Converting .Mod files to something a bit better
So I got my new camcorder the Canon FS100 last week and I posted up a review a couple of days ago, you should check it out. Now the footage is captured in an obscure format being .mod with not many Operating Systems or software packages reading it natively. As a mainly Mac user (especially for video) I struggled to find a way to make these non working .mod files open up in my Final Cut Express editing suite. As pointed out by Rob in the comments below if you have the latest version of iMovie 8 then you can import your videos straight from the camcorder and no conversion is required. So if you cannot be bothered at all with all the information below you could just upgrade to iMovie 8 if your Mac supports it. I have also included a brief Windows guide but bear in mind this is if you’re not using the supplied software. Finally after hours of searching and scaling the world wide web I have put together this guide so basically you don’t have to.
Mac OS X Guide
First of all let me warn you, this may cost you money -- not much mind you but unless you have Final Cut Pro you probably won’t have an Mpeg 2 Playback Component installed on your Mac. An easy way to check is to right click on the .mod file and click “get info.” Then further down rename the file with the extension .mpg -- so MOV001.mod would become MOV001.mpg. With the file renamed open it up in Quicktime, if it works you have the component installed, if it doesn’t it means you need to buy it. After you have checked this it would be a good idea to rename the movie file .mod to not cause any confusion.
So you need the Mpeg 2 Component? Well you need to buy it and download it from Apple’s web site http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/ For US fans it will cost $20 and for the Brits over here it costs £15. Why we have to pay more for the same digital download is beyond me. Anyway follow the process and once that’s complete we can go onto the next step.
Now all we need to do is actually convert the file into something video editors like iMovie and Final Cut will read. By far the best software I’ve tried is Mpeg Streamclip and yes it comes at no cost. Download the software from Squared 5 at http://www.squared5.com/ Now what I love about this software most, is its ability to offer countless options of formats but also that it keeps the quality at the best possible. I can’t stand it when I have a nice looking section of video but then have to convert it only to make it look like something from a pinhole camera. When you have opened the video in Streamclip, go to file, export to quicktime and then choose compression of Apple DV -- PAL and drag the quality up to 100%. These are the settings I have used for my sample videos which you can see on the Canon FS100 review blog post. I also change the framesize to “1024 x 576″ (16:9) as I shoot in widescreen with my camcorder and 
this may be different with yours. The only downside to this method is there is no batch conversion so if you have a lot of video clips it will take some time to convert all the clips. DropDV is an alternate converter with a batch conversion however it seriously degrades the quality and blurs the pixels so I would advise against using it.
There it is! The files are now in the right format and (with sound) will work in Mac video editing software like iMovie or Final Cut.
Windows XP/Vista Guide
The good thing about Vista is (my Home Premium at least) that it can read .mod files out of the box in windows media player but only if you use a card reader as for some reason if I copied it through USB the computer couldn’t read them. It might be different with you but I know it will definitely work this way at least. Once your computer can read them; Windows Movie Maker will edit them seamlessly and you can make your video. Quite simple. However if you’re using a different video editing software like Adobe Premiere or Sony Vegas you need to do some more work unfortunately.
For Windows XP/VIsta I have a solution from arthur sixpence which he commented below involving SDcopy, a tricky program to track down either google it or download a version here, it very simply changes the extension from .mod to .mpg but also sets the constraints for the wide screen format correctly for video editing software to read them. He has already tried it successfully with my .MOD clips from the Canon FS100 review in Adobe Premiere and I believe it should work with other suites like Sony Vegas. If it works for you feel free to comment below and let us know.
For Adobe Premiere I found another good guide from Turkov here: http://eturkov.blogspot.com/2008/05/working-with-mod-files-in-adobe.html
If you have tried the SDcopy method described above and it does not work then the other option is to convert the file and I think the best option is again to use Mpeg Streamclip. Follow the instructions as above with the Mac version as the software is very similar but read these following changes first though:
- For Mpeg Streamclip to read the file you must rename the video file .mpg
- Then when you open it in Streamclip,like Mac OS X, it will ask you for the Mpeg 2 Component. But if you follow the instructions given you can use a free alternative or pay for the one from Apple.
