Need help with importing WTV video files to Windows Live Movie Maker

[TWCJim]

Not sure if this was the correct place to ask for help, but I'm having a little trouble with importing WTV (Windows Recorded TV) video files into Windows Live Movie Maker. I've provided snapshots under the attachments section of this post to better understand what I'm having trouble with here.

First, after I imported the WTV file, WLMM says it's trying to prepare the video for improved playback performance (see screenshot 1 for reference.) But after a few seconds later, it stops, and the video clip shows a yellow ! box (see screenshot 2 for reference.) Afterwards I right-clicked on the video file in the WLMM preview section, and then clicked on the first option, "Fix clip." A window popped up and says that the video file may be corrupted or in a format the program doesn't recognize (see screenshot 3 for reference.)

For some reason, the WTV videos that were recorded in SD worked okay when they were imported, but it's the clips recorded in HD that ran me into a brick wall. Anyone here have any suggestions on what to do that I might be able to give a shot at? 

[Zach]

Have you tried right-clicking on the .wtv file and converting it to .dvr-ms? Also, I wouldn't really use Windows Live Movie maker.. can be a pain to handle at times. Since you use Windows 7, WMM doesn't come standard, but it can be downloaded from here.

[TWCJim]

Have you tried right-clicking on the .wtv file and converting it to .dvr-ms? Also, I wouldn't really use Windows Live Movie maker.. can be a pain to handle at times. Since you use Windows 7, WMM doesn't come standard, but it can be downloaded from here.

When I right-clicked on the WTV file, the option to convert it wasn't available. But I did I little research online, and I'm able to convert the file to .dvr-ms via Command Prompt, and it worked okay for me.

I downloaded and installed the WMM. Then I was able to import the DVR-MS file successfully. Trimmed it, and saved it as a WMV in widescreen DVD quality. Too bad there wasn't an option to save the video in true HD quality, unless I'm missing some kind of video codec for it, lol. Oh well, this'll do for now   

Thanks much for your help Zach. I appreciated it 

[Zach]

You probably are missing something because you should be able to trim it just fine and keep it HD. If you want pure HD quality then why not just upload the raw file first then use the Youtube editor?

[TWCJim]

If you want pure HD quality then why not just upload the raw file first then use the Youtube editor?

I tried doing that last night with a 10 minute clip I recorded, but when I woke up this morning the YouTube video was still processing, so I gave up on it.

[toxictwister00]

You probably are missing something because you should be able to trim it just fine and keep it HD. If you want pure HD quality then why not just upload the raw file first then use the Youtube editor?

This wouldn't be the best advice for someone like me who has a snail paced internet connection. I've uploaded raw files a few times and that's the reason I don't do them often. It takes way too long, I start to get impatient if I'm uploading a 200mb file for example and I come back a few hours later and it still has a ways to go.

[TWCJim]

I was able to add a couple of HD profiles to WMM so that I can save vids in 720p or 1080p. This test clip I saved with WMM I just uploaded seemed to work okay...

HD test clip #3

[Zach]

You probably are missing something because you should be able to trim it just fine and keep it HD. If you want pure HD quality then why not just upload the raw file first then use the Youtube editor?

This wouldn't be the best advice for someone like me who has a snail paced internet connection. I've uploaded raw files a few times and that's the reason I don't do them often. It takes way too long, I start to get impatient if I'm uploading a 200mb file for example and I come back a few hours later and it still has a ways to go.

That's another problem: HD files are huge, and there isn't any way to fix that.

[gt1racerlHDl]

I don't see why 720p and 1080p videos need to be uploaded to youtube if all you need to do is yt:crop=16:9 with a 480p video

April/May 2012 Playlist 10

[toxictwister00]

What does the aspect ratio of the video have to do with the quality of the video? You can do that, but it doesn't make it HD. It's just a stretched out SD video.

[gt1racerlHDl]

What does the aspect ratio of the video have to do with the quality of the video? You can do that, but it doesn't make it HD. It's just a stretched out SD video.

Not if your getting the feed from component wires, the feed still comes out HD.

[Zach]

I don't see why 720p and 1080p videos need to be uploaded to youtube if all you need to do is yt:crop=16:9 with a 480p video

April/May 2012 Playlist 10

I have to disagree with that. As Tavores said, it's not about the aspect ratio, but rather the quality. Take a look at the images below and you'll see why 720p/1080p are preferred over 480p.

480p


720p


1080p


Click images for full size.

Not if your getting the feed from component wires, the feed still comes out HD.

In Jim's case, he's getting the HD signal via ClearQAM from his cable headend.

[TWCJim]

Not if your getting the feed from component wires, the feed still comes out HD.

In Jim's case, he's getting the HD signal via ClearQAM from his cable headend.

That is correct, sir 


I use a PCTV HD USB stick to get all of my ClearQAM (and digital) via WMC. Had a little trouble at first, but at some point, I was able to figure it out by simply adding all of the missing Digital/ClearQAM channels manually since WMC doesn't automatically detect those channels, just the analog ones only. Thank goodness for the internet