Add a Video on iMovie

IMovie is a video program that allows you to upload your own videos from your video device for video editing purposes. You can upload movies from not only tape-based cameras, but also DVD, hard drive, and flash memory cameras into the iMovie program. In this program, you can add effects, music, captions, and numerous other features to enhance your video.

Steps

  1. Open your iMovie program.
    • If you would like to use an existing project to add video to, choose the project from the "Project Library" located in the upper right hand corner of the iMovie window.
    • If you would like to create an entirely new project, go to the "File" menu and select "New Project." The iMovie program will prompt you to name your new project and choose an aspect ratio for your movie; either "Widescreen," "iPhone," or "Standard."
  2. Set your camera to the correct mode for video export. This mode setting will typically say "PC" or "Computer."
  3. Plug your video recording device into your computer using the designated USB or Firewire cord for your specific device.
  4. Select the "Video Import" button designated by a video camera icon located directly above the "Event Library" menu. A window will automatically open showing all of the footage found on your video device.
    • If your video device is memory based, the window will show your video footage as thumbnail clips allowing you to scroll through the footage and skips scenes as you would a DVD. Memory based video devices allow you to use the playback controls to preview any of the thumbnail clips available in your video footage window.
    • If your video device is tape based, your video footage window will have fast forward and rewind buttons in order for you to cue the tape, scan through your footage, and select the correct clips.
  5. Import your video footage into the iMovie project you are editing in.
    • To import all of the footage from your video device into the iMovie program, select the "Import All�" option at the bottom right hand corner of the video footage screen.
    • If you only want to import some of your video footage, switch the "Automatic" option to "Manual" at the bottom left hand corner of the video footage window. This will allow you to then scroll through your footage clips to select and de-select the video clips you wish to import into your iMovie project. If the clip has a checkmark under it, it is selected for import. If the clip does not have a checkmark, it is not selected for import. After you have sorted through and unchecked the clips you do not want, click on the "Import Checked" button located on the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
  6. Decide where you want your video clips to be stored within the iMovie program. Here you will again be allowed to choose to add the clips to either an existing iMovie project event, or create a new event. If you have a 1080i video, you can choose to either import your video at either the "Full � 1920x1080" resolution or as "Large � 960x540" half resolution; the "Large" option still views as a high quality picture, but imports the video as a smaller file size therefore allowing more space on your computer and iMovie project.
  7. Click on the "Import" button to commence importing the video footage you have selected. The iMovie program will show the progress of the imports on the main iMovie window. Once all of your selected video footage has been imported, the project is ready for watching and editing from the computer.



Tips

  • To avoid destructive editing, the iMovie program leaves the video footage you have imported into iMovie, on your original video device. This way the footage remains on your device until you are ready to delete it.

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Sources and Citations

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