OK I am going to run down my (3) video devices real quick and I think this is relevant to most newer devices out there. If you have devices that use AVI, WMV files, mini DVD’s you are going to have to find another process.ugh See links section for ideas.

Tip: iMovie Import - iMovie now has a “Drop Box” folder. YourHomeDirectory/Movies/iMovie Events/iMovie Drop Box. If you want to add a lot of movie files drop them in that folder. The next time you launch iMovie, you'll be prompted to import the video(s).

Importing from a Phone - We are using a Motorola DROID X Android Phone in this example and you only have to:

  1. Put the phone in USB Mode
  2. Open iMovie
  3. File -> Import -> Movie
  4. Navigate to /YourPhonesName/dcim/Camera
  5. Select the 3GP files(s) you want to import
ImportUSBiMovieSelect

USB Camera or Camcorder - We are using a Sanyo Xacti in this example but I am sure most other USB cameras are the same

  1. When you plug the camcorder in you will usually be prompted something like “Computer PC”, “Printer”, “USB” mode. Possibly more.
  2. I would try USB first
  3. Open iMovie
  4. File -> Import -> Movie
  5. Navigate to /YourCamercordersName/dcim/then maybe another directory
  6. Select the video files(s) you want to import. These are MP4’s

CamcorderUSB

MTS format - In this example we are using a Panasonic AG-HMC40 AVCHD camcorder. If you have an AVCHD-based camcorder with a hard disk or a memory card, you can make a backup copy, or an archive, of the camera’s contents on your computer or an external hard disk via iMovie. I would suggest you do so first. With many camcorder these days you take the SD card out of the camera and put it in a USB2.0 reader. iMovie should pick up this card and the format and prompt you to create an archive.
You cannot directly import the MTS files
FinderMTSfiles

Create a Camera Archive

ImportMTSFromUSB

CreateArchive

Then once complete Import the archive
ImportArchiveMenu
SelectArchive
ImportVideoOptions


Done
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