IMovie won't let me import video files

I have been trying to import MPEG video files from a disc into iMovie and every time I try to do this the Optimizing Video box pops up and nothing happens (I then have to force iMovie to shut down). What can I do to get my video files imported into iMovie? Thanks for the help!

iMovie cannot handle mpeg files.
You need to convert thoe files back to DV which iMovie is designed to handle. For that you need mpegStreamclip:
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
which is free, but you must also have the Apple mpeg2 plugin :
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D2187Z/A/quicktime-mpeg-2-playback-component-f or-mac-os-x
(unless you are running Lion in which case see below))
which is a mere $20.
Another possibility is to use DVDxDV:
http://www.dvdxdv.com/NewFolderLookSite/Products/DVDxDV.overview.htm
which costs $25.
For the benefit of others who may read this thread:
Obviously the foregoing only applies to DVDs you have made yourself, or other home-made DVDs that have been given to you. It will NOT work on copy-protected commercial DVDs, which in any case would be illegal.
And from the TOU of these forums:
Keep within the Law
No material may be submitted that is intended to promote or commit an illegal act.
Do not submit software or descriptions of processes that break or otherwise ‘work around’ digital rights management software or hardware. This includes conversations about ‘ripping’ DVDs or working around FairPlay software used on the iTunes Store.
If you are running Lion:
From the MPEG Streamclip homepage
The installer of the MPEG-2 Playback Component may refuse to install the component in Lion. Apple states the component is unnecessary in Lion onwards, however MPEG Streamclip still needs it. See this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3381
To install the component in Lion, please download MPEG Streamclip 1.9.3b7 beta above; inside the disk image you will find the Utility MPEG2 Component Lion: use it to install the MPEG-2 Playback Component in Lion. The original installer's disk image (QuickTimeMPEG2.dmg) is required.
The current versions of MPEG Streamclip cannot take advantage of the built-in MPEG-2 functionality of Lion. For MPEG-2 files you still need to install the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component, which is not preinstalled in Lion. You don't have to install QuickTime 7.

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IMovie won't let me import videos from my library!

Hello,
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Try this - Reset the iPad by holding down on the Sleep and Home buttons at the same time for about 10-15 seconds until the Apple Logo appears - ignore the red slider - let go of the buttons. (This is equivalent to rebooting your computer.) No data/files will be erased.
If you have a 2-in-1 adapter, it's not an Apple product.
Try this. You can use a USB flash drive & the camera connection kit.
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Using The iPad Camera Connection Kit
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4101
iPad: Using iPad Camera Connector with unsupported USB devices
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4106
Secrets of the iPad Camera Connection Kit
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57401068-285/secrets-of-the-ipad-camera-conn ection-kit/
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This may be the problem:
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http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61414
I don't suppose there's a way to upgrade to iMovie 3 without paying?
No. But, you may be able to find it cheaply on eBay.
:)Sue

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THANK YOU!
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What does holding down the option key with launching the program do? I might need to use this again or with other programs.
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Were you able to solve this problem?
I am experiencing the same on
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SSD with 512GB; about 81GB are still free
Software:
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but non of the solutions under the post #4, #17 either did not work or applied to me, because they were suggested for a Windows user.
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dbyjazz wrote:
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https://www.google.ee/search?num=100&newwindow=1&client=safari&rls=en&q=connecting+to+dyna mic+link+server+failed+LR+mac&…

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IMovie won't let me import video files

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