Acceptable import formats to iMovie

I am about to convert VHS tapes to dvd to import into iMovie - what is the best format or what are the formats accepted by iMovie?

Have a look at page 7 in here :-
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/iMovie_08_GettingStarted.pdf

Similar Messages

All Possible Import Formats for iMovie

I was wondering if there is a complete list of import formats. I want to edit a clip using iMovie, however, the program does not recognize the file format. What is/are the possible format(s) of movie files that can be imported into iMovie for editing? Thank you!

Hi
No version of iMovie is a general video importing tool.
eg You can not directly import from DVD ( iM'08 had a work around a while I THINK )
(DVD needs mpeg-component to QuickTime Pro to be converted - or I use Roxio Toast™ to do this)
So what kind of material do You want to Import/Capture ?
I use
video - miniDV tape Cameras - streamingDV - and via QuickTime Pro I can convert many formats to this as QuickTime .mov that then imports nicely into iMovie.
audio - ONLY .aiff 16-bit 48kHz (from Camera) and 44.1 from Audio-CD (NO .mp3 or anything else - all converted to .aiff) - THIS saves a lot of troubles
photo - .jpg (.bmp results in very red toned photos to me)
AIC - is also a supported video-format - especially if exported to FinalCut ! as it needs much less rendering than video from iMovie (directly).
.avi - containing Iv50 - IS NOT compatible but needs a Window PC and needs to be converted to .wmv first then to streamingDV in QT to work.
There are Video Converting programs to buy - I have non of them.
FinalCut is not so much better.
So please - be more specific - there are lot's of codecs out there
.avi, .mov, .wmv, .mp4 - ARE Containers and can contain any strange Codec. So one needs to find out what the true Codec is.
Yours Bengt W

Importing MP4 format into Imovie

I have just purchase a New HD video camera which seems to record in MP4 format, which shows an error message when I try to import into Imovie (an error occurred during import) my previous camera recorded in avi format, which did not create a problem.
Will Imovie accept MP4 format or do I need to change some settings.
Thanks for anyhelp

sorry, I'm a bit lost in your narration, so in my words, you like to:
• convert DVDs
• you need just a few selections of each DVD
• combine those clips to one movie, not as individual clips on one DVD
right?
1) you could speed-up that process dramatically, if you just want to 'select and combine' by avoiding any conversion (editing mp2 directly).. therefor, you have to learn other, very different (=less convenient) tools than iApps.
2) or, by using a diff. converter, namely Mpeg Streamclip, you can select and convert just the parts you need from DVD, illustrated advice on my site: http://karsten.schluter.googlepages.com/convertdvdstodvs
3) general advice: slow processing indicates a lack of disk-space on internal/'startup' drive.. keep 15-30Gigs free while doing any 'video work'
and, btw, welcome, Mactooth92, to the  iMovie boards..

What's the best format to import in to iMovie?

Okay, here is the situation, I have a lengthy Keynote presentation which I plan to export via QuickTime so it can be imported in to iMovie in order to do voice-overs. The question I have is what the best format is to use to export from Keynote in order to import in to iMovie. I am obviously looking for the format which is the smoothest, doesn't lose any quality, and will look clear once imported in to iMovie. Also, there is no reason to use H.264 since size during the transfer doesn't really matter to me, besides, H.264 seems to be somewhat jerky with Keynote exports (or maybe it's just my computer) as I am using some of the graphics intensive transitions and effects.
Also, I know that when you send movies directly from Keynote to iDVD or from iMovie to iDVD, it uses a format which is directly compatible and there is no conversion that takes place, is there a format which will work this way from Keynote to iMovie or does it always have to do the conversion.
Finally, the other thing you should know is that I created the presentation in Keynote using 1280x720 in order to achieve the true widescreen aspect ratio. Now, I am NOT looking to keep this in HD, once I import it in to iMovie, I only need the standard DV Widescreen resolution since I will eventually transfer it to iDVD to burn it as a widescreen DVD. So, I would also appreciate some sort of input as to whether I should export the QuickTime file out of Keynote as the full 1280x720 and then let iMovie do the down-sampling, or should I export it directly out of Keynote using the standard definition widescreen resolution? Please, I would appreciate ANY help on this!!!

