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
keep in mind: avi nor mov are 'formats', just media wrappers = box of chocolate, you'lll never know ...
stay within normal video standards, such as 1080i or 720p, 25/29.97fps ... mov encoded with h264 should be fine.
and avoid fancy stuff such as surround, Dolby 5.1., 3D ........

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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
The ‘Garage-Band’ Fix:
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
G5 Dual 2.0 ghz Mac OS X (10.4.9) 1.5 GB RAM; VidCam: Sony DCR TRV80E

Is 4/4 time the only time signiture available and what audio file type can will import using the media browser?

Is 4/4 time the only time signiture available and what audio file type can will import using the media browser?

latela33 wrote:
Is 4/4 time the only time signiture available
so far, yes, if you want more, be sure to let Apple know:
http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/GBFAQ.html#sendfeedback
(Let the page FULLY load. The link to your answer is at the top of your screen)
latela33 wrote:
what audio file type can will import using the media browser?
44.1k/16-bit AIFF, WAV, or Caf files

What kind of Video can I import into InDesign?

I've read that Acrobat 9 and newer can display flash video files within a PDF. I tried importing an .flv file into InDesign but it did not work. Is this possible to do? Also, are there any other types of video files that can be imported into InDesign?
The idea is to do a quick reference guide for a software application which will have an embedded flash video file showing motion capture of the application in action.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Acrobat 9 can display Flash (SWF) files well if you add the files within Acrobat. However, if you add the SWF files in InDesign and then export to PDF, the SWF files may not play, especially on a Mac. You're better off leaving a placeholder in InDesign and then adding the SWF in Acrobat to the exported PDF. For more details, see Sandee Cohen's entry:
http://indesignsecrets.com/putting-swfs-into-indesign-documents.php

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.

How can i import into imovie using the camera's built in memory?

How can I import into imovie from my cannon video camera built in memory. All that comes up when I connect the USB cable is what is stored on the memory card and it doesn't give me the option to use what is stored on the built in memory

That is not a feature of iPhoto - suggest to Apple - iPhoto Menu ==> provide iPhoto feedback.
With the new Photo app later this year the integration between IOS and the Mac will be much greater
LN

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.
EZ Jim
G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.8) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

Can't Import Into iMovie (still)

I've tried all of the following things:
1) Using Roxio's Easy VHS to DVD to convert my old home videos (they save as .mpg files)
2) Using my Nikon CoolPix to shoot videos (they save as .avi files)
3) Using my iPhone 3GS to shoot videos (they save as .mov files)
None of these will import into iMovie. I've tried the drag and drop method as well as the file>import method. And in the Roxio program they have an "export to iMovie" button. I get an error message every time. In the case of the .avi files it says error -43, in the export form Roxio it says error -5000. The .mov files don't produce an error message, but when I attempt to import, nothing happens (if I import from the file menu the status bar pops up and immediately disappears with no progress). Any ideas?
Message was edited by: JamesLJ

1) I downloaded MPEG Streamclip for this function, but it says I need to purchase the MPEG-2 converter for $20, which I don't want to do since it seems that the Roxio software has this function (converting to Apple Intermediate).
2 & 3) I Don't see an iPhoto event in iMovie. I'm using iMovie '09, to clarify. Is this one of the features they got rid of in the switch to '09?
I used MPEG Streamclip to convert an AVI file (recorded with my Coolpix) to Apple Intermediate Codec. It converted, but I still got the same error message when I tried to import it to iMovie. I went to file-import, and selected the movie. The status bar popped up as if it was importing, but after it finished, the error message "Could not copy file [file path and name] (-43)" And that's also the reason I don't want to buy the Streamclip add-on. This seems to be an issue in iMovie.

Can not import into iMovie

I installed iTunes 6.0.1 and now the music I imported into iMovie will not play. I get a message that I need to go to Itunes and authorize my computer. It then takes me to itunes I fill in my ID and it tells me I have authorized 4 out of five possible computers. But the music will not play.

