iPad 2 iMovie

I now have a solution that works for me.

I set my camera PANASONIC LUMIX to record motion jpg HD (mov) video instead of AVCHD and these will import to the iPad using the camera connection kit. They do not appear in the camera roll though. I opened the video with the app Tic tac loc (a secret photo and video storage app) and then saved it to the camera roll. It then appears in iMovie for editing. Presumably this will work with any app that can open video and then move it to the camera roll.

So apart from the not being able to shoot in AVCHD this is a pretty neat solution for me and it might be ok for others.

You can convert very easily with Quicktime (in Snow Leopard at least).

Open your video file in quicktime on your Mac and then choose Save As.. from the file menu, you will see various options and formats to save in, if you choose the HD 720 option it will save it in the correct format that the iPad likes. If you then copy the new version of the file back into iphoto and then sync with the iPad you will be able to import into iMovie for iPad.

I just did this with a bunch of MP4 files shot on my Sony WX9 and it works great, im now editing them on my iPad in iMovie!

This option works for mp4s and other files that Quicktime will read, this does not include .mts files (AVCHD)

Ok I found a solution for those of you who can get a movie to show up in the camera roll, and can play the video but can't use it in iMovie.

Download the splice video editor app. Only an iPhone version is available, but that is ok. You also don't need the paid version, only the free one. Start a project and leave all the defaults in place, insert your one video and export it without doing anything to it. It will then show up on your reel in iMovie.

"You can convert very easily with Quicktime (in Snow Leopard at least)."

Why would I convert it on my computer to edit it on the iPad?

There are far better editors on the computer.

As noted, this topic is about going directly from the camera to the iPad.

"Ok I found a solution for those of you who can get a movie to show up in the camera roll, and can play the video but can't use it in iMovie.

Download the splice video editor app. Only an iPhone version is available, but that is ok. You also don't need the paid version, only the free one. Start a project and leave all the defaults in place, insert your one video and export it without doing anything to it. It will then show up on your reel in iMovie."

sounds like an good idea, however when you export the movie does it do any compression or anything that will cause loss of quality?

The program gives you the option in keeping the video at 720p or downgrading it. My video is native mp4 720p, but for some reason, it won't work in imovie. I didn't do a back to back comparison but it seems to look pretty good. I guess you just have to try it for yourself.

On another unrelated note, I use the eye-fi card and when I take pictures and video, it sends it to my iPad automatically without being on a network. It's pretty awesome for those of you who haven't heard of it. It just takes a while to get it set up the way you want it.

Thank you NVBrit for the tip. The Splice Video Editor works perfectly and now will allow me to integrate video with photos while on vacation in Italy. I'm looking forward to downsizing from a laptop to my iPad2. There was a lot of wasted effort on this issue until it finally focused on direct from camera to iPad transfer.

Hey David, just a question, do you happen to know which generation MinoHD you have? I am assuming it is 2nd gen based on the fact that it works with iMovie and that seems to match up the most with the codec supported in iMovie iOS (mp4 h.264, 1280x720 @ 30 fps). I am wanting to set up a simple/easy video editing system with an iPad for middle school students and I want them to be able to record video either with the iPad or another device (flip minoHD) then easily import to the iPad (using the CCK) and edit it without ever needing to connect to a computer. I have literally spent days scouring the web trying to get a definitive answer on what the best setup would be to do this (since I haven't purchased any of it) and this seems to be the best/only option.

This worked great. I shot a video on my Flip Camera (which is .avi format). Saved it as MPEG4 using Handbrake (which is free) then saved the video in My Pictures on my PC. Photo tab in iTunes with iPad connected, check include Videos, and pow! it was in iMovie after I synced. Thanks!

I have a kodak playsport, having tried every option offered so far (apart from quicktime export (only have windows) and using mpg streamplayer to export - this just crashed my machine repeatedly), the following is all I can get to work

1. Convert all files using Handbrake (set to 'ipad' export setting)

2. Synch them to iPad using iTunes using 'photo sync' with'video' ticked. It will not work transferring them as films.

3. Use 'Vimeo' app to import, then export them this finally seems to get them in a format usable by iMovies

Long winded, but it gets me a solution for my needs. I have to use the playsport to capture, as its a pocketsized waterproof camera unlike iPad.

From the mix of previous responses, it seems that some HD cameras are compatible and some aren't. I've ordered a camera connection kit to see if this might remove the need for the Vimeo step.

One of my main justifications for buying the iPad was to edit video, therefore I am pretty disappointed I have to go through this rigmarole each time I have to edit movies. Hopefully Apple will provide a fix soon!

I have a Sony slt-a55 and use Handbrake to convert AVCHD to mp4 that shows up in imovie using picture sync.

I choose the Apple TV 2 profile to get 720p resolution, change the destination name to .mp4, set the frame rate to "same as source", choose an average bit rate, e.g. 4000, under audio I choose AAC with a sample rate of 44.1 and 128 bit rate, with "stereo" mixdown. After transcoding I put the video in the picture sync folder of itunes, and make sure the "include videos" is activated. I also succeeded importing video into iMovie using quicktime pro to create mp4, but only with letterboxed SD resolution, for some reason the 720p from quicktime is not accepted by iMovie, could be the audio sample rate.

MHeptonstall wrote:

From the mix of previous responses, it seems that some HD cameras are compatible and some aren't. I've ordered a camera connection kit to see if this might remove the need for the Vimeo step.

It won't. The only video imported from the PlaySport to the iPad that will work is the lowest resolution (VGA) on the Playsport.

One of my main justifications for buying the iPad was to edit video

Really? Why not use the much more powerful and easier to manipulate software on your computer?

, therefore I am pretty disappointed I have to go through this rigmarole each time I have to edit movies. Hopefully Apple will provide a fix soon!

Doubtful as the cameras are recording the video with too high of a profile.

Yes, you can import videos to iPad2 from just about any camera, and using a PC or Mac.

It is a 2 step process.

1- Convert the video into an iMovie friendly format

2- Import using iTunes (there is a trick to this)

Here we go:

(1)

Use a conversion program, like Handbrake, to convert your original video into a 1280x720 size. In Handbrake, use Average Bitrate (for HD movies) set to 10730 kbps. Set Audio to AAC, Stereo, 44.1kHz sample rate, 128kbps bit rate.

(2)

In iTunes, you just can't drag-and-drop your video to transfer into your iPad. You need to use the "Photos" tab and then select the "Include videos" check box (Steve Jobs, we need to talk...).

Now synch your iPad2 and the video will show up in your camera roll. Have fun!

"Yes, you can import videos to iPad2 from just about any camera, and using a PC or Mac"

Then you are importing from a computer, not a camera.

This topic is about importing from a camera directly to the iPad.

I use " video Converter" in the apps store (1.99 $) to convert clips (720p)

works with Panasonic DMC-ZX3 and JVC GC-FM2.

a must have