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- Thread starter Chuchichan
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I'll have to check the version tonight, but most likely the most recent one. I recently upgraded the MacBook Air to Mojave.
Is there a version you recommend that would work better with 12 bit audio files and run on Mojave (or High Sierra)?
Is there a version you recommend that would work better with 12 bit audio files and run on Mojave (or High Sierra)?
You could always try and get the version before iMovie 10 which is v9(also known as iMovie 11). This video tells how it can be done, although I haven't tried it. It will handle 12bit audio.
Hi. Thanks. Sorry, I'm a little confused...which version should I be looking into to convert 12-bit audio? iMovie 10, 11 v9?
Thank you. I got iMovie 9 working on my macbook air finally. I had to install high sierra (was previously on mojave).
I do though still have a couple of questions...
The audio issue seems to be better which is nice. I seems that audio is coming over on all clips. However, I'm not sure about the quality. After I import the DV tape, I create a new event and then I go to the "Share" menu and select "Export iMovie". After I do this, it seems that the highest quality output option I have is "large" (960x540). That sounds about right, but the reason I'm hesitant about whether this is the best quality I can get is because after the file generates in about an hour, it's only about 2gb in size. When I did the newer iMovie (when I had the audio issue) the file size was about 5gb-6gb.
Does anyone know why this might be? There is an option from the "Share" menu to "Export Using QuickTime...". I haven't done this yet, but I think this exports in "MOV" format, while the "Export iMovie" that I did try creates an MP4 file.
Thanks in advance for any assistance anyone can provide. I just want to get the best possible file for my backups from my DV tapes...
I do though still have a couple of questions...
The audio issue seems to be better which is nice. I seems that audio is coming over on all clips. However, I'm not sure about the quality. After I import the DV tape, I create a new event and then I go to the "Share" menu and select "Export iMovie". After I do this, it seems that the highest quality output option I have is "large" (960x540). That sounds about right, but the reason I'm hesitant about whether this is the best quality I can get is because after the file generates in about an hour, it's only about 2gb in size. When I did the newer iMovie (when I had the audio issue) the file size was about 5gb-6gb.
Does anyone know why this might be? There is an option from the "Share" menu to "Export Using QuickTime...". I haven't done this yet, but I think this exports in "MOV" format, while the "Export iMovie" that I did try creates an MP4 file.
Thanks in advance for any assistance anyone can provide. I just want to get the best possible file for my backups from my DV tapes...
Yes, that's the standard resolution with miniDV video.
That's about right. Obviously it will depend on how much was on the tape and what you were videoing.
Either one will do. Make one of each and then compare the quality and file size. You probably won't see any difference in quality, but the file sizes could be quite different.
ok. I will keep playing around with imovie. Do you know why though that the same DV tape imported into the new iMovie and then creating a file generated a 5gb file size and in the older iMovie it's about 2gb?
Would you say the quality is better when creating an MOV file vs. M4A?
Would you say the quality is better when creating an MOV file vs. M4A?
The latest iMovie has five different quality settings: Low, Medium, High, Best and Custom, which will affect the file size considerably.
Never really noticed any difference to be honest.
Hi everyone,
I had this project on hold for a while and have a few updates. I've purchased a JVC HR-DVS3U minidv deck and I am connecting my MacBook Air 11inch to it and using iMovie 9.0.9 to import the tapes.
After I import in iMovie, I then click on "Share" and then "Export movie" and then choose "Large" (HD 720 and HD 1080 are greyed out).
This takes about an hour or two to create an .mov file. However, this file seems to not be of the best quality. It is about 1.84GB in size. I thought I was reading somewhere that this file should be a lot larger?
So, I have a couple of questions at this point. The first is; is iMovie 9.0.9 the best program for me to be using? Is there a better option out there that would be a little simpler and create a higher quality .mov file?
Also, if using iMovie is the best option, am I missing something in the process to create the best quality .mov file?
Before tackling the 30+ mini DV tapes, I just want to make sure that I'm getting the best quality file from them.
Thanks in advance for any help.
I had this project on hold for a while and have a few updates. I've purchased a JVC HR-DVS3U minidv deck and I am connecting my MacBook Air 11inch to it and using iMovie 9.0.9 to import the tapes.
After I import in iMovie, I then click on "Share" and then "Export movie" and then choose "Large" (HD 720 and HD 1080 are greyed out).