- Once the Mpeg 2 Component is installed the video will work however instead of converting to quicktime it would be better to convert to something more windows friendly like avi.
Hopefully these converted AVIs will then work in Vegas or other video editing software with minimal quality loss. Let us know how you get on or if you have a better method by commenting below and help the community get on top of these .MOD problems.
47 Responses to “Converting .Mod files to something a bit better”
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[...] I have posted a guide to converting .MOD files to a more editable format which you might find useful… [...]
1. thankyou for the review and posting the MOD clips.
2. I used an XP pgm called SDcopy (google) it converts MOD to MPG and sets the correct wide screen flag. “SDcopy_V1.9987Beta”
Ran your files thru it and they open up in Premiere elements 3 & 4 perfectly and in correct aspect.
Brilliant website!! Lots of good advice. Superb!
Hey, I made a tutorial for .mod files to import into WMM, but in Sony Vegas, the .mod has no sound, any advice? Thanks man!
Jake: Yeh the loss of sound is usually to do with a audio codec issue because of the way the .mod file is initially encoded. To get this to work you could try SDCopy (information above) otherwise as I don’t believe this actually converts the file you will need to change it to something Vegas will read. Using Mpeg Streamclip or another converter is the best way to change the .mod file to a more popular type like avi or wmv.
Thanks
[...] a guide for Mac OS X and for Windows Vista/XP to get these .mod files readable and editable inhttp://daz4590.co.uk/wordpress/2008/08/22/converting-mod-files-to-something-a-bit-better/Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science – Florida, USA. Ft … … wonders of science in [...]
good site tbkiew
Thanks for your review of the FS100 and converting mod files. I bought an FS100 tonight from a local Currys store and so far I am pleased with it. I might be missing something, but after reading your posting about converting mod files why not let iMovie do it for you. I tried to import into Final Cut Express but found it wasnt supported. However I saw Import FCP XML from iMovie. So I took the clips into iMovie 08 and then Export Final Cut XML. The resulting file imported fine into FCE. So is this a better way than doing the conversion you describe?
Rob: Thanks. Yes that method is better and I forgot to mention it. If you have iMovie 08 it is compatible with the Canon FS100 and no converting is necessary. However any prior version of iMovie doesn’t work and that’s when you need to start using the methods above. Cheers for your help and I’ll add it to the main post.
Thanks
Thank you for valuable information.
Here’s a proof that you can successfully convert the MOD files on a PowerPC G5 Mac and us the StreamClip to DV files then bring into Imovie HD(version6.04), Imovie 08 and Final Cut Express 3.5. Just to experiment and fun I converted the QT(.mov) file back through SC into a MPEG-4 file and uploaded it to YouTube. I could have used the QT file but it was double (328MB) the MPG4 file (128M)!
Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ7Z92De0eY
Thank You DAZ4590 for posting this valuable info!!
Thank you for posting fs100 video samples. For mac OSX it’s not necesssary to buy mpeg2 encoder from Apple, for non commercial use you can use ffmpegX from :
http://ffmpegx.com/download.html
hi cool
I’m going to purchase the Fs100, watching your videos and reading your website have helped a lot. Thanks for your time
Thanks,
This information is a life saver.
After hours of trial and mostly error, I was about to give up downloading to my Mac.
P.S. Canon customer support web site was of no help.
I followed your directions which are simple and clear.
The results were just as described.
1000 thanks.
fzcrvlomxkfragsuwell, hi admin adn people nice forum indeed. how’s life? hope it’s introduce branch
Actually MPEG Streamclip can do batch conversion of video files, just press +B and add all the files to the list.
Greetings
arvuqiiclbouiewvwell, hi admin adn people nice forum indeed. how’s life? hope it’s introduce branch
A few questions for a FS100 owner using windows(XP).
To get the .MOD files to a less obscure file ….
I have found that renaming the .MOD to .MPG or .MOV seem to work, but I also see mention of people doing a conversion through a conversion program such as SDcopy.
Which is the preferred method??
