Why doesn't iMovie HD import MPEG2 files?

Dear Discussion Group,
Can you please tell me why iMovie HD imports MPEG4 files, but not MPEG2 files?
It would appear that the DV8 camcorders have been withdrawn from the marketplace, with the exception of miniDV, and there are only a few models of them available.
In their place are miniDVD and Hard Drive Digital camcorders, the vast majority og which record in the MPEG2 format, not MPEG4!
The industry leader, Sony, doesn't make a single digital camcorder that upports MPEG4.
So, why does Apple support this newer technology in iMovie HD? Will there be support in future releases of iMovie?
Owen Cobb

Only the iMovie product manager at Apple can really answer that question. Maybe the next upgrade will add this feature. On the PC, the consumer video editing app Adobe Premiere Elements 1.0 didn't support MPEG-2 editing either, but added it in version 2.0, and improved it with 3.0.
QuickTimeKirk said:
iMovie is a DV editing app. Not an MPEG-2 convert to DV Stream and then edit app.
That only applies to iMovie, not iMovie HD. When you capture from a HD miniDV camcorders with iMovie HD, it does exactly that: convert the MPEG-2 stream and then edit it. HD miniDV camcorders record in MPEG-2 to fit 1 hour of HD video onto the same 1 hour miniDV tapes that are used for SD camcorders. The limitation is that iMovie HD supports this only for HD camcorders with Firewire connections.
Clemmons Kid said:
The industry leader, Sony, doesn't make a single digital camcorder that upports MPEG4.
I just checked on the Sony website, and found 6 HD camcorders that record in AVCHD (which is MPEG-4), to either hard disk, DVD, or flash memory.

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Only the iMovie product manager at Apple can really answer that question. Maybe the next upgrade will add this feature. On the PC, the consumer video editing app Adobe Premiere Elements 1.0 didn't support MPEG-2 editing either, but added it in version 2.0, and improved it with 3.0.
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Clemmons Kid said:
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I've been reading about others who have been unable to import .mov files into iMovie '08. Very frustrating indeed.
With all due respect, the solutions/answers that are being posted are extremely "techy" for the layman. Come On! This isn't Final Cut Pro. Furthermore, the bottom line answer is - you can't import .mov files. Earlier versions of iMovie were much more user friendly and allowed you to accomplish this task. I know that I had no problems dragging a .mov file to the clip window in earlier versions of iMovie. Why is this now such a problem? This is a major oversight in Apple's development of iMovie that needs to be resolved.
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With all due respect, the solutions/answers that are being posted are extremely "techy" for the layman.
It is no more "techy" to expect a layman to know what kind of data is stored in a file container (MOV) than it is to expect a consumer to know what kind of media (tape, HDD, DVD, memory card, etc.) is used to store his files on a camcorder. In short, if this too much trouble or beyond the capability of the potential camcorder purchaser, then it is likely the individual should not be shopping for a camcorder in the first place. In a similar manner, if you do not understand what kinds of files your editor can edit, you should probably not be using that editor.
Furthermore, the bottom line answer is - you can't import .mov files.
Since August of 2007 millions of MOV clips have been imported by hundreds of thousands of users.
Earlier versions of iMovie were much more user friendly and allowed you to accomplish this task. I know that I had no problems dragging a .mov file to the clip window in earlier versions of iMovie. Why is this now such a problem?
This is the crux of your problem. All previous versions of iMovie performed or attempted to perform an automatic conversion of non-edit compatible, fully supported QT compression formats to edit compatible compression formats as part of the import process. iMovie '08 does not do this. iMovie '08 can edit DV, AIC, Motion-JPEG, Photo-JPEG, as well as, supported profiles of MPEG-4 or H.264 content. The application assumes that if you import a DV file that you want to edit the file natively in DV. So it does not arbitrarily convert the file to one of the other compression formats behind your back as iMovie HD might do. If this auto conversion process is what you value most in your editor or you don't know and don't care what types of files can be edited, then download and use your free copy of iMovie HD v6.0.4 which is readily available to all iLife '08 owners. iMovie '08 is simply "not for everyone" and even the people who use it will admit that it is not the best tool for all projects.
This is a major oversight in Apple's development of iMovie that needs to be resolved... I believe that it's truly unacceptable to require loyal Apple users to revert back to earlier versions of iMovie to accomplish this task... I demand that Apple get on this and fix it!
You consider this an "oversight." That's your opinion. I disagree and firmly believe the application does what they wanted it to do. But this is beside the point. There is no "reverting back to earlier versions of iMovie" since the iMovie '08 application is not an update or upgrade of any previous "version" but rather a totally new editing concept with all new code and a totally different look that "just happens to share the iMovie name." This is also not the forum to use to "demand" changes to an Apple product. Use the application's built-in "Provide iMovie Feedback" menu option to access the official form in which you may express your dissatisfaction, submit an enhancement request, or make a "bug report."
I personally prefer the ability to edit multiple forms of content within a single project but if you don't, you could always request a compromise of sorts. To wit, you could simply request that an additional import module be added which allows users be given the option to designate a specific project format (e.g., DV, AIC, M-JPEG, Photo-JPEG, MPEG-4, or H.264) and have any content not already in that compression format be automatically converted to that format in much the same manner as the current version of iMovie HD does. However, this does seem to defeat the purpose of being able to do "native" edits in multiple formats within a single project and I suspect you will likely then complain about the time it takes to convert to some of the format choices or object to the default settings employed for QT file level conversion.

