iMovie (current 2018) question

[polaris20]

So, I've looked and looked, and I'm sure I'm missing it, but here goes:

I have two video clips, that I've synced via the clap, and then dropped the audio on one (one uses nice XLR'd mics, the other is just iPhone audio).

Is there an easy to way to alternate which clip I want to keep, in terms of doing cuts? Obviously not an issue with split-screen or picture in picture.

I suppose I could just zoom in all the way, but it'd be nice to just be able to go from clip to clip, and then cut out the stream I don't want for that given moment.

Another thing: when using two iPhones for the video, I'm golden. When I use a Zoom Q4n or Sony A6000, even at (allegedly) the same fps as the iPhone, I get drift in iMovie. Is that because one may be 60fps, and the other is actually 59.94 or something? It lines up at the beginning, and then the clips drift from each other. I'm thinking that's what it is, since like I said two iPhones both set to 60fps = no issues.

 

[kohlson]

While not an expert in either, I use both FCPX and iMovie (and other NLEs). Imho, one of the design centers for iMovie is one user/one camera. Of course you can gather up multiple clips in the Media Lib, but the timeline really only holds one clip at any given instance. That said, you can just drag clips from either camera into the timeline.

A friend is a dedicated Premiere CS6 user, except when he brings in clips from his (or anyone's) iPhone. It seems they use variable frame rate, which CS6 can't deal with. He runs it through FCPX and imports the output. So my guess is this is the root of your issue with audio drift.

 

[polaris20]

While not an expert in either, I use both FCPX and iMovie (and other NLEs). Imho, one of the design centers for iMovie is one user/one camera. Of course you can gather up multiple clips in the Media Lib, but the timeline really only holds one clip at any given instance. That said, you can just drag clips from either camera into the timeline.

A friend is a dedicated Premiere CS6 user, except when he brings in clips from his (or anyone's) iPhone. It seems they use variable frame rate, which CS6 can't deal with. He runs it through FCPX and imports the output. So my guess is this is the root of your issue with audio drift.

I did some extra snooping on the drift issue, and it appears the iPhone and Sony run at ever so slightly different frame rates; 59.99 vs. 59.94. I'm guessing that's enough for the clips to drift over the course of a few minutes. The other issue is annoying, but I agree, it's probably not designed that way as a primary tool. Maybe I should just up the ante and go for FCPX.

 

[kohlson]

Maybe I should just up the ante and go for FCPX.

I think there's a 30-day trial period, so you can see if it works. Also, there's an edu package that gets you everything for less than the price of fcpx (if you qualify). Finally, Resolve is pretty good, and free. Don't know if it addresses your issue, though.

 

[polaris20]

I think there's a 30-day trial period, so you can see if it works. Also, there's an edu package that gets you everything for less than the price of fcpx (if you qualify). Finally, Resolve is pretty good, and free. Don't know if it addresses your issue, though.

I forgot about Resolve. Perhaps I'll give that a try too, since it is free.