Imovie to FCE

Can I open imovie projects in FCE? Imovie does a good job of correcting exposure and FCE makes it very hard.

Effects in iMovie cannot be opened in FCE, but you can export from iMovie and bring that into FCE.

Similar Messages

  • IMovie 6 FCE - odd error, plan B?

    Hello!
    Bear with me - i'm an old time pro at iMovie (1, 4, 5, and 6), and have just upgraded to FCE HD. As in, loaded it up 6 hours ago!
    So, why did I upgrade? I'm pushing the outer limits of iMovie - particuarly with titles, transitions, small video effects, and other motion - exactly what FCE is better at! I see this is going to be a huge learning curve - and i'll work my way up eventually.
    In any case, I have been working on an iMovie - er, rather - half a dozen iMovies, which will eventually be combined and iDVD'd. Basically, I've been taking pictures with my Nikon digital still camera, photoshopping together some silly scenes, and placing them in the video track, complete with narration, SFX/VFX, music, and so on. It's kind of like a video comic book, actually. Each is around 5 minutes. Most are done, but there are a couple of fixes i'd like to make in FCE - particuarly with sheer lack of title options in iMovie (and plethora of them in FCE/Livetype)
    Well, my biggest worry is about the problem many seem to be having with iMovie transitions not importing, or screwing up the sync between audio and video. It seems many of the posts (that I saw) were posted in 2005 - before iMovie 6 and FCE 3.5. Has that changed?
    Said error is as follows: After trying to import an iMovie project via the import command in FCE, It gave a warning - "File Error: 1 file recognized, 0 access denied, 1 unknown."
    Ooookay...
    So, plan B - better safe than sorry. Like I mentioned, most of these "movies", more of chapters really, are finished. It's just one or two I'd like to re-work a bit.
    Since this is mainly just a hobby, i'm not TOO worried about pristine quailty, just as long as the timing is correct. So, I should probably just export what I have, and re-tool the resulting movies on FCE. Question is, what format should I use? It's a DV project, so I can just export "full quality", however I don't know enough about FCE to know what it's "native formats" are.
    Oh - I have also tried to simply open the "Timeline Movie" from the Cache folder in the iMovie project (control-click the package, "Show package contents"), but it siezes up FCE.
    In any case, the one critical condition about the movie is the timing - because I don't have a video camera, and the movies are made with stills, the timing between audio and video is pretty critical.
    Well, I hope that made sense - I think I need some sleep!
    Just in case: I'll repeat the questions:
    1. What does that error mean?
    2. Are the iMovie > FCE oddities fixed?
    3. If not, what's the best format to export my iMovie, to import into FCE without too much quality loss?
    4. Is there any special thing I need to do to ensure that the audio and video of the exported movie sync up?
    Thanks for helping this newbie!
    -Dan
    PS: I'm hoping to get a MiniDV camcorder for my birthday in 2 months. (well, i'm asking at least! ) Are there any particular things I should check for in a model to ensure maximum FC compatibility?
    15" 1.67 Powerbook G4 (non-HiRes), iMac DV (9.2.2)   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

    Hi Daniel.
    The problem with converting iMovie into FCE is that it is like changing apples into bananas - a tricky task!
    As for an export choice I am not absolutely sure without doing a test but I think "Full Quality DV" will be the best. (I have only got iMovie 4 so don't know whether iMovie 6 has different options).
    Just test it and see - it will probably take less time than writing a letter!
    Ian.

  • Exporting DV/HD files from iMovie to FCE-different sizes in canvas?

    Hi!
    Desperately need your help. I have a problem with moving my files from iMovie to FCE to edit. Pre cut in iMovie from both DV and HD files (canon 5D) and moving the project to FCE through XML. When in FCE the files line up with different sizes, the old DV files small, 1/3 of the canvas, the HD files perfect.
    Are there any settings which can be changed to fix this?
    Another problem I have is when exporting to QT the quality simply is not the same as when I export from iMovie and play on 50" plasma. Why? I have tried all options available.
    Hope someone out there has some experience and advise.
    Kind regards
    Olafur

    When in FCE the files line up with different sizes, the old DV files small, 1/3 of the canvas, the HD files perfect.
    I assume your Sequence settings are for HD which would be why the SD files are so small in comparison.
    -DH

  • Is a switch from imovie to FCE HD with 10.3.9 OK? Or do I need Tiger?

