I received a question recently from a friend who is having trouble importing MPG video files into iMovie. Here’s my reply to her. (These instructions apply to Mac/Apple users who have iMovie.)
First, be sure you have Flip-4-Mac installed. It is free from Microsoft. Once installed, you should be able to open and view MPG files in QuickTime. Some Windows Media files (like those created with PhotoStory3) can’t be opened on a Mac even when Flip-4-Mac is installed. Most can, however.
Once you can open the file in QuickTime, you can use QuickTime Pro to export the files as “DV Stream” files. These files can be big (depending on the length and quality of the original video file) but you should be able to import them without a problem into iMovie. QuickTime Pro costs $30. When you buy it, you’ll get a license code. Save this in email or another secure location. You’ll copy that license code and then enter it into the QuickTime preference settings, to activate QT Pro. You may need to quit QT Pro and then open it again after entering your registration code. You shouldn’t have to restart your computer, however.
When you have a MPG file open in QuickTime Pro that you want to convert, choose EXPORT and choose “Movie to DV Stream” as the format option at the bottom.
If you want a free option for doing this, you can download, install and use FFMPEG X. You should be able to use it to convert MPG files and convert them to DV stream / DV format with it. It’s free, but not quite as easy to use as QuickTime Pro.
Once you have the file converted into DV format (it should have the file extension “dv”) then you should be able to import it and edit it without a problem in iMovie.
Good luck!
Anyone have other suggestions / methods for importing MPG video clips into iMovie?
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