DRCARR,
Did you also install the current versions of QuickTime + iMovie?
As a workaround burn those refusing tracks to an AudioCD and re-import them for use in iMovie

What file formats can Fireworks Import and Export?

the basics

welcome moremusicplease to the -board...
you should let repair your sticking shift-key soon, because in the iNet all-caps means SHOUTING...
iM's internal file format is "dv", preferable in a mov container or as dv-stream.. 1h video in dv = 13GB .. happy downloading...-
any other codecs are mostly playback-only codecs => loss of pic quality + needs conversion...
a good compromise in loss-due-to-conversion and file-size is a h264 encoding...
your 2nd question......
* DVDxDV (free trial, 25$, Pro: 90$)
* Apple mpeg2 plugin (20$) + Streamclip (free)
* Cinematize >60$
* Mpeg2Works >25$ + Apple plug-in
* Toast6/7 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

Can't import into iMovie even after converting files with Mpeg streamclip

Hi,
I have been trying to create iMovie proejcts with .mpeg, .mpg, .mpa. IMovie could not import the files (it tells me it's an uknown error). Then, using mpeg streamclip and exporting the files to quicktime, DV and Avi (tried all the formats that I knew iMovie would support) iMovie still wouldn't import the files.
What am I doing wrong? I have the latest version of iMovie.
Please Help!
Thank you!!!

Have you done the conversion like this:
To convert a DVD or MPEG to DV with MPEG Streamclip (v1.8 or later): Open a desired .VOB on a DVD (DVD/VIDEOTS/VTS_011.VOB, for example) or a MPEG file.
Select the In/Out points if you want to extract just a portion of the video.
Choose "File/Export to DV.../Compression: DV (DV25)". Choose the same video format (PAL/NTSC) as the iMovie project is.
Choose "Split DV stream in Segments" if the content is more than 9 minutes 27 seconds because iMovie 1-4 can't reliably handle longer clip files and it might be a good idea to limit the converted .dv file's size anyway (segmented clips play seamlessly in iMovie).
...and is there enough room on the HD where the iMovie project is? 60 minutes of .dv is 13 GB and iMovie duplicates an imported .dv file so you need 26 GB/hour (unless you use the secret shortcut that prevents the duplication .

What Clip File Types can be imported??

I have some clips I imported on a windows machine (AVI, MPEG2, etc.) Which ones are documented as supported on iMovie??

read Jon's reply in this thread ..
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1891778?start=0&tstart=0
keep in mind: avi nor mov are 'formats', just media wrappers = box of chocolate, you'lll never know ...
stay within normal video standards, such as 1080i or 720p, 25/29.97fps ... mov encoded with h264 should be fine.
and avoid fancy stuff such as surround, Dolby 5.1., 3D ........

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
Drag the .mpg file into MPEG Streamclip.
FILE/EXPORT TO QUICKTIME from MPEG Streamclip, choosing Apple Intermediate Codec.
Import this AIC file, which will be in a .mov container, into iMovie.
Note: You may need the Apple QuickTime MPEG2 Playback Component for this to work. MPEG Streamclip will tell you if you do. It costs $20 from Apple.
Message was edited by: AppleMan1958

How can I import into iMovie?

I have a Sony Handycam DVD653E which records onto mini discs. On my old computer (non Intel) which ran Tiger I could download videos directly via USB into my iMovie, but that doesn't work anymore. I have a friend with a nonMac computer who can download for me and put the video onto DVD but I can't find out any format which enables me to then import it into my iMovie for editing. Any ideas? Please help!

I made a DV copy as you suggested, but it still won't drag into iMovie or be accessed from the pulldown menu at the top of my screen. Any more ideas?

Can't Import Into iMovie

Used Easy VHS to DVD to import old VHS tapes onto my MacBook Pro. Want to edit them in iMovie '09, but the MPG file is greyed out in the input dialog box. I converted it to .mov using FF MPEG. The .mov file isn't greyed out, but it still doesn't import. Anyone know why? Could it be the size of the video? It's >9 GB.

iM09 appears to be more limiting in terms of which file (compression) formats it imports... you might find that iMHD imports several more types of files than iM09.
When I encountered such an issue in the past, I just used QT Pro to export the file using h264, and iM09 seemed to like that!

What movie file formats can be imported into iMovie?

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