iMovie questions

Jeff DeMaagd · May 2nd, 2006, 04:03 PM

It is a bit of a setup, and frustrating if you don't follow the "right" steps.

First, I try to make sure that the camera isn't on when plugging or unplugging it. I try not to have the video edit program running until the camcorder is plugged in and turned on. Be sure the camcorder is set to Play/Edit mode before starting the program, this seems to help.

Start the video software, make a new project and be sure to select the DV Widescreen in the new movie project screen, I think under the advanced button or options arrow.

You should now be able to capture in Widescreen DV format. Similar steps should work if you open an existing DV Widescreen project, just make sure the project is set that way.

Meryem Ersoz · May 3rd, 2006, 08:58 AM

if you are outputting to DVD using iDVD from iMovie, the software will automatically downconvert for SD-DVD delivery for you. so it doesn't matter on the front end how you edit the footage, format-wise, unless you plan a delivery other than SD-DVD and need to reconfigure. you didn't mention your delivery plans, but this could possibly save you the step....the end results look pretty nice.

Evan Dowling · May 3rd, 2006, 11:17 AM

Thanks for your adivce. The main reason I wanted to import SD instead of HDV was to save on editing time. Delivery will be SD-DVD so your advice on importing to iDVD is helpful. I will try to do it following all the steps perfectly and see if it won't work. Thanks again!

Leigh Hanlon · May 16th, 2006, 07:47 PM

A friend and I are completing a 5- to 10-minute documentary and have been invited to show the short as part of program of longer video works at a local theater in a few weeks.

I don't have the exact screen dimensions, but I believe the video will be projected from the original projection booth and centered within the cinema's widescreen.

This is a fairly huge auditorium -- I'm told it originally seated more than 1,000.

So, my question is this: We'll be assembling our video in iMovie HD and burning a disc using iDVD. Is there anything special we should be doing to optimize this for a large screen?

Leigh Hanlon

Matt Stahley · May 17th, 2006, 10:42 AM

If you are able to hook a dv cam or deck to the projector i would probably just view the final product off of a mini dv tape instead of going thru the dvd compression. may result in a cleaner picture since its being blown up.

Leigh Hanlon · May 17th, 2006, 10:46 AM

Matt,

Thanks for the idea. I'm not sure if they'll be set up to do that, but I'll check.

Leigh

Matt Stahley · May 17th, 2006, 11:04 AM

Leigh if not i would use the best dvd compression iDvd does and you should be fine. i have been to a few film fests with them projecting dvds and it looked ok. it really comes down to how they have the projector setup etc. as I have seen some projections that looked horrorible but i beleieve it was due to not having it set up correctly because the discs i receved that were shown looked decent on my tv.

Dave Perry · May 17th, 2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Stahley

If you are able to hook a dv cam or deck to the projector i would probably just view the final product off of a mini dv tape instead of going thru the dvd compression. may result in a cleaner picture since its being blown up.

The projector will still only project an SD image.

Evan Dowling · May 22nd, 2006, 07:33 AM

Update: I found that if you set the VCR mode to automatic, then iMove will work properly with the downconvert.

Lew Stamp · June 4th, 2006, 04:13 PM

I have used IMovie to make slide shows for several years. I now am making movies And after hours of tweeking the video. I saved it and opened it , or tried to and the application said "Project File is Unreadable".

Any suggestions?
Lew

Meryem Ersoz · June 4th, 2006, 09:56 PM

did you happen to empty iMovie's internal trash can? that can corrupt your entire file. don't ever throw anything away until the project is completed to its final delivery method.

do a search for iMovie's "Media" file and see if you can recover the clips. it won't spare you the hours of lost tweaking, but it can save you a step if you have to do it over. you can re-import (select all, drag, drop) those files into a new project file, if you need to do it again.

Max Hertz · June 8th, 2006, 08:16 PM

Hi,
I need to have a doco edited pretty soon but do not own a copy of final cut yet.
Is it possible to do the rough cut in iMovie and then import the file into Final Cut Pro?
Are there any complications I need to be aware of?

I have the latest version of iMovie HD and will be getting the universal version of Final Cut.
I have footage shot on a PD150 and an A1 E.

Thanks for any advice on this,

Max

Glenn Chan · June 8th, 2006, 08:43 PM

iMovie records using the DV stream format.
A- FCP doesn't play back the audio in real-time. Audio needs rendering if it's on the timeline. Audio plays fine in the viewer.
B- DV stream has no timecode. This means you can't recapture from your tapes.

I can't remember if FCP can import iMovie projects... FCExpress can.

Robert Lo Bue · June 20th, 2006, 12:53 PM

Final Cut Express will import iMovie projects so long as FCE is as up to date as iMovie. This is due to the iMovie format changing so often, older versions of FCE just wont recognise the file format.

However, I've attempted this and it's no small feat. A lengthy, theme varied iMovie track just gets jumbled all over the place in FCE. I'd just start again.

Jason Chang · July 18th, 2006, 02:03 AM

Guys:

Please pardon my newbie question. I am a FCP user, first-time iMovie HD5 user. Here goes: How do I install a special effect plugin and have it work with iMovie HD5?

I downloaded it from a website and it is in ".dmg.sit" mode. Do I just drop it into the "plugin" folder?

