.dv file too large to fit on FAT32 formatted hard drive - not sure of next step

[CBlanchard]

I'm so new at the video part of my problem that I'm not even sure of what my question should be. So some background: I have been merrily taping stuff with my mini-DV camcorder for a couple of years, and finally got around to capturing it all with my work laptop, a MacBook. I have an old Dell that I'm looking to replace soon, so I'm trying to get all my files onto my 1TB external hard drive, which is in a FAT32 format. I thought I was going to have to reformat my hard drive because when I tried to copy the video files to the hard drive it told me it couldn't do it. With some research I came upon the 4GB limit with FAT32. I have 3 .dv files which range from 7.75GB to 11.25GB. None of the other videos ended up that big because apparently the ends didn't hook together, so it downloaded 2 to 5 clips from each of the other tapes. The point I'm at right now is that I have to get the videos off my laptop, because I have to leave it at school (I'm a teacher) this summer and they will upgrade it (reformat it). I am running out of room on my old Dell desktop, and my Norton Internet Security has recently decided to block my MacBook as an intruder on my network. So I've got to back it up directly to my EHD. I think.

I'm not sure even of what question to ask, because I don't know what options are out there. I have access to iMovie, iMovie HD, and iDVD on the MacBook. I have admin privileges to the machine, so I can install a free program if that is what needed. I wouldn't mind purchasing an inexpensive video editing software for the Mac, because I'm going to be buying an iMac this spring anyway, and I do have a lot of raw video footage now that I'd like to do something with. I'm not a complete newbie to multimedia, but I deal more with photos than video, and haven't understood half of the solution posts I've read on here, so I know that the type of software I'd like would have to be something aimed at an amateur, but not too stripped down because I do like to have some options once I figure a program out.

I hope someone understands what I'm asking, and can offer some advice for my situation. I appreciate your time!

[guns1inger]

I don't know if iMovie will allow you to do a simple smart render copy, whereby you cut the files in half (or thirds) and output the parts without re-rendering. If so, this would be pretty quick. You can then put the files onto the HDD in smaller parts.

Simpler would be to ditch Norton (bloated and painful as it is) or at least sort out the network issue, and simply share the files across the network.

Final Cut Express is probably worth a look if you are going to stay on the Mac path for video.