Importing MPEG-1 to iMovie

I have a Sony Camera and it shoots videos in MPEG-1, it will go into iphoto but will not import into i video

please try to be more vague...
I have stated 6 very specific, very common video/audio compression formats that will work in iMovie '08. There are dozens of additional possible permutations using these compression formats in different combinations, as well as, using additional less common audio formats that were not mentioned. It would be a waste of my time to try and explain how to convert using an average of three different MPEG Streamclip work flows for each possible target permutation.
how could anyone possible understand what you're talking about
The various groups I work with locally on a routine basis whose members range in age from 12 to 80 have little or no problem understanding the basic concepts involved even if they are not familiar with the specific use of the MPEG Streamclip application itself. Based on what you say, I would have to conclude that you are either not familiar with the use of audio/video codecs; their purpose in terms of time, space, and/or efficiency; or are simply one of those individuals who has trouble making decisions when offered too many options. In this case, I suggest you download iSquint (free) which limits your output options to MPEG4/AAC or H.264/AAC compression format. Here is a "Quick Notes" tutorial for using it to convert either MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 files for use in iMovie '08.
look... the problem is clear... now how to i convert the files
The basic concept here is to decide in which compression format you want to edit your files. DV/DV and AIC/AIFF are high quality compression formats that produce large source files for editing. M-JPEG/AIFF and Photo-JPEG/AIFF compression formats represent a compromise between quality and source file size. MPEG-4/AAC and H.264/AAC conversion normally produce small source files for editing but at a cost in potential final quality. Only you can determine which compression format would best suit your specific needs for a given project, hardware, and/or storage memory considerations.
Once you have decided on which target compression format you want to your, you then convert to that format combination by "export" your MPEG-1 files using the appropriate export option in the "File" menu. For instance, most people who want to export to a DV video with DV audio compression format would normally select the "Export to DV..." option. However, if you prefer DV video with AIFF (Linear PCM Big Endian) audio (or other audio option) you could also select the "Export to QuickTime..." or the "Export to Other..." File menu options and enter more "customized" settings if you so desire and know what you are doing.
i got the freaking streamclip software and have converted it to every file imaginable and it still don't work
Obviously your statement is an exaggeration since out of the thousands of possible combinations, there are literally hundreds that do work with iMovie '08.
so does this work or what?
Since it would appear you don't have a clue what is going on here and seem too frustrated to proceed logically on your own or seek personal assistance from someone more knowledgeable in your local area, my suggestion would be to use the "iTunes" preset option. Simply select the "Export to MPEG-4" File menu option, press the "iTunes" button, ensure that the default dimensions/aspect ration match you MPEG-1 input file, and press the "Make MP4" to automatically create an H.264/AAC file which will import to iMovie '08.

Similar Messages

  • How can i import mpeg files into iMovie?

    how can i import mpeg files into iMovie?

    Where are your MPEG stored?
    I have hundreds of old MPEGs stored in my nexternal drive, but unfortunatly i was not able import them into iMovie. I did the following trick: I created a new set of a folder and subfolder and called it "Virtual_CAM/DCIM" and saved it on my desktop. Then went to Disk Utilities>File Menue>New>Disk Image from Folder. Then selected the folder on my desktop and clicked enter. I moved the .dmg file to my external (or just keep it on your desktop). I clicked on the .dmg file. It shoud be visible on the Finder. Open your Imovie and import as you do from your camera.

  • Importing MPEG 2 into iMOvie

    hi folks, I was wondering if anyone has yet imported MPEG2 files from a DVD handycam into iMovie?
    Is there any noticeable difference in this format than with the old mini-DV format as I am considering upgrading to a 3-chip DVD video camera...and am in research mode before taking the next step
    any advice or suggestions would be welcomed
    many thanks
    Tony

    Hi e
    Copy from Karsten S:
    .. and here the complete 'full 9 yards' ... :
    DVDs are in a socalled delivery format (mpeg2), which isn't meant and made for any processing as editing...
    for using the iLife apps, you have to convert'em first, in recommended order, choose one of the following tools/workarounds:
    * DVDxDV (free trial, 25$, Pro: 90$)
    * Apple mpeg2 plugin (19$) + Streamclip (free)
    * VisualHub (23.32$)
    * Cinematize >60$
    * Mpeg2Works >25$ + Apple plug-in
    * Toast 6/7/8 allows converting to dv/insert dvd, hit apple-k
    * connect a miniDV Camcorder with analogue input to a DVD-player and transfer disk to tape/use as converter
    none of these apps override copyprotection mechanisms as on commercial dvds...
    http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
    http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml
    be nice to copy rights
    ... and try the forum's search-feature...
    from Karsten
    Can't be said any better.
    Yours Bengt W

  • Importing MPEG-2 With iMovie - JVC Everio

    I have two problems.
    1. I cannot watch or edit my camcorder videos, which are mpeg-2 files with a .MOD attached to the end of the file. How do I watch these successfully? Should I download the codec for Quicktime despite the horrible reviews?
    2. How do I edit them with imovie without losing alot of quality? I've found converters but when I convert to a mp4, I lose a lot of the quality. Help!

