Importing YouTube movies into iMovie

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Level 1

56 points

Importing YouTube movies into iMovie

I tried to import into iMove a YouTube movie but couldn't.

Does anyone know how to convert YouTube movies into a format that can be imported into iMovie; also what programs there are to do this.

Any help is welcome.
Steven

MacBook & iBook, Mac OS X (10.6.1), have iBook

Posted on Apr 25, 2010 3:30 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

zyfert

Level 3

610 points

Apr 25, 2010 11:37 PM in response to Memoire

There is a great free piece of software called MPEG Streamclip:
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
or you can get it from Apple software downloads.
Download and install it in your applications.
Make sure you download version 1.9.3b to be able to convert YouTube clips.
Open the program and go File > Open URL...
Copy/paste the YouTube address into the window, leave all the other settings as is.
Next when it has downloaded the file go File > Export to QuickTime.
In the first box I choose 'Apple Intermediate Codec" and leave all the other settings as you find them.
The converted file will go into iMovie.
regards, Zyfert

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Answer 2

Memoire Author

Level 1

56 points

Apr 26, 2010 2:14 AM in response to zyfert

Thank you zyfert, magic - seems to be just what I am looking for, this is really great.

Best wishes,
Steven

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Answer 3

Memoire Author

Level 1

56 points

Apr 26, 2010 9:36 AM in response to zyfert

Hi zyfert, apologies for troubling you but I wonder if I can ask some further question.

I followed the instructions and the file generated was a .mov file. I still couldn't get iMovie to load this.

By the way MPEG Streamclip is magic, I could skim off the audio into an audio file and cut bits from the movie.

Only issue remaining is how to get iMovie to load the clips I save (save following your recommendation so not sure were I went wrong) any input would be welcome.

Thank you for your support to now.
Steven

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Answer 4

zyfert

Level 3

610 points

Apr 26, 2010 9:27 PM in response to Memoire

I use the method I described and it works perfectly for me.
Just to recap:
1. In Streamclip: File > Export to QuickTime.
2. In the Options > Compression use Apple Intermediate Codec.
3. Leave all the others settings for the moment.
4. Where: desktop.
Now once that's done open iMovie and File > Import > Movies....
and navigate to that file.
Regards,
Z.

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Answer 5

Memoire Author

Level 1

56 points

Apr 27, 2010 4:37 PM in response to zyfert

Thank you Zyfert, let me give it a try. The file showed on the desk top last time as a .mov but couldn't be dragged into iMovie.

What is "in Streamclip" this may be the key to solving the issue I guess.

Thank you again for you kind support.

Steven

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Answer 6

Memoire Author

Level 1

56 points

May 8, 2010 6:33 PM in response to Memoire

Hi Zyfert, I finally got success to get the movie contents into iMovie. How can I add different music. I tried paying music and recording it into the movie but the sound was a bit poor. Any ideas would be most welcome. Steven

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Answer 7

zyfert

Level 3

610 points

May 8, 2010 10:36 PM in response to Memoire

Steven,
I don't know if I'll be much help to you on this one.
The only music that I ever add to my projects is minimal and I get it from my iTunes library.
The quality has always been good.
If you are recording your own music say through GarageBand then there are lots of variables to contend with - I have never done that myself.
I always export my iMovie projects to QuickTime.
In the Options > Sound Settings there, I use the following:
Format: AAC, Channels: Stereo (L R), Rate: 48,000, Render Settings Quality: Better or Best, Target Bit Rate: 192 kbps.
But I guess all depends upon the quality of the original material.
Best,
Z.

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Answer 8

Memoire Author

Level 1

56 points

May 8, 2010 10:53 PM in response to zyfert

Hi zyfert, thank you for the reply, I appreciate your help. Actually I was just trying to add a piece of music to the video I managed to make with your previous help. I was trying to find out how I could add the music using MPEG Streamslip that you introduced or inside iMovie. I managed to add some sound in iMovie by letting the music play in iTunes while running the movie. This sounded quite poor actually, so I guess what I want is possible but using some different idea.
Well if you have any input it is always very helpful, in the meantime I will continue to play with it.
All the best,
Steven

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Answer 9

Memoire Author

Level 1

56 points

May 9, 2010 3:24 AM in response to Memoire

Hello zyfert.

Through trial and error I found out you click the musical note icon then drag the mush over the current files in the movie window.

I saved as you suggested, but when uploaded to YouTube it looks quite poor quality, any ideas what went wrong would be most welcome?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8fZn0AELug

Thank you
Steven

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