This takes about an hour or two to create an .mov file. However, this file seems to not be of the best quality. It is about 1.84GB in size. I thought I was reading somewhere that this file should be a lot larger?
So, I have a couple of questions at this point. The first is; is iMovie 9.0.9 the best program for me to be using? Is there a better option out there that would be a little simpler and create a higher quality .mov file?
Also, if using iMovie is the best option, am I missing something in the process to create the best quality .mov file?
Before tackling the 30+ mini DV tapes, I just want to make sure that I'm getting the best quality file from them.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Hi everyone,
I had this project on hold for a while and have a few updates. I've purchased a JVC HR-DVS3U minidv deck and I am connecting my MacBook Air 11inch to it and using iMovie 9.0.9 to import the tapes.
After I import in iMovie, I then click on "Share" and then "Export movie" and then choose "Large" (HD 720 and HD 1080 are greyed out).
This takes about an hour or two to create an .mov file. However, this file seems to not be of the best quality. It is about 1.84GB in size. I thought I was reading somewhere that this file should be a lot larger?
So, I have a couple of questions at this point. The first is; is iMovie 9.0.9 the best program for me to be using? Is there a better option out there that would be a little simpler and create a higher quality .mov file?
Also, if using iMovie is the best option, am I missing something in the process to create the best quality .mov file?
Before tackling the 30+ mini DV tapes, I just want to make sure that I'm getting the best quality file from them.
Thanks in advance for any help
I had this project on hold for a while and have a few updates. I've purchased a JVC HR-DVS3U minidv deck and I am connecting my MacBook Air 11inch to it and using iMovie 9.0.9 to import the tapes.
After I import in iMovie, I then click on "Share" and then "Export movie" and then choose "Large" (HD 720 and HD 1080 are greyed out).
This takes about an hour or two to create an .mov file. However, this file seems to not be of the best quality. It is about 1.84GB in size. I thought I was reading somewhere that this file should be a lot larger?
So, I have a couple of questions at this point. The first is; is iMovie 9.0.9 the best program for me to be using? Is there a better option out there that would be a little simpler and create a higher quality .mov file?
Also, if using iMovie is the best option, am I missing something in the process to create the best quality .mov file?
Before tackling the 30+ mini DV tapes, I just want to make sure that I'm getting the best quality file from them.
Thanks in advance for any help
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The main reason as to why you shouldn't use iMovie 9.0.9 is because this version imports the DV stream in "HALF" of the resolution to preserve processor power and editing capabilities during the time where some Macs were slightly under-powered. The only iMovie version that can deal with HD and DV streams and will import in full resolution is iMovie HD version 6 which I run with my PowerMac G5. The professional version of iMovie, Final Cut Express 4 which I also own also can import DV and HDV streams in "FULL" resolution plus having the ability to control tape playback and rewind which is very helpful if you have a MiniDV tape deck that has this feature. The reason why the file size is about 1.84Gb in size is that it is saved in "HALF" resolution of DV, which is very low quality. Normal version of Quicktime also saves in "HALF" resolution, but the PRO version of quicktime will save in full. When I bought my PowerMac G5 used, it came with both iMovie HD and a complete legit copy of Final Cut Express 4 and it imports and deal with the DV stream amazingly well and quality superb. Unfortunately, both iMovie HD and Final Cut Express 4 will not work past El-Capitan. You need something like Tiger, Leopard and Snow Leopard for them to work really well if you also want to control the tape deck. Basically you have 2 options. If you have 30+ mini DV tapes to archive and you need a Mac, my suggestion is to buy a legacy Mac like a PowerMac G5 or an older Mac Pro 1,1 and use them to run those older legacy software like iMovie HD 6 or FCE 4 which do wonders with DV streams. Network this legacy Mac via Ethernet (as they both support 1 Gigabit Ethernet) to a more powerful Mac and take those streams and insert it to a more modern iMovie, Final Cut Pro X or Davinci Resolve. You can choose to convert those DV streams to ProRes if you want via Final Cut Express 4. And with Final Cut Express, you can control the tape deck unit via software. What's not to like.
Also make sure that when you import those tapes, it is via iLink Firewire 400 (small firewire cable to MiniDV unit to Firewire 400) in order to get a full resolution DV stream or any digital link. If you are importing through those RCA component video input, then you will get half resolution with any of those analog to digital converter gadgets. Incidentally, if you use a PC to do the same, you will get full resolution DV stream.