    I have been converting them to the highest quality that my program, VisualHub, will let me, which includes the H.264, but I am still noticing a very significant reduction in quality.
    I assume here that you are referring to a difference in quality between the original MPEG2 video and the intermediate H.264 file and not between your original file and any final output from iMovie '08. (I.e. you are referring to the output from Visual Hub?) If so, then what are the specs for the file so I have some idea as to what I would normally expect in the way of quality?
    I decide to do a quick test on this end also and post the results so you could see what I consider "expected quality" levels for the settings I proposed. Basically, I demuxed a VOB source file to elementary M2V and AIFF files and combined these streams of data with an AIC/AIFF conversion of the original VOB and placed them in an MOV file container with the AIC video display offset so the two video tracks can be compared side-by-side either during playback or by manually stepping through the individual frames. Frankly, I don't really see any difference between the two. Unfortunately, I forgot that you don't have QT MPEG2 component to view the results and this "combination format" file can't be viewed by players like VLC (no valid FourCC), MPEG Streamclip (only displays the MPEG half), etc.
    However, since I went to the trouble of crating and uploading the comparison, I will go ahead ahead an post the URL which can be played directly in the QT Player by those having the appropriate codecs. Just be advise that there is no "Quick Start" for this file and it takes several minutes to download into the player even with a high-speed internet connection.
    http://homepage.mac.com/jrwalker4/.Public/MPEGAICComp.mov
    Should I use another program?
    My personal preference would be MPEG Streamclip, but there are others who are very satisfied with Visual Hub. So it is really up to you.
    Will paying for the Quicktime MPEG-2 codec help?
    I consider it an essential tool for working with both MPEG Streamclip and QT Pro but if you don't use either, then I see no need to buy it.
    How about upgrading to Quicktime Pro?
    There are many things you can do with QT Pro that simply cannot be done or cannot be done as easily in other applications. It will not help you to convert "muxed" MPEG2 files and preserve the audio but does support M2V files with supported audio. Since I don't know what you routinely do, it is difficult to advise you here. For me QT Pro and the QT MPEG2 component are required on almost a daily basis.

  • Import MPEG 2 files into imovie 08

    I have a Sony Handycam (Model: DCR SR 65E) which records movies on its HDD in MPEG2 format. When I tried to import my clips into imovie 08 (Macbook) I realized that these two are not compatible. imovie does not recognize this movie file format.
    On reading the associated manual with imovie08, it clearly mentions that it can recognize MPEG2 format and will import files using USB ports.
    I currently have multiple video files on my handycam but cant do much with them. I have used 3rd party converters to covert to other format (MPEG 4 etc) but it invariably degrades the quality and I dont want to consider thsi approach. Is there any way my Macbook/imovie 08 can work with the Sony Handycam?

