iMovie

Yes, but be aware that iMovie transcodes all imported footage to Apple Intermediate Codec format for editing, which while quite good is not as transparent as Apple ProRes, which is the import codec used by iMovie's pro equivalent Final Cut Pro. On some footage you can see a difference when transcoding to AIC, some you can't. If you're trying to preserve as much of the quality of your footage as possible, it's worth it to get Final Cut. I love iMovie but it was really designed more for typical consumer HD camcorders like the Flip and the cheap Canons and Sonys, while the GH1 and GF1 are capable of output which is best preserved by editing in FCP.

Of course, if you have both like I do, you can import to ProRes in FCP and then edit your ProRes files in iMovie, which has no problem editing ProRes. Sometimes I prefer the iMovie workflow, and this method gives me the best of both worlds.
 
What is the issue with FCE ?
I know that iMovie transcodes to AIC - but I though FCE would work with Cineform or ProRes in the timeline, once its transcoded.
chrisso said:
Yes, I'm discovering this issue with FC Express.
Think I might have to buy FCP.
Click to expand...
 
Again, it'll only work with Apple Intermediate Codec. So you have to choose one of those sequence pre-sets and render.
That'll reduce the quality of my prores 422 files wont it?
 
FCE is increasingly odd man out as consumer cameras like the video-enabled DSLRs, m43s and even some of the better HD point and shoots offer output on a par with pro gear. I would be surprised if FCE survives the next round of Pro App versioning, especially now that iMovie has grown into such a sophisticated and capable prosumer editing app. As they both share the same AIC codec for all imported footage, there's no longer any quality difference between their output. For that you need to upgrade to FCP.

In a perfect world Apple would offer a ProRes codec pack as a $99 option for iMovie. And possum would taste like butterscotch.
 
How long does it usually take for the iMovie to transcode all GH13 footage (say 16GB worth) to Apple Intermediate Codec format for editing?
 
Depends on how fast your Mac is. My overclocked Core-i7 Hackintosh can chew through projects in mins that used to take my Core2Duo iMac hours.
 
Yes, I have a 6core 3.33Ghz and I am just amazed sometimes at the speed. Granted I was coming off an old G5 quad but still ;)
 
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