Posted by Steve Sieren on September 9, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Anyone know of a basic and free way to use video from 5D Mark II files besides quicktime. Maybe quicktime has the option to convert the files to something basic?
I just want to be able to share the video.
Posted by Jason Kim on September 10, 2009 at 1:27 AM
Hey Steve, are you on a Mac or a PC? If you're a Mac user, I can't offer any advice, except that you are fortunate because the 5D's mov files will be much easier to work with.
We PC users have limited options. I use a free program called MPEG Streamclip to convert the files to MPEG-4. This is still the H.264 codec which is not very PC-friendly, but it will result in a file that can be imported into most inexpensive video editors. You can also convert to AVI or other formats, if you prefer. From there, I use Pinnacle Studio 12 to render the file into an MPEG-2, which is a much easier file format to edit.
It is a painful process, but it if you have a relatively fast computer it doesn't take too long. If you're not doing any editing, Streamclip might be all you need.
Most PC users seem to be using Cineform Neoscene along with Premier Pro or Sony Vegas to get workable files, but none of those options are free.
Let me know if you have any other questions and I might be able to help, I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out a good solution here.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on September 10, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Steven,
I paid the $29.95 for the QuickTime Pro upgrade on my PC and couldn't be happier with it. I open my 5D2 video clip and export it out to Web (iPhone preset works well) or any of a bunch of other formats. It's worth it, believe me. The free version of QT doesn't do the variety of export options.
I do use Premiere Pro CS4 and NeoScene for serious editing, but that's going way around the $1000 barn. If you just want to pop a small version of your raw video up on the web, QT Pro works great. After conversion, QT even generates the HTML you can use to post the video in a webpage. Or you can just email the file.
I have a 12-second clip I took of my son on the golf course putting. It's 56mb raw. I just converted it to the Web/iPhone preset with QT Pro and it made a 1.3mb 480x270 file that looks great and is easy to email. Opens right up in QT or WMP. If you want to see it, shoot me a message with your email and I'll send it on. In fact, anyone reading this can shoot me a message, I'll be happy to send samples.
Posted by Steve Sieren on September 10, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Jason, I'm a PC. thanks
Paul, thanks you can just send the video with my email link below.
I'll just use your link.
Guys, what's more compatible Mpeg 2 or 4?
Posted by Jason Kim on September 10, 2009 at 12:13 PM
MPEG-2 is more compatible in terms of editing. In terms of viewing, It all depends how people are going to watch your video (youtube, via email, DVD, streaming off your website, etc.), and whether you are going to do any editing. A lot of people won't be able to view either of these formats without first downloading a special plug-in or a new player.
How do you plan to share your video with people? Is it important to maintain HD quality? Do you plan to edit?
Another option - you can try using the Zoombrowser EX utility that came with the camera. I recently read that it is capable of exporting the video files to other formats (I've never tried it myself).
Posted by Paul DeCesare on September 10, 2009 at 4:58 PM
I think Steve's looking for an easy way to simply share video in a portable format.
The .m4v file that gets created like I explained above can be easily viewed in QuickTime or Windows Media Player. If viewing in a browser is desired and the plug-in isn't installed in the recipient's browser, it'll download, not really a big deal. At this point it's not out of the norm to expect people to have either QT or Windows Media Player. Look how many websites assume you have Flash installed. Drives us iPhone users nuts because the Safari mobile browser doesn't support it.
Posted by Steve Sieren on September 10, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Thanks guys I just a jpeg type of video that works with everything. I can't believe there is nothing like that. I'll try both QT and Canon's software.
Posted by Terri Norris on September 13, 2009 at 9:08 AM
Steve,
I use ProShow Gold to convert video files from my 500D to make flash web presentations and am pleased with it. The program has many other output options for DVD and web display. You can see a couple of short bird videos which were made with PS Gold on my blog at: www.terrinorris.net
PS Gold has a trial version at: http://www.photodex.com/
Posted by Steve Sieren on September 13, 2009 at 1:45 PM
THanks Terri, I've used a trial version for slideshows a long time ago. They have pretty impressive software. So good that if you're anal with things it can get very time consuming. I will have to check that out. Thanks!
Discussion
8 repliesI just want to be able to share the video.
We PC users have limited options. I use a free program called MPEG Streamclip to convert the files to MPEG-4. This is still the H.264 codec which is not very PC-friendly, but it will result in a file that can be imported into most inexpensive video editors. You can also convert to AVI or other formats, if you prefer. From there, I use Pinnacle Studio 12 to render the file into an MPEG-2, which is a much easier file format to edit.
It is a painful process, but it if you have a relatively fast computer it doesn't take too long. If you're not doing any editing, Streamclip might be all you need.
Most PC users seem to be using Cineform Neoscene along with Premier Pro or Sony Vegas to get workable files, but none of those options are free.
Let me know if you have any other questions and I might be able to help, I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out a good solution here.
I paid the $29.95 for the QuickTime Pro upgrade on my PC and couldn't be happier with it. I open my 5D2 video clip and export it out to Web (iPhone preset works well) or any of a bunch of other formats. It's worth it, believe me. The free version of QT doesn't do the variety of export options.
I do use Premiere Pro CS4 and NeoScene for serious editing, but that's going way around the $1000 barn.
I have a 12-second clip I took of my son on the golf course putting. It's 56mb raw. I just converted it to the Web/iPhone preset with QT Pro and it made a 1.3mb 480x270 file that looks great and is easy to email. Opens right up in QT or WMP. If you want to see it, shoot me a message with your email and I'll send it on. In fact, anyone reading this can shoot me a message, I'll be happy to send samples.
Paul, thanks you can just send the video with my email link below.
I'll just use your link.
Guys, what's more compatible Mpeg 2 or 4?
How do you plan to share your video with people? Is it important to maintain HD quality? Do you plan to edit?
Another option - you can try using the Zoombrowser EX utility that came with the camera. I recently read that it is capable of exporting the video files to other formats (I've never tried it myself).
The .m4v file that gets created like I explained above can be easily viewed in QuickTime or Windows Media Player. If viewing in a browser is desired and the plug-in isn't installed in the recipient's browser, it'll download, not really a big deal. At this point it's not out of the norm to expect people to have either QT or Windows Media Player. Look how many websites assume you have Flash installed. Drives us iPhone users nuts because the Safari mobile browser doesn't support it.
I use ProShow Gold to convert video files from my 500D to make flash web presentations and am pleased with it. The program has many other output options for DVD and web display. You can see a couple of short bird videos which were made with PS Gold on my blog at: www.terrinorris.net
PS Gold has a trial version at: http://www.photodex.com/