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Import AVI into iMovie 09

On 10.6.3 and canon powershot SD600 Elph. My son and i went to an event jan of '09. Some weeks later, i imported the AVI's from the SD600 into iMovie 09 (i have the project to prove it). We go to another event in jan of 2010 and i shoot some video using this SD600 which takes video in AVI. Weeks later, i attempt to import the AVI into iMovie '09 and it does not even notice the camera. All AVI video on the Mac is greyed-out. I have read the posts here and on the internet about using some other software to do the converting to mov and do not want to do that; this has worked in the past. I have the project in imovie and the avi video in the music folder to prove that this worked. You can do this on SL, right on does it work only on Leo?

iMac 24", Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Apr 6, 2010 6:34 PM

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10 replies

Apr 7, 2010 6:28 AM in response to f0rgiven

Try importing the AVI clips to iPhoto, rather than iMovie. The iPhoto videos should then automatically appear in iMovie's Events window under an iPhoto heading (no separate import required). From there you should be able to create your project in the normal way. But bear in mind that AVI is a container (like .mov) - it may depend on what format the clips are (inside the AVI container).

I recently shot some video on my wife's still camera (Canon IXUS 80 IS). The files are AVI, but the format is Motion JPEG OpenDML. This imported to iPhoto flawlessly and worked perfectly in iMovie '09. I didn't try an import directly to iMovie. The clips were 640x480 with a frame rate of 30fps. I was quite astonished at how good they looked in iMovie, given I've mainly been editing High Definition (AVCHD) lately - imported from my Sony HDR-SR7 camcorder.

As you'll see from my details below, I'm on Snow Leopard (10.6.2). Using my method, results may vary, depending on what's inside those AVI files. Of course, you're on 10.6.3 so that may be causing the problem with your imports - but give iPhoto a try!

John

Message was edited by: John Cogdell

Apr 7, 2010 7:03 PM in response to John Cogdell

I have imported the AVI into iPhoto and iMovie does not see them in the event window. I also wonder, since you also use a canon camera, does yours mount when plugged in via USB? Mine does not and to the best of my memory, it use to. I have also tried the 3 other SD cards in the hopes it was a card problem but imovie will see none of them.

Apr 7, 2010 7:39 PM in response to f0rgiven

In iPhoto, right click (Control click) on one of the video thumbnails. Select the item "Show File". This takes you to the Finder and the actual file. Open this with QuickTime 7 (if you have it). Choose Window>Show Movie Properties and click on Visual Settings - _what does the Video Track show as the format?_ It will be an AVI file, but we need to see what's inside that AVI container.

Alternatively, choose Window>Show Movie Inspector to check the format, if opening in QuickTime X (or QT 7).

since you also use a canon camera, does yours mount when plugged in via USB?


I will have to check this later. My wife is out all day today and has the Canon with her. I've never plugged the camera in via USB, as I've always used a card reader, as mentioned in my earlier post. But I will try this for you tonight (it's just after midday here) and report back.

In the meantime, please check the format of your videos, as I've described.

John

Apr 7, 2010 9:15 PM in response to iDad

Thanks iDad - that does help. Conversion software was going to be my next suggestion - I was thinking of MPEG Streamclip, but EVOM sounds good. I wanted to see what format the AVI was in before suggesting anything. If it is the same as our Canon, there should be no reason for it not being recognised by iMovie, I guess.

Thanks again!

John

Apr 8, 2010 5:09 AM in response to f0rgiven

Well - this is strange! I just upgraded to 10.6.3 but forgot to check connecting the Canon before doing so. Therefore I am unable to see if the camera appeared on the desktop under 10.6.2. However, I can now confirm that the camera is _not recognised_ under 10.6.3 _when connected by USB_.

Additionally, it is not recognised by Image Capture - nor by iPhoto. It's as if it doesn't exist! But, here's the surprising part - _inserting the SD card in my card reader works_ just as before (perfectly). iPhoto recognises the SD card and imports properly. Also, Image Capture recognises the camera and all photos/videos. The camera icon also appears on the Desktop.

Here's another surprise - iMovie also sees the camera, providing you go to File>Import Movies (not File>Import from Camera). Import Movies allows you to click on the camera name and navigate to the appropriate files, which import perfectly.

I've forgotten whether you have already tried using a card reader. If not, that is the next thing I would be trying - it certainly works for me (as I give a sigh of relief)!

By the way, the format of your AVI files is the same as mine. I mentioned earlier, Motion JPEG OpenDML - this shows up in the Properties box. In the Inspector it's named the same as yours - Apple OpenDML. So, I can only conclude that your set-up should work with your Canon, PROVIDED you use a card reader.

Just a thought - maybe we should be using the Canon software. I didn't try that, although it is loaded on my Mac. I'm used to iPhoto picking up cameras/card readers automatically and don't bother with supplied camera software.

I understand what you are saying about conversion software - I hate having to do that too, especially when things worked fine previously.

Thank you for your thanks! Hope your issue is soon resolved!

John

May 14, 2010 1:04 PM in response to a_jagow

Well, AVI really isn't a video format. It's a 'container format' that can hold data that has been coded using many different 'codecs', many of which QuickTime can't handle. That could be the problem. AVI is, unfortunately, an outdated container format that even Microsoft has abandoned, but it still pops up in a lot of photo/video situations. You might try MPEG StreamClip on your clip and see if it can convert it to something QuickTime can understand.

Import AVI into iMovie 09

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