Importing MP4 format into Imovie

I have just purchase a New HD video camera which seems to record in MP4 format, which shows an error message when I try to import into Imovie (an error occurred during import) my previous camera recorded in avi format, which did not create a problem.
Will Imovie accept MP4 format or do I need to change some settings.
Thanks for anyhelp

sorry, I'm a bit lost in your narration, so in my words, you like to:
• convert DVDs
• you need just a few selections of each DVD
• combine those clips to one movie, not as individual clips on one DVD
right?
1) you could speed-up that process dramatically, if you just want to 'select and combine' by avoiding any conversion (editing mp2 directly).. therefor, you have to learn other, very different (=less convenient) tools than iApps.
2) or, by using a diff. converter, namely Mpeg Streamclip, you can select and convert just the parts you need from DVD, illustrated advice on my site: http://karsten.schluter.googlepages.com/convertdvdstodvs
3) general advice: slow processing indicates a lack of disk-space on internal/'startup' drive.. keep 15-30Gigs free while doing any 'video work'
and, btw, welcome, Mactooth92, to the  iMovie boards..

Similar Messages

How can I import mp4 movies into iMovie?

How can I import mp4 movies into iMovie? I am running iMovie on iLife 09.

Hi
Open it with QuickTime-player pro and Export it as AIC.
Use this in iMovie
Yours Bengt W

Importing .mp4 files into iMovie takes too long. Is there a quicker method?

Basically what the title asks. Would it be quicker for me to burn the mp4 onto a dvd and then rip it into iMovie? Currently, my import wait is 1784 minutes, and I really don't have this long to wait.
Help would be wonderful.

I'm not sure how many songs your importing, nor how much cache your Mac has...But In case this is your first time using Itunes M4p files in your Imovies, I'll give you this heads up....Imovie will let you import M4p files from Itunes into your movie and you can watch it and listen to the song fine. When you try to export it to IDVD and burn a movie, you might have problems. It will b*tch about "this computer is not authorized" for this song or something. Unless Imovie '08 fixes this, you have to burn the songs you want to use in your Imove to a CD, then import them back into Imovie. It will not let you burn a DVD from Imovie/IDVD with songs you paid for directly from your Itunes Library. Unless you're importing from a slow external hard drive and have low system memory on your Mac, I don't see why it should take so long to import songs from your Itunes library. If you already knew of the copyright problem Imovie has, my apologies.....And it is a problem. You shouldn't have to burn to disc and re-import songs from Itunes, that you already legitimately paid for with your Itunes account.

My experiences of importing different formats into IMovie...!!