    OK, finally looking to switch from imovie to FCE, but have reviewed many posts regarding compatibility with Panther vs. Tiger, and I've been through the QT7 upgrade mistake with 10.3.9, and then went back to QT 6.5.2 (this is my first post, as most other imovie problems I have been able to resolve after checking the imovie posts - such as the QT7 issue and purchased iTunes songs not uploading unless burned to a CD first, etc., etc....).
    The FCE 3.5 requirements recommend 10.4.6+ and QT 7.0.4+, but it looks like many FCE users are still with 10.3.9, but maybe they're not using FCE 3.5. Should I try and find an earlier version of FCE and stick with 10.3.9? Any other recommendations or upgrade suggestions based on my current configuration for a "smooth" (not "jaggy" or "jumpy") transition from imovie?

    Ideally if you do serious, processor intensive work, such as video editing, music production or photo-manipulation, you should have a dedicated computer that nobody else touches - especially kids!
    Machines are like animals and wives - they should have only one master!
    I realise that last statement is not considered PC but as we are on a Mac forum, anything that is not PC should be OK.
    Anyway, I'm the master in my own house, when my wife lets me.
    Your machine may benefit from a little spring-cleaning. Open Disk-Utility and "Repair Permissions" on your boot HD and "Repair" all the others.
    Also run the Cron scripts with a free utility like MacJanitor:-
    http://personalpages.tds.net/~brian_hill/macjanitor.html
    Actually, you haven't said why you want to move from iMovie. Is there something you need to do that iMovie cannot?
    Ian.

  • Solution when iMovie or FCE will not import AVCHD files or MTS files

    Problem: iMovie or FCE will not import your footage from SDHC camera with files in AVCHD structure, or cannot import .mts or .m2ht files (which you may have copied from AVCHD structure. When mounting camera, you can see the camera as disk but iMovie will not try to import footage. If you point Final Cut Express (FCE) to the file structure, it fails to recognize it as a valid file structure. (I have Canon HF10, but understand that this problem is common on many camera models, maybe camera has been turned off at the wrong moment?)
    Cause: Faulty file structure on camera or disk
    Soultion: Rebuild AVCHD file structure using an AVCHD editing tool. I found multiAVCHD (multiavchd.deanbg.com), which is not perfect, but will do the job. And it is freeware (possible to donate).
    I would like comments about others experience - but at least this worked for me:
    - Download and install the software (Yes, you need Windows)
    - Set the right parameters: mostly default, I didn´t want any recoding. But tick off to keep the source files!
    - Select the AVCHD source (or source .mts or m2ts files) and destination
    - Start rebuilding: select output for Sony Playstation 3
    - Put the AVCHD file structure on a USB stick
    *If using iMovie:*
    Start iMovie and plug the USB into the mac (virtual disk (.dmg file) or other media should work fine as well). The USB may contain other files as well, but the root of AVCHD must be named AVCHD.
    iMovie recognizes the drive as a camera. All is not 100% well, as the dates for making the footage is lost, and the thumbnails are distorted if seen at all, until clicked on. But then import worked for most clips. Some clips gave an error message, but FCE was able to import these (Log&transfer).
    *If using FCE:* Use Log and transfer on this file structure (need not be on external disk)
    If you have a better solution - please share! I suppose there are other tools out there which may correct the file structure with less side effects and no errors.
    If you go for this solution - remember the author of multiAVCHD, he will surely appreciate a donation. I guess everybody will agree that this is worth at least as much as you paid for your SDHC card.
    Why a function to correct faulty file structure is not included in iMovie and FCE is beyond my understanding!
    I notice many users salvage their footage by converting the .MTS files, using Handbrake etc. But I believe rebuilding the file structure is faster and with no quality reduction.

    Hi everyone,
    I'm hoping someone is still subscribed to this and can help.
    I have a Sony HDR-SR10. Yesterday I was able to connect it to my iMac by USB and view all the footage in the import window of iMovie (08).
    Last night, to save time sorting at home, I took it to work with me and using the software that came with the camera installed on a Windows PC went through to see which files were rubbish and could be deleted before importing to speed up the transfer on to my mac.
    Today, my Mac won't recognise the Camera!?!?!?!
    Have I inadvertently reformatted the .MTS files or the camera itself, to windows or something? CanI change it back??
    I'm currently creating a new disk image of the camera on my Mac in the vain hope that it will work and be recognised by the Mac as a camera. I can see from the progress box the following text:
    Creating Image "Sony Camcorder Media.dmg"
    =====Progress Bar=====
    Reading (WindowsFAT32 :1)...
    Which is why I think I've done something seriously wrong!! .. because it mentions windows!
    HELP! HELP! HELP!
    I have my entire honeymoon and the first year of my son on this camera and I want to edit with iMovie! Especially as I just paid for iLife 09 upgrade!

