How far are iMovie files backwards compatible?

Question

Last night, I tried to create a project similar to something that I had done before--creating an iMovie from old analog 8mm videotape, using my Digital8 camcorder as a Firewire bridge or A/D converter. It didn't work! Somewhere along the line, Apple must have dropped this feature from iMovie.
Long story short, I dragged my old Quicksilver G4 tower with OS 9.2.2 and iMovie 2.1.1 out of the closet, and got back up and running with the analog import. Everything is going great on that computer.
Now comes the question. This tower doesn't have iDVD. Will I still be able to move my iMovie 2.1.1 files over to a modern Mac, open up the project, and export to iDVD for burning? If not, is there a work-around?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Curt

Answer 1

Hey Curt
Your comment about the Digital8 camcorder via FW not being able to import into your iMovie08 struck me as odd since I am successfully importing from my Canon HV30 through a FW400  to FW800 cross-over cable to my new iMac 27" (with FW800) running Mt. Lion and the latest iMovie 9.0.8 that is in iLife'11. I have full control over my camcorder and the import process.
But I thought perhaps the A/D converter process (from your analog 8 to dv) might be some sort of reason you couldn't get the import to work. I decided to do some experimenting on your (and my) behalf.  I have a lot of Hi8 analog footage I play on a Sony EV-C100 Hi8 analog VCR plugged into a Canopus ADVC-100 A/D converter with FW400 output to the Mac. I use the S-video cable from the VCR into the Canopus with output thru the FW400 cable. In my situation the A/D converter is a box and therefore not controllable by the on screen controls in the import window so I must use my IR remote to control the VCR playback, clip locating, and stopping.
Here is what I experienced.
My Hi8 through the A/D converter to iMovie'11 worked and I was able to successfully import my footage. But without software control I had to put the Import process in Manual mode. The program recognized the connected Canopus as an acceptable DV source ("cam"). I started the VCR and in about 30 seconds the iMovie import view screen locked into my DV signal and began displaying the video. The time code numbers were off but no biggie. I could then use my remote to move the tape to the desired clip locations and click the Import button during playback and it captured the footage. However since this was an A/D converter source iMovie was not able to break clips at each camera start/stop. One long continuous clip as long as I was importing/capturing but nothing that can't be dissected into pieces for use as you edit.
I've got iMovie'06HD on this Mac too. It runs fine on Mt. Lion. I booted it up and performed the same Hi8 import "test" with the same results. Manual control of the VCR but once it was running the video displayed in the Import window and importing worked as above....one long clip until I stopped the capture.
So your Digital8 camcorder not functioning with iMovie'08 is unusual. When I encounter such things I usually go through a typical routine of repairing permissions, then rebooting the Computer and then boot up the app. Try that BUT try booting iMovie with your camera already connected and powered up in VCR mode to see if that triggers recognition as the software loads. I've encountered that before on my G5 dually and iMovie'06 once in a while.
Another thing to try is manually playing your camcorder into iMovie and see if the app will eventually lock into the dv video signal like I experienced in my test with my converter. But with a Digital8 camera & FW it should give you camera control as that is a recognized/approved camera. A friend uses his Sony Digital8 with iMovie but don't know which version he runs.
Another test you could try is use your iMovie2 program to grab a one minute test clip and save it as an iMovie project. Then bring it over to your "modern" Mac and then right click the project file to "Open in iMovie" and see what the results are. You'll most likely get an Alert notice that says your project was created on an older version of iMovie and opening it in this version will convert it so that it won't open in the old program anymore. Not an issue in your case. If this works just grab all your clips in iMovie2 without any editing, transitions, titles or anything else. Just raw clips and bring the project into 08 that way. Then you won't lose any previous editing work that won't convert.
Keep us posted.