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I haven't used v9.0.9 for sometime now, but I'm pretty sure that it won't let you choose a larger format than the original imported video. Imported minDV footage is around 720x570. All you would do with higher settings is reduce the resolution.
Imported miniDV video is indeed large. A 1 hour tape will take up about 12Gb of HD space, but your finished .mov is a compressed file so will be much smaller and of a reduced quality. The time and size of the finished .mov file seems about right, but this can vary depending on the content of the video.
You could just keep the imported video, which you will find in the iMovie Events folder, which should be in your Movies Folder. However, that will take 12Gb/hour, but unless you are deleting each Event after you've produced your .mov file is still on your Mac anyway.
The main reason as to why you shouldn't use iMovie 9.0.9 is because this version imports the DV stream in "HALF" of the resolution to preserve processor power and editing capabilities during the time where some Macs were slightly under-powered. The only iMovie version that can deal with HD and DV streams and will import in full resolution is iMovie HD version 6 which I run with my PowerMac G5. The professional version of iMovie, Final Cut Express 4 which I also own also can import DV and HDV streams in "FULL" resolution plus having the ability to control tape playback and rewind which is very helpful if you have a MiniDV tape deck that has this feature. The reason why the file size is about 1.84Gb in size is that it is saved in "HALF" resolution of DV, which is very low quality. Normal version of Quicktime also saves in "HALF" resolution, but the PRO version of quicktime will save in full. When I bought my PowerMac G5 used, it came with both iMovie HD and a complete legit copy of Final Cut Express 4 and it imports and deal with the DV stream amazingly well and quality superb. Unfortunately, both iMovie HD and Final Cut Express 4 will not work past El-Capitan. You need something like Tiger, Leopard and Snow Leopard for them to work really well if you also want to control the tape deck. Basically you have 2 options. If you have 30+ mini DV tapes to archive and you need a Mac, my suggestion is to buy a legacy Mac like a PowerMac G5 or an older Mac Pro 1,1 and use them to run those older legacy software like iMovie HD 6 or FCE 4 which do wonders with DV streams. Network this legacy Mac via Ethernet (as they both support 1 Gigabit Ethernet) to a more powerful Mac and take those streams and insert it to a more modern iMovie, Final Cut Pro X or Davinci Resolve. You can choose to convert those DV streams to ProRes if you want via Final Cut Express 4. And with Final Cut Express, you can control the tape deck unit via software. What's not to like.
Also make sure that when you import those tapes, it is via iLink Firewire 400 (small firewire cable to MiniDV unit to Firewire 400) in order to get a full resolution DV stream or any digital link. If you are importing through those RCA component video input, then you will get half resolution with any of those analog to digital converter gadgets. Incidentally, if you use a PC to do the same, you will get full resolution DV stream.
Thank you for this detailed reply. I can't say that I am that advanced, but also don't mind learning.
I thought I had a pretty good legacy setup. I'm using an older MacBook Air 11-inch (about 6-7 years old or so). For some reason I thought that iMovie 9.0.9 was recommended.
So, just to sort of start from the beginning, I have the mini-dv deck because my camera wasn't connecting properly. The MacBook Air connects well to the player and I'm able to export in .DV format.
The first issue that I was also going to ask about is whether there is a way around getting multiple .DV files when importing. I'm getting about 40. It seems that every time play is paused or stopped it creates a new file?
After importing in iMovie, I select all the clips and export them and that's when it creates either a 3GB or so file (doing "share" and "export" or 1.84gb file using Quicktime).
The DV files are about 14GB in size.
iMovie 9.0.9 is also known as iMovie 11 and as I remembered for as long as I had been using iMovie for a few decades now, the last best version to export DV footage was iMovie 6 HD, where when you export full quality you will get full quality. Anything after iMovie HD it seemed, all the DV exports are halved and then upsampled. Your original DV file is great, but if you try to export it to a quicktime file, it will look bad. There was nothing you can do back then other than exporting it either as a DV stream file or Print to Video back to tape. I chose print to video back then. Incidentally, you will NOT experience the same issue with Final Cut Express 4.