I assumed(?) that running the file through a conversion not only takes time, but also degrades video quality(?).
Am I wrong to just change the extension name? It *seems* to work OK, ..but i’m new at this and maybe don’t understand.
so, best to just change file name? Or run file through a conversion program?
Thanks! …John
John: You’re right to question the methods as there are many out there. For Windows users SD Copy is very good and actually does not convert the file but renames it (like you do) but also flags it as a widescreen video so it is better to edit.
If you are shooting in widescreen on the FS100 (why wouldn’t you?) then SD Copy would be the best and probably slightly quicker way as well.
Hope that helps
Sehr wertvolle Informationen! Empfehlen!
I use mpegstreamclip on my G5 PPC to convert videos from my FS100. I was just wondering if it is possible to keep the original time stamp of the .MOD file in my converted file.
iMovie 08 discover the canon FS100. I can see the video files also in the import window but after importing the files are not stored neiter visible in an event.
xxfunkxx
xxfunkxx: Unfortunately I don’t know whether it can keep the time stamp. The best thing would be to either put the real time stamp in the spotlight comments section (Get Info part) for you to remember.
iMovie 08 should be able import FS100 files. If you’re still having trouble try this from edfinkle on the Apple forums:
1) Make sure iMovie ’08 is closed / not running
2) Plug in power adapter to FS100
3) Turn dial on FS100 to Movie Playback (blue camera image)
4) Plug in USB cable to Mac & FS100
5) Turn FS100 ON
6) Select “PC Connect” with joy stick
7) Start up iMovie ’08
Hope that works!
good idea with the spotlight comment although it is a bit exhausting to edit one file by another. Maybe an applescript could help here.
iMovie 08 does not work for me. I followed exactly your steps.
xxfunkxx
Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo
Hi all, .Mod and .Tod videos are mainly produced by digital harddisk camcorder such as JVC camcorder and so on. It is not common video formats and can only be played on some special players, if you want to watch these video on your iPod, iPhone, PSP, Archos and other portable devices you need a MOD Converter, i use 4Videosoft Tod Mod Converter which works well for me, more info can visite their official site: http://www.4videosoft.com/tod-mod-converter.html
hi, thank you for reviews.
it is useful.
i know another mod file converter.
i have been using it for a long time and it works really well for me.
get it and have a try:
http://www.aiseesoft.com/mod-video-converter.html
cheers guys for your recommendations!
hi bro, nice info n reviews. Very helpful.
I also use FS100. loving! Just curious bro, I have a couple question to ask and to discuss:
when you convert .mod to .mov on mpeg streamclip (MS), did you checked on the deinterlace options?
I’m using mac and MS too to convert those .mod file, and my experience, if you didn’t checked on the deinterlace option, the picture will be jagged, just like its been blown by hurricane, specially on moving object. That also happen when you just renamed the .mod to .mpeg and played with QT.
you say above, that you convert your video with MS, using DV-PAL compression and make the resolution to 1024×576. Question: the original .MOD file is 720×480 on wide mode and 720×540 on standard mode. When you stretch it in to 1024×576, don’t you think it will reduce the picture quality? also the file size will blow to 300% while the quality drops. Its the same thing like you stretch the image from A4 size to A3 size on photoshop IMHO.
lets discuss…..
thanks a bunch.
caplak: Thanks for the feedback! Quite interestingly yes I do sometimes check the deinterlace option. I’ve found it’s not totally necessary, the majority of my YouTube videos have not been deinterlaced and appear sharper but I agree with you that when the video is blown up it does seem jagged.
I choose the 1024 x 576 resolution more to create the 16:9 aspect. If I don’t change this I’ve found Mpeg Streamclip creates an anamorphic widescreen taller video not representing the true video. Technically it does reduce the quality if you view it that large but especially for most of my needs and my YouTube videos, I then resize later to 640 x 360. Depends on your use I guess. Do you leave the resolution the same or do you not shoot in widescreen?
Thanks
Daz
Thanks for the quick response Daz…
Its true that deinterlace option is not necessary specially if you want to watch it on TV, it will not that obvious. But when you play it on computer, it is quiet disturbing. :p
Also true that without deinterlace, the picture actually sharper.
