iMac

[wingfan]

Thinking about getting an iMac but need some clarification on iMovie. Is there any limit as far as how long of a projet/video it can save/render? Like can it make a 1hr + movie from my camcorder? That leads me to my next question.. the camcorder is a Sony HDR-HC3, I think it saves in .mts format, will iMovie import these with no issues? I don't want to have to convert files to get them into iMovie. And lastly will exporting/rendering from iMovie to bluray format work? Can you burn to bluray discs the finished product?

thanks in advance..

[smrpix]

Is there any limit as far as how long of a projet/video it can save/render?

Shouldn't be a problem.

the camcorder is a Sony HDR-HC3, I think it saves in .mts format, will iMovie import these with no issues?

It's an HDV camera, and an older one at that. You need FW400>FW800 which if you search the last few days of posts you will find people have had limited success making work on newer imacs.

will exporting/rendering from iMovie to bluray format work? Can you burn to bluray discs the finished product?

Apple believes discs are dead, so make sure you have the right hardware and software on your machine. It's an add-on.

They sure are pretty though.

[nic2k4]

If you're serious about doing movie editing on a Mac look at Final Cut Pro (or whatever it's called nowadays). If your motivation is the included software, you will be severely limited in your ability to work with your recordings. You absolutely need Firewire connectivity to import your movies; it is possible to import other ways, but you will have to jump through hoops and use intermediate conversions (been there, done that).

You would be better off with a nice i5 PC and one of the Sony Movie Studio package or Adobe Premiere Essentials (both around $100).

BTW, AFAIK Macs don't natively support Bluray. Final Cut adds this abitlity or use third party programs, but in both cases you have to get a compatible bluray burner.

[wingfan]

thanks for the replies.. was leaning on iMovie because of its resemblance and simplicity that used to in PC world (Pinnacle Studio).

[smrpix]

FWIW, Pinnacle Studio is more capable than iMovie.

[enim]

FCP (Advance) > Pinnacle Studio (Pro) > iMovie (Basic)

[smrpix]

What you'll have to get on a modern iMac is FCPX -- truly awesome capabilities for the price. (Though it pissed off all the professional FCP 7 editors apple unceremoniously abandoned.)

But you're still stuck trying to get the video from your HDV camera in to your mac and getting Blu Rays out.

[wingfan]

ok think im convinved way to go is system build pc and use pinnacle 16, thanks guys!

[smrpix]

You would be better off with ...Sony Movie Studio package or Adobe Premiere Essentials (both around $100)..

Strongly suggest you check out free trials of these before making your final software decision.

Good Luck

[aedipuss]

i don't think imacs even have ieee1394 firewire ports anymore. if not you are not going to get the video off the cam.

[wingfan]

i don't think imacs even have ieee1394 firewire ports anymore. if not you are not going to get the video off the cam.

youre right too much hassle.. only thunderbolt ports so need the $29 thunderbolt to firewire cable, forget that.. even no bluray/dvd burners, have to get external. not worth it at all. pc way to go for me.

[aedipuss]

And those converter cables don't work for video cameras...

[budwzr]

And nobody mentioned how cool the iMac's look. So what if they don't do all that technical mumbo-jumbo. I heard they're used as chick magnets too.

[smrpix]

And nobody mentioned how cool the iMac's look.

I did! Post #2

[budwzr]

And nobody mentioned how cool the iMac's look.

I did! Post #2

Hahaha, I was being snarky. Trying to blend in here undercover.

[Brainiac]

I have to ask the op, have you used Pinnacle Studio 16? I have it installed on my custom build and while it has some nice features, it can be quite buggy. I find myself saving my projects often because I don't know when the program will crash. Bluray authoring is good, but the chapter point placement is not accurate. I am not trying to turn you off of the software, but thought you should be aware that it is buggy if you didn't know already

Brainiac

[wingfan]

I have to ask the op, have you used Pinnacle Studio 16? I have it installed on my custom build and while it has some nice features, it can be quite buggy. I find myself saving my projects often because I don't know when the program will crash. Bluray authoring is good, but the chapter point placement is not accurate. I am not trying to turn you off of the software, but thought you should be aware that it is buggy if you didn't know already

Brainiac

i have not tried it yet .. was going to wait for new system to use it, but thanks for the head's up. It's time anyways for a new system build and PC just has much more video editing options that I can go with if Pinnacle 16 blows.

[Brainiac]

Here is the link for a download for the trial for Pinnacle Studio 16 Plus:

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Video/Studio+...free+trial.htm

Brainiac