How do I convert .mov files to a format that works with iMovie?

[newtomac29]

I am a new mac user with an iMac, OS 10.5.7, basic software, iLife and adobe cs4. I have a older Kodak digital camera (model EasyShare, DX4530) that takes short video clips and apparently saves them as .mov files. I can open them in iDVD but not imovie. I wanted to be able to edit them the way the tutorial for imovie demonstrates but apparently that isn't going to happen unless I make some changes. Is it possible to save them in another format that will work with imovie? If so what would be best and what program would work best. I do not mind spending a few bucks for a good program if necessary. Thanks for your help

[huntercr]

I am a new mac user with an iMac, OS 10.5.7, basic software, iLife and adobe cs4. I have a older Kodak digital camera (model EasyShare, DX4530) that takes short video clips and apparently saves them as .mov files. I can open them in iDVD but not imovie. I wanted to be able to edit them the way the tutorial for imovie demonstrates but apparently that isn't going to happen unless I make some changes. Is it possible to save them in another format that will work with imovie? If so what would be best and what program would work best. I do not mind spending a few bucks for a good program if necessary. Thanks for your help

So within iMovie, File->import doesn't work? Weird. My /mov files from my Canon digital camera ( mjpeg codec ) work this way.

You should be able to open them in Quicktime and export it back out as a quicktime movie but with the AIC ( Apple Intermediate Codec ) format. iMovie will take the resulting file.

The resolution of your camera's movies appear to be 320x240, so I wouldn't be expecting too much quality wise.

Hope this helps!

[newtomac29]

Thanks, I have ordered quicktime (only had the reader) and will try to save using that. I am thinking of a getting a different camera especially if this one does not do quality clips but the old ones are irreplaceable.

Update: Apple sent me a code to unlock the quicktime features. I experimented with various file formats and finally got one to work (m4v? mp4? avi? image sequence?). I couldn't duplicate the results with other clips, however. I'm not really sure which one worked but imovie suddenly populated its edit window with one of the files. No file name so I'm not sure which one worked. I will keep trying.

[huntercr]

Thanks, I have ordered quicktime (only had the reader) and will try to save using that. I am thinking of a getting a different camera especially if this one does not do quality clips but the old ones are irreplaceable.

Update: Apple sent me a code to unlock the quicktime features. I experimented with various file formats and finally got one to work (m4v? mp4? avi? image sequence?). I couldn't duplicate the results with other clips, however. I'm not really sure which one worked but imovie suddenly populated its edit window with one of the files. No file name so I'm not sure which one worked. I will keep trying.

Don't forget you can do basic editing in Quicktime Pro itself as well.

[dhd]

Hi, try to open that mov with the free app MPEG Streamclip (http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html), export to dv (PAL if you live in europe, NTSC in the USA/Americas). Imovie should take that without complaints. QT pro seems to go free in Snow Leopard, you can upgrade for 29 dollars, I don't know if QT Pro will be available then...

Hope it helps,

[newtomac29]

Thank you for all your replies. I have tried the two suggested programs and they seem to convert fine but iMovie still does not allow them to be loaded. I tried .dv and .mpeg-4. When I go through the 'import' process in imovie, it seems to be working and says it is creating thumbnails but nothing ever shows up. I am obviously over my head and think I will have to bail on this project and get a new video camera! Now I just have to be sure it works with iMovie!

[huntercr]

Thank you for all your replies. I have tried the two suggested programs and they seem to convert fine but iMovie still does not allow them to be loaded. I tried .dv and .mpeg-4. When I go through the 'import' process in imovie, it seems to be working and says it is creating thumbnails but nothing ever shows up. I am obviously over my head and think I will have to bail on this project and get a new video camera! Now I just have to be sure it works with iMovie!

Sorry we couldn't help better. If you can provide me a sample 10 second clip, I can work on a better workflow for you. In the long run, I think you'll be happier with a new camera though.

[newtomac29]

Thanks for the offer! I will probably get a new camera for the future but would still like to know how to make these work. This one is still in the original format (.mov) or would you rather have one of the converted ones?
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oops, when I try to attach the file it won't work. Seems like it only wants image type files, not movies. I revisited the converter programs but they do not save in a compatile format and I can't figure out how to zip this file. Mostly I love this Mac but there are times...