Classroom and Lab Computing

iMovie: Capturing & Exporting Video in CLC Labs

These instructions apply to Macintosh workstations which are equipped with multimedia equipment. To find out where the multimedia Macs are located, visit the Macintosh Hardware Installed In CLC Labs web page and check the VCR column.

These instructions depend on the Multimedia Macintosh Systems devices being correctly cabled together. Click here for a copy of the wiring diagram.

Selecting the correct "mode":

iMovie has two "modes." One is camera mode and the other is edit mode. Depending on the particular task you're doing, iMovie might switch between the two modes for you automatically. However, sometimes it does not switch and the user might be confused as to why a particular button is not available or something isn't "working". You can switch manually between the two modes using the "slider" slider shown below.

Anytime you want to import something, either from the VCR or from a video camera connected via firewire, you need to be in camera mode. Once you have the clips you want to manipulate and edit, you need to be in edit mode. Keep this in mind as you work with iMovie and the basic steps below to get started.

To Import Video on a CLC Multimedia Macintosh Workstation:

1. Turn on the TV Display.
2. Launch iMovie:
   • Via the Programs window:
• Double-click Find Program in the Programs window
• Type "movie" into the search field
• Double-click the iMovie icon (visible at the top of this page)
  
• Via the Dock:
• iMovie can be found in the default Dock for lab users. Click on the icon once to launch the application.
3. Either start a new project by clicking the New Project button or the Open Project to open a pre-existing iMovie project.

Import directly from Firewire capable digital video camera

1. Connect the firewire cable to the video camera and to the firewire HUB near the computer. You should NOT need to unplug any device to plug in the video camera. The HUB's are provided so that multiple firewire devices can be connected.
2. Press play on the video camera to find the place where you would like to start importing video. You will see the video on the screen in the iMovie window.
3. When you are set and ready to actually import video, click the Import Button in iMovie to start capturing video. Click the Import button again to stop recording.

Import from VCR

1. Turn on the VCR.
2. Press the Input Select button on the VCR's control deck until "Stereo Line Input 1 (L1)" appears on the TV's lower right corner. This prevents any possible feedback sounds/pictures.
3. Insert the VHS tape into the VCR that you wish to capture video from and press the PLAY button on the VCR's control deck. You should immediately see the video from the VHS tape in iMovie's main video window.
4. Click the Import Button in iMovie to start capturing video. Click the Import button again to stop recording.
5. Each time recording is started and stopped a new video clip will appear in iMovie's Video Clip Shelf on the right side of the screen.

** Special note: For those that have used the multimedia computers in the past, the computer and the VCR were linked together in such a way that pressing PLAY/STOP buttons in iMovie would cause the VCR to do the same. Unfortunately, that is not possible at the moment with the equipment we have. This will require you to manually press PLAY/STOP buttons on the VCR as you use it for recording and playback.

These video clips can be dragged down to the Video timeline at the bottom of the screen to place them in the final video to export. Transitions between clips can be dragged from the Transitions window and placed between the video effects for the desired transition.

Again, for more information on how to use iMovie's features and functions, please use iMovie's online help.

To Export Video from iMovie:

1. Insert a recordable tape in the VCR.
2. Save the iMovie project.
3. Select Export Movie... under the File menu
4. To Export to VHS tape change the Export To: popup menu to Camera.
5. Make sure you have at least five (5) seconds in the "seconds to wait for camera" field
6. Click the Export Button.
7. Immediately begin the VCR recording
8. When the clip is done recording, stop the VCR

To create a QuickTime movie instead:

1. Save your iMovie project
2. Select Export Movie... from the File menu
3. Select "To QuickTime" from the Export drop-down
4. Selec the Format that is most appropriate to your planned use of the QuickTime movie
   1. You can select Expert Settings... from the drop-down to gain more finite control over how the movie is exported. However, be aware that QuickTime movies can be VERY LARGE in file size, especially if you are not completely sure of the settings you are using!