    This is nuts. As a Windows refugee I can't believe I have to leave my 24" iMac sitting on my desk and use Movie Factory on my wife's little HP notebook because iMovie won't read my mpeg-2 files.
    And I find it hard to believe that there are still people out there who think that that all forms of video are the same. This is like saying a Chrysler, a Mac truck, and a jet plane should all use the same fuel since they are all vehicles. If you buy a camcorder that stores files in a compression format specifically designed as a means for distribution and delivery, then it should not come as a surprise that it may need to be converted to a compression format designed specifically for editing to do a "proper" job of editing in a video editor specifically designed to edit at the intraframe level as most professional, prosumer, and consumer video editors do.
    The only way I can open them on the iMac is through VLC (a freebie program I highly recommend). QuickTime is useless unless I pay $20 or whatever for a plugin. How can this be so difficult?
    QT has never fully supported any of the multiplexed compression formats like MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VOB, or Flash. While some are QT "playback" only and others are playback only with the proper QT component installed, none are conversion and/or edit compatible with QT processes which are based on the temporal synchronization of up to 99 tracks of different data types and not designed for the conversion/editing of spatially synchronized audio and video stored as interspersed blocks of data in a single data stream. Just as you need the proper engine to run on a specific type of fuel, you need the proper type of video engine to play, convert and/or edit different types of video. Simply put, QT is not a "muxed" MPEG engine.
    Why is Apple making it so difficult to transfer videos over from Windows to MacOS. I thought they wanted us to switch.
    Apple has no say as to what types of videos you may chose to transfer. It cannot legally provide support for any proprietary codecs that may have been used to produce your original Windows content. Neither would I expect Apple to go out of its way to perform research and development in support of compression formats which are in the process of being replaced and can already be handled satisfactorily by other means currently available.
    Has anyone successfully got around this roadblock?
    You have three basic options here:
    1) You can manually convert the files to any of the compression formats currently capable of being edited in iMovie '08 using a third-party, MPEG-based engine designed to bridge the gap between Multiplexed MPEG video/AC3 audio files and the QT structure now embedded in the Mac OS. I prefer this work flow since it gives the user the greatest control and maximizes editing options.
    2) You can "image" your MPEG-2 based content in order to fool iMovie '08 into performing the the conversion for you. Your success here will likely depend on the method you employ and which version of iMovie '08 you are trying it on.
    3) You can purchase a MPEG-2/GOP based editor specifically designed to edit your MPEG-2 content "natively." I don't know of any good ones for the Mac and my only experience with such programs in the past have all be unqualified disasters.

  • Importing MPEG-2 /IMovie Project

    I have a new Mac Pro with FCE. I would like to import the MPEG-2 files that the Elgato Hybrid TV USB produces with minimal conversion; I can do that without conversion on the PC side, but I do experience sync problems. I get an error message in FCE when I try to import either MPEG-2 or iMovie project. I see mention of the Quicktime MPEG-2 convertor in posts about MPEG, but I also have seen a post that says that FC is shipped with the convertor. Do I need to buy the $20 convertor to get my high priced Mac to handle MPEG? It exports MPEG2 but doesn't import it?
    ESLBruce

    FCE does not directly import or export MPEG2. If you have MPEG2 material that you want to edit in FCE you will need to convert it to DV first. Most people in this forum have found MPEG Streamclip does the job quite nicely. You will also need the QuickTime MPEG2 Playback Component if you don't already have it on your Mac.
    If you have HDV material that is MPEG2, FCE HD will capture the material but it transcodes it to the Apple Intermediate Codec upon capture. Again, FCE does not work directly with MPEG2 material.
    When you import an iMovie project into FCE you will need to render the clip's audio in FCE before doing any editing.

  • How do import .mpeg to iMovie

    Hi there,
    just a question: how do I import a *.mpeg file into iMovie? I can wathc it by QT but the import is denied! Should iMovie works with QT for the import, so why it cannot import those files?
    Any suggestion please?
    Thank a lot,
    Mimes!

    Interlaced Scaling and Chroma is defaulted for a reason
    Yes, MPEG Streamclip author struggled with the Interlaced Scaling default a while back. He chose to default to Interlaced Scaling and put a notice to "Deselect it for progressive movies" (you did see that hint in the export dialog, didn't you!).
    Progressive movies are a little bit sharper with Interlaced Scaling turned off (the difference is quite small, though). On the other hand, interlaced movies look TERRIBLE with Interlaced Scaling turned off if the vertical height is scaled!
    ...so there is a problem if the material contains interlaced AND progressive video. The compromise is to turn Interlaced Scaling on and accept that progressive material isn't as high quality as it could be. ...perfectionists will have to separate interlaced material from progressive and set Interlaced Scaling accordingly
    MPEG Streamclip guide says this about Reinterlace Chroma:
    "If you are converting an interlaced MPEG-1/MPEG-2 file, you may wish to "reinterlace" chroma. By checking "Reinterlace Chroma" you can enable a special remapping of 4:2: 0 chroma lines so they will be split correctly between the two video fields. This is a very advanced option: only professional users may see the difference in the output movie. This option is enabled by default; disable it when you are sure your file is not interlaced. This option has no effect if the source stream is not an MPEG-1/MPEG-2 stream."

