I have a question about video files?

Question

Ok. So im considering a buying a certain digital video camera. The format of the files are mpeg. I use Windows Movie Maker for my productions and I wondered if WMM supports mpeg files. It says it supports mpeg-4, but I Wondered if thats the same as mpeg.

Answer 1

There are many mpeg standards - here's a good explanation:

Answer 2

Sort of. It's still an mpeg compression, but it doesnt have the extension. Instead, mpeg-4 files are usually either in .avi or .mov (quicktime) extensions. The camera probably records in mpeg-4, since thats what most file-based cams record in (if its a harddrive cam, then its mpeg-2). Movie maker supposedly supports all types of mpeg, but I have only had success with mpeg-4. So if the cam actually does mpeg-4, its probably okay. If it's mpeg-2 (harddrive cams), then consider getting a different camera, or downloading a converter to convert the files to avi (really sucks). Hope this helps!

Answer 3

There are many different standards which are involved here... the best thing to do first is try it... see if it works... if not, there is an easy way that works for some cameras... just change the extension from mpg to avi and see if you can use the avi in the program... [some cameras are not a true mpg and just changing the extension will make the files useable with out any further manipulation. If that does not work, you can use an easy conversion program which is shareware -- blink & smacker at

http://www.radgametools.com/bnkdown.htm

This is an easy converter program... convert to avi import and use as you would like.

Answer 4

Check out the Movie Maker forum. You can search for similar questions such as yours, or register for free and post your question. It is a great community and all are very helpful. Good luck.