importing avi files into iMovie

Hi Brookie,
welcome to the  board 🙂

... problem with .avi is, in technical terms, it is just a container. that means: it can contain many "formats"...

can you open and play that .avi with QTplayer?
if yes, you should think about an investment into QTpro (download from Apple's website)... we then can convert that file into something useful format for iM...

if not, we have to find out, what's inside ...
can anyone operating that webcam tell you, what "codec" is in use?

good choice to buy QTpro!
but..."Mpeg3Viewer" ???
ehm, not really...

mpeg3 is a common abr. for audio-only files....
a blank screen is not a good sign...

please:
open the file with QTpro
click apple-j
choose in the left lane "video"
choose in the right lane "format"
...
what do we read...?
(it will tell us the codec/compressor...)

I do know, there are est. ~4000 video codecs out there, but I've never heard of THAT...

googling shows me:
a very specific mpeg4 derivat from some Taiwanese producer of surveilance products... (why o' why not using open standards....???)

interesting is: your windows PC can handle it, a Mac not..- if it is "classic" mpeg4, you should see some pics... hmmm.-
the manufacturers website doesn't show any Mac support, my other usual suspects for downloads either...

if possible, convert the files on the PC into something useful ("plain" mp4, best: dv)

sorry, end of my road... geox... that is a famous shoe manufacturer over here... now video codecs for birds surveillance... <shaking head> oh tempore, oh mores... 😉