iMovie not showing video

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iMovie not showing video

I am trying to import a mp4 file into iMovie however I am experiencing a few problems.

The import seems to be going okay however when I click to play the file within iMovie, no video actually plays. I can hear the audio correctly however there is no video.

I tried to do some searching but didn't come up with anything definitive, maybe I was trying a non-relevant search phrase. It's really puzzling as it seems to be importing fine, there is just not video.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Feb 8, 2012 11:47 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 9, 2012 2:51 AM in response to jayrap

Hi

I am trying to import a mp4 file into iMovie

.mp4 - is no video codec - it is a container and can hold codecs iMovie can use or can not.

Open it in QuickTime-player then open Inspector and read video format/codec: nnnnnnnn

and tell what it says. Codec, Size and Frame-rate.

Yours Bengt W

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Answer 2

jayrap Author

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Feb 9, 2012 3:30 AM in response to Bengt Wärleby

Video....: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC 720 x 400 @ 1213 kbps (AR: 1.835)

Audio....: mp4a: MPEG-4 AAC LC @ 85 kbps 24000 Hz

Is there a trouble with something there?

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Answer 3

Feb 9, 2012 4:53 AM in response to jayrap

Yes I think this is the problem. Hopefully someone with more Know-How will assist in how to convert them to a format/codec iMovie can use. Think it is AIC (Apple Intermediat Codec).

I use .dv in a .mov container from Camera or via QuickTime Pro

Audio - all extra only as .aiff 16-bit 48kHz or from Audio CD 44.1kHz - Never .mp3 or .wma etc.

See if

• MPEG Streamclip - or -

• JES_Deinterlacer

• Flip4Mac

• HandBrake

might be able to help ?

Your Bengt W

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Answer 4

jayrap Author

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Feb 9, 2012 12:37 PM in response to Bengt Wärleby

If I were to purchase Final Cut Pro will I still have to convert these files. I really wish I didnt have to 🙂

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Answer 5

jayrap Author

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Feb 10, 2012 4:09 PM in response to jayrap

I'm seriously considering purchasing Final Cut.. So will I be facing the same problem if I do?

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Answer 6

jayrap Author

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Feb 12, 2012 3:45 AM in response to jayrap

Any further help on this one? I am really not sure what to do.

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Answer 7

Feb 12, 2012 4:44 AM in response to jayrap

There are lots of good reasons to buy Final Cut, but it is also a huge learning curve. And it is not likely to solve this issue for you.

I would recommend that you download and install MPEG Streamclip from Squared 5.

Drag your MP4 file into MPEG Streamclip.

Then FILE/EXPORT TO QUICKTIME. For Compression choose Apple Intermediate Codec.

Set the Audio to Uncompressed. Stereo. 48khz.

Then click "Make Movie".

Keep it with the same name and put it in a folder where you can find it. Then click SAVE.

This file should have an MOV extension when you are done.

You can now import this into iMovie using FILE/IMPORT MOVIE and navigate to this file.

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Answer 8

ara611

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Oct 19, 2012 9:25 PM in response to AppleMan1958

I have the same problem of not being able to open MP4s in iMovie. I downloaded MPEG Streamclip to convert my MP4s, but MPEG Streamclip says it cannot read my file.

When I drag my file into Quicktime, the Inspector says the following under Format:

MPEG-4 1,920 x 1,080

Lindear PCM, 16 bit big-endian signed

integer, 2 channels, 48000 Hz

What do I try now?

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