IMovie and my videos

i'm new at iMovies and is not really cler to me where my videos goes after importing in iMovie, and if it converts in a different format that original one
so should i backup my original video file (shot with a camcoder)?
an other question is, that when i preview clips moving the mouse over it is a little slow, probabli because are HD clips, would it be better using Final Cut Expres? if later on i woult upgrade at Final Cut Expres could i keep all my projects and videos that i have in iMovie?

I found out

Similar Messages

New 27 iMAC keeps crashing iMovie and freezing videos on YouTube & Quicktime

We just got a new Sept 2013 iMac three days ago, purchased refurbished from the Apple Store online. The whole point of the purchase was to be able to use iMovie to thoroughly edit videos for our YouTube channel, use garage band, lots of internet surfing and video watching etc. We spent the extra dollars to get what we thought was the most improved version of the iMac with all the souped up specs in order to avoid any hassle and headaches from a lack of performance. Here's what we have:
3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
27-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1440 resolution
8GB (two 4GB) of 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM
1TB hard drive (We have only used 80 GBs of it so far, so plenty of space left)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M graphics processor with 2GB of GDDR5 memory
720p Camera & Mic
OS X 10.9
We're feeling a bit duped now as this seems to have turned out to just be a big expensive piece of junk. Here are our problems:
- Firstly, thank goodness that we had our own Logitech HD camera/mic left over from our PC because the "HD camera" built in to the iMac is worse in quality than my old blackberry curve. Grainy, lack luster, mic has sharp and distant sound, really really bad and false advertisement.
- In the middle of using iMovie (iMac came preinstalled with the newest one, i think its 10?), it will stop responding properly or will crash and close, we wont even have any other programs running.
- When opening Quicktime to record a new video, in the middle of a recording or while the recording window is idle, it will start glitching - flashing between live footage and a freeze frame repeatedly. The only way to stop it is to quit out Quicktime and open again and try to record quickly, or in some cases we have to completely restart the iMac, which then still randomly in the middle of a recording or idle window it will continue to flash and glitch. (You can view an example here in the last minute of one of our videos, we tried to make it work and kept the take since we were doing our outro music dance, but it totally ***** when this happens randomly during our content portion and we have to redo recording. http://youtu.be/MAJzaEShJGw?t=4m34s )
- When watching YouTube videos, the computer takes a while to respond to a command, like if we click on a certain part of the video, it will not load it until we press the pause/play button a few times and wait. Also at the beginning of a video it will start glitching and freezing again, similar to how we explained above in the quicktime, but faster.
If you are familiar with what could be the problem or have any advice, PLEASE HELP, we are concerned that after dropping so much money within just 3 days of use, this iMac is not performing flawlessly in the areas that we most needed and want to know if these issues are common and fixable or if its a defect that would require we send this thing back immediately. We did not get apple care and would hate to have wasted money that we really dont have on a glitchy crashing huge piece of junk.
Want to mention a few other pros and cons unrelated to our issues, for those who may be considering buying one too:
PROS:
- The Magic mouse is really great, particularly because of the scrolling and zooming gestures. (Though sometimes i accidentaly swipe in a browser and go back to a previous page losing any information that was input on the page i was originally on, for example, i had to retype this whole apple imac inquiry because i swiped backwards by mistake and the whole form cleared! annoying, wish the horizontal swipe navigated between tabs instead of going through the page view history.)
- When the imovie is not crashing, after watching some tutorials and making a few vids, its a really greatly improved program from the '09 version we used to use. I import and edit videos much faster now, and footage does not freeze or take time to load while im dragging and dropping, it is immediately responsive.
- Love using the Talk to text function (like Siri) by pressing "fn" twice. Use this to write long emails and papers with ease. Would like to see a "Speak" read back option that allows for text to be selected and read back (like Siri on iPad)
CONS:
- The text is SO small everywhere and there is no option to exactly set text size across the whole system, only option given is to set a different resolution which lessens the quality of the screen with pixelation, and some programs give you the option to set custom sized text in their individual preferences.
- Sometimes in both iMovie & Garageband, simple automated functionality will stop working, for example in iMove, when certain screens or images are dragged and dropped to the work area by the activity bar (i dont know what else to call it, the line that rolls across during playback or stays put when pressing spacebar) usually, that screen or image will click into place to align with the activity bar and will highlight the bar yellow to further communicate that alignment before you drop it, but after extended use in a session, that snapping into alignment when adding items stops working. Or sometimes you can drag and drop the ends of a title screen to adjust/trim the clip, but after extended time that too stops responding and does not let the cursor turn into that arrow that allows you to trim or extend, until after many frustrated clicks or a quit and restart.
- When sharing/exporting a video from iMovie, i would recommend unchecking the add to theatre option because it significantly extends the amount of time needed to complete the action and i found out the theatre is just like a video stream of your movies to be shared on icloud for easy access from your other devices (similar to the icloud photostream connected to iPhoto). It takes the time to make the video readily availabe in various sizes on the Mac server for easy access, which means it takes forever for your video to be exported to where you actually want it. This is not something we need and is not worth the wait time. (For example, last ime we left the theatre box checked, the progress status of the video was estimated to be completed in 351 minutes, and then 20 minutes later that somehow inclreased to 385 minutes, then duddenly it was done, so i think this add to theatre option also cause the progress status updates to go berzerk.)