I’ve done some exercise to make sure which resolution size that will minimize the distortions of the picture that have been converted from MOD, so we can have a true video. With a little help from Photoshop, I find out that for wide screen mode from FS100, if you want to keep the original wide 720 pxl, than the high would be 405 pxl (equal 16:9). For standard mode, will be 720×540 pxl, or 768×576. (4:3)
I also have done some experiment following your method by converting MOD using streamclip to MOV. One destination to 1024×576 and the other to 720×405, proportional. Both with 100% DV-PAL compression. Surprisingly, the file size and the data rate after converting was actually the same! 300% bigger size from the original. But if you choosing other compression, i.e apple photo-jpeg, H264 or sorenson video 3…, each resolution size will have different file size and data rate.
So, right now I’m still struggle and busy starring at my monitor, comparing the video, which one is the best compression format that will minimize the quality reductions, till my eyes turn red.
. Yes, I’m shooting on wide screen mode and converting to 720×405 with deinterlace Daz… :p
Sorry for my long comment, hehehe, please don’t get bored, cause I really want to learn and learn… and learn.
thanks man.
caplak: Ahh so it’s nice to know that converting to 1024×576 or 720×405 brings the same results. I’ve found the encoder DV-PAL the most compatible for Final Cut however it may not be the best quality.
Sounds like you’ve done some good investigating work there! Glad to know you’ve sorted it all out now, all that’s left now is to go shoot some amazing video!
Thanks
Daz
haha, and the investigation still go on…!
I’ll let you know if there’s any useful progress on my exercise. Thanks again lads.
take care
-Caplak-
SOLUTIONS…!
hi Daz, its me again… and I got a surprises for you! ;P
Surprise #1:
I have iMovie HD and iMovie 7.1.4 applications on my macbook 2.16, with OS X 10.5.6. The iMovie HD can kiss goodbye to .MOD stuff. BUT not for the 7.1.4.
Last night, when I run the 7.1.4 application, I coincidentally plug my card reader with the SD card from my FS100. Suddenly, the 7.1.4 response with the pop up warning says “camera detected”, and viola…, all the .MOD file on the SD card just appear as a thumbnail on the working area. You just checked which movie you want to import, and the imported file can be located at HOME>>MOVIES>>iMOVIES EVENT folder. The imported movie will be a .mov file with apple MPEG-2 format, 1024×576 resolution with sound.
Surprise #2:
When I open the imported file, the picture still jagged. So, using quicktime, I export the movie with this setting:
> movie to quicktime movie
> compression: H.264
> frame rate: current
> compressor quality: best
> encoding: best quality
> data rate: automatic
> size: 720 x 405 (back to original size)
> deinterlace source video: checked
and the result… VICTORY!!!
The picture was excellent, sharp, jaggies gone, warm color, exceptable file size. I’ve also try to export it with other setting like Photo-Jpeg and DV-PAL, but this H.264 is the best one.
After that, I test it with Final Cut Pro to put some subtitle, etc. Everything went a okay.
so, I can take a goodnight sleep now, hugging my FS100… hahahahaha.
That’s my latest report Daz, I hope it can be useful for you and everybody.
thanks and cheers
-caplak-
Jakarta, Indonesia
caplak: Amazing! Great find for the iMovie 7.1.4! I knew it worked for iMovie 8 and 9 but not 7. Great!
And even better the quality is good. Thats a great find there, would you say the quality is better than deinterlaced through Mpeg Streamclip? And what are the comparisons on file size? You’ve really found some interesting stuff and I’m sure it will help a lot of people!
Thanks
Daz
hi Daz,
Actually, when I looked again, exporting & deinterlasing MOD directly from Mpeg Streamclip vs MOD via iMovie 7.1.4 then exporting with QT, each one has it strength and weakness. I’ve compared it frame by frame. (like I don’t have better thing to do
)
>> With streamclip, the picture look sharper, but the jagged pixel is still there a little bit, and the noise on the gradations area is more visible. It will be quiet obvious if you shooting on hand held or moving object.
