dvd import

Hi, is it possible to import a whole film from a dvd into fcp (4)?

Yes. But is it legal? What is on this DVD?

Assuming you're not breaking copyright law, MPEG Streamclip (http://www.alfanet.it/squared5/mpegstreamclip.html) does conversions from DVD to FCP-compatible QuickTime movies, but when I tried it on a commercially purchased DVD just as a test, it was unable to break through the security. I've heard recently on here that Mac the Ripper (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/22715) can solve that problem.

Copyright law does not allow you to use non-licensed material for commercial purposes. Theoretically speaking, you can't even use a copyrighted movie clip or music on, say, your own website, nor can you make a copy of a CD or DVD even for your own backup -- "fair use" is something of a misunderstood term. You're not likely to be sued if you're just making your own music mixes for listening as long as you don't sell them for profit, but the law on paper does cover even that.

That's something (DVD import) I've not mastered.
A real problem too, since I master a lot of what I do to DVD (as well as dump file video to DVD).
I have been re-dumping DVD clips as needed to DV tape then firewire it into FCP.

As long as it's not copy protected, the app DVDxDV was MADE to do exactly that. It's great software and the creator is very responsive.

[www.dvdxdv.com]