Why doesn't imovie 6 recognize MOV or DV files?

When trying to import MOV files into imovie 'error unknown' is the response
If then converting these MOV files to DV I get this response...The file could not be imported: QuickTime couldn’t parse it: -39. ?
Does anyone why this is happening?
I just wanna paste together 5 clips so I can open them in Logic and compose.
Ta

Thanks for the extra information catspaw - enjoy your overseas trip!
Sarah - I haven't tried this myself, but you may be able to open the clips in QuickTime Pro then join them together as one movie. If you have Garageband, you may be able to open the combined movie in that program and then compose your music. I think Garageband Help explains how to score a movie in that program - I've not done it myself.
If you only have QuickTime Player you will need to upgrade to the Pro version. Instructions for joining movies together are included in QuickTime Help. Here is an extract:
"+With QuickTime Pro, you can easily add one movie to another to make one longer movie.+
+To combine two movies:+
+In QuickTime Player, choose Edit > Select All to select the entire contents of the first movie.+
+Choose Edit > Copy, then open the second movie.+
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Sarah, you mentioned in your first post in this thread that you were going to use Logic, then compose. This lead me to the possibility of using Garageband after first combining the movies in QuickTime Pro. iMovie HD 6 is normally the ideal vehicle for putting together a movie and then scoring in Garageband, but as you appear to be having problems with iMovie perhaps QuickTime Pro will do the trick!
In another post, it was mentioned that iMovie '08 could import "Photo-JPEG" files (among others). If all else fails, and if you don't already have a copy, it might be worth getting iLife '08. If you still have a copy of the original Photo-JPEG clips, iMovie '08 may solve your import problems. I will check out that other post and post the link back shortly.
John

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I ended up shifting my HD editing back to a PC with $100 Sony Vegas software that can edit the AVCHD files and author in it. I can produce a DVD with about 25 minutes of edited HD in AVCDH file format and play it. I can also store the finished product in a much smaller space using AVCHD files. I have a 1 TB drive on my Mac that would be consumed if I worked in iMovie with converting all these AVCDH files and kept them in HD quality since it looks like it needs to expand them 12-16 times the AVCHD file size.
Yes, I know I could lower the quality to better work with them in iMovie, but that makes no sense to me. I want to record and edit in the HD format. Seems like these AVCHD cameras are becoming a standard since they are so efficient at storing HD content, iMovie needs to figure out how to edit and store them the same way. Very disappointed in how iMovie handles HD, to me it is NOT very good at handling HD, no good way to store or distribute it.
Am I missing soomething here? I have spent hours looking for a different answer, but have not found one yet? Maybe the next version of iMovie will be better. I like using it for SD DVD authoring, but for HD, did not work at all for me.
Jon

Interesting you say it is not meant for editing, but there are about a half dozen editor's for windows that will work on these exact files. I know with Sony Vegas that I have the same level of control with frame precision as I do with iMovie so I think there must be more to the story why Apple has not been able to support it like other software manufacturers who support windows. Don't get me wrong, i would love to do the work in iMovie and not have to learn something new. I don't have the storage space to use the HD apple format, that 2 hr of HD in AVCHD would turn into about 500GB then what do I put it on to play it. If the BlueRay standard calls for 25 or 50G disc's and we can get full two hour movies on them today, then they must be using a file format similar to AVCHD to fit on a disc, they cannot be using anything close to what Apple uses for HD files, it is just simple logic and math. So why doesn't Apple finure it out before everyone who starts working in HD comes to the same conclusion that the Apple QT file formats for HD is going to be an issue with space, you can create content, but cannot afford the disc space to store it or play it.

Can't preview or play imported MPEG2 files

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Read Bill Hunt on a file type as WRAPPER
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/440037?tstart=0
What is a CODEC... a Primer http://forums.adobe.com/thread/546811?tstart=0
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Importing Mpeg2 files

Hi, I'm new on using a mac for my movies. I converted some of my windows mpeg2 files so I can play them on quicktime without issue. I can start dragging them into imovie and it starts importing but stops right at the beginning without any comment or warning.
Any idea? Thanks for your help!

Hi movie-newcomer - welcome to the forum!
iMovie's native format is DV. MPEG2 material needs to be converted - see here for advice, and discussions, and the software required:
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=232703&tstart=0
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
http://www.moviecodec.com/topics/5155p2.html
but especially:
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/%7Eshmhav/SVCDon_a_Macintosh.html#edit_convertMPEG
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=267352&tstart=0
MPEG StreamClip:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegstreamclip.html
Apple MPEG2 PlayBack:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/
Hope this helps!

Does iMovie automatically convert mpeg2 files that are opened in iMovie?

I want to know if I open mpeg2 files from a Sony Handycam into iMovie, if they will automatically be converted into .mov or .m4v files.