  • How to simply import mpeg to iMovie '08

    Could someone explain step by step how to import mpeg video files into iMovie 08 please?
    Thanks

    Could someone explain step by step how to import mpeg video files into iMovie 08 please?
    Open the file in MPEG Streamclip (free) and convert to DV, AIC, M-JPEG, Photo-JPEG, MPEG-4, or H.264. (Multiplexed compression formats like MPG, MPEG, VOB, Flash, etc. cannot be edited by the QT structure.) MPEG-1 files can be converted by the base MPEG Streamclip application. MPEG-2 files require the $20 QT MPEG-2 Playback component be installed. iSquint (free) will convert either MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 files without additional support but limits you to MPEG-4 or H.264 files. Visual Hub adds DV to what iSquint can export but is not free. Other applications like FFmpegX (donation-ware) or MPEG2 Works (pay-ware) can also be used.

  • IMovie can import MPEG files directly on iMac!

    IMovie in my iMac can import mpeg files with no hassles. At the same time iMovie on my Mac book air can not do the same except after conversion to a compatible  format by a third party software ! Any explanation for that ?
    MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

    Yes, iMovie '08 can do this. Make sure you finalize the disk in your camcorder first. And it has to be DVD formatted as a Video disk, not VR. Macs cannot read from VR-formatted disks.
    You don't import any files directly from the camcorder. Instead, use "Import from Camera". Actually, with iMovie '08 running, when you connect your camcorder, the camera import window should pop up automatically.

  • 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

  • Download and import YouTube videos to iMovie for  editing

    Download and import YouTube videos to iMovie for editing
    YouTube always provides people with raw video materials on all sorts of things happened worldwide in real time. Video lovers are fond of downloading these files as private collection, even using video editors like iMovie to do further editing of their favorite ones, so as to import them to portable devices like iPod, iPhone, PSP, Blackberry, etc. for playback, or upload to their own websites to share with others, or do something else as they like.
    However, not all the people have found a proper way to download YouTube videos, not to mention how to add these files to iMovie for editing. YouTube videos are in the format of FLV, which is not a workable format in iMovie, so if you want to import YouTube videos to it without trouble, you should convert FLV files to iMovie compatible formats such as MPEG-4 and MOV in advance. With the special intention of solving these two problems, this guide will show you how to download YouTube videos and import them to iMovie for editing step by step. If you are in need, just feel free to go along with it.
    Step 1: Download, install and run Pavtube YouTube Converter for Mac
    This converter can process downloading and conversion simultaneously. Once you launch it, the interface below well pop up.
    Step 2: Add URL, select output format and set save path
    Press tag “Add URL” in the above interface, and then the following window will appear. Just copy and paste the URL of the YouTube video file which you want to download and convert to the text box after “URL”. Then select a supportable format for iMovie by clicking the drop-down list of “Convert To”. Here I choose MOV for example.
    Afterwards, you can insert the storage file name in the text box of “Save As”, if not, the program will generate one automatically. Here I save my file as “mycollection”. Meanwhile, you are allowed to hit “Browse” in the opposite side of “Save To” to specify the destination folder. By the way, if you want to save the original FLV files, you are allowed to tick the checkbox “Save FLV File” to achieve this goal.
    Step 3: Custom
    This program enables you to adjust video and audio parameters like codec, bit rate, aspect ratio, frame rate, sample rate, and channels, so that you can change them randomly according to your own demands. Generally speaking, the options which refer to values are always in condition of the larger values, the larger file size, but better quality. Do remember click “OK” to save your custom settings.
    Step 4: Download and convert
    Once all the settings are done, you can click “OK” button to start. The following window will show you the progress of downloading and conversion.
    Step 5: Import the output MOV files to iMovie
    As soon as the YouTube video files have been downloaded and converted to MOV or other iMovie workable format, you can click “Open” at lower right corner of the above interface to find out the output files. Afterwards, launch iMovie, and click File > Import to add the output files to iMovie for editing.
    Tips:
    1. This program supports batch tasks so that you can download multiple YouTube video files in batches at a time.
    2. Pavtube YouTube Converter for Mac adopts multi-threading technology, which makes its download speed is faster than any other similar YouTube downloader.
    3. Besides YouTube.com, it can also automatically detect and download online videos in the format of .flv, and f4v from many other video-sharing websites, like Yahoo Video, Myspace, Google Video, Fox and more.
    4. It also provides users with conversion function, with which you can convert any YouTube FLV/F4V files to other formats like MP4, MKA, WAV, AC3, MKV, FLV, MP3, M4A, 3GP, AVI, MOV, MPG, etc. at will.
    5. If you only use it as a YouTube downloader without format conversion, you can take it as a piece of freeware.
    All right, this guide is ending up now; hope it will do you a favor while downloading video files from YouTube as well as importing them to iMovie for further editing.