  • NO audio capture when importing imovie to FCE

    I am following the Apple tutorials to get me started on FCE, but have fallen down at the 1st hurdle.
    When I import a saved XML file from imovie into FCE there is no audio capture.
    I am getting the video/clip audio but I have added music from itunes to my imovie's as well and nothing seems to be coming across I just get a red line across the top of the clips and a bleeping noise.
    Anyone have any ideas?.
    Thanks

    Hi there,
    This "red line" and "bleeping noise" are generally signs that the audio does not match your sequence within FCE. FCE can only edit natively AIFF files at either 48kHz or 32kHz. Music from iTunes is not AIFF, so FCE needs to render out the audio to play it.
    So here's what I'd do:
    1. Click Option-R to render everything out. Chances are this may solve your problem.
    2. If this doesn't help, it may be because it is iTunes music and FCE doesn't let you use copyrighted material. For a way around this issue, look over this link:
    http://fcpbook.com/Audio4.html

  • I have recorded mono on a sony hxrmc200e how can i play stereo when I download from imovie to fce 4??

    I have recorded mono on a sony hxrmc200e how can i play stereo when I download from imovie to fce 4??

    While you really can't make a mono track true stereo, you can make it play to both left and right channels.  Pan the track to center (0), or you can duplicate the track and pan one copy left (-1) and the other right (1) ... or select both tracks in the Timeline (original and copy) and hit Option l (lowercase L) to make them a stereo pair.
    -DH

  • What are highest quality export settings from iMovie to FCE 4.0?

    I am using iMovie '08 to create Ken Burns effect movies from iPhoto photos to import into FCE. I want the least amount of loss from iMovie to FCE.
    What are the highest quality settings for exporting from iMovie to FCE.
    I do not care about size of file etc. Highest quality is all that matters to me.
    Cheers,
    Chuck

    Well here are the facts.
    My original question rephrased: "I want to know what are the settings to export Ken Burns created movies (therefore using photos) from iMovie (in this case iMovie '08) with the least loss and regardless of file size for importation into Final Cut Express".
    I went to the local Apple store and some of the users (employees) of Final Cut Pro mentioned appropriately they thought .DV would be the best. However when we played some created videos they looked horrible when compared to .MOV with H.264. This just did not make sense, but we went by what we were seeing. Not being able to think with this I did more research and found this article which explained why .DV lookes like pooh pooh compared to H.264 video.
    The article http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93002 explains a setting in Quicktime preferences that if not selected some videos appear pixelated.
    So, when this preference in Quicktime is selected (never thought to try playing on VLC) the .DV movies look better than those using H.264. So with this resolved then my trial and error testing was realistic. That is I could try different export settings and see which ones looked better to determine the best export setting.
    I tried what I thought was everything as far as "Export using Quicktime..." settings. Then I read in "iMovie '08 & iDVD: The Missing Manuals" under "The Video Codecs: A Catalog" an explanation of every type of compression when using the settings under "Movie to QuickTime Movie". Finally someone wrote more data on the codecs. I never found such explanation on the apple website (discussions etc). I really got tired of reading how H.264 is the better than sliced bread "greatest quality for the file size" which I think is true but did nothing to answer my original question. The book then mentioned the option "none". I was like I don't remember this option for "Compression Type". (BTW this all applies to iPhoto '08, Final Cut Express 4, and QuickTime Pro). So I tried "None".
    Wow! Zero pixelation! Vivid colors! So I created three videos. One using H.264, DV/DVCPRO - NTSC and None (I had already tried many others but for this last experiment just these three). I also maxed out the Quality for each compressor. Results:
    - H.264 colors looked a little faded from the original photos and minor minor fuzziness, file size about 6 MB
    - DV/DVCPRO - NTSC colors a little more vivid and less fuzziness, file size about 60 MB
    - None...Bam! absolutely photo quality resolution and color, file size about 600 MB. I didn't care about the size.
    So, bingo "None" as as the compressor settings in Quicktime to export iMovie '08 Ken Burns effect slide shows for importation into Final Cut Express (FCE) with minimal loss and who cares about the file size. Yeah, this is mammoth file but this allows me to make snappy Extremely High Quality Ken Burns effect videos in iMovie for FCE. Then when I export from FCE I don't make a copy of a copy but make my first compression of the video.
    That is my answer!
    I consider this thread closed and will only open if I find any of this is incorrect. BTW I already imported the iMovie '08 video with compression "None" into FCE and after rendering it looks awesome and plays well.
    Cheers,
    Chuck

