.. I am new at video editing and the lingo..
well, new techniqués, new lingo needed.. 😉
iM is meant by concept to work with miniDV camcorders.
miniDVs store on tape and use a 'codec' to make colorful pictures into digits.. that codec is called 'dv' ...
iM copies (=lossless transfer) the bits of a dv straight into a new project, via a firewire connection..
now, your device uses a harddrive, AND uses a different codec.. which iM isn't made for.. >> needs conversion.
unfortunately, your codec is lossy, means, a converison will add a drop of pic quality .. that's not iM fault, that is a .mod problem...
plus, iM is made for TV-delivery.. you are not able to judge the final quality of an iM project on a computer! (use the live playout feature of iM, playback to miniDV tape, or burn with iDVD a disk...)
a well known 'all purpose' converter tool is the combo of Apple mpeg2 plugin (19$) + Streamclip (free)
it will convert your mods to dv, for usage in iM ... and, as said, the conversion add a quality loss, plus it 'looks' in iM more ugly than it is.. 😉
iM = miniDV ... ask dealer for swapping your device into another type ..