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User profile for user: John Gerads
John Gerads Author
User level: Level 1
7 points

imovie slow to import

Last December 2012 I purchased a brand new tricked out imac.


I frequently import video that is native HD and around 1 hour in length. Prior to the last software update to imovie, I could import these into imovie in a couple of hours.


Recently, I've been importing the same type and length of video and now it is taking 6 hours or more.


The funny thing is that when I import the exact same material on a less powerful imac, the import time is a couple of hours.


What is happening here?


Thank you.

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)

Posted on May 30, 2013 5:01 AM

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11 replies
User profile for user: sabatica
sabatica
User level: Level 2
231 points

May 30, 2013 9:43 AM in response to John Gerads

Firstly: What Formats are you importing from your camera?

Secondly: What codec is being used by quicktime to playback this material?

Thirdly: Once imported are you able to preview all clip thumbnails in realtime or does a beachball appear?


3 separate but important pieces of info and you answers to the above should give us a clearer idea.

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User profile for user: John Gerads
John Gerads Author
User level: Level 1
7 points

May 30, 2013 9:50 AM in response to sabatica

1. importing 1080 HD h.264, .mp4 converted


2. I don't know this information off hand. (I know I should know it, but I don't want to be incorrect)


3. this is the funny piece, when I drag the movie from my desktop into the event I created, I get the beachball, but it imports in half the time. When I let it work for 6-8 hours, then I can preview w/o the beachball

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User profile for user: sabatica
sabatica
User level: Level 2
231 points

May 30, 2013 9:53 AM in response to John Gerads

this is the funny piece, when I drag the movie from my desktop into the event I created, I get the beachball, but it imports in half the time. When I let it work for 6-8 hours, then I can preview w/o the beachball


Erm Sounds like you need to import your footage using the File menu>>>>Import>>>>Movie to your event browser

Then LET it generate the thumbnails and go from there.

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imovie slow to import

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