iMovie 08 (Mac) video problem

[JAG]

All,

iMovie 08 - My video camera, a Sony DCR - SR35 takes video in MPEG-2 format but it would appear from the error message I get "The file is not a video type" that iMovie 08 doesn't recognise this format. This is a bit of an annoyance as I was really looking forward to using this instead of Vista's Movie Maker. Can I somehow convert these files to a recognised format for editing? I've trawled the web and it appears that I may need to pay MPEG-2 Playback Component to be able to view the movies in iMovie 08 but I can't ascertain as to whether this will allow me to then edit. If not then there is a free application called MPEG Streamclip that seems to be an option.

Does anyone have any experience of this issue and any workarounds?

Many thanks,

Ian

[Sparky750]

To just view it try using VLC media player - Overview not sure if that link will work doesn't look right if not search for VLC that will play almost anything you throw at it for conversion there are alot of programs out there i use toast for example i've not played much with ivideo so not sre if you can do it with that or not. Hope this helps

[MattS]

Originally Posted by JAG

All,

iMovie 08 - My video camera, a Sony DCR - SR35 takes video in MPEG-2 format but it would appear from the error message I get "The file is not a video type" that iMovie 08 doesn't recognise this format.

IIRC iMovie's native format is raw DV - hope you have plenty of disk space

This is a bit of an annoyance as I was really looking forward to using this instead of Vista's Movie Maker. Can I somehow convert these files to a recognised format for editing?

Yep. Stream Clip will probably be useful.

I've trawled the web and it appears that I may need to pay MPEG-2 Playback Component to be able to view the movies in iMovie 08 but I can't ascertain as to whether this will allow me to then edit.

I have not specifically tried it but apparently yes Have a look at the post by tranceclubmusic.

Alternatively you could buy Final Cut Express, which can handle mpeg2 straight out the box.

Edit. Just noticed you are using iMovie8. iMovie8 got a bit of a slagging as some functions in the earlier version (HD Video) were stripped out. You can download iMHD6 for free
Apple - Support - Downloads - iMovie HD 6

[JAG]

Sorted.

Got it working

Process was:
1. Pay £15.00 for the MPEG-2 Playback Component (Cheaper than shelling out £100 for Final Cut Express)

(At this point I was a bit concerned because when playing back via Quicktime the movie seemed to quite jagged in places, no sound and the lighting seemed to drop in and out)

2. Download and install MPEG Streamclip.
3. Drag movie into Streamclip and set your conversion (DV) options and convert.
4. Open up iMovie 08 and import the file.
(Was pleased to see that the conversion removed the jaggedness, restored the sound and got rid of the lighting problem).

A very happy bunny

Have downloaded the iPhoto 06 and will have a play in due course - thanks for the pointer Matt.

As a side note, as the adage goes, "Once you've had a Mac, you'll never go back!"