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I can’t find iMovie on the iMac. Where is it located? |
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From the desktop, move your mouse (without holding down the button) over the picture icons at the bottom center of the screen. As your mouse goes over each one, the name of the program is displayed. Continue doing this until you see iMovie displayed, and then click on that icon. |
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2. |
What is a firewire cable? |
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This is the cable that connects your camcorder to the iMac. On one end is a larger, rectangular plug. This connects to the corresponding jack on the iMac. The other end is a smaller, square plug that connects to your camcorder. |
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3. |
I need a DVD player for my project and there isn’t one near the iMac Digital Video stations. Where can I get one? |
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Ask a FITS staff member for assistance. They will be able to gain access to one and hook it up to the iMAC for you. |
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4. |
How long will my footage take to import? |
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This varies from project to project, but it will generally take just as long as the length of the footage. For example, if you are importing about 20 minutes of footage, it will take about 20 minutes to finish. |
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5. |
a. What is the difference between .MOV and .AVI movie formats? |
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Both are formats used to save your movie for use on the web. .MOV is used for the QuickTime Player, while .AVI is used for Windows Media Player. |
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b. For what purpose are these players used? |
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If you are creating a movie to be viewed on the web, it will be viewed using one of the two players mentioned above. In iMovie, when you export your movie for the web, the default is to export it to QuickTime (See “Exporting for the Web.”) If you would like to convert your movie to .AVI format for use with Windows Media Player, see “Converting your movie from .MOV to .AVI.” |
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6. |
After I have saved my movie in a format usable on the web (.MOV or .AVI), how do I put it on my website? |
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This involves using a web authoring program such as Dreamweaver. See a FITS staff member for assistance. |
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7. |
What is the best size for a movie to be exported, both in terms of file size, height and width? |
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In most situations, it is best to use the default settings given to you when you choose to export to QuickTime (Web, E-mail, CD, etc.)
If are familiar with digital video settings and would like to set your own, the best quality video is generally exported using Sorenson Video format, with height and width of 240 x 180, producing a file size of 7.8 MB. If you would like more information on digital video formats, ask a FITS staff member for assistance. |
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8. |
How long will my movie take to export? |
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This varies, depending on the length of your movie and the additional features you had added to it while editing (transitions, titles, subtitles, etc.) If you have added no additional features, exporting will generally take the same length of time as the movie. For example, a 30 minute movie would take 30 minutes to export. If you have added some additional features to your movie, it will generally take about twice its actual length to export. For example, if you have a 30 minute movie, you should expect at least one hour to export. Again, this varies from movie to movie. |
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9. |
If I am exporting and burning my movie to a DVD, what format of DVD do I need to buy? |
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For the FITS iMacs, you must use a “DVD-R v.2.0.” They are available in IMS (Instructional Media Services), which is located on the lower level of Roy O. West Library, across the hall from FITS. |
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10. |
If I am going to have students in my classes use iMovie to create their own projects, where would they go to get help, and to whom do I need to talk? |
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The PCCM is in charge of student iMovie projects. You would need to contact Larry Abed (email: labed) at x4462 or Eric Harvey (email: eharvey) at x6768 to let them know that your students will be working over there to create their projects and will need their assistance.
Please let them know as early in the semester as possible, because they have a large volume of student projects requiring assistance, and it makes it easier for them to plan ahead. |
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11. |
I am not finished editing my movie and I need to leave. What do I do? |
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Save your movie to the hard drive of the computer on which you are working. Save it in the “Save Here” folder on the Desktop. You can then return at a later time to continue working. |
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12. |
Can I save my movie to a network drive (I: or P:)? |
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No. Digital video files are very large, and there is not enough room on either of these drives to store something this large. You must save your movie to the hard drive until you are finished editing it. |
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13. |
If I save my movie to the hard drive and leave, how long will it stay there before it is deleted? |
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As long as you do not leave the project untouched for a 2-week time period, we will not delete it. If we know that you have been in to work on it, you may keep it on the hard drive as long as needed. Please be sure to save your work in the Save here folder.. |
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If we see that the no one has opened or edited a movie in 2 weeks, we will assume that you are finished and delete it. If you are not finished with your movie, but you know you will not be in for more than 2 weeks to finish it, let one of the FITS staff members know, and we will not delete it. |
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14. |
What do I do with my movie once I am done with it? |
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After you have exported your movie, and you are sure it works, delete it from the hard drive. Digital video takes up an enormous amount of hard drive space, and we would appreciate your assistance in ensuring that we have the maximum amount of hard drive space available for you and your fellow faculty members. |
