to a Quicktime variant. If you have Quicktime Pro, I think you can import the .mpg and output it as Quicktime.
posted by Sphinx at 10:45 AM on August 16, 2011
posted by Sphinx at 10:45 AM on August 16, 2011
FYI, you can download VLC for 10.4, and that should play it on your old Mac.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 11:41 AM on August 16, 2011
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 11:41 AM on August 16, 2011
Response by poster: Ok, what I've found so far…
MPEG Streamclip works and has a simpler interface than VLC. WinFF isn't for Macs. FFMPEG is a command line tool that seems more suited for developers. The Handbrake version for Mac 10.4 doesn't support the Sony .mpg file my camcorder records in.
I have VLC and I've gotten it to play the files. I can't seem to find any good documentation on the export settings so I guess I will have to play around with them. I found another program Wondershare Video Converter that seems to work with 10.4 and it's free.
posted by jabo at 1:25 PM on August 16, 2011
MPEG Streamclip works and has a simpler interface than VLC. WinFF isn't for Macs. FFMPEG is a command line tool that seems more suited for developers. The Handbrake version for Mac 10.4 doesn't support the Sony .mpg file my camcorder records in.
I have VLC and I've gotten it to play the files. I can't seem to find any good documentation on the export settings so I guess I will have to play around with them. I found another program Wondershare Video Converter that seems to work with 10.4 and it's free.
posted by jabo at 1:25 PM on August 16, 2011
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posted by drjimmy11 at 10:11 AM on August 16, 2011