How can I import h.264 encoded MOV files into windows movie maker?
Solution 1
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.
Solution 2
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.
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rupello
Updated on September 17, 2022Comments
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rupello almost 2 years
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?
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rupello over 14 yearsI need to clarify that I need to use these movies with these specific applications - not just any player or encoder supporting mov/h264
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skjindal93 over 14 yearsFear, uncertainty and doubt? I don't work for Apple. My answer is valid. I gave an example, and my first statement is from experience.
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skjindal93 over 14 yearsReading 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.
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rupello over 14 yearsI needed to load the video into Movie Maker, so the DirectShow Filter was what I needed - thanks
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rupello over 14 yearsThe 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
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GreyCloud over 14 yearsright, edited my post accordingly.
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skjindal93 over 14 yearsI can appreciate that response. I have removed the conflicting statement.
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concertedrxn over 14 yearsnow let's delite this little dispute since it is rather irrelevant :)
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end-user over 8 yearsThe "super" program you link to is exceptionally heavily loaded with ad & malware.