I got the Free DV, running on Vista (though I know I shoudn't) and then I get everything up perfect. I try to import both AVI and MOV files into the bin. I get a white screen both times. I have got an older version of QuickTime and tried them again. Didn't work again. I am also just using my C: Drive. (I know that's not proper either). Can I get some help?

You get the white screen when the codec for that QT file is not installed on your system.

At desktop level, open the file in QT player, then hit CTRL-I. QT player will tell you what codec was used. Make sure you get this codec installed. If the codec is not available, then try downloading VLC player and try to stream the file into a codec that your system can play back. Then you should be able to import into Avid.

Which codec do I need for it? And I have VLC. How exactly would I do that method? and is there a way I can get my perfectly okay AVI files to go in?

lucasino:

Which codec do I need for it?

That depends on the codec with which the file in question has been encoded. So to find out:

Job ter Burg:

At desktop level, open the file in QT player, then hit CTRL-I. QT player will tell you what codec was used.

lucasino:

is there a way I can get my perfectly okay AVI files to go in?

Avi, like Quicktime, is a container format. Almost anything can be inside it. Avid needs to convert any files you want to use to Avid mediafiles, with a specific codec, framerate and size. Your AVI files may be "perfectly okay", but the question is: what flavour are they?

Alright. When I tried to figure out which codec is on the Quicktime and I did the Ctrl+I, I didn't get a lot of info, and none of which is on the codec.

If I have MediaCoder, and I ripped a part of my DVD that I want to into AVI video and Xvid, what is the actual specs that would make it work in AVID? What can I do in mediacoder that would make it so I will have less problems?

lucasino:

I did the Ctrl+I, I didn't get a lot of info

I don't know MediaCoder, so I don't know what formats it will spit out, but if you can make something like DV25 out of it (either in an AVI or a MOV container), that should import very well into the Avid.

It didn't tell me format in the information thing. I want to just forget about that part. I tried DV Video format in a AVI container, and it didn't work. What was the VLC thing that I could have done?

lucasino:

It didn't tell me format in the information thing.

That's weird. Does the file play back on your system?

VLC can do a transcode, but I think it won't make DV25. My first idea would be to check if your MovieCoder can export as DV25. If not, try QuickTime Pro and export to DV-PAL or DV-NTSC (depending on the source).

I am all confused again. I just want to convert my AVI files into a format that can be read on AVID so I can edit. What is the easiest way? (Besides getting Quicktime Pro, because I have absolutely no money) (I am sorry, I get confused easily)

lucasino:

I have absolutely no money

If I couldn't scrape together $30, I'd have much bigger issues than not being able to import clips to edit with. 

I am fifteen. I am a young person. I am sorry. But can you please help?

Job gave excellent advice -

My first idea would be to check if your MovieCoder can export as DV25. If not, try QuickTime Pro and export to DV-PAL or DV-NTSC (depending on the source).

Lucasino:

Here is a link to a free downloadable converter program MPEG Streamclip. Hopefully, you can use it to convert what you have to a Quicktime movie file, which is supported by Avid for import.

YES! Thank you very much. I did the conversion with the MPEG Streamclip, and it worked perfect. It exported a really big file, but I really don't care. It works. Many thanks.

You're quite welcome. Glad that solved your problem in an "affordable" manner!