Is an 8.7GB file too big to import into iMovie 9?

Is an 8.7GB file too big to import into iMovie 9? I am using iMovie 8.0.6 on a Macbook Pro running OS 10.6.8 on 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 2 GB Memory. I can't get my movie file to import into iMovie...any advice would be much appreciated!

When you import into iMovie, your video is converted into DV format. This uses 13 GB per hour of video. So the first thing you have to do is make sure you have 26 GB free on your hard drive, plus another 10GB free for OSX to perform, plus 10GB free if you plan on burning a DVD.
iMovie has non-destructive editing. If you have used any part of a clip and discard the rest, that entire clip is still saved in your project - unused but eating up disc space. If you use no part of a clip and discard the clip, then the clip can go in the trash and you get back disc space. So...
If you import 2 hours of video (26GB) as one clip, and only use 2 minutes, your 2-minute segment retains its 2-hr source in memory. 2 min = 26 GB.
One thing you can do is set the iMovie preferences to automatically create new clips every 3 minutes. (2 hours of 3-min clips = 40 clips.) This allows you to find the 2-minute segment you want and delete all of the unused clips. Say your 2-minute segment comes from 2 of these 3-min clips, so you keep 6 minutes of source footage and delete the rest. Clips that are entirely unused will be completely deleted and give you back disc space. At .65 GB per clip, your 6-minute project is now only 1.3 GB, and you've just regained 24.7 GB of disc space.

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Saving files from Photoshop to Import into iMovie 09

1. What is the best file format for saving images from Photoshop to bring into iMovie 09?
2. What should the image size of the file be set to from Photoshop? I would like the best quality while working in iMovie prior to exporting and compressing after I am done editing.
Thank you in advance.

kat.hayes wrote:
1. What is the best file format for saving images from Photoshop to bring into iMovie 09?
I see you have not marked your topic "Answered", so you may be hoping for some other suggestions. If your item 1 is intended to ask about file "type" (.psd, .jpg, .png, .tif, etc.), here is my suggestion.
Because of the large file size of PhotoShop (PS) .psd image files, *unless you need to keep the PS version with Layers, Adjustments, etc*., _and unless you do NOT keep a separate folder of PS images_, I suggest that you NOT save the PS .psd file "format" (type) into iPhoto (or iMovie.)
I keep all PS (.psd) image files that I want to retain in separate folders outside iPhoto. I also save the finished (PS) image as a .jpg or .png version which I import into iPhoto for easy import into iMovie via the media browser. Whether to use jpeg or png depends on the image quality I need.
If you are capturing the snapshots that you are editing with PS from an iSight, other webcam, or a Flip camcorder, the jpg version will probably give you all the quality you need. However, to make your decision easier, you can save multiple file type (and compression settings) versions of the edited file when you are finished in PS. Then import all the various jpgs, pngs, tiffs, etc, into a test movie, lable (title) them for easy identification, save the movie, and see if you can tell any difference in quality or each image when you replay your test movie. If you can tell a difference, you can decide how much quality you need and match that need with the file type and size that gives the necessary quality level. If you cannot see a difference in the move regardless of which file type or compression level, you can save space by using the smallest image file.
+re: your item 2:+ I have nothing to add to Karsten's expert comments on resolution and file size.
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Movie files suddenly don't import into iMovie

I have been importing dozens of MVI_ .MOV files shot on a Canon 60D and store on my iMac into iMovie no problem. Now after two months when I choose import movie and select the same files a box comes up saying the file (approx1 GB files) is processing and it will take less than a minute but the box disappears after 10 secs or so and no file is imported into iMovie. How can I fix this problem that has developed. I've tried with several different files and restarted iMac.

Hi John - welcome to the forum!
Here's some light reading on the subject!:
iMovie Cannot See or Control Camera:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=43000
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/vt3/10228
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?forumID=858&threadID=231694
Useful tip to ‘kick-start’ the connection:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=463729&tstart=0
esp. see Beverly’s work-around
The above problem with ref. to QuickTime Versions:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=263662&tstart=0
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I quote QuickTimeKirk:
”Open the Audio MIDI Setup application (Utilities folder).
Try changing the settings to 44100Hz (CD Quality) or to 48000Hz (typical of the iMovie formats).
Others call this the GarageBand fix. Opening GB also resets the Audio MIDI Setup.”
This has a good list of ‘fixes’ – from Bengt:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=397899&tstart=0
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File size limitation to import into imove

I can't import a movie into imove that is 999 mb. Does this application have a file size limitation. The file is saved as a *.m4v. Thanks for your help using imovie 09.

EyeTV should have an iMovie 09 Preset. That should make sure there are no extra tracks included.
Another way to get files out of EyeTV3...
Get MPEG Streamclip, which is free.
IN EyeTV 3, right click on the recording, and Reveal in Finder
Right click on the .eyeTV file in the finder and SHOW PACKAGE CONTENTS
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FILE/EXPORT TO QUICKTIME from MPEG Streamclip, choosing Apple Intermediate Codec.
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Message was edited by: AppleMan1958

File too big to import

When I try to import a mpg file from the desktop it says that it can't be imprted because there is not enough disk space left. My hard drive is huge and empty. The file is 710MB, which is why I'm using iMovies in the first place, I just want to compress it to 700MB so that it will fit on a CD. Is there any way to import this file?

Well no not really you need a bigger drive. When iMovie "uncompresses" the MPEG to DV it will run out of space.
I am not sure (because I have never tried it) but I -think- Steamclip will convert an MPEG to an MPEG. I know if you convert it to H.264 it will fit on a CD if you cut the bitrate down.
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html

What movie file formats can be imported into iMovie?

Can you directly import .avi, mpeg or .mov files? What about a Quicktime movie file? Just trying to figure out which file format iMovie will accept. I have a movie that was edited on Adobe Premiere and want to make sure I export the movie in the correct format.
Thanks.

read Jon's reply in this thread ..
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1891778?start=0&tstart=0
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You need to use a movie player that doesn't require the files to load with the webpage...
http://www.iwebformusicians.com/Website-Movie-Video/Poster-Movie.html
http://www.iwebformusicians.com/Website-Movie-Video/JW-Media-Player.html
http://www.iwebformusicians.com/Website-Movie-Video/QuickTime-Javascript.html
http://www.iwebformusicians.com/Website-Movie-Video/Fallback-To-Flash.html
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http://www.iwebformusicians.com/Website-Movie-Video/Movie-Jukebox.html
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Enjoy LR !!

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Trouble opening mpeg movie files and importing into iMovie 08

Hi, I'd be most grateful if anyone could provide any solutions to the following problem...
A friend has emailed me two .mpeg movie files which are parts 1&2 of a home movie which I want to edit in iMovie and burn to DVD. The footage was shot on a miniHDV camcorder (not sure which brand).
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As for Jon's suggestion, I am on dial-up and cannot download big files at 3-4 Kbps snail pace.
What does this have to do with importing your camcorder files to your PC and re-burning them to DVD for use on your Mac? If I were to make a recommendation here, it would have been to use an external hard drive here rather than DVDs for transporting files between platforms and then only if you want the files available to both. If your goal is only to edit them in iMovie '08 or iMovie HD on your Mac, then why not cut out the "middleman" platform?
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You could try going to the Apple site and checking the the tapeless camcorder compatibility chart. The Panasonic DVR-D300 is specifically listed along with a hot link for additional information. However, this still won't help you you don't finalize the content.

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Is an 8.7GB file too big to import into iMovie 9?

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