  • Importing QT X Screen Recording into iMovie or FCE

    I have the new version of QT which allows you to do screen recordings. Nice feature. Except that once I get done capturing I need to edit what I recorded. So, I tried importing into iMovie '09 and it says it will take 4 hours to import it.
    Am I doing something wrong or did Apple design a piece of software that does not record in a format to work easily, seamlessly with another Apple software program? I tried doing this with FCE, too, and again it is going to take hours for it to be converted into a format that the app understands.
    I am using the default recording setting in Quicktime which creates a video in H.264, 1440x900 (screen size, of course), Millions of colors. The file is only 225.16MB in size.
    Any thoughts? TIA

    Hi a
    Yes it is really good to look into. iMovie or FCE ?
    Depends - they are both editing programs and I would say that there the
    similariity ends.
    There are (in my view) two different approach to get about the same result
    but to do this in iMovie You probably need to add a lot of plug-ins + add
    sound editing programs to iMovie and get a cost that is not so far from that
    of FCE.
    BUT
    FCE has a rather hefty learning in curv. but many things are extreamly easy
    to do like:
    - rotate and resize a clip
    - picture in pucture
    - change of sound amplification (increase or decrease)
    - getting the text how and where You want it.
    but
    - transitions are not as easy as in iMovie and much more.
    So if You have good grades and easy to re-learn then FCE is a good choise
    but if You are a person that are satisfyed with what You have learned and
    feel it bad to have to learn an entirely different way to import clips and
    strukture Your movie. Stay with iMovie, may be upgrade to iLife 6.
    (I use both of them for what is easy in one and then move to the other for
    what's is easy there)
    Yours Bengt W

  • How does one transfer from imovie to fce without loss of quality. Using a panasonic hdc-tm15 full hd 1920x1080

    I am capturing my footage on a Panasonic hdc-tm15 full hd 1920x1080 avchd. The format recorded is not compatible with fce so i have to import to imovie first. what export settings do i need to use to ensure i dont lose quality when going from imovie to fce?

    It is suggested to output MOV with AIC codec to keep the raw video quality at max.
    Output like this: Share->Export Using QuickTime..
    In pop-up windows, click Options->in Moive Settings pop-up window, click Settings button->In Compression Type box, choose Apple Intermediate Codec
    Good luck.

  • Hey Apple, How do you export from imovie to fce without losing quality?

    I am capturing my footage on a Panasonic hdc-tm15 full hd 1920x1080 avchd. The format recorded is not compatible with fce so i have to import to imovie first. what export settings do i need to use to ensure i dont lose quality when going from imovie to fce?

    If you shot Progressive it won't work directly, whereas Interlaed will with the suggested File>Log and Transfer method over USB.
    You will also need to select the matching Easy Setup before starting a New Project and transfering clips.
    That's usually an AVCHD 1920 x 1080i 50 or 60.
    50 for PAL, 60 for NTSC.
    Al

  • Capturing in iMovie vs FCE

    Hello all,
    I have just returned from vacation with a little over two hours of film and as I wait for FCE to arrive, I am wondering exactly what the difference is between capturing this footage with iMovie and FCE because I could just capture it now and then edit in a few days with Final Cut. I know that there is another post about this recently, but I don't really know enough about timecodes etc. that are involved in the explanation. Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you

    In Anthony thread "Backing up unedited family video: Should I capture using FCE or iMovie?" I explain my ideas about capturing in iMovie vs FCE. See:
    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2950085#2950085
    In that post I suggest that capturing in iMovie might be a possibility in some specific cases where recovering unused media files is important. However, there are two major assumptions when working in FCE:
    - you do not need timecode
    - you accept to render audio of all imported clips from iMovie
    Timecode
    It is a counter in the format like 00:01:00:12 (here meaning 0 hours 1 min. 0 seconds and 12 frames) that is recorded by the camcorder while shooting video and audio.
    This is not saved by iMovie into the .dv files it creates during capturing; instead it is saved by FCE/P into the QT movie during capturing.
    FCE makes use of it to reconnect media and capture project, even though it does NOT display it in its interface.
    (Note: what is called "timecode" in the timeline, viewer, and canvas windows has the same format but refers to the beginning of the clip or of the sequence, NOT to the original timecode recorded by the camcorder)
    Audio rendering.
    The .dv format recorded by iMovie during capturing is not a native format for FCE. FCE can import it as I think most video/audio format, but it has to convert it by rendering.
    This isn't a major issue in my opinion (others may disagree...) if: a. you don't mind waiting for audio rendering the first time you import from iMovie; and b. you use the following steps to prevent from rendering more times:
    - import the clips from iMovie to the browser
    - drag the clips to the timeline (all of them get a render red bar for audio)
    - render all (opt-R) (the only time you do it because of the iMovie import...)
    - drag back the rendered clips to the browser
    - delete the original imported clips
    Now in the browser you have clips ready for editing that do not require more audio rendering than any other clip directly captured by FCE.
    I hope this answers your question
    Piero