Thanks for your suggestion Bruce, however I found another way as well. I finally found that using the full resolution (1280x720) with Apple Intermediate Codec @ 60FPS turns the best results (for a relatively low disk usage). I finally went with the 60 frames per second because I was having problems getting a somewhat jerky output using Current or 30FPS in any format. I realize that iDVD reduces the FPS eventually, but it seems to be perfect when I take that route. Although the jerkiness isn't noticeable on most effects and transitions, if you use the newer transitions like Reflection or Doorway, you will definitely notice a less than perfect playback.
I know that I said that file size didn't matter, but I decided using uncompressed video was just too large, I think the file size was like 25-50GB or something like that. I took forever to import in to iMovie, so I quit with that route.
I really appreciate the Garageband suggestion, that was by far the best way to go. I never really tried using the new GarageBand in iLife '06 so I didn't even realize that it had movie scoring—what a GREAT feature! I definitely should have recorded directly in to GarageBand rather than in iMovie, something is just not right with iMovie's audio handling. Anyway, thanks for the help!

Imovie is limited to its import formats and does not allow for storing video in any rawformat. Which means all videos will contain lossy compression applied to the video-.with no way to edit full format video. Is this statement true?

Imovie is limited to its import formats and does not allow for storing video in any rawformat. Which means all videos will contain lossy compression applied to the video….with no way to edit full format video. Is this statement true? Does iMovie support HD 1080p @ 60 fps?

Iggy826 wrote:
… Is this statement true?
yes and no!
using the intended Import from Camera routines, iM converts automatically in its very own AppleIntermediateCodec. so, answer is yes.
but …
a) Apple claims , aic is non-lossy intermediate codec. working with proRes in FCPX taught me, there are even less non-lossy-ness codecs
b) iM offers an Archive feature, which is basically a simple Finder/copy operation which 'clones' your SDcards content into some folder on your harddrive; e.g. you can later use these untouched 'raws' in another editor such as FCPX. so, answer is no.
c) when you 'override' the import routines by manually re-wrapping mts into a mov container, iM handles the 'native' h264s ... so, answer is no.
d) adding any effect, transition etc. reduces any interlaced source to 540p. (if you're working with 720p source, res is kept) … so, answer is yes. or, in 720p case, no.
< Johnny Depp's voice >… savvy?
Does iMovie support HD 1080p @ 60 fps?
via Import from Camera? No.
via re-wrapped mts>>mov? I was told yes, some say no.
one thing to be kept in mind when talking about these 'issues':
iM, this 12€, is meant as a CONSUMER toy tool.
it supports AVCHD vers1 (=no 1080/60p, no >24Mbps, no 3D).
fingers crossed, we'll see soon some iM/QT/FCPX update for support of AVCHD v2 ........
the main consumer devices are within the specs, iM supports.
using professional equipments makes usage of professional software (FCPX, AP) optional.
sorry for lengthy answer.

How to import videos MOV.MOD format to iMovie?

how to import videos MOV.MOD format to iMovie?

you haven't told us (yet).
but you'll find an 'Import from camera' button in your old version too..

Why can't I import h264/x264 format in iMovie?

Is there any reason that I can not do this? I understand what files are compatible with iMovie and all, but I just want to know why it is that there is no support for these formats in iMovie?

Is there any reason that I can not do this? I understand what files are compatible with iMovie and all, but I just want to know why it is that there is no support for these formats in iMovie?

I need a digital camcorder that imports direct to iMovie - any ideas

I have been using a MiniDV JVC camcorder to import direct into iMovie - worked great but the camcorder heads are now worn out. So I use an Hitachi HD flash card camcorder that outputs AVI files. I then have to convert through Handbrake to get a useable file for iMovie.
This is much too slow as I produce lots of short video for customers - is there a better direct camera to get files straight into iMovie or should I use different software on the mac?
Last resort, I have been told to buy a pc to use for producing edited DVD movies - I don't really want to move off the mac - HELP?