I think it is normal for the program to create new files when you start and stop. Best would be just to play the whole tape, save to a DV stream file and then load into Quicktime PRO ( you need a license to unlock the normal quicktime version) which you can then cut and edit into smaller clips and save them in full resolution as opposed to saving them in iMovie. Pro license comes with Final Cut Studio. Hope this helps.
thank you. So, do you think the clips are built in to the mini dv tape now and there’s nothing I can do to get just one .dv file when importing from the tape. Because right now I am playing thr dv tape at regular speed when importing into iMovie 11(9.0.9). It takes about an hour or so. Most of my tapes are full.
you’re recommending that use iMovie 6 and final cut express 4 And QuickTime Pro?
miniDV tapes are mechanical tapes, so you would need to play through the whole tape at regular speed to import the entire movie @ 1:1 transfer speed. Nothing you can do about that. Once you have them in .dv files, then you can arrange them in clips. Final Cut Express 4 with the supported tape decks (not sure if yours is) will help automate the process somewhat, but it is still time consuming.
What iMovie 6HD and FCE 4 will do is when you export the finished product to a .dv stream file, they will be in full resolution or even in .mov QuickTime compressed file, they will be in full resolution. Perhaps you can try iMovie 6HD and see if it works on your Macbook Air and see if you like it? It's a bit ancient compared to iMovie 11 btw and is one of the easiest software to use. Use Quicktime Pro if you need more control on the clips, but it's not necessary. I personally use FCE4 for legacy stuff because it pretty much offers and handles everything well as it should be and exports .dv files just fine. And then those exported dv files can either be converted to h.264 MP4 or ProRes 422HQ using my more capable Mac Pro to speed up the rendering as opposed to my PowerMac G5. If you have a more capable Mac than your Macbook Air 2011, you can do the same as well.
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Thank you again for all of these details. Just to confirm, there's not much more I can do with the import of the DV tape and that no matter what software I use to import the tape, the clips will be there?
Would iMovie6 HD be the best option for importing the DV tape from the player? It seems what I have now (iMovie 11/9.0.9) is importing at full resolution because the total file size is pretty large (about 15GB).
For converting the file to an mov or avi file, you are saying that iMovie 11 will be lacking here and a lot of quality will be lost? Is that where FCE4 comes in? Would I be using FCE4 to convert to a AVI, MOV, MP4, etc? or should I try to convert with iMovie6 HD?
Last question....where can I get iMovie6 HD and FCE4? I can install that on High Sierra?
Thanks again...
iMovie picks up the stop/start signals on the miniDV tapes and imports them as separate clips. Which is useful if you think about it. It lets you identify individual clips in the Event Library and either delete what you don't want or place them into Projects.
Both iMovie 6HD and iMovie11(v9.0.9) do this.
iMovie 6HD hasn't been around since 2007. However, I have a copy here which you can download:
Dropbox - File Deleted - Simplify your life
along with instruction on how to install it here:
Dropbox - File Deleted - Simplify your life
You will have to create the various iMovie folders and it may, or may not work on your MBA.
iluvmacs99,
Yes, I am looking basically to just do a "1 to 1" copy with no editing for my tapes. I will try imoviehd6 and see how it goes. About how large a file (for a one hour or so miniDV) should I expect from VideoProc if I get it working?
Which program do you like better, VideoProc or imovieHD 6?
Dave,
Thank you for sharing.
Yes, I am looking basically to just do a "1 to 1" copy with no editing for my tapes. I will try imoviehd6 and see how it goes. About how large a file (for a one hour or so miniDV) should I expect from VideoProc if I get it working?
Which program do you like better, VideoProc or imovieHD 6?
Dave,
Thank you for sharing.
It depends on what sort of quality and compression rate that you want the final movie to be in and how much motion and detail are in the movie. Definitely a lot less than those original dv files.
I personally prefer VideoProc for quick and dirty merging of those smaller dv files and also because I have a faster Mac to crunch through them as VideoProc supports hardware acceleration. But if you have a slower Mac that does not provide hardware acceleration, then either software would work. It comes down to personal choice.
I understand. Seems like videoproc is $50 for a license and if I get imoviehd6 going it would be free? I’m leaning towards videoproc.
my plan is to hopefully get a decent video file exported from the DV files and to back up both all of the raw DV files and the exported video. That would be about 20gb per tape... about 700gb or so in total. That way I’ll have the raw files if down the road I wanted to work more with them.
iMovieHD 6 is somewhat free now, but you can occasionally get a life time license for VideoProc for free for their older version. I didn't pay for mine as I got them through a free promotional. Just google free videoproc license and I think you will find what you are looking for..