Imported MPEG-4 clips to iMovie08 arrive without audio

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Level 1

11 points

Imported MPEG-4 clips to iMovie08 arrive without audio

I've recently shot a number of video clips with my Sony Cyber-shot digital camera and imported the stills and video clips to iPhoto. I've just upgraded to iLive08 and have attempted to import the MPEG-4 clips from iPhoto into iMovie. The clips arrive in iMovie without audio. When I open the clips in iPhoto, the audio is working. When I open them in iMovie, their is no audio. How do I get MPEG-4 clips from iPhoto, into an iMovie project with both video and audio?

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Mar 4, 2008 9:47 AM

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Answer 1

Jon Walker

Level 6

19,467 points

Mar 4, 2008 10:06 AM in response to Uncle Jim

The clips arrive in iMovie without audio. When I open the clips in iPhoto, the audio is working. When I open them in iMovie, their is no audio. How do I get MPEG-4 clips from iPhoto, into an iMovie project with both video and audio?

Most Sony digital cameras save their clips as MPEG VX (MPEG-1) files -- a playback only format. Use a third-party, MPEG-based application like MPEG Streamclip (free), iSquint (free), FFmpegX (donation-ware), Visual Hub (pay-ware), etc. to retain the audio content.

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Answer 2

May 7, 2008 7:28 PM in response to Jon Walker

Use a third-party, MPEG-based application like MPEG Streamclip (free), iSquint (free), FFmpegX (donation-ware), Visual Hub (pay-ware), etc. to retain the audio content.

I found this question and answer quite helpful. I downloaded iSquint. Can you give me a few tips about using this kind of software?

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Answer 3

Jon Walker

Level 6

19,467 points

May 7, 2008 8:09 PM in response to Marybeth Sanders

Can you give me a few tips about using this kind of software?

iSquint is probably the easiest to use of those mentioned but is limited to MPEG4/AAC (default) or H.264/AAC output. Both are compatible with iMovie '08. If you have several files to convert, simply drop them to "Batch" window and press start to begin conversion to MPEG4/AAC files. This codec is very fast but requires 2.0-2.5 times the data rate of a H.264/AAC file for the same level of quaity. Use the MPEG4/AAC option if conversion speed is more important than creating smaller files. Checking the H.264 box switches to the H.264/AAC mode. Use the "Optimize for TV" option for VGA (640x480) files for iMovie '08 SD editing.
When you become more accustomed to the application you may wish to try customizing your settings using the "Advanced" window option. Increasing the video data rate may improve the video quality. (Actually, what you are doing here is preventing the loss of addition detail during conversions.) You may also wish to adjust the "Quality" Factor slider along with increases in the video data rate. It is probably best to leave the audio settings in their default setting.

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