I tried out David's suggested program and I got successful results. It made the original files into a DVD that burned. There is one problem. My camera is 16:9 and the program would only let me do 4:3. It squished the picture to fit into the 4:3 ratio. Is there a setting I overlooked or is that the only way it will make it? I was using the demo version.

I emailed the WinDVD people (Corel) and they said their program does not support 16:9 video, forces it to 4:3. So I'll either have to find something else that does support 16:9 and will work with .mod files or start shooting everything 4:3.

Carolyn, that is what I'll have to do unless I come across another program that does support 16:9. Maybe someday, someone will come up with one. I'll just have to figure out what to do with the video I already have now that's already shot in 16:9.

I just bought an Everio MG20 and spent a few days floundering around looking for a way to convert MOD files to a format I can then edit using Premiere Pro. I tried the simple methods like changing the extention but still had problems with sound etc. I then surfed to a site that showed me the software included with the camera, specifically PowerDirector Express, converts MODs into 4 different types of file, .avi .DivX .MPEG1 and MPEG2 simply and with no problems that Ive found so far. Since then Im happily editing away and wondering why I keep seeing people say the bundled softwares no use for converting to other formats.
Check out this URL and see if it makes life with your JVC camera a bit easier.

www.benzmodz.com/jvc_workflow.htm

Carolyn, you don't need to make the movie before you convert, thats the point,import the movie,drag it into the timeline and hit the Produce button, thats when you hit create file and you are given the 4 different formats to choose from, then you simply pick, producer remakes the same movie you took, in a different format. Then you can import into a decent editor. The link explains it all even with pictures. The tutorial is for a different model than I have, some details with preferences are different, but that didnt make any difference.

Thanx for your help and time Carolyn, I do see the value in the Prism Coverter and will make it part of the set of formatters I have. I agree, without forums such as this one I wouldnt have learned so much more about this and other subjects. Again it shows when people talk, so much more get's achieved for the benefit of everyone.
bloody hell,I cant believe I just wrote that :-O

Jimi, I have used that program to convert the mod files and was not able to burn them to a disc. I got burn errors just like I did when burning the mod files before converting using the same program. But I'll go back and double check my settings based on that link you gave. The WinDVD program is the only thing I have used that will successfully burn the mod files to a disc.

I'm having the same audio problem, but can't seem to find any answers. I have a handful of .MOD files that I filmed, and when I play them (through Windows Media Player, etc) they don't have any audio.

However, I know the files DO have audio because at SOME point in the past I had converted some of them to .avi files, and they are complete with audio in that case. I don't know if I used the software that came with the camera, or something else...

All I know is that right now, I have a bunch of .MOD files that are in a strange aspect ratio (when converted they're in regular 16x9 as .avi) and they have no sound.

Can anyone tell me a SIMPLE way/program to convert these files and have the audio come through as well? I've tried the simple renaming to .mpg and that plays the video, but no audio...

PLEASE HELP! Thanks! undies78 _AT_ yahoo.com

@carolyn: i need as much info as possible about the file header and trailer: lenght, fields, variables, descriptors, offset, etc. i try to make a header template for .mod files to do a physical search on the whole disk. the problem in my case was, that folders on the usb-disk are named equally (YYYYMMDD) in parent folders named "videos" and "pictures". my friend did a move within explorer from the picture directory to the same named video subdirectory. so, the directory was overwritten. but, as i hope, that ntfs doesnt use exactly the same clusters to randomly write data.

TIA & kind regards,
klaus

I tried Prism and it did create an .avi file out of one of my .mod files, BUT: The .avi file didn't have any video OR audio. Prism said: "Warning: Incorrect timestamps found in the source file. It is recommended to specify the framerate manually for this file."

Again, I don't know what program I used when I converted the MOD files to AVI the last time (probably software that came with the camera), but the avi files that I got when done were in the correct aspect ratio (16x9) and had audio as well.

I've been unable to find anything to convert them since. Prism doesn't seem to work- anything else I can try here? It's very frustrating!

THanks- Kevin (undies78 at yahoo for email)

SOLVED!!!!!

The ONLY thing I've found to actually work 100% and do everything I need it to do was Cyberlink Power Director (I'm using version 6). Yes, it cost extra. No, I don't think you should have to purchase a program to edit the video that the camera you bought shoots.

I think Power Director might be the software that came with the camera when I got it, but I've since returned that and went back to DV tape. But in the future, if companies would just make the files NORMAL files (like mpg, avi, etc) I'd be willing to try a hard-disk camera again.

Again- if you want something that will work flawlessly, converting the MOD file to an AVI file, changing the framerate to 16x9 if you shot it that way, complete with audio- get Cyberlink Power Director. That's all I can say, having tried Prism and a handful of others with no positive results.

Thanks and good luck! :)

Kevin is right. Power Director will work. The camera comes with Power Director Express which does not have the capability of burning to a disc. I'm not sure if that's their way of sticking it to people and making them buy something else or why that is. JVC owners can upgrade for a lower price ($44.95) if they open PD Express and click the upgrade button.

Hi guys, just wanted to let ya'll know that I haven't been ignoring your questions. I've just been really busy nursing my son. He was in a bad way for a while but is slowly getting better, so I'm back!

Klaus, I wish I could help you, truth, but without being there actually seeing what you see, I can't give you a definitive answer. I think you are correct though when you say the files would not be exactly the same. The trick is to find which ones are which and grab the right ones and put them in a new folder. It will take a bit of time I'm sure to go through it all, but I think its doable. Next time I upload a vid, I'll take note of the 'things you requested' and post back here.

I believe the path for most of us will be trial and error with a sprinkle of insight from what we gain from this forum.

Best advice. Just keep trying. Don't ever give up. There is a way to do just about everything if you persevere and have the will!