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iMovie Troubleshooting Guide

Tips for Creating a Successful iMovie Project

  • Do not run any other programs while you are working with iMovie.
  • Do not change the monitor or sound setting while you are running iMovie.
  • Do not try to save an iMovie project on anything but the hard drive. This includes Zip drives or network drives.
  • Connect and turn on your camcorder before launching iMovie (if you plan to capture video from it.)

Common problems:

1.
 An error appears when I first open iMovie that states “Could Not Find the Project”
When you open iMovie, the program automatically tries to open the project that was most recently opened at that computer. If that program has been moved, deleted, or renamed, iMovie will give you an error.
Unless the last project opened on that computer was yours, do not worry. Simply click OK, click Open Project, and browse to find your project, or start a new project.
 
2.
 There is no picture from your Camcorder on the iMovie screen
If you press the control buttons on your camera (play, stop, rewind, etc.) and no picture appears on the iMovie screen, unplug and reconnect the FireWire cable from the computer. The picture should return.
 
3.
 There is a message on the iMovie display screen stating “Camera Not Connected”
If the function switch is moved to the left towards camera mode, and you receive this message, it probably means that:
  • Your camcorder is not plugged into the Mac correctly. Refer to the Connections chart.
  • The camcorder is not turned on.
If the camcorder is plugged in and turned on, and you still receive this message, the wires are probably improperly connected. Ask a FITS staff member for help.
 
4.
 The picture looks bad on the computer screen
All of your work in iMovie will look like it has either low-resolution (but it is smooth-motioned) or jerky (but it is sharp and clear.) This is because you are only seeing about 25% of the video information that the computer has captured to save space while editing. When you are finished, and you export the video to QuickTime or DVD, the original quality will be restored.
 
5.
 The sound is too soft
If the entire movie soundtrack is too quiet, the problem is probably that the volume on the Mac itself is too low.

If none of the solutions mentioned above address your problem, ask a FITS staff member for assistance.
 
6.
 I have imported footage into iMovie, and when I play the clips I have selected, some of the audio has static
Highlight each of your clips, and go to the Advanced menu, choose Extract Audio. This will separate your audio from your video, which will allow your audio to become clearer.
NOTE: Do not extract your audio until you import all of your footage and are ready to begin editing.