Originally Posted by
IluvJae
I have an issue. I have a HDD Camcorder and it creates the movie files as .mod MPEG2 files. When i try to alter them in iMovie HD, it tells me i need this MPEG2 codec and i have to pay $20. Any info
That really is the skinny on MPEG-2. You gotta buy it. It's $20.
Sony holds a patent on Layer-2 MPEG technology, and in order for you to use Sony's stuff, you gotta pay to play. Sometimes there's an unlock code or a coupon for it in the paperwork that came with the camera... but not always. The $20 that apple charges for their software that supports it... is all royalties that are sent right back to Sony. They don't care to make any profit off of it. Only Sony products use MPEG-2, cornholing it as the BetaMax of digital media. Apple's not going to include it free with all macs when almost nothing uses it, and have to send Sony $20 for every OS it sells.