  • Importing clips from Imovie into FCE - Clips don't match

    Hi
    OK I have been successfully importing Imovie clips into FCE, but have recently hit a problem. I make a rough edit in IMovie but when I open the imported file in FCE I get different footage to that which sits in the IMovie project.
    Yes I am opening the right clips

    nothing?
    ok I have worked around it a little by importing all the footage and that way I get most of it but still not all of it makes it through

  • IMovie to FCE - should I invest?

    I am quickly outgrowing iMovie, but I have concerns about stepping up to FCE. Below are three frustrating problems in iMovie - there are many unresolved posts regarding these issues. Can anyone tell me if they've experienced the same problems in FCE?
    Thanks.
    1. Blurred / pixelated titles: Adding titles looks great in iMovie, but when I export, even in "full quality", the titles become blurred, pixelated, and look very unprofessional. Does FCE look better?
    2. Adding transitions causes audio/video sync issues: When adding, say, a "cross dissolve" in iMovie to two video clips (call them clip A and clip B), clip B shifts significantly - by 18 frames - causing obvious sync issues. I've read a lot in the FCE discussions about "handles", but can someone tell me if this iMovie problem exists in FCE? I do a lot of music video editing, so the audio/video must stay in sync for transitions.
    3. Moving clips around / deleting clip - audio doesn't go with the clip: Say I've exctracted audio for Clip B (I always extract audio so I can create volume fades). I decide to cut off one second at the beginning of clip B. I highlight that one second and hit "delete". The video shifts to butt up against clip A, but the audio does not. Does FCE do this as well?
    Thanks again for your help.
    Powerbook G4   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

    I'm a whiz kid, I guess.
    I went to college for video production having no experience whatsoever. I didn't even know what Firewire, miniDV or an NLE was. My first project ever I cut together was on Final Cut Pro 3 after getting about a 15 minute demonstration from a professor.
    Looking back on it, I spent a lot of time on getting the basics down, and the project was crap. But just spending the time with program put me way ahead of my classmates when I took my first actual production class.
    In fact, I was never really able to get the hang of iMovie. The lack of in and out points, the bizarre switch between camera and playback mode, the obnoxious way it handles audio tracks just left me so frustrated (I'm sure some of this has changed in recent versions).
    My point is, I don't think FCE is the more difficult program. Yes, it is more intimidating, because it doesn't hold your hand. But don't let that fool you, because you might have a lot of "Oh!" moments where something in FCE makes a lot more sense than it ever did in iMovie. It's just a matter of switching to a new way of thinking about cutting. I honestly don't think it's hard, just different.
    And remember, the manual is your friend.

  • Want to upgrade from iMovie to FCE. What will be the difference?

    I am currently working through hours of DV footage from my camcorder using my Macbook and iMovie. Although I have been pleased with the results I know now that I want to upgrade to both a better computer and to Final Cut Express. I have also been considering going the full way to Final Cut 2 but as this is a lot more money I am wondering whether the upgrade to FCE will be enough. What extra do you get with FCE over iMovie and what more will it allow me to do. I have been pretty amazed at how good iMovie is at a consumer level so would expect FCE to allow me to be even more creative but am not sure exactly how. Is the upgrade enough or would FC2 be a better option. I will not be needing to make broadcast or professional productions, just do a good job at a serious amateur level. I do not need to use a lot of effects but I do want to be able to add good soundtracks and transitions. The audio is an important part of my movies.
    thanks

    Brilliant..just what I wanted. Thanks. Looks like I will need to read up on some of the terminology to get a good idea of what each feature before buying but thats a great table.

  • Opening an iMovie in FCE

    IMovie captured from the camcorder. I used all the event files to build the project in iMovie, assigned the name "George," and quit iMovie. In FCE, I clicked Cmd-O > Home > Movies > iMovie Projects > George > Choose. The system returned "Wrong File Type." How come?

    You cannot open this version of iMovie file in FCE. You have to export an XML file from iMovie and import that into FCE. It only moves limited sequences, no effects, titles, iTune music.

Maybe you are looking for