Given the maximum RAM that model can use is 32GB, and the earlier release of that 27" mid-2013 iMac is nearly the same in most regards, you may note the listing of this slightly older iMac 27" is here in an Apple support document...
•iMac: How to remove or install memory:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1423
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1423#1
The images of where the RAM chips are located, behind a metal plate, should be similar in your iMac and the mid-2013 iMac 27" shown in images on that page. Note there are several models discussed.
You could take the computer to a certified Apple service facility (retail store, or specialist reseller) and pay them to do this, and buy the RAM from them, and you will pay for this at a retail level. If they do it, you'd want to be assured the computer did all the things you sought to cure by upgrading RAM, correctly without fault. Like run tests and stuff.... Or there's no reason to not go ahead (after confirming from Apple) that you could buy quality RAM and do this job yourself, citing the Apple page link I'd posted above.
Contact Apple Support:
http://www.apple.com/support/contact/
You'd have to obtain the correct RAM (as indicated in my earlier post, citing MacTracker) of suitable quality for use in a Macintosh computer, and the recommendation for a DIY is to get the kit from 'Other World Computing' OWC online at their site. You can talk to knowledgable sales staff at OWC about what you have and what you need, and to help they may ask for the product serial number.
This is OWC and they have the spec RAM required for your iMac 27" model; double-check info:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/2012_27/DDR3L
Since yours is an Apple Refurbished model it will have a different number series. Unlike those in a retail store, because Apple does that to tell what ones they refurbished; refurbs I bought online were like that.
With questions during the first three months, you can get 'support' under the initial 90-day span of ownership of the new (and certified) Apple refurbs bought online; the other part of that is 'service' for 1 year. Call a nearest retail Apple Store, to set a genius appointment; or go online, and start the process of reporting your issue, while you still have some kind of warranty on the device. They can diagnose the issues you cite and tell you if you can upgrade the RAM (as you likely can) then you can buy and install the RAM yourself and probably pay less than 1/2 the retail rate, if you get some from OWC. A diagnosis is free if the Genius looks into it, but you'd need to set an appointment & lug the iMac to their store; protected from weather/shock.
If you want to extend the complementary service to three years (less the included 90-days) and add two years of AppleCare service, that is an affordable option of about $170. For a total of three years coverage.
{If you had a 21.5-inch iMac the RAM would require a service department visit where they use a different method to install the RAM upgrade. Those are built differently than the 27-inch iMac.}
There is a bit of detailed important information in the Apple link on how to upgrade the iMac RAM. There is a certain amount of RAM installed already and these chips would likely be removed if you get matching sets of new RAM to upgrade the capacity. And no matter what some say, there is a reason why they can be upgraded with more. Even with Mavericks OS X 10.9.x and its 'memory compression' etc, it would gladly accept all the RAM upgrade chips it could swallow. (Behind metal screen, mid-bottom iMac 27")
You may need to consider questions about applications that use system resources separate from those about whatever issues your iMac seems to exhibit. There may be some other cause of the video and iMovie symptoms, but more RAM won't hurt given the beast you bought can use 32GB and it has 8.
And if it seems too much to handle, you have 14 days from date of
purchase to take it back. Contact them ahead of then, if you do.
Hopefully this helps.
Good luck & happy computing!

