Help - Can't import MPEG files to Windows Movie Maker

mamazaac

We recently bought a hard disk camcorder and have now downloaded some things we have recorded onto our PC. In the past when downloading recordings from our "cassette" camcorder we were able to import the files saved into Windows Movie Maker and then edit them as necessary. However, when trying to import our latest files an error message comes up saying that C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Videos\MOV00A.MOD is not a supported file type. Upon looking in the properties of the saved files, I see that the type of file is MPEG whereas a file I have which can be imported into MovieMaker has a file type of video clip.

Can anyone tell me a way that I can either change the file type from MPEG to one that will play in Windows Moviemaker, or a way to get Windows Moviemaker to accept these files?

Many thanks in advance for any help.

darkfibre

Make a backup copy of the file and rename that file to MOV00A.mpg

See if that works...

mamazaac

Tried to do that but now moviemaker error says

The file C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Videos\MOV00A.mpg.MOD is not a supported file type, and it cannot be imported into Windows Movie Maker.

Thanks for trying to help.

Any other ideas, anyone?

darkfibre

I think you have just renamed the file name, not the file extension type.

To check whether you have the ability to rename extensions, please do the following:

Open My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > 'View' tab > Scroll down to the check box that says 'Hide extensions for known file types and make sure this is UNchecked.

Now try and rename that file.

mamazaac

You were right of course, I had only renamed the file not the extension. Have now renamed the extension, but now the error in moviemaker says

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Videos\Copy of MOV00A.mpg could not be imported. An interface has too many methods to fire events from

huh??

darkfibre

Are you able to play this renamed file in Windows Media Player?

Also, was there any other editing software that was shipped with your camcorder?

mamazaac

Yes it will play in media player with the renamed extension.

Although the camcorder box says that there should be a cd, there isn't one in the box. I have looked where we keep all our discs, etc too and can't find anything. Is this CD absolutely necessary as I suppose I will have to ask JVC for one if it is.

darkfibre

Is your camcorder JVC by any chance? If so, it should have come with a Cyberlink Power Director Movie Maker software that will allow you to convert the mod files to mpg.

Failing that, try this out:

1. Download Prism Video Converter (Free). This program will allow you to drop all your .mod files in at one time. It will convert it to many different types of video files.
Link: https://www.download.com/Prism-Video-Converter/3000-2194_4-10644345.html

2. Once installed. set your Prism settings to this.

3. Select the Output Format to be .avi

4. Click on Encoder Options

5. Video compressor: DivX 5.2.1 Codec (if you don’t have this on your computer it will not populate the pick list. Google for it and download it on your computer. Reopen Prism and it will find it.)

6. Sound Compressor: PCM Uncompressed

7. Sound Format: 44100 Hz, 16 bits, Stereo

8. Once your files are in the converter and you made your settings. Click on Convert.

9. Windows Media Player should support the new format...so you can slice and dice away...

PS: Remember to do all this with your copied file and not the original..!

mamazaac

Yes, JVC. The Cyberlink Power Director Movie Maker software didn't come with the camcorder (even though I purchased it from Amazon, rather than somewhere like ebay). Do you think I should contact Amazon or JVC for this? I looked on JVC's website earlier at this software and it is $89.95 to purchase it. I phoned JVC too for advice and she said I should have Cyberlink software installed already on my pc - I have, but this won't allow me to cut down clips, etc, just play them.

I am happy to try that converter you talk about, but please can you just confirm that the website is above board - ie have you downloaded stuff from there yourself without problems? I am aware of the need to be careful when downloading from unknown sources because of spyware, etc.

Many thanks for all your help btw.

darkfibre

I think you should definitely contact them - it should have come with it as far as I know.

Yes, that site is legit/'above board'/etc...I download off that all the time. I hate spyware myself so would never recommend any site of that nature.

darkfibre

Did my suggestion work?: