iMovie unable to import video from devices

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iMovie unable to import video from devices

I am using iMovie 10.4.1 running under Sonoma 14.5 on a 13" 2020 MB Pro. Using the Firewire to Thunderbolt to USB-C series of adapters I am able to connect my Canon ZR960 DV player and I can see it in the list of available import devices. However, the Import window gives me only a black screen and I cannot begin import. The "Import" and "Play" buttons do nothing. I would suspect a camera / driver issue but the same behavior occurs when I select the Facetime camera as the import device. I cannot import video from that either. FWIW, I can use this camcorder with my old 2009 MB Pro to capture to iMovie. I was just hoping to move into the new decade. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks! Don

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Jul 11, 2024 9:43 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 21, 2024 4:04 AM in response to Don Davis

Hi. This same issue was driving me crazy, then I realized there is a privacy setting that blocks iMovie from accessing ANY "cameras" -- built-in FaceTime or a DV camcorder.

Go to System Settings => Privacy & Security => Camera, then look for iMovie in the list of apps and allow it to access the camera.

Side note: why iMovie is so dumb that it does not warn you that camera access is blocked by a system setting, when you try to import media from a camera, is beyond me. I thought my very old camcorder was not compatible, but it turns out it is.

Hope this will fix your issue!

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Answer 2

Don Davis Author

Level 1

7 points

Jul 22, 2024 2:58 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

Thanks Ian. The issue was that the privacy setting preventing iMovie from accessing any camera. It is working now.

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Answer 3

Don Davis Author

Level 1

7 points

Jul 11, 2024 12:51 PM in response to Keith Barkley

Thanks for the reply. I did not try, but it did not solve the issue. The fact that I cannot even import from the Facetime camera makes me think I am doing something wrong in iMovie, but I don't know what it is.

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Answer 4

Jul 11, 2024 11:38 AM in response to Don Davis

DV import is getting more and more flakey.

Try pressing play on the camcorder before you hit the import button.

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Answer 5

Don Davis Author

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Jul 12, 2024 4:43 AM in response to Don Davis

THat was meant to say "I DID try" that - but it did not work.

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Answer 6

Jul 21, 2024 8:08 AM in response to Don Davis

Try importing by using QuickTime Player.

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Answer 7

Jul 22, 2024 7:05 AM in response to David Ros

Thanks for this.

I just added it to the user tip.

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Answer 8

Don Davis Author

Level 1

7 points

Jul 22, 2024 2:57 PM in response to David Ros

David Ros,

Amazing!! That was it and like you I cannot imagine why iMovie did not ask for permission to use the camera. With that change in settings the camera works fine now. Thanks so much!!

Don

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