how to import 3g2 or 3gp files into imovie

for some reason, apple imovie will not accept .3g2 files. i usually never use imovie--i am a staunch final cut pro user, but when i want to make movies using videos i have taken from my cell phone using fcp, it's like flying a learjet to get some groceries. but, it won't accept .3g2 files, the primary video output for many cell phones.

i did a search online and there are several programs, some by iskysoft and other various companies that charge about 20-50 dollars for their programs, which usually mess up the encoding anyway and leave bits of video un-rendered. basically, a complete rip to the unknowing customer.

so, i decided to do it myself. here's how to do it.

1. open automator. if you've ne

ver run automator, it comes on every apple machine. it basically creates workflows so that that you can make your own applications. in simple terms, it makes a program to do mostly whatever you tell it to do. it's done a great deal of

handy things for me that would have taken hours for me to do alone. so after doing this, play around with it.

2.automator works through a drag and drop system. drag these 2 commands into the right hand box--ask for finder items, which should be in the files and folders drawer, and export movies which should be in the movies drawer.

3. make sure you click the box allowing for multiple selection. this way, you don't have to open this run this workflow over and over for multiple videos you want to convert.

4. as for the format, make it export to Apple TV. And create a folder to export all of your converted videos to. this will convert your .3g2 videos to .3g2.m4v

5. then open up imovie. go to file then new event. a new event will be formed. drag your newly converted files here. there you go. win win win. fail for those other converters.