How to Import and Convert AVI to iMovie on Mac OS X

Why to Convert AVI to iMovie on Mac?

Audio Video Interleaved (AVI) is a common format for compressed video clips. Files downloaded from the internet often use this format. AVI files are often containers, and can contain audio/video compressed using varying different codecs (this is similar to an .mp4 file either using MPEG4 compression or H264 compression). Most AVI files use DivX, Xvid or 3ivX compression codecs. AVI all look the same on the "outside", but on the "inside", they may be completely different. Although 95% or more are DivX today, not all AVI files are DivX due to the fact it is used in the peer-to-peer groups.

Frequently, people need to play and edit AVI files in iMovie on Mac OS X including Snow Leopard and Lion but iMovie doesn't support AVI video format. In this occasion, you need to convert AVI to iMovie with an AVI to iMovie Converter for Mac which can help you play AVI on Mac easily and import AVI to iMovie （iMovie '11 included) successfully.

Free download AVI to iMovie Converter for Mac:

Download Video Converter for Mac (Intel version) Download Video Converter for Mac (PowerPC version)

How to convert AVI to iMovie 08/09/11

There are only three steps to convert AVI to iMovie .

Step 1: Add .avi videos to AVI to iMovie Converter for Mac

Drag and drop the AVI videos to the converter. Added videos will be shown on the left in thumbnails. You can preview them on the right and take snapshots of videos freely.

Step 2: Select “iMovie” as output format.

Select Apple Software – iMovie as output video format. This output format works for iMovie '08, iMovie '09, iMovie '11, and iMovie HD etc. Video settings will be optimized for iMovie.

Step 3: Start the AVI to iMovie conversion

After all is OK, just click 'Start' to convert AVI to iMovie MP4 or MOV. This conversion process will finish soon.

After the conversion, you can freely edit your .avi videos in iMovie to make an eye-catching home movie!

By the way, you can get more details about iMovie and making movie with iMovie at how to make a home movie using iMovie from AVI files. If you want to export iMovie projects to AVI for handy editing apps, you can refer to How to Export iMovie to AVI - Convert iMovie to AVI.