How are you Importing your Footage?

[lone.smuggler]

Basic Camcorder.
Top of the line Camera..

Final Cut Pro
Windows Movie Maker.
Premier Pro.
Magix..


Does it make a difference to you what you use, and why?

I've only ever done it with one particular camera and 2 editing programs. I've imported with Windows Movie Maker - crap quality, to put it straight. Then with Movie Edit Pro. Which is better quality, but cuts half the 16:10 ratio off.

So I'm wondering whats your way for Importing footage?

[Kyle Stebbins]

This is a rather vague question. It all depends on what you are using. Maybe you can tell us what type of camera you have?

If it's DV then you can plug it into your computer via firewire and import and edit with Final Cut Pro. Since you have both FCP and Windows Movie Maker I'm led to believe you either have two computers or are running both Windows and OSX on your Mac.

Stick with FCP for your entire process. You can "Log and capture" footage from your "basic" camcorder in FCP and then start editing. You can do the same in Premiere Pro.

To answer this question: "Does it make a difference to you what you use, and why?"
It's all taste. FCP and Premiere Pro have more bells and whistles than any of those programs you listed. They are more professional and are industry standards. I'd steer more towards FCP simply because I'm a mac user, and think it handles my P2 footage more efficiently and succinctly.

But just as people say... it's not the equipment that matters, it's the story.
I just want to save you the headache.