Importing analogue video into imovie.

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Level 1

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Importing analogue video into imovie.

I am trying to import analogue video into imovie 5 using my canon i830 dv camera with tape out. imovie 5 will not import using this method and as I only have a few tapes to transfer I do not want to purchase further hardware. Will imovie 6 enable me to do this. Any sugestions?

G5, Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Posted on Mar 28, 2006 10:57 AM

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Answer 1

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Mar 28, 2006 12:06 PM in response to denian

It isn't a function of iMovie but of your camera. iMovie expect DV formatted digital files. So if your camera can convert the analog footage and feed DV to your Mac's firewire port then iMovie should be able to import it.
If your camera does not support a pass through analog to digital conversion on the fly, you might have to do it in two steps. Step 1 would be patch analog player into digital camcorder and play analog into digital camcorder and let camcorder digitize and record to tape. Then step 2 would be to now import this digital footage to iMovie.
But pulling up specs on the web (we are talking about the MV830i right?), I see it does indeed feature analog to digital conversion with pass through.
Patrick

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Answer 2

denian Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 29, 2006 11:06 AM in response to PT

Thanks for replying and yes that is how it is supposed to work but imovie 5 will not import using this method. I understand that imovie 4 did import using this method but that was before I was converted to Mac. Does anyone know if imovie 6 will import using this method. I can find no information on the web or magazines regarding this.

Ian

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Answer 3

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Mar 29, 2006 12:53 PM in response to denian

iMovie has not changed in how it imports video from camcorders to the best of my knowledge. Your DV camcorder with a Firewire connection should import to iM4, 5 (HD), or 6. So it would appear that there is a problem with a setting, hardware, or something else keeping it from working. Sooooo....
Let's explore your setup. You have a DV camcorder right? It has a Firewire port? You are connecting the camera, with a Firewire cable, directly to the Mac? Daisy chained off an external hard drive? Via a Firewire hub?
Does the menu of the camera feature different connection types that you can select from (e.g. Firewire, USB, A/V jacks, etc.)?
What mode do you put the camera in when you attempt to import? Camcorder record mode? VCR play mode? Other?
When you hook up the camera what exactly happens? Do you get absolutely nothing? Do you get a message that the camcorder is connected but then can not get it to import? Do you get an error message?
Are you in an iMovie project when you attempt to import? Or are you trying to see the camcorder from the desktop?
Are you SURE the cable you have is OK? Have you tried it on another device to verify? Some cables have the molded over plastic higher on the connector than others. I personally have had devices with deep ports on them that a cable with more molded plastic (less exposed metal) not connecting but swapping to another cable with less molding and more of the metal connector exposed working correctly.
Patrick

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Answer 4

Paul D

Level 1

15 points

Mar 31, 2006 1:26 PM in response to denian

I have a Canon MV830i and it will import DV from analogue into iMovie 6 for you. I have converted some of my old VHSc tapes to iMovie projects.

First thing is do not use a firewire hub plug directly from the camera to the Mac, it maybe I have a dodgy hub but it's one less thing to worry about if you have one.

Next load a recordable minidv tape into the Canon, turn it to PLAY(VCR) select AV-DV(press menu,select VCR SETUP, AV-DV ON, then MENU again to exit)

Start your analogue source. Press REC PAUSE, iMovie will now display this source. Click import in iMovie, your movie is being captured. You can now press STOP(NIGHT MODE) on the canon and it will continue to convert to DV and iMovie will still recognize it.

Hope this helps

Paul

Mac mini Mac OS X (10.4.5)

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