I’ve been through a lot of pain with IMovie for the last 6 months, and cracked it a couple of days ago. I therefore feel the need to write about my experiences.
I have lots of old footage on:-
1. DV tape
2. HI8 tapes
3. Sony mini-DVDs
4. DVDs
5. Sony standard def hard disk camcorder files.
1. DV tape
This was a joy to import. OK, so I had to invest a small amount of cash to buy a new cheapie DV camcorder (as my old one broke years ago), but the import itself was easy. Just connect the camcorder, the import window appears, and away to go. Events are imported with the correct date and time, and it even creates a new event for different days imported.
2. HI8 tapes
As I’ve only got a few of these, I decided to ‘cheat’, so I’ve recorded them onto DVDs using my domestic DVD recorder sitting under my TV. So the problem is shifted from HI8 tapes onto DVDs.
3. Sony mini-DVDs
I’ve been trying to crack this issue for months. Clips are imported in random order, even though they are shown in the correct order in the preview. Hopefully it will get sorted. See the following thread:-
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9404421&tstart=0
4. DVDs
Haven’t tried this yet, until the mini-DVD issue is sorted. I might go down the road of converting the VIDEO_TS folders into DV files using MPEG Streamclip from squared5.com but I’d rather wait and import them ‘properly’ as the software intended.
5. Sony standard def hard disk camcorder files.
Now this is the biggie…..
I had about 1,000 MPEG2 files on my hard disk, that I’ve moved from my camcorder over the years. To my annoyance, when I switched from a PC to the Mac, I needed to buy the MPEG add-on to Quicktime. OK, so no big deal, but even then, all I could get was the video with no sound. After weeks of digging about, I found out that the reason there was no sound is because apparently Quicktime can’t handle MPEG files with AC3 dolby digital sound. As all of my files are recorded in this format, this was a major hurdle.
I then dug around and discovered that on the Sony CD that comes with the camcorder, there is a utility to down mix the AC3 audio to stereo. But it can only do one file at a time – no good for 1,000 files.
Even so, I tried a few files, and yes – they now played under Quicktime WITH audio.
But when doing an import into IMovie 09, the files are greyed out and cannot be selected. So back to the drawing board...
I then looked into various bits of software, finally deciding to get MPEG Streamclip, in order to convert the files in something more Apple friendly.
I did lots of experiments over many weeks in converting files to different formats for import into IMovie, and even though some of them looked excellent, when exporting to different sized export files (e.g. IPod, AppleTV), some of them had artifacts and shimmering all over the place.
Reluctantly I took the helpful advice of someone to convert them into DV files. I say ‘reluctantly’ because the files are HUGE. So much so, I then shelled out (even) more cash on a Drobo to store all the converted DV files.
Next problem...
Because MPEG Streamclip converts the files into DV files, the original date and time information is lost. This is a real pain and means IMovie thinks all the files are 2009.
I then purchased the excellent ‘A better finder renamer’ and ‘A better finder attributes’, to see if I could rename the files. Unfortunately there is no easy way to say ‘change the date/time on the new DV file to be the same as the old MPEG file’ a thousand times over.
I then approached a company about writing a bespoke automator script to do this for me. But it was going to be expensive.
I then set about manually changing some of the dates of the files.
Even then, IMovie was getting confused during the import, and putting some of the scenes in the wrong order. Looks like because MPEG Streamclip is so quick at doing the conversion to DV, that some of the files have the same time stamp, so IMovie gets confused.
I then looked into software to slow my Mac down, so that MPEG Streamclip would run slower (I wanted to guarantee that each file out of the thousand that it created was created in a different MINUTE to the last file). This was proving fruitless however.
I then had useful discussions with Appleman1958 - see thread -
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1979095&tstart=0
who suggested that I could rename the files with the IMovie notation, i.e.
clip-yyyy-mm-dd hh;mm;ss.ext
I even worked out how to do this automatically using ‘a better finder renamer’.
But there was still one more issue.
When the files were imported into IMovie, the thousand files would just come in as one event (unlike importing DV tape where it splits into days).
Being unhappy with this, I had a brain wave and decided to try something else. AppleMan1958 helpfully suggested putting the files into different folders “behind IMovie’s back”, something I was open to doing, but wanted to try something else first...
I resurrected my old camcorder from my attic, and filmed a few minutes of footage.
I then plugged the camcorder into my Mac. To my AMAZEMENT, the import window appeared in IMovie (just like it does for DV tapes), AND the audio played as well as the video. I was absolutely staggered.
I then noticed an ‘archive’ button within the import window, so decided to press it. It then copied the MPEG file from the camcorder onto the hard disk. But it did so in the structure of the original camcorder (i.e. it creates a series of specially named folders, just like on the camcorder).
I then decided to copy all 1,000 of my MPEG2 files into the new special structure that had just been created.
All 1,000 files were then accessible using the standard import function!!!!
(By the way – I’m sure people already know this information – and I’m in no way taking credit for any of it, as it’s probably been suggested by other people in the past).
I’ve now happily imported all of the files.
(Interestingly, a couple of times it said ‘Error!’ on importing some of the files. The third time I tried it, it worked. How random!!)
What amazes me is that now the Mac CAN seemingly handle MPEG video AND ac3 audio, whereas it can’t handle it by double-clicking the files in the finder. I can’t see why this should be the case. Also, it’s really annoying that when importing the files from hard disk, the files are totally greyed out – but it CAN import them by fooling IMovie into thinking it’s a camera archive.
Ofcourse now I’ve spent all this extra money, it’s time to dust off the old camcorder and use that for a few more years, until I pluck up the courage to go hi-def...
Hope you enjoyed reading – thought I’d share my experiences incase there are any newbies out there with similar issues. It’s annoying that Apple make it seem like childsplay to connect your new shiny camcorder to IMovie, but seem give little help in the more technical issues.
Now, if only they’ll fix the mini-DVD import bug too...!
Brad

Hi Brad,
when you use Streamclip to convert media, use the same name for the exported file (only with different extension). Then make a shell script calling
touch -r origFileName.mp2 newFileName.mov
This will copy the exact time and date from origFileName.mp2 to newFileName.mov
The script may look like this (save the file, give an exec permission to it and call it in the right directory):
#!/bin/bash
for i in `ls *.mp2`; do
NEWNAME=$(ls "$i" | sed -e 's/mp2/mov/')
touch -r $i $NEWNAME
done
You may need to adapt the extension names used (in the example above .mp2 is input file to get the date/time stamp from and .mov is the output file to stamp.
Have fun and cheers

Importing mp4's into iMovie '09

Why am I able to import one mp4 into iMovie '09, but not another one?
Here's one that I can import.
Then there's this one that iMovie won't allow me to import.
Any clues as to why?