>> With iM7.1.4 – QT, the picture is less sharper, but the jagged pixel’s gone and the noise is softer.
So, just like you said before Daz. The quality is better or not, its depends on your use. Totally agree with you on that. My exercise here was more for watching on computer monitor. But those two method won’t be a problem when you watch it on TV.
Comparison file size:
My original MOD file is 20 Mb.
> Mpeg Streamcilp to .MOV with H.264 (100% qlty), 720×405 become 50 Mb
> Mpeg Streamcilp to .MOV with DV-PAL (100% qlty), 720×405 become 60 Mb
> iMovie-QT to .MOV with H.264 (best qlty), 720×405 become 39.8 Mb
> iMovie-QT to .MOV with H.264 (high qlty), 720×405 become 19 Mb (either best or high, you won’t see the different on the picture)
> iMovie-QT to .MOV with DV-PAL (100% qlty), 720×405 become 59 Mb
thanks
-Caplak-
Sent fro my Mac, powered by electricity of course :p
caplak: So it seems Mpeg Streamclip is less efficient than using Quicktime but with the quality differences it is pretty much the same.
Thanks again for all the work! If I have time I’ll compile some more information into a blog post. Hope you continue to visit the site.
Cheers
Daz
Glad can share bro! Please do compiling more information, I’m sure it will be useful for all of us.
The site is already on my bookmark.
thanks Daz
Cheers
-caplak-
caplak: Thanks for your “studies” on converting the mod-Files. On my mac I am using mpegstreamclip with h.264 10Mbps 1024×576 De-Interlaced but have to say that i am not totally satisfied with the quality because i always have jagged images. I tried now with 720×504 and it seems a to improve the quality. But the image is still a little bit jagged. Does the camera compress too much? Stil tryig to finf out what is the best setting. iMovie08 does not work for me unfortunately.
xxfunkxx
hi xxfunkxx, I have to agree with you about those jagged thing. I’ve try everything I know to solve those jagged problem using many software, but the result was still the same, the jagged still there even just a little. I know that those jagged will not visible once you played on TV but still, we also want to see it good on our mac, right. You know, I still have my old canon TX1, its an HD camcorder and 7.1 Megapixel still image. It using motion jpeg compression on video mode with .AVI extension file, and it has no jagged at all.
So I think that is the problem on video with MPEG-2 compression, coz I’ve try JVC everio – same problem, then turn to Canon FS100 – same, than try Sony SX40 – still the same. Everio and FS100 are using .MOD extension, while Sony SX40 is .MPG. Those three are PAL with standard definition.
Frustrated with those jagged, now I’ve turn to Sanyo Xacti VPC-WH1. Its an HD waterproof camcorder. Now, I can really say adios to jagged problem. ;P
It a good cam for its price. It use H264 compression in .MP4 extension. If you wanna see sample of my video, just email me: caplak.berakar@gmail.com
I can give you the link on youtube.
So my learning is, cam with file extension: .MOV, .MP4 and .AVI is jagged free. No de-interlace needed.
PS: Daz, how are you bro? long time no hear from you…
=caplak=
Hi. Yeh I’ve been a bit busy but I’m happy that you’re helping solve problems with conversion. You’ve done some good research!
Thanks!
Thank you for the link to SDcopy. I had some of these files to open with Vegas in XP and it was a mess. If you’re innovating a new high quality format, maybe this is okay, but what is Panasonic thinking making users who are buying SD Flash Camcorders jump through these sorts of hoops. You’d think they were Sony or something. Thank you very much for your investigation into this.
with the new iMovie Version in iLife09 importing from the Canon FS100 into my G5 now works fine.
If you need just convert AC3 to MP2 format and don’t want resample video, try this tool: http://www.converio.fr/converio_095.htm
I found it when solving described problem with lost sound in Sony Vegas.
Thank you for your article.
I want to quote your post in my blog. It can?
And you et an account on Twitter?
Very nice site! [url=http://ypxaieo.com/oooxvqy/2.html]is it yours too[/url]
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