AC3 (a52) audio codec works in quicktime, but not iMovie '11

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AC3 (a52) audio codec works in quicktime, but not iMovie '11

Hi, I'm trying to edit a .m4v video (H.264 video codec, AC3 (a52) audio codec) in iMovie '11 on MBP 13. The sound does not work. However, I can hear sound in quicktime player and VLC. But I thought that when qt works, iMovie works. Unfortunately, it doesn't.
In my other MBP 17 the same video works fine - I can hear sound in iMovie '11. Сonfiguration of both MBP is the same (except screen size): OS 10.6.6, iMovie'11, Perian 1.2.1
Does anyone have any ideas?

MacBook Pro 17, Mac OS X (10.6.6), MacBook Pro 13

Posted on Mar 19, 2011 2:02 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 19, 2011 2:47 PM in response to Ged_

I would suggest that you download and install MPEG Streamclip, which is free from Squared 5.

Drag your clip into MPEG Streamclip.

Use FILE/EXPORT TO QuickTime.
Choose H.264 in current dimensions for Video Codec.
Choose AAC at 44,100 Hz as audio codec.

There may be a FILE/EXPORT TO MPEG4 option that should also work. Again, choose h.264 and AAC.

If you have a lot of clips to do, MPEG Streamclip has a batch mode.

Message was edited by: AppleMan1958

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Answer 2

Ged_ Author

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Mar 19, 2011 3:29 PM in response to AppleMan1958

No, I don't want to convert each clip.
My second similar MBP shows that it's possible in iMovie without convertation! My question is - how to set up it on the first MBP ?

Is it possible to compare a list of all codecs installed in two macs?

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Answer 3

Mar 19, 2011 3:33 PM in response to Ged_

Look in the Macintosh HD/Library/QuickTime folder for installed codecs.

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Answer 4

Ged_ Author

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Mar 19, 2011 11:44 PM in response to AppleMan1958

MBP 13 (problem) Macintosh HD/Library/QuickTime folder contains:
AC3MovieImport.component
AppleIntermediateCodec.component
AppleMPEG2Codec.component
DivX Decoder.component
DivX Encoder.component
Flip4Mac WMV Advanced.component
Flip4Mac WMV Export.component
Flip4Mac WMV Import.component
Perian.component

MBP 17 (sound in iMovie works fine) Macintosh HD/Library/QuickTime folder contains all the same plus Google camera Adapter 0 and 1.component

Perhaps the reason of problem is in version difference of AC3MovieImport.component?
MBP 13 - AC3MovieImport.component 18.03.2010 104673 bytes
MBP 17 - AC3MovieImport.component 26.07.2009 108269 bytes

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Answer 5

Ged_ Author

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Apr 11, 2011 3:34 AM in response to Ged_

I solve this problem 🙂
After each update codecs or software - you need to test the import to iMovie again. Otherwise, the upgrade can't influence to the videos already in the iMovie library.

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