The second file has a text track, which could be a chapter track or closed captioning track. iMovie will not import files with anything other than video and audio tracks in supported codecs. Also, the second file has both AAC and AC3 audio. This may be OK, but the AC3 audio may need a special DIVX codec that is not included normally on a Mac, but you might be able to download from the Internet.
I would try first to remove the Text track. You could do this in QuickTime Pro version 7 which is available from Apple for about $30. If it still does not work, I would try to get a codec that can understand AC3, or just delete the AC3 track and use the AAC track.
How to install QuickTime Pro
Apple's QuickTime Pro site
For detailed help with QuickTime Pro, there is a Discussion group here.

Import mp4 clip into imovie project

Thought I could drag and drop - but it's not working. Original clip was filmed with the movie setting on my regular digital camera as a .mov file extension. I think I was told I needed to convert to mp4, which I did with isquint. Still can't put the clips into imovie. What am I doing wrong?

Thought I could drag and drop - but it's not working.
Where are you trying to drop the files? "Drag 'n drop" only works if you drop the file on an "Event Name" in the Event Library list and not directly to an Event window. Of course, the audio and video compressed data must be compatible.

Why does it take hours to import mp4 files into iMovie

I have some home movies I imported from VHS-C and compressed to mp4 files and now I want to start going through them in iMovie but it takes hours just to import a single clip (~575 meg).
What can I do to speed this up? Would getting a Mac Pro with loads of RAM and CPU's help? Would converting to a different video format before I import work?
Right now I have all this video I converted to digital and thus far spent days just importing and haven't been able to do anything with it yet!
I'm using an iMac core duo with 2 gig RAM and the upgraded video card (best one they had at the time).
Any help is appreciated!

This worked fine for me, was exactly what I wanted.
1 - Create the project in iMovie HD and then save and close.
2 - Locate the file on your computer. Ctrl-click on the file and it will say "show package contents". Click on that.
3 - You will then see some folder items inside that. Open up "Media" and then drag and drop your mpeg file into it.
4 - When you reopen the project, you will be notified that there are files in your trash. You want to view them to find the file you just moved there.
5 - Take that file and drag it back onto the project and you're in.
A major blessing!

Importing .mp4 movies into imovie

I have imported 4 movies (all are .mp4) that I have downloaded from the same source using Dropbox. One successfully imported to imovie as .m4v. The others do import, but as .mov, with only a single video frame (which has a "0" in bottom left corner with message: "indicates clip frame rate (0/s), not multiple of current project (30fps)." The audio is ok in all four movies. How can one import successfully and why do others come in as .mov with a clip rate of 0/s --when they are all .m4v files ... these three play fine (audio and video) in Quicktime from the finder window.

Actually what I ended up doing was opening the file in the Finder in Quicktime and in the contextual menu I found I could "trim" the clip. I trimmed it at the very beginnig, which had some issues anyway, then saved the file, which, of course, was saved as a .mov. Then I was able to import the file successfully.

Importing a video into iMovie

I have a Sony SLT-A33 DSLR camera and I am having a problem with importing video files into iMovie. The camera records in two different formats 1920x1080 50i AVCHD and 1440x1080 25p MP4. I have heard that using 1440x1080 with 25 fps progressive MP4 will give better results so i filmed around 10 mins and when i plugged my memory card into MBPR iMovie did not find any importable files.
I then used a different memory card to check if something is wrong with card but iMovie found nothing again, however when recorded in AVCHD 1920x1080 50i iMovie can import.
I also have Aperture 3.4.4 installed and it recognised the MP4 files and imported them into Aperture library. I could then access the MP4 file through Aperture library in iMovie but the playback is very laggish and editing is almost not possible.
Could you advise me on what format I should use?
1920x1080 50i (interlaced) 25fps
1440x1080 (progressive) 25fps with pixel ratio of (1x1.333)
How can i import the files into iMovie for editing?
I was also looking at FPCX but being a bit pricey, I decided not to get it. Should I invest in FPCX?
I am using Macbook Pro Retina (Mid 20120
i7 2.3GHz - 3.3Ghz Turbo Boost
8GB 1600MHz Ram
Nvidia GT650M 1GB
256GB Apple SSD
Mountain Lion (10.8.3)
All softwares are fully updated.
Thanks

I don't have your camera, but this is worth a try...
Try importing your MP4 files by using FILE/IMPORT MOVIE... and navigate to your camera card to select the MP4 files.