IMovie and Importing video AVCHD from the Canon High-Definition HG10

iMovie 08 does not let me import high definition video (AVCHD) from the Canon HG10 camcorder. Could you let me know how I can do this or what program can do it? iMovie 08 and the Mac do not recognize the high definition video (AVCHD). Thanks for your assistance. Best, Joe

Your camera is on the supported list, and if you will search these forums, you will see that many people are using it.
iMovie recognizes AVCHD, but only from a supported and connected camcorder.
If you prefer not to import from your camcorder, you can buy a program called Voltaic. It takes about 12x realtime to convert AVCHD to an editable format. You can import directly from your camera much quicker.

IMove and Canon Video Cam

i just bought the new Canon Vixia HF200. it is Mac Compatible and i have imported the still photos from the flash drive. When i started to import the video into iMovie, all seemed well.
at one point, i wanted to start the import part over again because a few clips didn't import. iMovie stopped recognizing the cam. i have tried zapped pram, repaired permissions, trashed plists, updated all software. no go...iMovie still refuses to see the cam, it sees only my build in iSight.
i can still import photos with no problem...but iMovie just doesn't see the cam.
i am doing this on my MacBook Pro. Any ideas?

Greetings, Gil!
Here's my initial ideas for your consideration.
I expect that you have already checked to see if anything from this link helps you:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1317
I see you have reset PRAM, but have you tried resetting SMC/PMU? That, and other troubleshooting tips related to your inbuilt iSight may merit a look at:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
The other Apple Article I looked at about your problem is:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iMovie/7.0/en/10331.html
The thing that caught my eye there is that you might be experiencing a conflict with DVD Player (or some other app?). Try connecting the camera, quitting any extraneous apps like DVD Player that might open, and then launch iMovie.
If that does not help, you might restart your Mac and try again with NOTHING but the HF200 connected.
If the problem persists, and if the only problem you experience is with iMovie, you might reinstall iMovie to see if that cures your problem.
If everything fails, we might want to brainstorm this via iChat
and then post the fix here for benefit of others with a similar problem.
Will watch for your status update...
EZ Jim
G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.7) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

QuickTime, iMovie, and JVC Video miscommunication

I've been uploading footage from my JVC Everio WS camera to my external hard drive. From there, I drag the footage into an iMovie project. From there, I edit and create magic. However, I've run into the problem of QuickTime no longer recognizing my film files and iMovie not importing the footage into projects.
When I try to open the .TOD files with QuickTime, which has worked up until now, I get the message "The movie contains an incorrect duration." I don't need to open the files in QuickTime to make movies, but when I try to drag them into iMovie projects, I get "The file could not be imported: The file “Brains/Volumes/Outside Brain/My Film Projects/Raw Footage/Hiroshima/succeed.TOD” can’t be imported; QuickTime couldn’t parse it: -2014"
I clearly have no idea what to do, especially considering that this hasn't been a problem until, seemingly, overnight. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I thought it had something to do with QuickTime v7.4, but I don't know how it could. Please, help!
Peaces,
.DAN

It does have something to do with the new QT update, and all you have to do is go to this link http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20080208085017788 and follow the directions for downloading Pacifist, followed by replacing the new QT with version 7.3.1. It works like a charm. After you do all of this, you will be able to import your .tod files from a folder on your computer to iMovie HD.
Trust me, this works. I've been searching all over the internet for a solution to this problem, and finally found this solution. I was able to import my movie files without converting them with ease, just as I had always done before. Good luck!

