[IonCable]

I am looking for an app that will import my video much the way the iMovie does but in a format that FCE can read without converting, then allow me to move the one I want into Final Cut Express. I know that I can import iMovie into Final Cut Express, but I would like to avoid the conversion part of it. iMovie uses a different codec. Is there such a beast out there?

[ism]

Look into things such as iDive and CatDV. Although I'm not sure if these will do it. They might only allow generation of a batch capture file that you will have to use in FCE to re-capture.

Why can't you capture in FCE and avoid the heartache? What exactly are you trying to achieve/avoid?

[IonCable]

A personal perference, I love the way iMovie can just batch capture than I can cut down the footage to only the parts I want and throw away all the junk. Which allows me to reclaim all hard drive space on my Poweerbook. FCE which can do a batch capture doesn't let me get rid of all the junk and reclaim that space, atleast not that I know of. That is my real goal. I also know I can just capture the parts I want, but I don't always have the time to do that. I would much perfer to do it the iMovie way. My real problem is solved if Apple would just make FCE and iMovies capture format the same.

[ism]

IonCable,

Although you'll hate me for saying it, you should think about changing your workflow.

FCE captures differently from iMovie since it also captures the timecode from the tape. This allows you to use the tape as your back-up since at a later date you can re-capture the project.

Some options to consider:

1) In FCE use capture clip to only capture the bits you need, avoiding capturing the media that you would destructively edit in iMovie

2) Look into Batch Capture techniques for use within FCE. Where you log the in and out points of clips and then write a file containing these. Import this file into FCE and it will do all the capturing for you
http://homepage.mac.com/heywood_si/i...9T13_50_07.txt

3) Capture in iMovie and convert the footage using this app. It will only convert the audio (that is the problem) and so is relatively quick.
http://homepage.mac.com/heywood_si/i...1T13_09_18.txt

4) Destructively edit in FCE. Set your editor as Quicktime. Open the captured clip using 'editor' and trim the clip there.