Import fotomagico slideshow into imovie 09 for hd output to youtube?

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I want to know what's the optimal setting for importing hd movies into imovie and then exporting the imovie to youtube in the highest hd.
Options for sharing from fotomagico include:
hd movie for h.264 format
quicktime mp4
quicktime
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all with options for size, framerate, compression?

There are many possible options/formats for sharing/exporting from fotomagico, a slideshow software.
I want to know what's the optimal setting for importing hd movies into imovie and then exporting the imovie to youtube in the highest hd.
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quicktime mp4
quicktime
youtube
all with options for size, framerate, compression?

Cannot import mp4 files to iMovie anymore

A few weeks ago I was able to import mp4 files to iMovie. I've encoded the files with Handbrake first.
But now, I've downloaded a mp4 file (and then to be sure encoded this one too) but can't import it in iMovie.
How is this possible? They are all in the same mp4 format, but my last one doesn't work. It won't even play in Quicktime..
In the image below, you can see that the upper file can't be selected while trying to import it into iMovie.

Hi Misstarretje,
Have you read this article about how to import all kinds of mp4 files to iMovie ?

How can I import a movie into iMovie 09 from a hard drive? The movie will open and play in idvd but breaks into separate files that can't be downloaded when I try to import. Can it be done?

How can I import a movie into iMovie 09 from a hard drive? The movie will open and play in idvd but breaks into separate files that can't be downloaded when I try to import. Can it be done? I am trying to create a disc of player highlights for a collegiate coach, and I am using movie files downloaded to my hard drive from a DVD created on a PC.

No unfortunately it won't open in quicktime either. It does the same thing that Imovie does, separates it into two file folders audio and video, and if i select video it opens to reveal 8 files that cannot be selected. VIDEO_TS.BUP, VIDEO_TS.IFO, VIDEO_TS.VOB,VTS_01_0.BUP, VTS_01_0.IFO, VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VB, VTS_01_3.VOB. All of which cannot be opened or selected.
Opening it in Idvd and folllowing your suggestion works and I get a format code of NTSC. Is that the same? Thank you for your time and response.
CaCanuck

Importing quicktime file into iMovie 11 resulting in distortion

After having trouble importing Quicktime files into iMovie hd6, I decided to buy iMovie 11. So the file imports without squishing the image into 4:3 as it did in iMovie hd6, but now the movie has a strange strobe like flashing that is not present in the original.
Any ideas?

See if you can open the file in QuickTIme PLayer. Click Command-I (or WINDOW/INSPECTOR) in QuickTime Player. Tell us what is listed by the word FORMAT:

Cannot import Finalize movie into iMovie

I have a Sony DCR-DVD103 and when I go to File>Import Movies I do see my Finalized DVD, but all the files including the Import button are grayed out. How can I import the Finalized movie into iMovie?
Upon connecting the Video Camera to my MacBook Pro, DVD Player launches. I quit DVD Player and go to iMovie>Import Movies, but never see how to import the movie into iMovie.

I have a Sony DCR-DVD103 and when I go to File>Import Movies I do see my Finalized DVD, but all the files including the Import button are grayed out. How can I import the Finalized movie into iMovie?
The "Import Movies..." option is for importing "edit" compatible files from a hard drive into iMovie '08. If the source files are not already "edit" compatible, iMovie '08 will not let you import them. Instead, try the ""Import from Camera..." option. If iMovie '08 properly recognizes you DVD camcorder, it will import your MPEG2/AAC content by converting all MPEG-2 "P" and "B" frames to "I" frames (which are editable), convert the AC3 audio to AIFF, and place both in an MOV file container with start and/or end time offsets to minimize drift between audio and video. The resulting file can then be edited in iMovie '08.
If the camcorder is not recognized by iMovie '08, then you will probably have to import the MPEG2/AC3 files to you hard drive and manually convert them to an edit compatible compression format manually using an MPEG-based, third-party conversion application like iSquint (free), MPEG Streamclip (free but requires $20 QT MPEG-2 Playback component), FFmpegX, (donation-ware), Visual Hub (pay-ware), MPEG2 Works (pay-ware), or similar application.

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 :-)

Importing MP4 format into Imovie

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