Scrambled graphics in iMovie and iPhoto

When using iMovie and Wondershare Video Editor I get scrambled graphics which has now spread to iPhoto. Will my iMac recover by itself or is this a sign of a damaged graphic card or similar. Graphics on the internet seem to be working OK. I'm using 4GB ram, is this perhaps not enough memory for intensive work with video editing and editing in PhotoShop?

Be patient. Apple's servers are currently inundated. Try again later or tomorrow.

I have a new macbook pro and just made a video on imovie and it asked me to put it on idvd but there is no idvd listed as an option. How can I get idvd?

I have a new macbook pro and just made a video on imovie and it asked me to put it on idvd but there is no idvd listed as an option. How can i get idvd. it doesn't seem available

Since Apple has stopped supporting and offering iDVD you'll need to purchase the iLIfe 11 disk from a 3rd party retailer like Amazon.com: iLife 11 which will include iDVD 7.
OT

How do I move a movie I have synced from iTunes into the "Movies" tab of the Video App? I need to access a slideshow I made in IMovies and may not have WiFi. I did it once, but can't figure out how to do it again! The file is an m4v. Thank you!

How do I move a movie I have synced from iTunes into the "Movies" tab of the Video App? I need to access a slideshow I made in IMovies and may not have WiFi. I did it once, but can't figure out how to do it again! The file is an m4v. Thank you!

Im just guessing but it seems like you would have to get your movie into the correct folder on a computer then use iTunes to sync it to your iPad. If you've synced to a computer and have movies then on your computer should be a folder with the movie in it. You could export your iMovie to something like Dropbox then download from Dropbox to the folder you think it needs to be in the sync your iPad again. Again this is just a guess. Others may have a better answer.

I have home videos from a Sony DCR-HC20 and am trying to get them onto my IMac in itunes or imovie and I have it plugged in with a USB and don't know where it is or what to do next.

I have home videos from a Sony DCR-HC20 and am trying to get them onto my IMac in itunes or imovie and I have it plugged in with a USB and don't know where it is or what to do next.

Hello, not certain, but turn the Camera onto Play if it has such a setting, does it show up in iMovie then?

Is there a way to create a still image from video in either imovie or iphoto? I want to add an arrow to an imovie and so far have not had any luck but I'm thinking I might be able to add an arrow to a photo and then incorporate it into the movie.

I'm still trying to point out a location in an imovie with an arrow. I thought I might be able to insert an arrow in a still photo from the imovie and then reinsert the photo in the movie but my attempts at capturing a still frame from a video in imovie or iphoto haven't worked so far. Any ideas any one???

First, get an app called MPEG Streamclip, which is free. You can find it by googling MPEG Streamclip Squared 5.
Open MPEG Streamclip.
In iMovie, select the clip you need. Then, right-click/Reveal in Finder.
Drag this clip into MPEG Streamclip
In MPEG Streamclip, move the playhead to the frame you want.
In MPEG Streamclip, click FILE/EXPORT FRAME.
Choose JPEG, TIFF, or PNG and give it a name.
Also, for how to add a pointer, try Karsten Schluter's website for a good post on how to do this.

I am trying to use imovie and i have never had this problem before. All of my videos are completly grey and when you try and play them all i get is a black screen but i still hear audio. Can you please help and tell me what i need to do. Thank you

I am trying to use imovie and i have never had this problem before. All of my videos are completly grey and when you try and play them all i get is a black screen but i still hear audio. Can you please help and tell me what i need to do. Thank you

Make sure all of the videos used in the project that is having that problem are from the same event. If they are from multiple events, move them all into one event.

I made a movie with iMovie and cannot get the audio when I burn into dvd. I would like to transfer video to a dvd to be played in any computer and TV

I made a movie with iMovie and cannot get the audio when I burn into dvd. I would like to transfer video to a dvd to be played in any computer and TV

Go to the Map mode in your iDVD project and make sure the blue bin at the left is empty. That's where you drag slideshows to if you want the DVD to open immediately to that slideshow and bypass the menu.
Click to view full size
If there is an item in there drag it out.
OT

Hi, i get the error -49 when trying to Export a Movie edited in iMovie and recorded with Elgato Video Capture anyone know why i get this Error and can help me?

