Highest quality files for iMovie ingest at DVinfo.net

Gerald Webb · January 3rd, 2013, 08:37 PM

Hoping someone can help me here.
I have 1080p Cineform files of about 4 hrs that I have to give someone who is Mac only and wants to do an edit (highlights) on there Macbook pro.
They dont need full 1080p so I thought 720p would lighten the load for the the Macbook.
She is editing on iMovie only, does not have FCX.
I thought DnxHD might be ok, but a quick Google says that iMovie cant ingest that, Is this true?
I thought ProRes, but I dont think she can install the Pro codecs pack unless a version of Final Cut is installed on her Macbook, is this right?
Any suggestions? HDV maybe?
Any input appreciated.

William Hohauser · January 3rd, 2013, 09:11 PM

In the past iMovie accepted AIC files. Now, I don't know but you can go to Apple's site and find out.

Gerald Webb · January 3rd, 2013, 09:27 PM

Forgive me William but where on Apples site are iMovie ingest specs?

Nigel Barker · January 8th, 2013, 12:31 AM

GoPro acquired Cineform a while ago & AFAIK if you download & install the free GoPro Cineform Studio then this will install the Cineform CODEC GoProCineForm Studio

Gerald Webb · January 8th, 2013, 12:41 AM

Thanks Nigel,
I did think of that, but opted against it for simplicity on her side.
I just gave her 720p AIC files, and in another folder 1080p Prores422.
I figured if she did nothing extra, she could open the AIC files in quicktime and I know they will slip into imovie ok. And if she wants higher quality, she can use the Prores if she downloads the Procodec pack from Apple.(if she upgrades to Final Cut).
FWIW, will a stock standard Mac without Final cut and the Procodec pack read a Prores file in Quicktime player?

Nigel Barker · January 8th, 2013, 12:04 PM

You need to install FCP to get ProRes.

Gerald Webb · January 8th, 2013, 02:28 PM

Well that is strange isn't it.
Any Windows PC with Quicktime can decode ProRes,
Any Mac needs a Pro Codec pack to even preview it.

Nigel Barker · January 9th, 2013, 01:45 AM

AFAIK you can play ProRes files in QuickTime Player on a Mac but that is playback only it doesn't mean that you can use the CODEC for encoding.

January 3rd, 2013, 08:37 PM	#1
Gerald Webb Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Coast Australia Posts: 1,046	Highest quality files for iMovie ingest Hoping someone can help me here. I have 1080p Cineform files of about 4 hrs that I have to give someone who is Mac only and wants to do an edit (highlights) on there Macbook pro. They dont need full 1080p so I thought 720p would lighten the load for the the Macbook. She is editing on iMovie only, does not have FCX. I thought DnxHD might be ok, but a quick Google says that iMovie cant ingest that, Is this true? I thought ProRes, but I dont think she can install the Pro codecs pack unless a version of Final Cut is installed on her Macbook, is this right? Any suggestions? HDV maybe? Any input appreciated. __________________ http://vimeo.com/livewebvideo

January 3rd, 2013, 09:11 PM	#2
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: Highest quality files for iMovie ingest In the past iMovie accepted AIC files. Now, I don't know but you can go to Apple's site and find out. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

January 3rd, 2013, 09:27 PM	#3
Gerald Webb Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Coast Australia Posts: 1,046	Re: Highest quality files for iMovie ingest Forgive me William but where on Apples site are iMovie ingest specs? __________________ http://vimeo.com/livewebvideo

January 8th, 2013, 12:31 AM	#4
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: Highest quality files for iMovie ingest GoPro acquired Cineform a while ago & AFAIK if you download & install the free GoPro Cineform Studio then this will install the Cineform CODEC GoProCineForm Studio

January 8th, 2013, 12:41 AM	#5
Gerald Webb Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Coast Australia Posts: 1,046	Re: Highest quality files for iMovie ingest Thanks Nigel, I did think of that, but opted against it for simplicity on her side. I just gave her 720p AIC files, and in another folder 1080p Prores422. I figured if she did nothing extra, she could open the AIC files in quicktime and I know they will slip into imovie ok. And if she wants higher quality, she can use the Prores if she downloads the Procodec pack from Apple.(if she upgrades to Final Cut). FWIW, will a stock standard Mac without Final cut and the Procodec pack read a Prores file in Quicktime player? __________________ http://vimeo.com/livewebvideo

January 8th, 2013, 12:04 PM	#6
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: Highest quality files for iMovie ingest You need to install FCP to get ProRes.

January 8th, 2013, 02:28 PM	#7
Gerald Webb Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Coast Australia Posts: 1,046	Re: Highest quality files for iMovie ingest Well that is strange isn't it. Any Windows PC with Quicktime can decode ProRes, Any Mac needs a Pro Codec pack to even preview it. __________________ http://vimeo.com/livewebvideo

January 9th, 2013, 01:45 AM	#8
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: Highest quality files for iMovie ingest AFAIK you can play ProRes files in QuickTime Player on a Mac but that is playback only it doesn't mean that you can use the CODEC for encoding.