jorden1875
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Q: iMovie Files Wont Work in Final Cut

So the newest iMovie update is really frustrating me.  I usually capture all my video files into iMovie, then edit them in Final Cut Express.  At first I couldnt find the .mov files that iMovie creates, until I went to the iMovie Library and went under Show Package Contents.  I was able to transfer those files to FC, however when I try to play them in the viewer, all I get is a white screen.  The audio works fine, but there is no picture.  Similarly, when I tried to render the file to see if that corrected the problem, I got a message that said codec not found.  The file appears to be a normal .mov file so Im not sure what to do to get it to work in FC.

Posted on May 7, 2014 2:42 PM

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jorden1875

Q: iMovie Files Wont Work in Final Cut

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  • by MartinR,

    MartinR MartinR May 9, 2014 3:33 AM in response to jorden1875
    Level 6 (14,891 points)
    May 9, 2014 3:33 AM in response to jorden1875

    I usually capture all my video files into iMovie, then edit them in Final Cut Express.

    If you plan to edit the video in FCE you should capture the clips in FCE.  It was never a good idea to capture in iMovie and then transfer the clips to FCE, regardless of the verions of iMovie and FCE involved.

     

    Regarding the latest iMovie, check to see what codec iMovie is saving the video in.  I suspect it may be ProRes, which is not usable in FCE.   For FCE, the video needs to be either Apple DV or Apple Intermediate Codec.

  • by jorden1875,

    jorden1875 jorden1875 May 13, 2014 11:13 AM in response to MartinR
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 13, 2014 11:13 AM in response to MartinR

     

    If you plan to edit the video in FCE you should capture the clips in FCE.  It was never a good idea to capture in iMovie and then transfer the clips to FCE, regardless of the verions of iMovie and FCE involved.

     

     

    Interesting.  Thats the way Ive always done it and never had any problems.  That brings up another issue.  When I try to capture in FCE I get the message "unable to initialize video deck", then it opens the Capture window but doesnt let me do anything so I cant capture it in FCE

     

     

     

     

    Regarding the latest iMovie, check to see what codec iMovie is saving the video in.  I suspect it may be ProRes, which is not usable in FCE.   For FCE, the video needs to be either Apple DV or Apple Intermediate Codec.

     

    It says it is saved in MPEG-2.  My older clips were Apple Intermediate.  Is there a way to change what codec its saved in?

  • by MartinR,Helpful

    MartinR MartinR May 13, 2014 1:09 PM in response to jorden1875
    Level 6 (14,891 points)
    May 13, 2014 1:09 PM in response to jorden1875

    "unable to initialize video deck",

     

    Exactly what deck (make & model); how is it connected to your Mac; what FCE Easy Setup are you using?

     

    It says it is saved in MPEG-2

     

    That's a problem.  FCE cannot edit MPEG2 video.  You have to convert it to QuickTime/Apple Intermediate Codec or QuickTime/Apple DV.   Where did this footage come from?   If it's an HDV camcorder, you should be able to capture in FCE.

     

    If you already have an MPEG2 video file, you can try using MPEG Streamclip (free) to convert it to QT.  You will probably also need the Apple MPEG2 Component if you do not already have it (19.99 from Apple).  Note that if your Mac has Snow Leopard or later there are special instructions for installing the Apple MPEG2 Component - see "Snow Leopard and MPEG-2 Playback Component" on the MPEG Streamclip website.

  • by jorden1875,

    jorden1875 jorden1875 May 13, 2014 2:01 PM in response to MartinR
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 13, 2014 2:01 PM in response to MartinR

       

     

     

    Exactly what deck (make & model); how is it connected to your Mac; what FCE Easy Setup are you using?

     

     

    ...FCE cannot edit MPEG2 video.  You have to convert it to QuickTime/Apple Intermediate Codec or QuickTime/Apple DV.   Where did this footage come from?   If it's an HDV camcorder, you should be able to capture in FCE.

     

     

    Its a Sony HDR-FX7 MiniDV camcorder, connected through the firewire port.  The Easy Setup settings are Format: (all formats), Rate: (all rates), and Use: DV-NTSC