Wow...good question.
Do your FCP setups have capture cards? You could send a signal from the toaster machine to FCP via the capture card and recapture the footage in FCP. Will take a while, but it should work.
Tough working with proprietary formats.
Shane

Importing movies from iMovie 6

I followed the instructions in David Pogue's manual "imovie '08..The Missing Manual" but with no results.
I export the movie project from iMovie 6 in QuickTime, however when it appears on the desktop it is in the .mov format, not Quicktime.
So when I try to import it to iMovie '08 the project is on the desktop, but is dimmed.
I then tried to save the desktop movie (save as) in Quicktime, but the same thing happens. I can't figure out what I am doing wrong.

If you have any intention of creating DVDs from those projects, according to what I've been reading, don't do it. Use iMovie HD 06 and iDVD 09 to create your DVDs.
I've read that iMovie 09 is fine for posting videos online because of how it treats the export but 06 is the way to go to create content to be viewed on a TV.
I've read about this on these Apple boards and these boards: http://forums.macrumors.com/forumdisplay.php?f=80

Importing clips from iMovie - jittery

Just got Final Cut Pro 5 and I'm having a problem with importing clips from iMovie into FCP5. The clips were fine in iMovie, but the images are jittery in FCP. I tried Apple Care, but they wanted to charge me $200 to answer my question eventhough I just bought the software yesterday!
any ideas most welcome - thanks

Nowhere is it advertised that iMovie is compatible with FCP.
One is a consumer format, with less features, like lack of timecode. The other is a professional format, which relies heavily on timecode.
Yes, output to tape from imovie, then capture with FCP.
#20 Using iMovie to Capture for FCP edit
Shane's Stock Answer #20:
iMovie handles the media differently from FCP, specifically where audio is concerned. So it is not a recommended workflow. Here's why...
iMovie captures using DV Stream (.dv) standard which does not use timecode. That is a big disadvantage over the way that FCP captures in that you can't go back and recapture the material at a later date if you need to revisit a project.
The DV/NTSC specification (the one FCP uses) also calls for seperate tracks for audio and video, even if you capture it as one clip. iMovie' DV stream format is muxed audio and video, which means that they are tied together (I can't get into specifics because I ain't no engineer or programmer). FCP is a bit more demanding and captures the seperate audio/video tracks, either in a single media file or as seperate video and audio files. With FCP you could capture video only or audio only because each is defined by the DV specs. while with iMovie you can't.
Also, if you drop the iMovie footage into the timeline, your will get the RED render bar forcing you to render the footage in order to see it...
"There's no need to fear, UNDERDOG is here!"

FDM Fixed-Width Import Format & Multiple Accounts/Periods Issue

Hi FDM experts,
I have an issue that I wanted to reach out to you on regarding fixed-width import formats and how to cater for my current scenario for export to Hyperion Planning.
I am working with a flat file (.txt) I need to import to FDM with the current format;
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
Z
Year
Channel
Product
Jan-MTD-Account 1
Jan-MTD-Account 2
Jan-YTD-Account1
Jan-YTD-Account2
Dec-YTD-Account2
2013
Channel_1
Product_1
1000
2000
1000
2000
10000
These are all fixed in width so the field lengths will need to be defined in the import format. The requirement for loading to the system is only a speciifc Month YTD value for both Account1 and Account 2.
If my chosen Month is 2013 Jan, I will only require columns F and G to be loaded. These are the issues I have identified;
Can a fixed width import format cater for loading to multiple accounts in the same file? Or would I need a separate import format per account?
Can a fixed width import format cater for loading to a variable Actual Month period? Or do I need 12 import formats/locations per month?
Your help is much appreciated!
Many thanks
Aaron

Hi Aaron,
the solution you are looking for needs pivoting your source file.
Think that FDM, by default, only accepts files with one single column for amount. You have to pivot your file based on your logic and import the pivoted file.
For example:
Year     Channel     Product     ... Jan-YTD-Acc1     Jan-YTD-Acc2 ...
2013     CH1          PR1               1000                    2000
If your POV is Jan-2013, your data imported will look like:
Year     Channel     Produc     Account     Amount
2013     CH1          PR1          ACC1          1000
2013     CH1          PR1          ACC2          2000
All this process can be automated by playing with Import Scripts.
HTH

