Other ways to get Video shot on MiniDV tapes onto a Mac other than iMovie

I'm having trouble (I think because of the codec Apple is using - AIC - is overly compressing during import) getting high quality video onto my mac to edit.

What other programs (other than FCE and FCP) are out there that would allow me to import video shot in HD on miniDV tapes in full/unaltered quality?

I have QT pro and Streamclip but I can't seem to use these to import video. (maybe there is a way but I have yet to be able to figure it out.)

Thanks for your help.

Macbook Pro 2.2 C2D 4GB Ram, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Aug 28, 2007 8:28 AM

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Answer 1

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Aristophanes

Level 2

363 points

Aug 28, 2007 9:18 AM in response to Dave23

I have had terrific success with Foottrack (www.foottrack.com).

Great demo mode and very responsive customer support.

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Answer 2

Aug 28, 2007 9:34 AM in response to Dave23

If you are quick (before september 1) you can download Avid Free DV here.
http://www.avid.com/products/freedv/index.asp

As they say, it is free

Harry

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Answer 3

Dave23 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 28, 2007 1:27 PM in response to Aristophanes

Tom Low, at work now but plan to give foottrack a try. Thank you.

Any other suggestions anyone?

Dave

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Answer 4

Dave23 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 28, 2007 1:29 PM in response to H Oudekerk

Thanks!

I will download tonight and give it a try.

Any reason I can't import the footage with Avid and then drag into iMovie '08? Or will it try to re-encode it for me with the AIC?

Dave

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Answer 5

Aug 28, 2007 2:15 PM in response to Dave23

Supid as it may seem I have never tried that, simply found no reason for it.

I just edit in Avid,(actually I use the "full" version) then render it out as a QT movie (ss small as possible)
Import the resulting (intermediate) file into Garageband for audio post production.
Add the soundtrack to the Avid project and save the result in any format you want.

Harry

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Answer 6

Neil G

Level 3

764 points

Aug 28, 2007 2:56 PM in response to Dave23

When I import HDV from my Canon HV20 iMovie '08 give me two options 1920x1080 or 960x540. The first choice appears to give me the same video files that Final Cut Express captures. I haven't checked lately but I think that's also what iMovie HD captures. How are you 'measuring' compression? Are you sure you don't have you HDV camera locked to give you 'regular' DV output? (The HV20 has that feature.)

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