Import Error

I have just switched to a Mac Mini (Late 2014) with 2.6 i5. I am running High Sierra 10.13.6. I restored from a Time Machine backup from a previous computer. After getting all of my files where I wanted them, I went to import videos from my camera, a Sony NEX VG-10. I opened iMovie 10.1.0 and plugged in my camera, no issues so far. iMovie can see my camera and all of the clips contained on it. When I go to import, each individual clip says Import Failed and I have to click "OK" 20 times or however many clips I have on my camera. In the end, nothing is actually imported.



Then, I downloaded iMovie 9 and decided to try this. On my previous computer I had used iMovie 9 exclusively since I did not like all of the features or layout in iMovie 10. I got iMovie 9 installed, it found all of my past projects, etc. It was like I picked up right where I left off on my previous computer, I thought I was ready to go!


I plugged in the same camera and iMovie 9 can see all of my clips, same as iMovie 10. When I clicked import, I created a new event as always and selected my drive, then it just sits. After several minutes each clip started to say "Error" in bold red text.




I tried removing the memory card from the camera and importing through a USB interface that is not a camera, and I get the same error in iMovie 9 & 10. I have also tried moving the files from the camera/card onto the desktop, but the title of the file is just AVCHD and contains a "collection" of clips that show up in a separate window that Quicktime will not play.


A previous post said to be sure and log out of iCloud and turn of Time Machine, both of which I have tried. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3453415


I don't understand, because I have been using this camera with iMovie since 2012 and it is on the list of supported cameras. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204202#sony


I previously have had no problems and import always goes fine with no issues. Only after using this new computer do I have this error in both iMovie 9 and 10. Any help is appreciated!

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Dec 29, 2018 7:27 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 29, 2018 8:19 AM

Hi,


Possibly when you restored your system over to your newer Mac some conflicting file came over with it, or perhaps your Mac mini contains a conflicting file. In the past there have been some issues with the obsolete A52 codec interfering with iMovie's converting of the AVCHD/mts files that constitute the video clips. Take a look at this thread about deleting the A52 codec and/ or the Perian app and see if it applies to your situation.


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8123734?answerId=32799977022#32799977022


Once the user in the above thread removed the A52 codec, his version iMovie 10.1.8 imported and converted the mts files just fine.


If the above does not work in your situation, there is a workaround. Put the AVCHD folder on your desktop. Right-click on it and select Show Package Contents. There will be subfolders inside. Navigate from Private>AVCHD>BDMV>Stream. Inside the Stream folder will be the .mts files that constitute the video clips. Copy, not move, them to your desktop. Then, with the free download, Handbrake, convert the .mts files to Mp4/AAC that Handbrake will do by default. You can then drag the converted files into iMovie.


You can get Handbrake from this link:


https://handbrake.fr/


-- Rich




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3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 29, 2018 8:19 AM in response to JAMweg

Hi,


Possibly when you restored your system over to your newer Mac some conflicting file came over with it, or perhaps your Mac mini contains a conflicting file. In the past there have been some issues with the obsolete A52 codec interfering with iMovie's converting of the AVCHD/mts files that constitute the video clips. Take a look at this thread about deleting the A52 codec and/ or the Perian app and see if it applies to your situation.


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8123734?answerId=32799977022#32799977022


Once the user in the above thread removed the A52 codec, his version iMovie 10.1.8 imported and converted the mts files just fine.


If the above does not work in your situation, there is a workaround. Put the AVCHD folder on your desktop. Right-click on it and select Show Package Contents. There will be subfolders inside. Navigate from Private>AVCHD>BDMV>Stream. Inside the Stream folder will be the .mts files that constitute the video clips. Copy, not move, them to your desktop. Then, with the free download, Handbrake, convert the .mts files to Mp4/AAC that Handbrake will do by default. You can then drag the converted files into iMovie.


You can get Handbrake from this link:


https://handbrake.fr/


-- Rich




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