01-06-2010, 02:38 PM

According to David Pogue and his text on iMovie 09, you cannnot adjust a video's clip speed unless it is originally in a particular format (Apple Intermediate Codec). [See Pogue's "iMovie 09 & iDVD", page141].

There is a program available only for PC's which converts videos to various other formats (avs4you.com). Is there such a program for Macs which does the same, i.e. convert Canon produced video to Apple Intermediate Codec?

01-06-2010, 04:29 PM

You didn't mention what model camera, HD or SD footage, etc. so I'll make a shot in the dark statement here that MAY or MAY NOT answer your question.

If you are using a Canon HD Camcorder that records to SD cards or an internal HDD, when that footage is imported into iMovie, it is converted into AIC - iMovie (or any other Apple editor) can not edit AVCHD footage without conversion, the nice thing is this is done behind the scenes when you import your footage.

This comment only applies to camcorders that record in AVCHD, I don't know how iMovie handles HDV (recording HD footage to cassette) or SD (standard def) recordings.

01-06-2010, 04:57 PM

My camcorder is an HG 10. The video indeed must be converted by iMovie 09 (my Mac was bought if Dec. 2009, so it is Snow Leopard equipped). iMovie handles it well without any conversion on my part. However, Pogue, as stated in my first post, states that I cannot change the clip's speed unless it is AIC to begin with. Hence, my quest is a program which will allow me to change a clip's format to AIC. Is there such a program?

01-06-2010, 07:59 PM

You don't have to.

It's in AIC now.

When you import AVCHD footage from that camera, it is converted to AIC, you have no choice in the matter. You should be able to do your speed adjustments without any problems right now.

I understand you're reading the material and following his directions, but he may be referencing footage that is in iMovie that isn't in AIC. Your footage, once imported from the camcorder (assuming your importing from a Highdef recording on the camera), should be in AIC - no more conversion by you is necessary.

01-06-2010, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Nethfel

You don't have to.

It's in AIC now.

When you import AVCHD footage from that camera, it is converted to AIC, you have no choice in the matter. You should be able to do your speed adjustments without any problems right now.

I understand you're reading the material and following his directions, but he may be referencing footage that is in iMovie that isn't in AIC. Your footage, once imported from the camcorder (assuming your importing from a Highdef recording on the camera), should be in AIC - no more conversion by you is necessary.

thanks, i also have such puzzle