Please help! thanks

May 3rd, 2006, 11:17 AM	#303
Evan Dowling Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fort Myers , Florida Posts: 64	Thanks for your adivce. The main reason I wanted to import SD instead of HDV was to save on editing time. Delivery will be SD-DVD so your advice on importing to iDVD is helpful. I will try to do it following all the steps perfectly and see if it won't work. Thanks again! __________________ Evan Dowling HDV 1080i Sony HDR-HC1

May 16th, 2006, 07:47 PM	#304
Leigh Hanlon Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 64	Optimizing iMovie output for huge screen A friend and I are completing a 5- to 10-minute documentary and have been invited to show the short as part of program of longer video works at a local theater in a few weeks. I don't have the exact screen dimensions, but I believe the video will be projected from the original projection booth and centered within the cinema's widescreen. This is a fairly huge auditorium -- I'm told it originally seated more than 1,000. So, my question is this: We'll be assembling our video in iMovie HD and burning a disc using iDVD. Is there anything special we should be doing to optimize this for a large screen? Leigh Hanlon

May 17th, 2006, 10:46 AM	#306
Leigh Hanlon Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 64	Matt, Thanks for the idea. I'm not sure if they'll be set up to do that, but I'll check. Leigh __________________ Leigh Hanlon \| Chicago, USA GL2 - Final Cut Studio

May 22nd, 2006, 07:33 AM	#309
Evan Dowling Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fort Myers , Florida Posts: 64	Update: I found that if you set the VCR mode to automatic, then iMove will work properly with the downconvert. __________________ Evan Dowling HDV 1080i Sony HDR-HC1

June 4th, 2006, 04:13 PM	#310
Lew Stamp New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Akron, Ohio, USA Posts: 10	IMovie file unreadable I have used IMovie to make slide shows for several years. I now am making movies And after hours of tweeking the video. I saved it and opened it , or tried to and the application said "Project File is Unreadable". Any suggestions? Lew

May 2nd, 2006, 04:03 PM	#301
Jeff DeMaagd Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI, USA Posts: 202	It is a bit of a setup, and frustrating if you don't follow the "right" steps. First, I try to make sure that the camera isn't on when plugging or unplugging it. I try not to have the video edit program running until the camcorder is plugged in and turned on. Be sure the camcorder is set to Play/Edit mode before starting the program, this seems to help. Start the video software, make a new project and be sure to select the DV Widescreen in the new movie project screen, I think under the advanced button or options arrow. You should now be able to capture in Widescreen DV format. Similar steps should work if you open an existing DV Widescreen project, just make sure the project is set that way.

May 3rd, 2006, 08:58 AM	#302
Meryem Ersoz Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,015	if you are outputting to DVD using iDVD from iMovie, the software will automatically downconvert for SD-DVD delivery for you. so it doesn't matter on the front end how you edit the footage, format-wise, unless you plan a delivery other than SD-DVD and need to reconfigure. you didn't mention your delivery plans, but this could possibly save you the step....the end results look pretty nice.

May 17th, 2006, 10:42 AM	#305
Matt Stahley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 648	If you are able to hook a dv cam or deck to the projector i would probably just view the final product off of a mini dv tape instead of going thru the dvd compression. may result in a cleaner picture since its being blown up.

May 17th, 2006, 11:04 AM	#307
Matt Stahley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 648	Leigh if not i would use the best dvd compression iDvd does and you should be fine. i have been to a few film fests with them projecting dvds and it looked ok. it really comes down to how they have the projector setup etc. as I have seen some projections that looked horrorible but i beleieve it was due to not having it set up correctly because the discs i receved that were shown looked decent on my tv.

June 4th, 2006, 09:56 PM	#311
Meryem Ersoz Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,015	did you happen to empty iMovie's internal trash can? that can corrupt your entire file. don't ever throw anything away until the project is completed to its final delivery method. do a search for iMovie's "Media" file and see if you can recover the clips. it won't spare you the hours of lost tweaking, but it can save you a step if you have to do it over. you can re-import (select all, drag, drop) those files into a new project file, if you need to do it again.

June 8th, 2006, 08:16 PM	#312
Max Hertz New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London Posts: 16	Importing iMovie project to Final Cut Hi, I need to have a doco edited pretty soon but do not own a copy of final cut yet. Is it possible to do the rough cut in iMovie and then import the file into Final Cut Pro? Are there any complications I need to be aware of? I have the latest version of iMovie HD and will be getting the universal version of Final Cut. I have footage shot on a PD150 and an A1 E. Thanks for any advice on this, Max

June 8th, 2006, 08:43 PM	#313
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	iMovie records using the DV stream format. A- FCP doesn't play back the audio in real-time. Audio needs rendering if it's on the timeline. Audio plays fine in the viewer. B- DV stream has no timecode. This means you can't recapture from your tapes. I can't remember if FCP can import iMovie projects... FCExpress can.

June 20th, 2006, 12:53 PM	#314
Robert Lo Bue Tourist Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bath, UK. Posts: 2	Final Cut Express will import iMovie projects so long as FCE is as up to date as iMovie. This is due to the iMovie format changing so often, older versions of FCE just wont recognise the file format. However, I've attempted this and it's no small feat. A lengthy, theme varied iMovie track just gets jumbled all over the place in FCE. I'd just start again.

July 18th, 2006, 02:03 AM	#315
Jason Chang Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Diego, CA USA Posts: 163	Plugins for iMovie HD5 Guys: Please pardon my newbie question. I am a FCP user, first-time iMovie HD5 user. Here goes: How do I install a special effect plugin and have it work with iMovie HD5? I downloaded it from a website and it is in ".dmg.sit" mode. Do I just drop it into the "plugin" folder? Please help! thanks