Preparation
1. Connect/insert your media to your computer station.
2. Open iMovie ‘11 by clicking the icon on the Dock or by searching “iMovie” in spotlight.
3. Click the event where your imported media will be saved in the bottom-left Event Library panel. If you have not yet created an event, you’ll have to create a new event.
Importing (Using Camera or SD Card)
1. Click File > Import From Camera… or click on the Camera Import icon 
.
2. In the Import window
- Switch the option from “Automatic” to “Manual.”
- Make sure the camera or SD card is selected for “Camera.”
3. Import selected footage.
- You can select multiple clips from the list of footage and click “Import Checked…,” “Import Selected…,” or “Import All…” to import the entirety of the clips.
✳ You may get a message asking to choose Large or Full. Select “Full – Original Size” and click “OK.”
4. In the Save window
- Save to
◊ Choose a save location, such as your external hard drive.
- Select your event for “Add to existing Event” or select “Create new Event” if you want to save your footage to a new event.
- Make sure the “After import analyze for” box is unchecked. “Stabilization” and “People” can be applied to your videos later if needed.
- Make sure “Full – Original Size” is selected for “Optimize video.”
5. Click Import.
6. In the Import window, click “Done” when you have finished capturing all your footage.
Importing (From DV and miniDV Tapes)
1. With iMovie open, Click File > Import from Camera…
✴ If the settings on the Sony DV deck are incorrect, iMovie ‘11 may freeze and you will have to restart the application. Refer to the “How to Connect/Insert Your Media for Importing/Capturing” guide for setting up the Sony DV deck.
2. An Import window will appear [shown below].
Importing widescreen (16:9) HDV footage
Importing standard (4:3) DV footage
- Switch the option from “Automatic” to “Manual.”
- Make sure “DV-VCR” is selected for “Camera.”
✳ You can control the Sony DV deck by using the buttons below the preview screen.
Importing widescreen (16:9) HDV footage
Importing standard (4:3) DV footage
3. To capture Footage
- Cue the tape to the beginning of the footage you want to capture.
- Click “Import…”
4. In the Import dialog box, choose a "Save to:" location, such as your external hard drive.
- Select your event for “Add to existing Event” or select “Create new Event” if you want to save your footage to a new event.
- Make sure the “After import analyze for” box is unchecked. “Stabilization” and “People” can be applied to your videos later if needed.
- For importing HD footage, make sure “Full – Original Size” is selected for “Import 1080 HD video as.”
- Click “Import.”
6. In the Import window, click “Done” when you have finished capturing all your footage.
Importing (Using Flash drive, external hard drive, or other storage device)
✳ Move all your files to your scratch disk location. Refer to the “How to Start an iMovie ‘11 Project” guide for setting up your scratch disks.
✳ For audio and images, simply drag and drop your files into the project panel from a Finder window.
1. For videos, click File > Import > Movies…
2. In the Import window
- Locate and select your video files.
- Make sure the appropriate event is selected for “Add to existing Event” or you can create a new event.
- Make sure the “Optimize video” box is checked and “Full – Original Size” is selected.
- Make sure “Copy files” is selected. This will ensure that your original source media won’t be altered.
3. Click “Import.”
