iMovie '09 & iDVD: The Missing Manual

Starting Up and Importing

Trouble getting going? Here's some advice.

iMovie Doesn't See the Tape Camcorder

Try these checks, in this order:

Make sure the camera is set to VCR or VTR or whatever the setting is called that plays back your tape. Check the FireWire cable connections. Turn the camcorder off and then on again. Quit iMovie, turn the camcorder on, and then reopen iMovie. Restart the Mac. Try a different FireWire cable.

Do you have a high-def tape camcorder (that uses the so-called HDV format)? If so, delve into the menus and make sure that the camcorder's output matches what you recorded.

See, these camcorders can record either standard-definition or high-definition video on the same tape. But when you connect the camcorder to a TV or a Mac, it has to know which format to transmit.

Usually, you get a choice of DV (which means standard definition, 4:3), HDV (high definition, widescreen, 16:9), and Auto. But Auto doesn't always work. If you're having problems, choose DV or HDV manually.

iMovie Doesn't See the Tapeless Camcorder

First, note that some camcorders refuse to enter PC connection mode unless they're plugged into a power outlet. They won't even consider entering PC mode when running on battery. (The camcorder's fear is that it will run out of battery power in the middle of the transfer, possibly corrupting and ruining some of your video scenes.)

Second, keep in mind that your Mac can't import video from AVCHD-format camcorders (see AVCHD, MPEG-2, and Other Such Jargon) unless ...