Hi, i get the error -49 when trying to Export a Movie edited in iMovie and recorded with Elgato Video Capture anyone know why i get this Error and can help me?

Read this
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1583

I made an iMovie last night and the video is in my library but it won't let me play it or edit it?? Help Please

I made an iMovie last night and the video is in my library but it won't let me play it or edit it?? Help Please

Contact iTunes support at the link below.
https://ssl.apple.com/emea/support/itunes/contact.html

How to get iMovie version 9.09/2009 Mac version 10.7.5 to recognize JVC GR-DX77U camcorder via 9 pin to 4 pin firewire and import video

My question: Is it possible to get iMovie version 9.09/2009 MacBook Pro/ Mac Os X version 10.7.5 to recognize JVC GR-DX77U camcorder via 9 pin to 4 pin firewire and import video?
My camcorder is recognized with 4 pin to 4 pin firewire on laptop with Windows operating system; however, it will not recognize on MacBook Pro with 9pin to 4 pin firewire. JVC website does not offer any updated camcorder driver software for this camcorder and older version driver on CD will not download onto MacBook Pro.

Hi
With the reservation of that I us:
• iMovie 9.0.4
• Mac OS X.6.9
see my notes
NO CAMERA or A/D-box
Cable
• Are You sure that You are using the FireWire Cable - USB-Cable will not work for miniDV tape Cameras
FireWire - Sure not using the accompany USB-Cable but bought a 4-pin to 6-pin (or 9-pin) FW one ?
• Test another FW-Cable very often the problem maker.
Camera
• Test Your Camera on another Mac so that DV-in still works OK
• Toggle in iMovie pref. Play-back via Camera (on <-> off some times)
• Some Cameras has a Menu where You must select DV-out to get it to work
• Camera connected to "charger" (mains adaptor) - not just on battery
• Camera set in Playback mode - NOT Recording mode
Does Your Camera work on another Mac ?
Sorry to say it is to easy to turn the 6-pin end of the FW-cable 180 deg wrong.
This is lethal to the A/D-chip in the Camera = needs an expensive repair.
(Hard to find out - else than import/export to another Mac ceased to work
everything else is OK e.g. recording and playback to TV)
A/D-box
• Is the dip-switches set right ?
• Set to same standard as recorded/editing e.g. NTSC 29.97fps or PAL 25fps
• Try resetting it
Connections
• Daisy Chaining most often doesn’t work (some unique cases - it’s the only way that work (some Canon Cameras ?))
Try to avoid connecting Camera <--> external HD <--> Mac but import directly to the Mac then move
the Movie project to dedicated external hard disk.
• FireWire-port - Can be re-setted by - Turn off Mac and disconnecting Mac from Mains/Power for 20-30 minutes
External device’s (hard disk’s)
• Should be FireWire as USB/USB2 performs badly and so does Airport or Net-work connected ones too.
• MUST BE - Mac OS Extended formatted - UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange - DO NOT WORK for video due to 4Gb barrier.
Mac
• Free space on internal (start-up) hard disk ? Please specify the amount of free space.
(Other hard disks don't count)
I go for a minimum of 25Gb free space for 4x3 SD Video - and my guess is 5 times more for 16x9 HD ones
after material is imported and edited. No Camera or A/D-box
• GarageBands fix - Close iMovie, Open GarageBand, Play some notes, Close GB and iMove can now be OK
• Does Your Mac have a FireWire Port
• White MacBooks - don't
• MacBook-Air - don't
if not then a few Mac’s has a PCM-CIA slot and there are FW-Cards that makes a FW-port this way
else - NO SOLUTION
Only option as I get it is either
• Use another Mac to Capture material (to an external USB2 - Mac OS Extended formatted hard disk - or -
• Change to another Camera that can be used with Your Mac (no there are no miniDV tape Cameras that can)
• If Your Mac-Book has a PCM-CIA Card place - then there are FW-port-Cards and then
You can import via this - but I've not seen this on more modern Macs. My PowerBook G4
has one and this FW-Card-port works greatly.
