Upgrading to latest version of iMovie

[Sportsphysio]

I am awaiting the delivery of a new camcorder, and will be using iMovie for the first time (I have never done any video editing).

I currently have a 2009 iMac running Lion, which has iMovie '09, and I did not know how to (or if I should) upgrade to the latest version of iMovie. So my questions are:

1. Is it necessary to upgrade?
2. Is it possible to upgrade the iMovie software on a 2009 iMac?
3. If I stay with iMovie '09 and start editing video, what will happen if I eventually upgrade to a newer version; will there be compatibility issues with older videos that were edited with an older version of iMovie?

Sorry for the really basic (and probably stupid) questions; I really have no idea what I am doing!

Thanks!

 

[mtngoatjoe]

1. Is it necessary to upgrade?

No

2. Is it possible to upgrade the iMovie software on a 2009 iMac?

Yes

3. If I stay with iMovie '09 and start editing video, what will happen if I eventually upgrade to a newer version; will there be compatibility issues with older videos that were edited with an older version of iMovie?

It will probably run some utility to upgrade your library, but other than that, you'll be fine.

 

[Sportsphysio]

No


Yes


It will probably run some utility to upgrade your library, but other than that, you'll be fine.

Thank you!!!

 

[casperes1996]

Yeah...

I am awaiting the delivery of a new camcorder, and will be using iMovie for the first time (I have never done any video editing).

I currently have a 2009 iMac running Lion, which has iMovie '09, and I did not know how to (or if I should) upgrade to the latest version of iMovie. So my questions are:

1. Is it necessary to upgrade?
2. Is it possible to upgrade the iMovie software on a 2009 iMac?
3. If I stay with iMovie '09 and start editing video, what will happen if I eventually upgrade to a newer version; will there be compatibility issues with older videos that were edited with an older version of iMovie?

Sorry for the really basic (and probably stupid) questions; I really have no idea what I am doing!

Thanks!

I updated to iMovie 10 trough the App Store, and my favorite features are as follows, in reverse order:
1:It's 64-bit, so it's faster
2:It didn't delete iMovie 09', so I could revert back to the better version.


iMovie 10 is the best for most people, as it's faster, easier, and integrated with AppleTV and iCloud, but 09' allows for so much more, and if you spend the time learning the software, you can make much more complex videos with 09'. It's basically like the Final Cut 7 to X thing, but with the consumer software.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I am not liking the new version. Still having issues getting around in it. I'll be looking for the old version of iMovie. I thought it was removed...

 

[Kobayagi]

I am not liking the new version. Still having issues getting around in it. I'll be looking for the old version of iMovie. I thought it was removed...

The weird thing is, it wasn't deleted when you installed the latest iMovie. Like with most Apple apps, when a new one comes, it replaces the pervious version. But with iMovie, they didn't do this.

You can find the older iMovie in Finder -> your apps -> and it should be in a folder called iMovie. They put it in a folder so it wouldn't show up in the Launchpad next to the latest version of iMovie.

 

[mtngoatjoe]

I am not liking the new version. Still having issues getting around in it. I'll be looking for the old version of iMovie. I thought it was removed...

I highly recommend going to youtube.com and searching for the features you're having trouble with. iMovie changed a LOT with the new version, but most of the features are still there. Don't give up yet.

 

[firedept]

I have to agree here. I would upgrade to the newest version but still keep the past version around. Get use to the new version. It is a lot faster than the past version and can still do most of what the past version could do. You will be surprised by its speed.

Does not take long to get use to the new interface.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I have to agree here. I would upgrade to the newest version but still keep the past version around. Get use to the new version. It is a lot faster than the past version and can still do most of what the past version could do. You will be surprised by its speed.

Does not take long to get use to the new interface.

The part where you say "can still do most of what the past version could do" makes me wonder why 'features' were removed, and what do I do now with a partially constructed project that apparently uses those missing 'features'.

Can a project that has been 'charmed' for the new version, be 'de-charmed' to be used with the old version?

----------

I highly recommend going to youtube.com and searching for the features you're having trouble with. iMovie changed a LOT with the new version, but most of the features are still there. Don't give up yet.

I can try that I guess. The nearest Apple Store is 2 hours away, and I don't know any other Mac users that abuse iMovie the way I do.

There is an iMovie I did, and am trying to finish the next leg video, and can't get to where I need to go to redo the settings the same. It could be me... Also the linked mov file is rather on the largish side. I don't know what happened to it, it just seems to have put on a lot of weight.

 

[Dave Braine]

If your new camcorder records in AVCHD, then you'll be better with the latest iMovie as you can import AVCHD direct. You can't with the older version.

 

[firedept]

The part where you say "can still do most of what the past version could do" makes me wonder why 'features' were removed, and what do I do now with a partially constructed project that apparently uses those missing 'features'.

Can a project that has been 'charmed' for the new version, be 'de-charmed' to be used with the old version?

Guess I should have said something more along the lines of, you will just need to "learn a new workflow" when working with the new iMovie, instead of "features were removed". But some features have been changed, so hence the workflow change.

I watched about 6 minutes of the video you created. It is actually basic stuff in iMovie. This is the kind of videos I use iMovie for. For you to migrate to the new iMovie, it would make total sense. Especially with videos that long. With the past version of iMovie, that video would take quite some time to render, where as, in the new iMovie, the render time would be cut down immensely.

My suggestion would be to finish the current project you are working on in the version of iMovie you are presently doing it in. Then try a small project in the new version of iMovie so you can get use to it, before trying a big project.

It took me a little while to warm up to the new version of iMovie, but I am quite liking it now. Mind you, I only use it for small projects as I have other software for more complicated projects.

And, no you can not move projects created in the new iMovie back to the past version. Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I have not found a way of doing it.