iMovie 2: The Missing Manual

By David Pogue
First Edition   
Pages: 420
ISBN 10: 0-596-00104-5 | ISBN 13: 9780596001049
starstarstarstarstar (Average of 12 Customer Reviews)

This book has been updated—the edition you're requesting is OUT OF PRINT. Please visit the catalog page of the latest edition.

The latest edition is also available on Safari Books Online.

Book description

iMovie 2: The Missing Manual covers every step of iMovie video production, from choosing and using a digital camcorder to burning the finished work onto CDs. Far deeper and more detailed than the meager set of online help screens included with iMovie, the book helps iMovie 2 users realize the software's potential as a breakthrough in reducing the cost, complexity, and difficulty of desktop video production.
Full Description

When it created iMovie in 1999, Apple Computer made digital video editing almost as easy as using a word processor--and even less expensive. Built into most modern Macintosh models is the circuitry needed to record pro-quality video from a digital camcorder, and then send the edited movies back to TV or tape with zero picture-quality loss. Now Apple takes the revolution to the next level with the dramatically enhanced iMovie 2.0. The new software adds the option of inserting new video over a continuous audio track; removes limitations on the number of raw clips from which to choose scenes; and offers bonuses such as special effects and brightness and contrast adjustments, much greater typographical flexibility in its title- and credit-maker, and a far more useful and complete audio-track editor. But one thing hasn't changed: iMovie 2, though much more sophisticated than its predecessor, still doesn't come with a single page of printed instructions. Pogue Press/O'Reilly's iMovie: The Missing Manual, released in May 2000, became an instant bestseller, requiring two reprints in three months and earning rave five-star reviews on Amazom.com. This entertaining guide covers every step of iMovie video production, from choosing and using a digital camcorder to burning the finished work onto CDs. The book's philosophy: Giving someone iMovie without also teaching basic film technique is like giving a map to a teenager without teaching him to drive. Now author David Pogue is back with an expanded, revised edition, now called iMovie 2: The Missing Manual, rewritten to cover iMovie 2 and nothing but. Far deeper and more detailed than the meager set of online help screens included with iMovie, the book helps iMovie users realize the software's potential as a breakthrough in the cost, complexity, and difficulty of desktop video production. With a technical review by Glenn Reid, architect and lead engineer of both iMovie and iMovie 2.

Browse within this book

Cover | Table of Contents | Errata | Missing CD-ROM | Chapter 8: Narration, Music, and Sound (PDF) | Related Article | Index | Colophon




Featured customer reviews

Write a Review


iMovie 2: The Missing Manual Review,  March 31 2003
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by Anonymous   [Respond | View]

iMovie 2 is a great book, am anxiously waiting for iMovie 3. Benoit


iMovie 2: The Missing Manual Review,  May 18 2002
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by daryl   [Respond | View]

I spent two days attempting an analog to digital pass thru ,w my sony trv900 mini dv camera, before I realised it isnt possible.!!

On page 114 of the missing manual it claims it is possible.!@#$#@!

Anyways the book is useful but not entirely correct.--d


iMovie 2: The Missing Manual Review,  February 03 2002
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by Bill   [Respond | View]

One of the best computer books i've read. It was such a delight to be able to

make my first movie with this book. I especially enjoyed the chapters on film making tips and editing.

Read all reviews


iMovie 2: The Missing Manual Review,  November 26 2001
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by Hans Foerstel   [Respond | View]

I read the previous reviews and endorse their praises for the book and the author. There is no way one can discover all these essential features by oneself...not efficiently, not likely before the next version of the software, if ever! I,too, appreciate very much the thoughtfulness of providing the errata via the internet. I thoroughly enjoy reading and folloiwng this manual.

I am awaiting the OS 10.1 manual and hope you are working on one for the iDVD.

Thanks1

Hans Foerstel

Nov. 26,2001


iMovie 2: The Missing Manual Review,  July 29 2001
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by Beny   [Respond | View]

I've done real video editing, and I've been playing with iMovie for almost a year. Do I need this book? Nope. Did I *WANT* this book? Yes.

I knew there had to be a few tips and tricks here and there that I hadn't figured out on my own, and sure enough, it was worth the $bux to get the extra info.

