I have a bunch of digital .mov clips I take with my little digital camera.  I would like to splice these clips together.  I also have a converter that converts these clips to .mp4 clips.  Can Pinnacle software splice either of the movie formats together to make one long movie?  Can Pinnacle software convert a .mov clip to a .mp4 clip?  I am just starting out with Pinnacle and have a lot to learn what the capabilities are.

 Thanks

I don't think .mp4 is a valid Studio format, is it?   And although *some* mov formats may be acceptable, not all of them are.

In Studio, if you save mpeg4 in an AVI (DivX 3/4, ffmpeg mpeg4, and xvid work, not so sure about some of the DivX 5 capabilities), that definitely does work.

So, to answer your question directly:  No, I don't think what you're proposing will work.  However, it may not take much of a tweak in order to convert to something that *does* work...and who knows, your camera's files may work directly with no conversion.  What kind of camera is it?

BittMann

Welcome to the forum, Billybob. 

Yes, Studio 14 will allow you to import your mov and mp4 clips into a single project and then export them to an mp4 file, if that is what you want to do.  There should be no need to convert your mov files first. When you have your mov files imported to the timeline in the Edit mode, you create a file in the Make Movie module. 

 

Added:  Bittmann is probably correct that not all flavors of mov files are compatible with Studio, but the ones I have are.  And I just imported an mp4 file into a project in S12.  Bitt, what am I missing here?

 

It is a Casio - 8.1meg.  The movie clips come out as .mov files.  When I click on them on my computer - it brings up QuickTime.  I don't mind converting these files to a format that will work with Pinnacle.  Lets say that I can convert these files to a Pinnacle format.  Can Pinnacle splice these clips together once in the Pinncacle format?   Also, could you recommend a package that could convert my Casio clips to a format that would work with Pinnacle?

And I just imported an mp4 file into a project in S12.  Bitt, what am I missing here?

Maybe nothing.  May be same-same as .mov -- may be that .mp4 files can work now in the right circumstance.   Just because I've not seen it work doesn't mean it won't.

So you're saying you have a file "blah-blah.mp4" and Studio 12 likes it?  That's good...previous versions didn't even TRY to import mpeg4 unless it was in an AVI wrapper (if I recall correctly).

 

Can Pinnacle splice these clips together once in the Pinncacle format?

Yes.

 

Also, could you recommend a package that could convert my Casio clips to a format that would work with Pinnacle?

Urrr...depending upon the resolution of your movie, something as old-school as MJPEG would work, as would mpeg2, and (as discussed above) at least some flavor of MPEG4.  h.264, etc. may even be a possibility, again if the "wrapper" is right.  So...unless someone can step in and say "I have a Casio and here's what I do", it may just boil down to trying it and seeing.  That being said, "Super" is a decent file converter, and the price is certainly right.

Isn't there a trial version of Studio available?  (And heck:  Would Pinnacle VideoSpin be an option here, if all you're doing is wanting to make "computer clips"?)

BittMann

 

 

I am just starting out with Pinnacle and have a lot to learn what the capabilities are.

Billybob, what version of Studio do you have?  Or are you just asking in preparation for buying?  According to the Studio FAQ, the capability to use mov files was introduced with the S12.1 patch.  And since Studio 12 can output a file to MP4, it should also be able to input them, no?  (And Bitt, I just tried an mp4 file that was output by a competing NLE.  Again, according to the FAQs, the capability to use mp4 files has existed since at least S12.)

I am in the preparation stage - thinking about purchasing Studion14.  Any thoughts if this should accommodate my Casio .mov clips?  I will also be doing stuff with DVD clips - fading scenes, adding music, etc.  Studio14 is made for this also I hope?  Or for my (amateur) purposes - studio12 would suffice where studio14 would be overkill and has more bells and whistles than an amateur would ever use? (winXP SP3)

I used to have a version of Studio (from some time in the 90s I think or maybe 2000) on a win2000 machine - but that machine was laid to rest (under my desk just getting dusty - and lonely).

It's good to know that this works.  Opens up a few more possibilities out there.

It's from threads like this that I was thinking that "not all .mp4 files work"...but again, if I recall correctly (can't find a thread now discussing this), the same video repackaged (not re-encoded) into an AVI file worked.  So, just like mov, it may be that "some work, some don't"?

BittMann

Updated:  Dusting some of the cobwebs off -- was it around the time that Pinnacle Video Transfer was introduced that Studio suddenly became able to work with h.264 files -- which are coincidentally the same type of files that the PVT produces?  Wonder if that was the same time that .mp4 became a "mostly-supported" format? 

Billybob, I think there is still an active link to download the trial version of S12 here.  If your clips work in S12, they will almost certainly work in S14.  

Thanks.  I will give that a try (tonight after I get home from the day job) and report back to the group here.

Studio 14 trial?

Thanks.  I'll try this one instead.

Moved to  Edit section From Studio Family

I just installed studio14 trial version.  It appears to run fine.  It brings up a message to upgrade to studio14 Ultimate - only $99.   Question1:  Do I want to get Ultimate or do I want to get studio14 Plus?  Question2:  Is this correct - $99?  Is this the special deal or regular?  I thought I saw $149 somewhere.   Should I jump on this?  Any advice appreciated.

 Thanks

Can't verify the price. Ultimate is the plus version with about four third party plugins included. You can check the Pinnacle website for descriptions of the plugins.

Don

Welcome to the forum WNG. 

There are 3 versions of Studio 14:  HD, Ultimate and Ultimate Collection.  (Plus is from earlier versions).

There are currently a number of offers floating around.  

In fact, it looks like Frys is giving S14 Ultimate away today (after rebates).  (Not sure if this is just a Black Friday Special - so you probably have to hurry.)

Frys also has S14 Ultimate Collection available for $89.99 (after upgrade/cometitive product rebate).

 

At least one Studio 14 user reports problems with MP4 files: http://forums.pinnaclesys.com/forums/permalink/357342/357342/ShowThread.aspx#357342

Furthermore, it is one thing to import a clip or two, but another thing to import an entire time-line, introduce effects, and create a disc with menu.

Thanks.  I guess I am on my way to Fry tonight (better late than not at all).

Thanks keep us posted.