iMovie import possibilities

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Level 1

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iMovie import possibilities

Hi all,

Since years, I want to have a Mac on my desktop to do all my multimedia work. Since weeks, I plan to buy the new iMac Intel 20" (1Gb RAM, 256Mb video card). But before clicking the "Accept" button on the Apple Store, I still have few questions about iMovie.

1. On my HP Workstation, I usually use VideoStudio 9 or MediaStudio Pro to make my videos and DVD. As I don't have any link between my mini-DV camera and my computer, I burn a DVD (DVD video format like commercial DVD, with menu, ...) on my Panasonic recorder. With VideoStudio, I can then import any part of this DVD into my project (I can even import parts of commercial DVD).
So my first question is : is it possible to import parts of Video DVD into an iMovie project ?

2. Has iMovie any limitations (size or time) in the final video produced or parts of the project ?

3. Is it better to go for Final Cut Express (don't have the money for the Pro version) ? Does the upgrade version of Final Cut Express apply to iMovie 6 HD ?

Many thanks for your reply.
P.S. : my future iMac will be connected to my existing Windows network in order to share the internet connection and printers.

HP Workstation Windows XP Pro

Posted on Feb 7, 2006 11:35 AM

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Answer 1

msuper69

Level 6

8,705 points

Feb 7, 2006 12:05 PM in response to Jidé

"is it possible to import parts of Video DVD into an iMovie project ?"

Yes. There are programs to let you do this. Others can jump in and give you some examples. I rarely extract footage from a DVD.

But what you should really do is get a Firewire cable for your mini-DV camcorder and use iMovie to import the video directly. The method you are currently using results in a huge loss of resolution/quality. You are essentially compressing the DV footage to DVD resolution and then re-importing the DVD footage for editing. This is the wrong way to go. Camcorder to iMovie is a straight digital transfer with no loss of resolution.

"Has iMovie any limitations (size or time) in the final video produced or parts of the project ?"

The only restriction is how much disk space you have available. And I would go with the 500gb hard drive option on the new iMac. You can't have too much disk space when you're working with video. Of course, you'll want to plan on some reliable backup method for all that video also. Search the forums and you will get plenty of good advice on backups.

"Is it better to go for Final Cut Express (don't have the money for the Pro version) ? Does the upgrade version of Final Cut Express apply to iMovie 6 HD ?"

Final Cut Express HD is much more powerful than iMovie HD. But along with the power is a more complicated interface and a much higher learning curve. A quick visit to http://store.apple.com reveals that the Final Cut Express HD upgrade requires Final Cut Express version 1 or 2, so you don't get the upgrade with iMovie 6 HD.

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Answer 2

Jidé Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 7, 2006 12:40 PM in response to msuper69

Hi Michael,

and many thanks for your quick reply. I know I'm in the wrong way with my "procedure" but I don't have a firewire interface in my 10 years old mini-DV (JVC). In the past, I used a dual VCR (DV and VHS) with an iLink interface on the DV part... which is dead now. So I connect my camera using the video and audio cable (yellow, red and white) on my new recorder. Are there any converters on the Apple Store to go from standard video signal to FireWire ?

Ok for the restriction. I heard someone speaking about a 9 minutes restriction on every clip in an iMovie project.

The Final Cut interface is not a problem : Media Studio Pro and Adobe Premiere interfaces on PC are quite more difficul to learn (IMHO).

Once again, many thanks for your reply and sorry for my bad english.
I think my blue credit card will become very red in a few days !!

HP Workstation Windows XP Pro

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