James Snedeker

Q: How to import video into iMovie on my MacBook Air?

I'm almost at my wit's end with this problem.

 

Back in the day I would import video from my camcorder to my desktop computer via a Firewire 400 cable.

 

Then I bought a MacBook Air, which had no Firewire port.  But since it came with iMovie, I assumed there was a way to get the video footage from my camcorder into the computer and iMovie. (If you couldn't import video, why would they have iMovie on the computer in the first place, right?)

 

But I have not yet found such a way.  Someone at AppleCare told me to use the USB port on the MacBook Air to connect to my camcorder.   Didn't work.

 

Then another AppleCare person said to use the Thunderbolt port.   I bought an Thunderbolt/Firewire adapter, but turns out the adapter only works with a Firewire 800 cable, which I don't have (as I said before, I have a 400).

 

So I bought an adapter that turns a Firewire 400 connector in to an 800 connector.  So I hooked the whole thing up: Firewire 400 cable from my camcorder > FW 400/800 adapter > FW 800 adapter/Thunderbolt > into my MacBook Air. 

 

I then opened up iMovie and tried to Import from Camera.  But no dice.   It did not recognize this connection and instead gave me a picture of my own mug through the FaceTime camera.

 

So… anybody have any ideas?   It seems that the Thunderbolt port should work, but I don't know how to get it to talk to the camcorder.   Thanks for your help!

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.5), 1.7 GHz Intel Core i5, 4 GB 1333 Mz

Posted on May 12, 2015 8:21 PM

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Q: How to import video into iMovie on my MacBook Air?

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  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman May 12, 2015 9:57 PM in response to James Snedeker
    Level 8 (39,746 points)
    May 12, 2015 9:57 PM in response to James Snedeker

    In spite of your profile (at the bottom of your post) that says you are running OS X 10.7.5 (Lion), which is now three years old, I will assume you are current and therefore running OS X 10.10.3 (Yosemite) and iMovie 10.0.8.

     

    If the above is true, do Help > Import from tape based camcorders from iMovie's menu.

     

    Among other things, that help will take you to "Cameras Supported by iMovie" here:

    Cameras supported by iMovie - Apple Support

  • by James Snedeker,

    James Snedeker James Snedeker May 13, 2015 6:41 AM in response to sberman
    Level 1 (99 points)
    Desktops
    May 13, 2015 6:41 AM in response to sberman

    sberman,

     

    I checked out your suggestions.  I am still running 10.7.5 on the laptop and it has iMovie 11.  

     

    I did get the tutorial about connecting with a tape-based camcorder, but as far as connecting, it only says to connect with a Fire-wire cable.   Of course, that doesn't do me any good, since my Macbook Air doesn't have a firewire port.

     

    It's starting to sound like you can't connect a tape-based camcorder to a Macbook Air. 

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman May 13, 2015 10:48 AM in response to James Snedeker
    Level 8 (39,746 points)
    May 13, 2015 10:48 AM in response to James Snedeker

    One thing to consider is whether your MacBook Air actually has a Thunderbolt port.  Early MacBook Airs had a MiniDisplay port, which looks the same as Thunderbolt but lacks some of the capabilities.

     

    Check especially "Which ports does my Mac have?" here ... but also read the rest of this article:

     

    Mac Basics: Ports and connectors on your Mac - Apple Support

     

    Again, your OS X and iMovie software are quite dated now.  You might consider upgrading.

  • by James Snedeker,

    James Snedeker James Snedeker May 13, 2015 7:58 PM in response to sberman
    Level 1 (99 points)
    Desktops
    May 13, 2015 7:58 PM in response to sberman

    My laptop is mid-2011. I checked the manual, and it's definitely a Thunderbolt port.  

     

    Yes, I know it can be a good idea to upgrade, but I'm somewhat leery of that because I'm concerned that some of my apps might not work anymore after an upgrade--meaning I'd have to buy new ones.

     

    Also, even if I did upgrade, I still wouldn't be able to connect my camcorder to my MacBook Air, assuming it doesn't work with a tape-based camcorder, which as I said seems to be the case.