I am importing video from a camcorder via a firewire and a thunderbolt converter to iMovie 10.1.8. The video is transferring fine but the audio is not. I have done all the above suggestions. What else could be the problem? I need the audio too. Thank

You might want to try capturing the video using the Record function in QuickTime Player.

How to use QuickTime Player - Apple Support..

If this does work then you will then need to import (copy ) this into iMovie.

You can then delete the QTP version so as not to have 2 copies.

It would appear that your cables are OK as you are getting the video imported and as far as I know

the video is not separated from the audio whilst it is being transferred by FireWire.

Are you able to control your camcorder ( play/fast forward/stop etc) from the iMovie import screen?

It would be a good idea to check whether you camcorder is still supported. Operating systems have changed and sometimes a camera that was supported no longer it. Here's a link to iMovie supported camcorders:

iMovie supported cameras - Apple Support

As a trouble shooting method, you might want to review the steps for importing from tape based and file based camcorders (you didn't mention which type you were using). Here are links that will describe the procedure in detail:

Tape based camcorder:

http://help.apple.com/imovie/mac/10.1/#/mov6af9c94c1

File based camcorder:

http://help.apple.com/imovie/mac/10.1/#/movbc953953e

As mentioned by an other poster in this thread, the type of adapter or cable you are using might be an issue.

-- Rich

You may have to try your luck with another brand or type of connector; some will supply power

and data (through adapters) and some do not. This could be a difference, in your experience.

In some instances, where a separate cable may be required, it may be possible to patch the

audio otherwise missing between devices, to see if this helps get the audio files recorded.

Sorry that I haven't an exact answer to your issue.

Good luck & happy trails! 🙂

There may be something about the audio codec in your video clips that iMovie doesn't like. iMovie likes Mp4 with AAC audio codec. If you are using a different format you might try using the free download Handbrake to convert your clips to Mp4/AAC, that Handbrake will do by default. Then if the audio is working import the converted clips into iMovie.

Also, as a workaround, you can try importing from your camcorder into the Photos app, and then, if the audio is working, access the videos in iMovie from the media Photos sidebar. Or, you can use the Image Capture app on your Mac to import your clips directly to your desktop, check the audio and if o.k. then from there you can drag them into iMovie.

-- Rich

Hi, I was just about to ask the same question. It seems that the latest software updates from Apple have changed the file format needed for iMovie to get sound. I have iMovie 10.1.8 and the High Sierra 10.13.1.

Everything was working fine when I imported movies and photos, from my Sony DSC-HX90-V camera, before the last update. The original setting on my camera was for AVCHD and this works very well.

I thought that AVCHD was the standard now?

After reading your reply I changed the camera setting to MP4, recorded a test video and got the sound onto iMovie.

So it now seems the video I recorded and had not uploaded before the update will have to be converted to MP4 before I import to iMovie.

A little castle which we could have avoided if Apple had told us.

Also I wonder if we can be expect any compatibility issues now when we send video to phones to tvs for example?

Many thanks to Rich839.

An update.

I converted my files from AVCHD to mp4 (MPEG-4 movie) with Codec H.264, AC3 and the same problem with no sound going to iMovie.

So I then converted my files from AVCHD to M4v (Apple MPEG-4 movie) with Codec H.264, AAC and the sound was imported to iMovie.

I though people would like to know as it's easy to convert to MP4 and not always check the Codec is the one Apple wants.

Hi. I changed the file type in my camera so that all future videos I input to iMovie are in the correct format.

The videos I had already got I converted using "Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate" It's not free software though.

Wondershare Store | Multimedia Software for Mac

There are no doubt others you may like to look at.

Hope that helps.

Also please take another look at the replies from Rich839 as everything he's saying makes good sense.

If the camcorder is really old you may need to think outside the box and perhaps transfer the files to a DVD recorder or DVD perhaps.

I'm surprised that it doesn't see your camcorder.

Do you have "Photos" or perhaps "iPhoto" ? If so can they see your camcorder?

Do you know what type of files your camcorder records in?