Found this bit of info that possibly lets you import a file from the hard drive into iMovie8. Haven't tried this yet but looks promising. Got this off mac rumors web site forum......

Connect HDR SR12 SONY by USB to Mac
Select USB CONNECT on camera's lcd
Camera's hard drive mounts on the desktop (I renamed it HDR SR12 from NO NAME)

(If you don't have the camera and are working from files copied from its hard drive, put all the folders and files in one folder--see list below--and image it using the following

Open DISK UTILITY
FILE: NEW: DISK IMAGE FROM FOLDER
NAVIGATE TO mounted camera disk
SELECT THE DISK ICON
HIT IMAGE
SAVE AS "HDR SR12" OR WHATEVER

THIS WILL COPY ALL OF THE FOLDERS AND FILE:

AVCHD
MODELCFG.IND
AVF_INFO
DCIM

as they are on the camera's hard drive.

Once the disk is imaged, eject the camera's hard drive from the desktop.

Mount the new disk image, either from Disk Utility or just clicking the .dmg. iMovie 08 should respond by opening the import screen and seeing the movie files just as if they were coming from the camera.

This should also work with files copied from the camera's hard drive, if you put them all in the same folder (see above list) and image it, using the NEW IMAGE FROM FOLDER in Disk Utility.

The .mts/.m2ts files are a fraction of the size of the Apple Intermediate codec files you get once iMovie has imported them.......

Again, I haven't had time to try this but will soon and hoping this works.

Just comfirmed that this WORKS! Would suggest you delete old footage before doing this as it might take awhile to create the image. Looks like a good way to archive.

Another thing to add to this procedure. Do NOT have ANY standard definition video in the camcorders hard drive before you make a disk image. If you do, iMovie will only see the SD file.

Will this work also for the SR11?

__________________
Sony SR11 Camcorder, PS 3 80GB, Imac intel Core, Canon XTI, Fujifilm 100FD, Two HDTV, 1TB drive, 160GB drive...

Yes it works for the SR11. I have the SR11 and made another image yesterday. Just remember NOT to have any SD video on the camcorder when making the image. If you do, when you mount the image, iMovie will only see the SD clip.

So, Bear what is the difference. Here what I have been doing a couple times only. After connecting my SR11 to camcorder to usb to computer a window pops up to import clips. And than can add to project library.

__________________
Sony SR11 Camcorder, PS 3 80GB, Imac intel Core, Canon XTI, Fujifilm 100FD, Two HDTV, 1TB drive, 160GB drive...

By making a disc image, you keep the original AVCHD files for editing later. When you import to iMovie, iMovie converts it making it a SD video so it can be edited.
Another problem with iMovie is you can NOT import from your computers hard drive. You must import from the camcorder. By creating a disk image, your basically fooling iMovie to thinking the camcorder is connected. I am so glad the person who figured this out took the time to do this. I just got lucky finding his post.
I will wait until the end of this year for apple to get off there *** and incorporate FULL AVCHD support in iMovie or FCE. If not, I will purchase sony's Vegas which to my understanding does fully support AVCHD. I just hate the thought of using a windblows machine.

I hear you on this one. Vegas does not support mac.

__________________
Sony SR11 Camcorder, PS 3 80GB, Imac intel Core, Canon XTI, Fujifilm 100FD, Two HDTV, 1TB drive, 160GB drive...

But what about using Toast 9 with the blu-ray plugin. I have this. Take a look at Roxio.com for Toast 9. Tell me what you think.

__________________
Sony SR11 Camcorder, PS 3 80GB, Imac intel Core, Canon XTI, Fujifilm 100FD, Two HDTV, 1TB drive, 160GB drive...

Where do I start to make the disc image and disc image of what. Is it the AVCHD files inside the mts. files or something else.

__________________
Sony SR11 Camcorder, PS 3 80GB, Imac intel Core, Canon XTI, Fujifilm 100FD, Two HDTV, 1TB drive, 160GB drive...

Plug your camcorder in the mac. You will see a little disk show up on your desktop named no name. Open up disk utility and click create image. Select no name. Here you have options. suggest you select read,write. Give it a different name and select to copy to your desk top. MAKE SURE you have enough disk space before doing this. My last disk image was 52GB. If you have more than a few hours of video on the camcorder, go grab dinner because it will take time to make. Would suggest you erase the camcorder hard drive between camming and creating images as this will keep those files smaller and more manageable.

I don't understand the last sentence? I am fine with the disk image to do that's easy but takes for ever, your right. Is this another option, what about just saving the AVCHD folder with all content.

__________________
Sony SR11 Camcorder, PS 3 80GB, Imac intel Core, Canon XTI, Fujifilm 100FD, Two HDTV, 1TB drive, 160GB drive...