convert imovie to wmv

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15 points

convert imovie to wmv

I have a brand new 24" iMac (May, 2009) with snow leopard OS.

I just bought a Panasonic DMC-ZS3 camera-video recorder, with the intent to make instructional videos my students, who are primarily Windows people.

How do I save the imovies as wmv files?

How can I get imovies to play on Windows media player?

i-mac 24 inch, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jan 1, 2010 12:48 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 1, 2010 5:55 AM in response to cyrano7

The only company that I know of that is licensed by Microsoft to sell Windows Media Player encoders for the Mac is Flip4Mac.

The free version of Flip4Mac will let you watch wmv files. However, to encode, you will need one of the paid versions of Flip4Mac.

Just create your movie like normal in iMovie, then convert the resulting movie in Flip4Mac.

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Answer 2

cyrano7 Author

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Jan 1, 2010 12:24 PM in response to AppleMan1958

Thanks.

Do you, or does anyone know:

Does it matter whether I record the in AVCHD or Motion JPEG format?

Are both formats equally compatible to converting?

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Answer 3

Jan 1, 2010 12:40 PM in response to cyrano7

I would Share in one of the presets...Large, Medium, iPhone. These will be in h.264 format.

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Answer 4

cyrano7 Author

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Jan 1, 2010 12:44 PM in response to cyrano7

I was reading up on the Flip4Mac, and it says that Flip4Mac DOES NOT work with iMovie 08 or 09.
iMovie '09:

"Import the file into QuickTime Pro for conversion to MOV. You can then import into iMovie '09 for editing. To export as Windows Media, you’ll need to import your edited MOV into QuickTime Pro and then export as a Windows Media file."

Can this be true, Flip4Mac does not work with imovie 08, 09?

And, if I read this correctly, to save imovies as wmv with a new iMac, I need TWO additional products:
QuickTime Pro + Flip4Mac?

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Answer 5

Jan 1, 2010 1:52 PM in response to cyrano7

With the old iMovie 05 and 06, Flip4Mac worked behind the scenes so you did not even know it was there.

With iMovie 08 and 09, you convert the WMV files to a supported format before importing to iMovie. And you cannot directly export to WMV from iMovie. You must export in a supported format and then convert to WMV.

I do not know the answer to whether you need QuickTime Pro or not. Maybe somebody else will. But if Flip4Mac says you do, you probably do. If is likely that MPEG Streamclip, which is free, would work for this without the need to buy QuickTIme Pro.

One more thing. I just read that the new QuickTime X with Snow Leopard will play WMV files without the need for Flip4Mac. The article I read was not clear whether it would also convert MOV files to WMV. Haven't tried this myself.

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Answer 6

cyrano7 Author

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Jan 1, 2010 4:42 PM in response to AppleMan1958

Thanks. I have the Quicktime 10 and snow leopard.

I just opened a mov file and clicked "share" and my only choices were itunes, utube, and mobile me.

I have just one simple need. I want to import the:
1 video from my camera
2 edit a bit
3 save the video as a wmv.

Save what is done on the mac as wmv.

Thanks.

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Answer 7

Jan 1, 2010 4:46 PM in response to cyrano7

I would check to see if MPEG Streamclip would allow you to convert it to WMV without installing Flip4Mac. If not, install Flip4 Mac and use MPEG Streamclip.

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Answer 8

cyrano7 Author

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Jan 2, 2010 12:11 AM in response to AppleMan1958

I've been reading and it is heavily implied that Quicktime Pro will convert imovies to wmv.

Which is the way to go?

Quicktime Pro? $29

Flip4Mac Studio? $49

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Answer 9

Jan 2, 2010 12:44 AM in response to cyrano7

Flip4Mac doesn't work "directly" with iMovie version 7 or 8.
QuickTime Player Pro doesn't export to WMP formats without one of the upgrades from Flip4Mac.
QuickTime X will not export (even with the Flip4Mac upgrade) to WMP formats.

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Answer 10

cyrano7 Author

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Jan 2, 2010 1:25 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

A. Thanks.
B. My iMac is new (May 09) and I have Quicktime 10.

C. So, what do I need to save an imovie as a wmv?

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Answer 11

Jan 2, 2010 1:38 AM in response to cyrano7

One of the paid upgrades to the Flip4Mac component (you decide which is best for your needs).
QuickTime Player Pro ($29 upgrade).
You purchase the upgrade at the Apple Store and receive an email confirmation with your registration number.
You install QuickTime Player from the Snow Leopard DVD (Optional Installs package) and upgrade it from the QuickTime Player / Registration preference.
You would import and edit in your version of iMovie and then export to QuickTime formats. Open that exported file in QuickTime Player Pro and export, again, to WMP formats.
Personally, I don't think creating a WMP format is worth the money or time required. Since iTunes and QuickTime Player are both free downloads for nearly any PC OS I would use the iMovie "preset" export options.

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Answer 12

cyrano7 Author

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Jan 2, 2010 1:58 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

1. Thank you very much.

2. So, I do NOT need Flip4Mac? DO NOT NEED.

3. I do need Quicktime Pro.

4. I ONLY Quicktime Pro?

5. I agree with you about the hassle of creating WMV format. I am doing this to disseminate knowledge to my students, (some who will grasp at any excuse) and they are in a Windows world.

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Answer 13

Jan 2, 2010 2:01 AM in response to cyrano7

From my post above:
One of the paid upgrades to the Flip4Mac component (you decide which is best for your needs).

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Answer 14

Jan 2, 2010 6:08 AM in response to cyrano7

I am happy that QuickTime Kirk jumped in here, because he is the expert. If you want to know the amazing super powers of QuickTime Pro, check out his book.

Here is the way I think of it. QuickTime Kirk please correct me if I am wrong.

QuickTime Pro is a very versatile application that can convert and edit just about anything, if it has the proper codecs. It is the tool that you interact with as a user.

WMV is a proprietary codec owned by Microsoft. Flip4Mac supplies these codecs for Mac use under license from Microsoft.

Once you buy the appropriate Flip4Mac codec, it installs in your Library/QuickTime folder, and you never have to interact with it again, except maybe to upgrade it.

Now, QuickTime Pro (or other applications like MPEG Streamclip) can access this codec.

How did I do?

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Answer 15

cyrano7 Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 2, 2010 12:03 PM in response to AppleMan1958

A. Thanks.

B. Which exact book are you referring to?

C. I do not mean to be dense, but this is totally not my area of expertise, I am looking for a straight, yes or no answer.

D. Kirk's answer is: I only need Flip4Mac $49. Yes ___ No. ___

However, from your cogent input, it seems that Quicktime Pro is an excellent addition.

At the beginning, my request seemed so simple and universal that I thought it would already have been worked out for the masses. Save an imovie as wmv so the masses can see it.

Thanks.

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