Bringing footage from my camera into my computer and then into iMovie. Suddenly complicated.

Question

Bringing footage from my camera into my computer and then into iMovie. Suddenly complicated.

I have used iMovie for several years now. Was a FCP user before that but just needed something simpler. I have used iMovie with my Canon XA10 for a very long time but here recently, I have come to dread the part where I import video from my camera into my project. This used to be easy. I got the clip I wanted even if there was other footage on the SD Card. NOW, I have ended up (more than once) with the entire AVCHD file on my desk top and it opens up in Quick Time. A big file. Went to iMovie and downloaded just the clip I wanted and worked on my edit. Did some other things, went back to my edit and the footage is lost. I was able to bring the footage back in. Something is keeping my video tied to that original AVCHD file location which I am afraid to delete for fear of losing my footage. How can I solve this and finish my edit?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Jan 21, 2026 10:51 AM

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Answer 1

brbo

Level 8

38,809 points

Jan 25, 2026 10:52 PM in response to finalcutofpiepro2

Re: "Bringing footage from my camera into my computer and then into iMovie. Suddenly complicated".

Noticing no-one has replied so far ... this reply will also provide more opportunity for experts to share tips.

Wondering if this method would work for you, and give you more control:

(Sorry I'm unable to test it using the same hardware and software versions you have)

Transfer the clip you want from the camera to the Mac desktop

(Image Capture works well for transferring videos / photos).

Open the clip in Quick Time.

From the file menu, either Duplicate (or Export) so you have a copy.

Ensure you "rename" that copy and save it to the desktop too.

Import that copy into iMovie to finish your edit.

You still have the original clip and the renamed copy safely on the desktop if needed ... (insurance)

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