Can't import .mov file into iMovie

I have a video clip in .mov format that won't seem to import so that I can edit it. I'm a guy who's worked with windows for years and I am Mac illiterate. Is there a reason why I can't import the clip, but it still plays in quicktime?
G5 Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Hi Solace,
welcome to this forum
to give you some background info for better understanding in the future:
the file extension".mov" is a bit irritating, should NOT be translated with "movie"! a .mov is just a socalled container, it can contain (sic) many kind of media: stills, music, VR...- and for sure video.
just to impress you, have a look in this list:
Apple's list of formats supported by QT
iMovie is an edit-app meant to work with firewire-connected miniDV camcorders..... you can import "other" files&formats, but then it gets a bit tricky....
so, my usual guess, you're trying to import some mpegs (contained in a .mov file, you don't read .mpg as suffix.....)
some very good advices here, in plain english:
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml
have fun with your Mac!

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Can't import movie files into iMovie

OK so I used MPEG Streamclip to convert my Costco .vop files to .dv files and iMovie still gives me the msg: This file could not be copied:
ShoreWedding8:67 1.1.dv 001
( Error code: -37 )
What kind of files does iMovie want? The posts I've read here all indicated .dv Frustration abounds

Apparently this thread talks a little bit about DV including a workaround of some kind.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1795061&tstart=0
Also I believe the reference to AIC is the Apple Intermediate Codec.
One thing to remember is that the eventual viewing of the material may never need the full HD quality (not to say you shouldn't care about keeping the best quality up to the end) if for instance you make a DVD video you will be limited to that mediums quality limitations and not get HD quality out of the output result. If you are viewing on a standard def tv you are even below the DVD threshold. That being said maybe it is better to go with one of the working DV formats for iM08 if that makes sense for you.

Importing mov files into iMovie events

Hi
This is my first post ever on this site. Here goes!
I am new to iMovie, but have had someone more experienced trying to help but to no avail!
I am trying to import mov files into iMovie Events. However in the file menu there is no "events' option, so I chose 'Import Movies'. But ultimately when I click on the mov files they are greyed out.
The version of iMovie I have is iMovie '08 - 7.1.4
When I first opened iMovie it offered to update to the latest version, but in the end it said 'No updates available'. When I looked into this in the Apple Store, it said you need Mac OSX 10.7 or above to get the latest version. My Mac is 10.6.8, so won't support the latest version. However, can I not still use the version I have? What is wrong here?
Any help much appreciated - thanks.
Ermina.

If you don't get an answer here, you might want to post your question in the iMovie discussion here.

When I try to import mov files into iMovie'08 (7.1.4) the files are greyed out. Any suggestions?

When I try to import mov files into iMovie '08 (7.1.4) the files are greyed out. Any suggestions?

Hi Appleman - thanks for your guidance.
OK RealTime Inspector: Dimensions of my clips - as I don't know which bit this is I will list everything under Inspector, including Format:
00117
00117
33.30
Format:MPEG-4 Video, 1280 x 720 millions
AAC, 2channels, 44100Hz
FPS29.97
Data Size2.57GB
Data Rate 10.20 Mbits/s
Current size 1280 x 720 pixels (Actual)
And re the types of tracks you mention that iMovie '08 can't import, I don't much about film clips so haven't yet made sense of this, tho I do see that the clips are organised into chapters, so presumably this is 'chapter tracks'?
Thanks - I'll await your further instructions :-)

How can I import vob files into imovie 09?

how can I import vob files into imovie 09? i have some home movies on dvd that i want to edit.

You might want to look at this one too. Very easy to use and it doesn't require the Apple MPEG-2 playback component.
http://www.dvdxdv.com/NewFolderLookSite/Products/DVDxDV.overview.htm

How can i import mpeg files into iMovie?

how can i import mpeg files into iMovie?

Where are your MPEG stored?
I have hundreds of old MPEGs stored in my nexternal drive, but unfortunatly i was not able import them into iMovie. I did the following trick: I created a new set of a folder and subfolder and called it "Virtual_CAM/DCIM" and saved it on my desktop. Then went to Disk Utilities>File Menue>New>Disk Image from Folder. Then selected the folder on my desktop and clicked enter. I moved the .dmg file to my external (or just keep it on your desktop). I clicked on the .dmg file. It shoud be visible on the Finder. Open your Imovie and import as you do from your camera.

