How can I import h.264 encoded MOV files into windows movie maker?

3

I have a couple of digital camcorders that output .MOV files encoded in h.264 video/AAC audio. They won't load into Windows Movie Maker or Windows Media Player - I guess I need to install some codecs. Where can I get these?

rupello

Posted 2009-11-09T15:26:23.380

Reputation: 450

I need to clarify that I need to use these movies with these specific applications - not just any player or encoder supporting mov/h264 – rupello – 2009-11-09T18:14:44.273

Answers

3

The .mov videos are in a proprietary Apple format whose secrets are jealously guarded by Apple. Many Apple codecs have non-Apple implementations which are pretty good, but not perfect, which is unfortunately also the case with QuickTime Alternative.

The only video player that's guaranteed to play .mov videos correctly is Apple's QuickTime. You can download it here (be sure not to download the version with iTunes).

You can either use the QuickTime player to watch your .mov videos, or you can still continue to use Windows Media Player. But in this case you'll need a product that makes available to WMP all the QuickTime codecs currently installed. A free product that does that is available here : QuickTime DirectShow Source Filter.

harrymc

Posted 2009-11-09T15:26:23.380

Reputation: 306 093

I needed to load the video into Movie Maker, so the DirectShow Filter was what I needed - thanks – rupello – 2009-11-09T18:09:36.500

1

After many hours of searching, I FINALLY found a GOOD solution! Here's a free program that will convert MOV and MP4 files to an AVI container, without re-encoding the H.264 video inside, so it's much faster than any video conversion -- about as fast as just copying the files off the cards -- and absolutely no loss of quality:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/mp4cam2avi/

You may also need the ffdshow H.264 codec, which is also freeware available on SourceForge, and then you're all set: You can play your videos in Windows Media Player and edit them in Windows Movie Maker.

Roger D

Posted 2009-11-09T15:26:23.380

Reputation:

0

After searching for Windows Movie Maker supported file formats, I find that it can work Apple QuickTime MOV files, MPEG-4 MOV files and Motion MJPEG MOV files but lacks the ability to handle H.264 MOV files.

emma24xia

Posted 2009-11-09T15:26:23.380

Reputation: 101

0

There are many alternative pay and free ways of converting these quicktime movie files.

My recommendation would be to buy quicktime 7 pro, since both MOV and AAC are proprietary formats, and it supports the H.264 codec.

Open your MOV file, from the file menu choose Export, choose Movie to Windows Media. Open the options to make any changes to the video/audio settings. Save.

ricbax

Posted 2009-11-09T15:26:23.380

Reputation: 4 894

Fear, uncertainty and doubt? I don't work for Apple. My answer is valid. I gave an example, and my first statement is from experience. – ricbax – 2009-11-09T16:43:12.367

Reading and comprehension are important skills. Most of us skim information these days and don't catch the full meaning of a statement, "almost always" in comparison to "ALWAYS", are two very different statements. – ricbax – 2009-11-09T17:29:42.117

I can appreciate that response. I have removed the conflicting statement. – ricbax – 2009-11-09T19:30:08.473

now let's delite this little dispute since it is rather irrelevant :) – None – 2009-11-10T02:29:47.850

-1

The 3ivx decoder plays back most MPEG-4 files (including MP4, M4A, 3GP and MOV files) with MPEG-4 AAC Audio and MPEG-4 Video (such as DivX 3, 4 and 5, Apple MPEG-4, Philips MPEG-4 and XviD) using Windows Media Player or other compatible players.

for conversion (i.e. MOV > WMV), i recommend SUPER © (Simplified Universal Player Encoder & Renderer).

SUPER © is freeware.

Molly7244

Posted 2009-11-09T15:26:23.380

Reputation:

The "super" program you link to is exceptionally heavily loaded with ad & malware. – end-user – 2016-03-17T23:12:18.137

The QuickTime Alternative seems to be a subset of QuickTime, and I already have QT Pro installed. What I needed was the DirectShow Filter to make these codecs available in WM & WMM – rupello – 2009-11-09T18:12:45.713

right, edited my post accordingly. – None – 2009-11-09T18:21:22.530