    It's a clip from CNN (with all credits etc. added). When one refers to it as a clip posted on "YouTube", then people understand the quality will be poor.
    I've watched television go from everything shot on a tripod with clean, meticulous editing rules, to almost anything goes. It has to do with cultural reference.

  • Import vob file to imovie no tone

    I managed to import a .vob file from a disk to imovie, with the import/file function in imovie.  But there is no tone with the film.  When I check the vob file with MPEGstremclip of Quicktime , there is a tone.
    Any help how to import the vob file with tone?

    Use MPEG Streamclip for this, and you will have sound.
    See detailed instructions at this link.

  • 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.

  • Importing MPEG and MOV

    i have been trying to import MPEG and MOV files to iMovie 08 without any success.
    the movies i have already previously copied to my HD, or have been copied for me, so I am not copying them from any camera.
    The funny thing is ... when i look into my iPhoto library from iMovie he does recognise the videos i have copied directly from my digital photo camera, but i can't just copy any MPEG or MOV files from any other location, previously copied, to my iMovie library.
    Does anybody here have the same problem as me?

    Does anybody here have the same problem as me?
    Everyone will have this problem. It is the way iMovie '08 is currently programmed. The basic problem is that most users fail to realize that there are three distinct levels of support in QT based applications:
    1) Playback Support - This simply means a particular compresion format can be played in a QT application. E.g., MPEG2 video is not normally supported without the QT MPEG-2 component while MPEG1 and H.264/AAC files are both playback compatible as they are.
    2) Conversion Support - This means a file can be "properly" converted to another compression format. In this case, "muxed" formats like MPEG1 and MPEG2 (even with the QT MPEG2 component) cannot be converted to another compression format by QT applications and retain their audio content while H.264/AAC files can.
    3) Edit Support - This means that certain operations can be performed on the audio and/or video content at the frame level. QT applications can, for instance, segment the audio and video content of an H.264/AAC file at any frame but since "muxed" files like MPEG1 and MPEG2 files consist of "blocks" of audio data interspersed with "blocks" of video data in a single stream, segmenting a file at any point other than one where a "group" of such "blocks" ends/begins would mean the loss of many "frames worth" of either audio or video data. AVI has a similar problem. Since the "instances" of audio and video data mesh like the cogs of two wheels, segmenting an AVI always leaves a 1 frame deficit between the number audio frames and the number of video frames. (Ever wonder why you end up with that one "white" frame at the end of youe file?)
    Now we come to the various types of QT based applications. Many, like iPhoto and iTunes don't really look at the files when they import them, so they are more than happy to import anything they can read and recognize. If a file can be played in the QT player, it can be played in both iPhoto and iTunes. On the other hand, some applications are a bit "picky" about what they will export. iTunes, for instance, will not export/sync a file it has imported if the target device cannot play it. iMovie '06 is also different, in that it will import anything it can convert even if it can't convert it properly -- i.e., an MPEG1 file will be converted to DV video but lose any audio that may have been contained in the file. iMovie '08 takes things to a new level. Since imported files are simply moved/copied to "Events" folders in their original compression format, iMovie '08 first checks to see if the files contain both audio and video data that can be edited at the frame level. If both cannot be edited at the frame level, then iMovie '08 will not allow you to import it. Camcorder devices, however, are handled differently. Since most content on tapeless models are not stored in a QT edit supported format, these files, as well as HDV, are converted to an intermediate codec (which can be edited) as part of the import process.
    As to digital cameras, many manufacturers store their video clips in generic file containers. Just because a Kodak digital camera stores its data in an MOV file container, it does not mean bothe audio and video compressions formats can be edited in iMovie '08. Many Kodak models, for instance, store their video clips as MPEG4/µ-Law 2:1 files. Unfortunately, while the iMovie will accept the MPEG4 video, it doesn't like the µ-Law compressed audio. Same holds true for many Casio digital cameras which use Motion JPEG/DVI ADPCM comressed formats. Once again, iMovie has no problem with the Motion JPEG video content but refuses to accept the DVI ADPCM audio. Luckily, users have two options here. They can either convert both the audio and video to an iMovie '08 edit compatible compression format or simply convert the audio content and "re-merge" it with the original video for maximum quality. And, of course, MPEG1/2 "muxed" files or M2V files with unsupported audio compression formats must be converted for the reasons already mentioned above.

  • 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 :-)

Maybe you are looking for