iMovie '09 changing default folder

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Level 2

404 points

iMovie '09 changing default folder

I just bought iLife '09 and decided to give iMovie a try as I have been using FCE 3 and it is a lot more complicated. I have a 2 TB drive hooked up to my computer and want store all my video there, but I am unable to find how to change the default folder away user/Movies/iMovie Events. (In FCE it's in the preference option where you can set the target disk.)

Any help is appreciated.

PB 17 1.33 Ghz, PB 12 1Ghz, Quad, iMac 20" 2.0 Ghz Duo, MBP 15 2.4 Ghz Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jun 16, 2009 12:20 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 16, 2009 12:21 PM in response to James Coley

there is no default folder. You specify where on import.

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Answer 2

James Coley Author

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404 points

Jun 16, 2009 12:23 PM in response to Sheryl Kingstone

Ok, I am a little confused. I just set up a "event" and it created a folder in the location above I just pointed out--it did not get me an option to save it where ever I wanted.

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Answer 3

Jun 16, 2009 12:28 PM in response to James Coley

When you get the dialog box import from (camera etc)....there is a save to drop down menu....then there is add to existing event or create a new event.

change the save to location from the internal hard drive to the external drive. However, this drive must be formatted macos extended journaled for imovie to recognize it.

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Answer 4

James Coley Author

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404 points

Jun 16, 2009 12:34 PM in response to Sheryl Kingstone

Ok, I will try that. TY!!!

While I have you, I see there is no way to directly import a DVD (not copy right protected, just a DVD some one made for me from their camera) directly into iMovie '09, is that correct? I am told I have to 'rip' it first into MPEG-4 (I am using Handbrake) than import it--this seems crazy.

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Answer 5

Jun 16, 2009 12:37 PM in response to James Coley

I think so.... Search on appleman1958. I'm pretty sure he has posted on that using handbrake or search handbrake. i don't work with DVD's. I'm a tape person. 🙂

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Answer 6

Jun 16, 2009 1:27 PM in response to James Coley

If you have not begun to create projects yet, you can move your Event files to the external drive with the Finder. Create a folder called iMovie Events in the root directory (i.e. the top level) of the external drive. The external drive must be formatted as Mac OS Extended - Journaled.

If you have already started some Project, you must move from within iMovie to keep the links from the events to your projects. In iMovie, click View/Events By Disk. Command-Drag the events to the icon for the external drive in the Events Source List in iMovie.

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Answer 7

James Coley Author

Level 2

404 points

Jun 17, 2009 8:28 AM in response to Sheryl Kingstone

It never gave me that option but I was loading in a disk image. Once it is loaded, can you move it or will this screw everything up?

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Answer 8

Jun 17, 2009 8:33 AM in response to James Coley

You can move it. I move stuff around all the time. I just stay within imovie and move it. Appleman clarified the move a little further down in the post. While he says if you haven't started a project, you can move it with finder. I always move within imovie. The issue i have ever had is my changes to dates or favorites. Sometime my dates that i have changed to the correct date, change to a weird date. Don't know why, but yes. Its easy to move stuff around.

Just make sure you are working with a macos extended journalled hard drive. Also, to move vs copy you need hold the command key down while dragging and dropping.

if you don't hold the command key, it will copy.

Message was edited by: Sheryl Kingstone

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