Proper Video Import Format

Currently - I am importing some home movies from VHS using a canopus into iMovie. I have chosen the import format = DV STREAM ...
- I will import the movie - do some editing - and then export it to iDVD5...
- then I modify the template settings and then save as a disk image...
- basically - it has to render all the video - I am guessing to compress into DVD format... this takes a long time
* Question: Since my only concern is to create a DVD ONLY - of this content ( and not to ever save the high-quality dv stream) - would it save me any time to import into iMovie as MPG4 or any other format that is closer to a DVD quality rather then to import as a DV stream? The rendering time in iDVD is where I am trying to save time ... and I am guessing that if it was in the correct format to begin with ... then maybe it would not have to re-render...?
Any time saving suggestions would be appreciated...
Thanks - RevDave

* Question: Since my only concern is to create a DVD
ONLY - of this content ( and not to ever save the
high-quality dv stream) - would it save me any time
to import into iMovie as MPG4 or any other format
that is closer to a DVD quality rather then to import
as a DV stream? The rendering time in iDVD is where I
am trying to save time ... and I am guessing that if
it was in the correct format to begin with ... then
maybe it would not have to re-render...?
Any time saving suggestions would be appreciated...
The answer to your question is NO. Stay with DV stream.
Creating DVDs requires patience (a virtue, right?) and lots of free hard disk space.

Can't import videos into iMovie

Hello, there!
I just captured a few videos with my screen capture app on my windows laptop. After I transferred them onto my iMac and converted them into .mp4 files i wanted to import them into iMovie but when i selected them only video 4 and 6 out of 6 videos imported into iMovie. i don't know whats the problem when i try again to import the other videos he is loading for like 1 second and nothing happens. i have already tried to restart iMovie and have also restarted my mac.
Also, this is not the first time something like this happens. but last time the problem just disappeared after a few retries...
please help! i want to upload them to youtube as soon as possible!

iMovie uses QuickTime file formats or DV Stream files directly from a camcorder.
If your files don't open or play properly in QuickTime Player they will not "import" into iMovie.
If you're authoring on a PC you must keep this basic fact as part of your your export scheme.
iPod videos are usually 320X240 and will not look good when scaled up to DV dimensions. Some use 480 width MPEG-4 video codecs that could scale but you may not be happy with the results.
Most Windows exports use Windows only codecs and this is the reason you're not seeing the video. Try exporting as a DV format (blah.dv) from Movie Maker. It may only appear as an option export to .AVI using those codecs.

Import dvd to imovie

I converted home viedos from a vhs to dvd. what do i need to import dvd to imovie so i can edit and combine?

DVD is a finish format. Its primary purpose is for viewing. It doesn't lend itself well to further digital editing.
You'll have better results inporting the original VHS into iMovie through an analog-digital converter. Do you still have the VHS tapes?

Import video into imovie ipad

hello to all,
I saw the presentation about the Imovie and looks very nice, but, before buying the app for the ipad, I want to be sure that I can import a video recorded from a SONY Camera into the Imovie/ipad . Do anyone has the same situation?, is it possible to do?
Thanks a lot
Bruno

Most Sony video cameras record in formats that iMovie does not read.
What you need to look out for is if your camera, or the camera you intend to buy, records in either Quciktime, or mp4 files.
iMovie, and all video editing apps on iOS devices are limited to small subset of video formats.
So even if the camera records as Quicktime, the video may not play or edit in iMovie.
If you have a camera, then take it into an Apple store or Apple retailer) and ask them to plug the camera in and see if it works; iMoive tends to be on all demo iPads.
If you have an iPad but intend to get a camera, then buy the camera connection kit for your iPad.
And go to camera stores and plug the cameras in and test if they work.
This is currently the only way to test if the video will work or not.
Hope that helps.

Acceptable import formats to iMovie

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