simple Imovie questions

[cschrein]

I'm a real amateur when it comes to movie editing so forgive my ignorance. I'm curringly running Imovie 6.03 and considering getting a HV20 and have a few questions. Here is my computer info:
Model Name: MacBook Pro 15"
Model Identifier: MacBookPro1,1
Processor Name: Intel Core Duo
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per processor): 2 MB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP11.0055.B08
SMC Version: 1.2f10

My questions are:
1. Can I do HDV editing with Imovie with my current setup?
2. Can I play the DVDs on a regular DVD player (purchased 3 yrs ago)?
3. If not, is there a better camcorder to consider?
I don't want to purchase and learn another editing program (Imovie is fine for what I'm doing) but I do want high def if possible and would consider buying another DVD player if I have to.
I realize there might not be simple answers but hopefully its a place to start!

[Eugenia Loli-Queru]

1. If you are running OSX Tiger, you are so-so ok with the amount of RAM you have (they will be times that you will be swapping). But if you are running Leopard, or you are thinking of upgrading to it, you need 1 more GB of RAM. For HDV you need a LOT of RAM and I personally never suggest for anything less than 2 GBs.

2. Yes.
3. Not yet.

[cschrein]

Eugenia. Thanks so much for your help. I'm usually a PC guy so I'm embarrased to say that I'm not sure whether my mac has Tiger or Leopard.

1. How can I tell which operating system I'm using?
2. Which one is better for video editing?
3. How do I add another Gb of RAM if needed.
4. If I am understanding you correctly, the HV20 is the best camcorder for working with iMovie?

Thanks for helping with such simple questions!

[Eugenia Loli-Queru]

1. "Apple logo" and "about this mac" and then the version is there. If you had your Mac for more than 10 days, you probably are using Tiger btw. Leopard just came out. In any case I recommend 2 GBs of RAM.
2. They are the same, with Tiger having an edge because it consumes less RAM. Leopard comes with iMovie '08 which is WORSE than iMovie '06 in terms of abilities. Personally, I would just stay on Tiger, or install iMovie '06 on Leopard, and again, get 2 GBs of RAM.
3. If you have to ask that, you find someone close to you who understands the procedure. You have to find if you have an open slot on the back of your macbook, then you go to crucial.com and buy a 1 GB RAM for that specific macbook model, and then you put it in the slot. You do need someone who knows what he's doing btw.
4. It is not the best camcorder FOR iMovie, but it's the best consumer camcorder nonetheless. If you want HD get it.

[CJDaniels]

I am a PC guy that bought my Mac Book Pro 6 months ago from Craig list after I bought after I got my HV20. I have a 2.16, with 2GB (which I got relatively cheaply). I have not used imovie with it but am using Final Cut Pro Studio 2 quite sucessfully. I am short on hard drive space with CS3 Prem...photoshop, aperture and all the studio software but I use a portable firewire harddrive to edit with and everything works fine.
I do commercial video production. I used to use AVID on PC but love Final Cut Pro.
I would considering increasing your ram to 2GB if you can afford it.

Although, I can't give up my PC, I love my Mac a whole lot more.

Although Eugenia is right, I guarantee you currently have 1Gb on 2 X 512 so you will probably need to replace both memory modules, it is very easy.