SoftWare
• Delete iMovie pref. file may help sometimes. I rather start a new account, log into this and have a re-try.
• Any strange Plug-ins into QuickTime as Perian etc ? Remove and try again.
• FileVault is off ? (hopefully)
• Screen Saver - OFF
• Energy Saver - OFF
Using WHAT versions ? .
• Mac OS - X.5.4 ?
• QuickTime version ? (This is the heart in both iMovie and FinalCut)
• iMovie’08 (7.1.?), 09 or 11 ?
• iMovie HD 6 (6.0.4/3) ?
Other ways to import Your miniDV tape
• Use another Camera. There where tape play-back stations from SONY
but they costed about 2-4 times a normal miniDV Camera.
• If Your Camera works on another Mac. Make an iMovie movie project here and move it
over to Your Mac via an external hard disk.
(HAS TO BE Mac OS Extended formatted - USB/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange WILL NOT DO)
(Should be a FireWire one - USB/USB2 performs badly)
from LKN 1935.
Hi Bengt W, I tried it all, but nothing worked. Your answer has been helpful insofar as all the different trials led to the conclusion that there was something wrong with my iMovie software. I therefore threw everything away and reinstalled iMovie from the HD. After that the exportation of DV videos (there has not been any problem with HDV videos) to my Sony camcorders worked properly as it did before. Thank you. LKN 1935
from Karsten.
in addition to Bengt's excellent '9 yards of advice' ..
camera set to 'Play' , not rec/computer/etc.?
camera not on battery, but power-line?
did your Mac 'recognize' this camera before...?
a technical check.
connect camera, on, playback, fw-connected...
click on the Blue Apple, upper left of your screen ..
choose 'About . . / More . .
under Firewire.. what do you read . . ?
More
• FileVault - Secure that it’s turned off
• Network storage - DOESN’T WORK
• Where did You store/capture/import Your project ?
External USB hard disk = Bad Choice / FireWire = Good
If so it has to be Mac OS Extended formatted
----> UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange is NOT Working for VIDEO !
mbolander
Thanks for all your suggestions. What I learned is that I had a software problem. I had something called "Nikon Transfer" on my Mac that was recognizing my Canon camcorder as a still camera and was preventing iMovie from working properly. After un-installing Nikon Transfer and doing a reboot, everything worked great.
I never liked the Nikon Transfer software anyway--I guess I'll get a cheap card reader and use that to transfer photos in the future.
No Camera or bad import
• USB hard disk
• Network storage
• File Vault is on
jiggaman15dg wrote
if you have adobe cs3 or 4 and have the adobe bridge on close that
or no firewire will work
see if that helps
DJ1249 wrote
The problem was the external backup hard drive that is connected, you need to disconnect the external drive before the mac can see the video camera.
MaryBoog wrote
Maybe your problems is solved in the meantime, but for all others this might help as I had the same problem, also have the Sony HDR-HC7, but the 7e (Europe, PAL). I found this link today and it works perfectly
//support.sony-europe.com/tutorials/dime/videotransfer/vtransfer.aspx site=odw_en_GB&sec=DVH&m=HDR-HC7E
What I exactly did.- put camera in play mode - open guide - choose connection guide - choose comp./printer (where to transfer movie to) - select connection.- i-link (on my camera) but equal to firewire - OK - choose HDV - choose NO for conversion of i.link.
Settings are shown then (VCR HDV/DV.- HDV and i.link-conv..- OFF), press OK, OK, END.
Switch camera off. Connect firewire cable to camera & Mac. Switch camera on, in play/edit mode.
Open i-movie, choose import from camera. On screen below the camera connection is shown.- DV (HDV). Now you can import, automatically or manually.
This worked perfectly for me. Took me 2 days to find out. Could not find any clear thread explaining what I had to do on the camera and the manual was not clear either.
Yours Bengt W

IMovie and my videos

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for