IMovie



iMovie is an application programme, created by Apple Inc. as part of their iLife suite of applications for the Macintosh, that allows users to edit their own home movies. iMovie 3 and later versions runs only in Mac OS X. Earlier versions of iMovie, up to iMovie 2.0.3, also ran under Mac OS 9.

When iMovie first came out, it proved popular due to its simplicity, with most tasks easily accomplished by clicking and dragging. Its praise was so widespread, even PC magazines gave it reviews, one even giving it the front page. It was unprecedented that a PC publication review software for the Macintosh.

Integrated with FireWire, it takes the raw footage from most Digital Video cameras and loads it onto the Mac. From there, iMovie can edit, add titles, and music. Effects such as fade-in, fade-out and slides are included by default.

In early 2005, Apple introduced iMovie HD as part of iLife '05, including support for editing High definition video.

The latest version is iMovie '11

iMovie 1
Released on October 5, 1999, it was bundled with iMac DV, later issued as a free download. It was for Mac OS 8.6 and Mac OS 9.

iMovie 2
Released on July 19, 2000, it was bundled with FireWire-enabled Macs, also a separate purchase and later bundled as part of Mac OS X. It was for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. It added new sound effects (including some from Skywalker Sound), but removed older ones; also removed the Water Ripple effect.

iMovie 3
Released on January 7, 2003, it was bundled with all new Macs, also a separate purchase (iLife), later as a free download. It was for Mac OS X. It was bundled as part of iLife.

iMovie 4
Released on January 6, 2004, it was bundled with all new Macs, also a separate purchase (iLife '04).