Minidv import

Question

So my understanding is that imovie 11 is not a good solution for importing 'old' minidv tapes. Will adobe premiere elements work? If so, can one later export to imovie for editing or is one stuck in adobe premiere if that's where the import is done? Any other ideas for lossless import from minidv (standard definition)?

Answer 1

Tack Bengt,
So DVD is not really the issue for me. Let me explain.
First, I have a new HD AVCHD camcorder and my iMovie 11 process for that camcorder has been to import at highest quality, do some minor editing (mostly cutting out unwanted video in the project, but no audio editing at all so far), and then use the share feature via youtube so far (and itunes for future AppleTV). That's been working pretty well since I got it a couple of months ago and started working with iMovie 11. The results are pretty good so far.
Now, I'm thinking I want to do a similar process with my old Standard Definition minidv tapes. Import at best possible quality for future storage so I don't need to capture from tapes again, but while I'm at it, also do some simple edits (mostly cutting), and export/share it with family (via youtube, vimeo etc or whichever is better) .
So last night I did capture one minidv tape via firewire and iMovie 11. However, before even creating a project and doing my minor editing, I played some of the event to check it out and it looked pretty poor. It was not sharp and it looked darker too. While maybe not a good comparision it looks much worse than I had expected based on my perceived quality of the minidv video from hooking up the camcorder to the TV. Concerned about this quality I decided to do some research (before even trying editing and sharing) and came across a lot of the posts (including yours) about iMovie 11 and poor minidv results and recommendations to use iMovie 6 or Final Cut Pro X instead which I do not have.
So, if I just want to 1) capture all these old minidv tapes (while my minidv camcorder is still working) at highest possible quality  2) do minor editing and then share with distant family members via youtube or some other sharing site (again, best possible quality desired) as well as use AppleTV via itunes to view it on my television, are you saying iMovie 11 should be fine?
If not, do I need to go to Finaly Cut Pro X, which seems like an overkill from all other standpoints given my basic editing needs. Again, I only want to do all this capture once, since it's time consuming, and therefore video quality is absolutely critical to me.