Various formats to iMovie: what will do it?

[polaris20]

in my Windows days, I used Sony Vegas Studio, and thankfully it took whatever I threw at it: avi, wmv, mpg, mov, mp4, etc. iMovie '08 on the other hand doesn't seem to want to import a damn thing.

Does anyone know A: what imovie will import and B: what intermediary program or plug-in will convert to this format?

I like the app, but the lack of codec support really sucks.

 

[mrtune]

You can use handbrake to convert the video file in an mp4. iMovie will import mp4 files. Handbrake is free.

 

[r.j.s]

iMovie will take mp4, mov, dv and a handful of others.

Use MPEGStreamClip to convert everything to one of those.

 

[bigbossbmb]

mpeg4 is not meant to be an editing codec, so you should try to avoid it.

MPEGstreamclip (free app) is great for converting video files.

DV is the simplest format for SD material. Apple Intermediate Codec is really your only choice for HD stuff.

 

[polaris20]

I've tried Handbrake, and iMovie still won't import, even as a mov. What perameters is it looking for?

Also, where do I get the Apple intermediary codec? Is it apart of Quicktime Pro?

 

[r.j.s]

Use MPEGStreamClip, not Handbrake.

Save as DV.

 

[polaris20]

MPEGstreamclip plus the Quicktime Mpeg plug-in did the trick! Thanks guys!