Why can't i import .mov files into imovie

Everytime recently I've tried to import a .mov file into imovie, its come up with the optimizing video box but nothing happens, I used to import straight from the camera, but I've recently emptied my camera onto my hard drive after a trip to New Zealand and now, when I have tried to import the footage from my hard drive, it does the optimizing video freeze on me. I would like to be able to get these movies into Imovie without having to pay a rediculous amount of money for some little converting program. I originally bought a apple computer, because I thought everything worked with each other, but now, I'm not so sure about that anymore.
Also, I've tried MPEG streamclip and all that did was either freeze on me or make the video size smaller, as in, the sides were pushed in and it ruined the video.
Camera: Canon HD Legria HFR38

What codec are the files? .mov is a container that can house many different video codecs.
Is your camera supported?
iMovie 11 - cameras supported:
http://help.apple.com/imovie/cameras/en/index.html?lang=en_US
iMovie 9 - cameras supported:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290?viewlocale=en_US

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The movie files on my iMac consume about 200 gig of space on a 1TB hard drive.
It seems that after I imported them into iMovie, much more of my hard rive is consumed.
Does importing the movie files into iMovie double the disk space used?
Len in NC

Yes you should expect that imported movies will be much larger than the original on the camera. That's because the camera's AVCHD format records a full movie frame only about once a second. In between it stores only differences from the previous frame. That saves a lot of space, but requires a lot more processing power to display the movie during editing. It would also require reprocessing of multiple frames each time you split a clip somewhere that happens not to be a fully-recorded frame.
That's why all of Apple's video software (even Final Cut Studio) converts AVCHD at import time to a format that makes each frame independent, but that uses several times as much space. Actually the pro software uses an even bulkier format than iMovie, to provide more bits per pixel, so that you can do more extensive post processing without loss of quality.
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Hi, I can not import video files into iMovie.

I can open iMovie however can not import video files. the iMovie application just hangs and I have to force quit to start again and once again get the same problem.
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Yosemite sometimes has problems, often related to "default" permissions needing to be changed
-one person's solution https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1689788
-and a Java update https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1507936
MOV is a wrapper, what is inside YOUR wrapper - Exactly what is INSIDE the video you are editing?
Codec & Format information, with 2 links inside for you to read http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1270588
Report back with the codec details of your file, use the programs below... A screen shot works well to SHOW people what you are doing
https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1070933 for screen shot instructions
Free programs to get file information for PC/Mac http://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo/Download

Cannot import .mov file into iMovie '08

I have about 50 .mov files that I need to import into iMovie '08. I am unable to drag-and-drop or import the .mov files into iMovie.
The files originated from a Flip video camera. Is it possible that maybe Flip and iMovie '08 do not interface? Please let me know if you have encountered this before. Thanks!

is this also the case for imovie '09?
i've taken some video with my digital camera that's been imported into iphoto along with pics. i've been trying to get them into imovie for editing purposes, but have had 0 luck...the files aren't selectable when attempting to import.
you're saying that the solution is to buy yet ANOTHER piece of software to convert the file to something else that imovie will read? what the..?!?
it's rhetorical, but why wouldn't they enable imovie do this for you?!?
not sure why it's this difficult and/or why anyone would want to go thru that effort. i "need" to be that much more educated about file types and compression and tween tracks and all that nonsense? seems both counterintuitive and counterproductive.
look, i just want to take some video and edit it...why do i need all the other headache?

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Hi WatsYourPowerLvl,
Thanks for posting on Adobe forums.
Do you have QuickTime Player installed on the machine ?
if not please install from :
for MAC : http://support.apple.com/kb/dl923
for Win : https://www.apple.com/in/quicktime/download/
if yes please tell us following information :
What is the OS and version ?
What is the Graphics Card installed on the system ?
How much Ram do you have ?
Do you use any external Hard Drive ?
Are you using security software e.g. Norton, etc
and
if windows, Please check if you have windows defender turned on ?
Regards,
Sandeep

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Can't import .mov file into iMovie

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