No. mpeg2 is the highly compressed final delivery format of a DVD and not intended for further editing.
You need to convert the VOB files in the TS-Folder of the DVD back to DV which iMovie is designed to handle. For that you need mpegStreamclip:
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
which is free, but you must also have the Apple mpeg2 plugin :
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/
(unless you are running Lion in which case see below))
which is a mere $20.
Another possibility is to use DVDxDV:
http://www.dvdxdv.com/NewFolderLookSite/Products/DVDxDV.overview.htm
which costs $25.
For the benefit of others who may read this thread:
Obviously the foregoing only applies to DVDs you have made yourself, or other home-made DVDs that have been given to you. It will NOT work on copy-protected commercial DVDs, which in any case would be illegal.
And from the TOU of these forums:
Keep within the Law
No material may be submitted that is intended to promote or commit an illegal act.
Do not submit software or descriptions of processes that break or otherwise ‘work around’ digital rights management software or hardware. This includes conversations about ‘ripping’ DVDs or working around FairPlay software used on the iTunes Store.
If you are running Lion:
From the MPEG Streamclip homepage
The installer of the MPEG-2 Playback Component may refuse to install the component in Lion. Apple states the component is unnecessary in Lion, however MPEG Streamclip still needs it.
To install the component in Lion, please download MPEG Streamclip 1.9.3b7 beta above; inside the disk image you will find the Utility MPEG2 Component Lion: use it to install the MPEG-2 Playback Component in Lion. The original installer's disk image (QuickTimeMPEG2.dmg) is required.
The current versions of MPEG Streamclip cannot take advantage of the built-in MPEG-2 functionality of Lion. For MPEG-2 files you still need to install the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component, which is not preinstalled in Lion. You don't have to install QuickTime 7.

IMovie problems importing .mov files

I just purchased a new iMac and a new camera (which claims it is Mac compatible and iMovie compatible). Unfortunately, for some reason iMovie is not letting me import any of the movies I create with the camera. I noticed this is a common problem, and the fix seems to be to download an earlier version of iMovies '06, but that seems crazy. Are there any other options to get my movies from my camera into iMovies?

I just purchased a new iMac and a new camera (which claims it is Mac compatible and iMovie compatible).
Compatible at which level? Muxed MPEG-1 files can be played by QT applications but cannot be converted by them to other compression formats without losing the audio and cannot be edited by them. Would you call this a compatible format or an incompatible format?
Unfortunately, for some reason iMovie is not letting me import any of the movies I create with the camera. I noticed this is a common problem, and the fix seems to be to download an earlier version of iMovies '06, but that seems crazy.
Unlike older versions of iMovie, iMovie '08 does not convert files as part of the "Finder" file importation process. Therefore, if the file you are trying to import cannot be edited "natively" (i.e., both audio and video content), it will not import them at all. On the other hand, iMovie '06 does convert files as part of the import process and it will automatically convert the content to an edit compatible compression format if it can.
Are there any other options to get my movies from my camera into iMovies?
Probably. It all depends on the compression format contained in the file. For instance, many Sony cameras make MPEG-1 video files. These files can be converted to an editable format (like DV, AIC, MJEPEG, MPEG-4, H.264, etc.) with a free third-party, MPEG-based application like MPEG Streamclip. Kodak MPEG4/µ-Law files become compatible if you simply pass through the video and convert the audio to AAC using the "Movie to MPEG-4" export option. Casio MJPEG/DVI ADPCM wil import if you simply extract the WAV audio, convert it AAC (or other compatible audio format), and re-merge it with your original video track.
This is a Bug in iMovie8. I could NOT import .mov files from my Kodak easyshare Z612 camera into iMovie8 as all the .mov files were greyed out.
Its not a bug if that is what it is supposed to do. If you check the compression format, you will likely find this camera also uses the MPEG4/µ-Law combination mentioned above. Just because the compressed data is in an MOV file container, does not mean it can be edited in that "native" compression format. If you check the audio format of your files imported to iMovie '06, you should find the µ-Law audio was changed to AAC. Whether done automatically by iMovie '06 or manually by you, the offending compression format had to be changed to one that could be edited before iMovie '08 would accept it.
ADDED: Oops! Looks like you beat me to it, Winston.

Imovie not importing .mov file

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QuickTime Pro is available for about $30 US from Apple online.
There is a free package called MPEG Streamclip. You could export from MPEG Streamclip with no audio track. However, it may be that MPEG Streamclip will not edit copy protected material either, I have not tried it.

Exporting imovie project as mpeg2 file

can anyone tell me how to export an imovie project as an mpeg2 file (mpeg2 specifically, not mpeg4 or other formats that imovie offers). i'd be burning it to a cd or dvd. thanks

aha, i think this is what i must have to do. i have been asked for a 'normal' dvd of the film and mpeg2 files of it 'in case there are problems with the dvd'. so if i just open up the largest vob in the video ts file and copy that straight to a dvd it should work? how do i get to the video ts file...the film starts as soon as you put the dvd in and you never see the files...
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Why doesn't iMovie HD import MPEG2 files?

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