[MacDV] MPEG Stream Clip Question

[Derek Roff]

I don't know if it will work with your MPEG files, but with .dv files, 
QT 7 Pro will let you merge multiple files into one.  I just tested it, 
and this worked:

Open the first file in QT 7 Pro.  Move the playhead to where you want 
the new video to appear (usually the beginning or the end).  Drag the 
file icon for the second video file over the current video window, and 
release the mouse.  The second video will appear in the timeline with 
the first, in whatever spot you chose.  Choose File>Save As, and give 
the file a new name, to avoid replacing the original video file with 
the new combined version.

Repeat with additional files.  Note that the second file is not opened 
in QT 7, or in anything else.  The file icon is dragged and dropped, as 
though you were moving it to another folder in basic file management. 
I use the column view of the files when I do this, but I suspect any 
view will work.

So far as I can tell, both files end up at full quality and no 
re-encoding.  MPEG files have some special properties, so this may not 
work with them, but it's worth a try.

(And thanks for clarifying on the presentation>aperture>clean question.)

Derek


> This leads me to think... what if I just want to join the segments
> and leave the footage exactly how it is? I don't want to re-encode
> it, up or downsize the resolution. The format that it was recorded in
> was probably MPEG in the first place.
>
> How can I just merge the bits into one file and save it so the end
> result is an unchanged 8GB single file? Is it possible?



Derek Roff
Language Learning Center
Ortega Hall 129, MSC03-2100
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505/277-7368, fax 505/277-3885
Internet: derek at unm.edu