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work around for H.264

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If you got a new HD camcorder as a gift that records h.264 instead of something that either imovie 11 or final cut express can work with, whats the best work around.
 
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iMovie and Final Cut should have no issues working with the h.264 files. If you're having trouble importing them, you might need to convert the files so they can be read by either program.

May I suggest, MPEG Streamclip - it works wonders. Squared 5 - MPEG Streamclip video converter for Mac and Windows

If nothing else, you could exchange the camcorder for something else.
 
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Is it a canon HD camcorder by any chance?
 
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h264 is not designed as a format for editing. Use MPEGStreamclip and export to Quicktime, using the Apple Intermediate Codec setting.
 
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iMovie and Final Cut should have no issues working with the h.264 files.


Actually final cut handles H.264 terribly.
it is in my opinion unacceptably bad.
If you are working with H.264 I would recommend (like others have already) that you use MPEG Streamclip to convert to Apple ProRes 422 for the best results.
 
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I am disappointed in the approach that Apple have to a very expensive machine. I find it totally absurd that you have to use a third party software to then use iMovie! I wish Apple would sort this out, I have had problems with the codec in terms of HD movies and Apple have done nothing to address this. I would suggest exploring Adobe Premiere Elements 9, as I recently purchased a copy and the finished results are very good!
 
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If the OP truly has iMovie ( at least 09/11 ) iMovie will automatically convert the H.264 into AIC for editing. As for FCE/FCP a conversion would be necessary...AIC/ProRes 422 respectively...As others mentioned MPEG Streamclip would work...no surprises here...its a common workflow....
 
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As I understand, after doing much research as I am not a professional user, merely an amateur user wishing to produce decent quality video (!), iMovie and FCE use AIC (therefore the same results) and FCP does not utilise AIC, but as this is aimed specifically at the pro market, this would put this out of the reach of most amateur users.

It is a real shame that Apple's codec is not adequate for most camcorder formats in producing HD as per the native format. I would suggest that a free trial of Adobe's software would give the opportunity of testing their software, unlike iMovie.
 
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AIC is a Quicktime codec. iMovie converts all imported video to DV.
 

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