There were 2 other iMovie books available, but Pogue didn't write those, so they are still sitting on the bookshelf at the store. David Pogue is one of the best writers in the genre, bar none.

He's not my brother, I'm not getting paid for this...he's just that good. And so is the book.




iMovie 2: The Missing Manual Review,  March 20 2001
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by pier   [Respond | View]

Great book!

Only 4 faces instead of full prize! Why?

The tiny-tiny white fonts on a grey-sad box (on location).

For an author so humoresque and brilliant the ceap gray box is a real sloppy mistake!

ps.

anyway i bought the iMovie 1 AND iMovie 2. I'm waiting for iMovie 3 without the gray boxes with the almost unreadable white fonts!


iMovie 2: The Missing Manual Review,  March 15 2001
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by Susan Sedman   [Respond | View]

Though Apple says you don't need to have a manual to use iMovie, this book allows you to move well beyond the basics of the software. After reading this book, I understand the true abilities of iMovie 2.0. A fine edition and I appreciate the lack of words such as "dummies" or "idiots" in the title!


iMovie 2: The Missing Manual Review,  March 05 2001
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by Walter Read   [Respond | View]

Excellent book! I truly believe that anyone can create an iMovie after reading this book, even me!!




iMovie 2: The Missing Manual Review,  February 22 2001
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by H. Philippens   [Respond | View]

I like this book. I had several questions about using iMovie and they are all answered. Even more, questions I should have had, are answered too!

I appreciate too all the extras like this homepage.

Look for my movies on the big screens of American Movie-theaters and tv!


iMovie 2: The Missing Manual Review,  February 21 2001
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by Barry Howell   [Respond | View]

Bravo! After doing several iMovie projects BTB (before the book) I can truly appreciate the technical makeup of this book. Anyone can produce an iMovie, but for anyone interested in squeezing every bit of power iMovie has to offer this book is a must have tool! Now if only Apple would come up with more transitions and effects!


iMovie 2: The Missing Manual Review,  February 17 2001
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by Mike O.   [Respond | View]

I've read through most of the book and I must say, it's an excellent resource for anyone, beginner or advanced, wanting to do video editing with iMovie 2. It is full of shortcuts, insights and straight forward clear instructions to any possible question you might have about iMovie 2. I think iMovie 2 should not be sold without this excellent book!


iMovie 2: The Missing Manual Review,  February 04 2001
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by GERALD CLARK   [Respond | View]

I've only read up to page 130 and it answer many of my question. Thanks a great book.


Media reviews
"One of the beauties of the Missing Manuals is that there is always something new to discover and the research is quite thorough...I kept finding snippets of information, in the way of Tips or Notes, that would give just that bit extra."
-- Graham K. Rogers, Bangkok Post


"Pogue, the New York Times computer columnist, is among the world's best explainers."
-- Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired


"I have reviewed quite a number of Missing Manual books and I am always impressed with them. David Pogue is a Mac master and the depth of his knowledge shines through."
-- Roger Bernau, ACT Apple User Group Incorporated

"Some people think that software like this is so simple it doesn't need a manual. They would be wrong. Those people don't like manuals. People who insist on a manual will fork out good money (and well they should) for David Pogue's classic 'iMovie 2, The Missing Manual.' That book, which I own and have read most of the way through, is an excellent book for the manual-loving software user."
--Jeffrey McPheeters, MyMac.com

"You don't want to read dry, technical manual to learn your fun, creative video-editing software. Well, you don't have to. David Pogue write it, and as always, he has combined his keen sense of humor and considerable brains to pack all the necessary information onto each page while at the same time making the book a witty and entertaining read."
--Wayne Till, Gravenstein Apple Users Group, August 2002

"Editing iMovie is extremely easy with 'iMovie2: The Missing Manual.'"
--Ted Galloway, The Peel, October 2002

Read all reviews

See larger cover


"One of the beauties of the Missing Manuals is that there is always something new to discover and the research is quite thorough...I kept finding snippets of information, in the way of Tips or Notes, that would give just that bit extra."
--Graham K. Rogers, Bangkok Post