What does iMovie (09) do when I select "Export Movie"?

I can't believe this isn't an FAQ, but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere. I love iMovie but, as many people realize quickly, part of what makes iMovie so simple to use is that it assumes certain things so that the endusers don't have to worry about them.
Well, I guess "Export Movie" is one of those, but I'm curious - what does iMovie do with my video when I use that option? I realize, for example, that "Export with Quicktime" allows me to select quite a few settings for the export, but that's not the case for iMovie, except for being able to select the exported movie resolution.
What other settings does iMovie assume?

Thanks, everyone! I apologize for being unintentionally vague. To take a step back, my source is video shot with a Canon HF200 in FXP mode which records in 1920x1080 resolution.
The root of my question is curiosity around what iMovie does to my video when I'm burning to DVD, and specifically, I noticed that there's a difference in the quality of the video when I do "Share to iDVD" versus "Export Movie" (then dragging the project into my iDVD template).
I had added some text titles to parts of my video and noticed the "Share to iDVD" caused the text to be more "jaggy". Using "Export Movie" appeared to create DVDs that didn't look jaggy, so naturally, I thought "Export Movie" was the better way to burn DVDs, which then started making me wonder what magic happens when that option is chosen.
Subsequent to my posting this question, I then ran into this thread: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2214292&tstart=90 and learned that iMovie drops half the lines in a frame when exporting.
- Is this what was happening when I use "Share to iDVD"? Was iMovie dropping half the lines which caused my video to look jaggy? Pictures of the videos below. In these pictures, the DVD was being played by a progressive scan DVD player on an LCD TV (if that makes a difference).
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/joelq/DSC_1679.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/joelq/DSC_1680.jpg
- I got even more confused when I read that iMovie only does this when exporting to 960x540 or smaller. :-/ If that's the case, then is "Export Movie" exporting to a larger resolution which explains why the video quality seemed better, i.e., the video didn't appear jaggy?
- And finally, when shooting 1920x1080 60i video, what's the best export process to get the best quality DVDs? Is this possible with iMovie 09 (or even HD)? Or do I need to upgrade to FCE? (Or should I just invest in the eBook :-)?)
Thanks everyone!

Similar Messages

  • What does command  U do when Macintosh is selected

    What does command + U do when Macintosh is selected.

    If pressed in the Finder, nothing. The computer will just beep.
    (121468)

  • What does radio mean in the contact selection instead of mobile or home, and why is it the default?

    What does radio mean in the contact selection instead of mobile or home, and why is it the default?
    When adding a new contact, the number shows up as "radio" instead of "mobile" or "home" and I have to change it every time. What does "radio" mean and why is it the default? can that be changed?

    Radio is a type of phone service offered by certain carriers.  Sprint for instance offers their Sprint Direct Connect Phones (a.k.a Nextel) which have built in Radios.  Short Wave or CB radio type features. Also referred to as Push to Talk services.
    http://shop.sprint.com/mysprint/services_solutions/category.jsp?catId=solution_s dc&catName=Sprint%20Direct%20Connect
    Think a walkie talkie in your Phone.
    I get the Radio option when using Hotmail contacts as the default Contact creator. If I change it to iCloud or Gmail I no longer get the Radio option in the labels.
    If you are using a service such as Hotmail/Outlook.com for your contacts the radio option may be present.
    You can change which service is the default service to create new contacts with by going to Settings->Mail Contacts & Calendars->Contacts->Default Account
    The Radio label is just an identifier for those types of Phones so you know its a number for a radio phone.

  • Why does iMovie quit unexpectedly when I try to import videos?

    Why does iMovie quite unexpectedly when I try to import videos?

    "Doesn't work!" is no error description
    TEll us about your set-up, esp. Free disk space and what flavour the file is, you're trying to import.

  • Why does iMovie quit unexpectedly when I try to share in iDVD?

    Why does iMovie quit unexpectedly when I try to share in iDVD?

    I don't know why it happens, but if you read messages around the iMovie Discussion Group it seems to happen to a lot of people. The easiest way around this is to Share to Media Browser instead of Share to iDVD directly. The Media Browser is a 'holding area' for video you want to use in other iLife Apps (including GarageBand and iDVD). When you Share to Media Browser, choose the Large size. Then let it run until it finishes. Quit iMovie.
    Open iDVD. Create a New Project, Select a Theme. Then click on the Media Button. Click on the Movies button below the Media Browser. Your project will now appear under the iMovie star icon just drag that project into the iDVD project window. This should bypass the problem you were having by sharing Directly to iDVD.

  • What does error -4 mean when syncing?

    What does error -4 mean when syncing between the iPad in iTunes on a MacBook Pro?

    Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
    ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
    Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
    View ▹ Show Log List
    from the menu bar.
    Click the Clear Display icon in the toolbar. Then try the action that you're having trouble with again. Select any messages that appear in the Console window. Copy them to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Paste into a reply to this message (command-V).
    When posting a log extract, be selective. In most cases, a few dozen lines are more than enough.
    Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
    Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.

  • What is a transfer curve and what does pre-flight mean when it says "transfer curve used"?

    What is a transfer curve and what does  pre-flight mean when it says "transfer curve used"?

    http://dx.aip.org/advisor/transfer_curve.html has some insight.
    Basically, someone who prepared the PDF or an image in it used a magic trick that could cause it to print differently from how it is on screen.

  • What does this error message when I try to do updates mean? And how can I fix it? Thanks.   The operation couldn't be completed. (NSURLErrorDomain error -1012.)

    What does this error message when I try to do updates mean? And how can I fix it? Thanks.   (The operation couldn’t be completed. (NSURLErrorDomain error -1012.)
    James
    maverick 10.9.1

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.
    This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
    The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you boot, and again when you log in.
    Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
    Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
    The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
    After testing, reboot as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

  • In settings what does automatic downloads to when you turn it on

    In settings what does automatic downloads do when you turn it on

    Apps or Music you purchase, using the same Apple ID, on any other device will automatically be downloaded on the device these settings are turned on for.

  • TS2972 What does error -3259 mean when trying to set up home sharing?

    What does error -3259 mean when trying to set up home sharing

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2799
    Check there. Hope it helps.

  • Why does iPhoto shuts down when I select Info with an image selected.

    Why does iPhoto shut down when I select Info with an image selected.

    Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your iPhoto library database
    LN

  • What does mean error 1009 when download from appstore?

    What does mean error 1009 when download from appstore?
    This is not fair only for my location or anything I have a product and expect to support my device
    This is not question I got my answer on other posts but didn't satisfactory.
    Thank you.

    I got this iphone from a guy and everytime i tried to update the applications stored in this phone it keeps asking me the password that the guy used to use, even thou i created a new apple ID of my own and updated the account of icloud and everything in this iphone with the new apple ID, it still asks me the password of the account that the guy used to use whenever i tried to update the applications, and i cant find the guy who gave me this iphone...wt should i do???

  • HT204088 what does error 8008 mean when downloading a movie on Apple TV

    what does error 8008 mean when downloading a movie on Apple TV

    Perhaps try the "Error -50," "-5000," "8003," "8008," or "-42023" section in the Specific Conditions and Alert Messages: (Mac OS X / Windows) section of the following document:
    iTunes: Advanced iTunes Store troubleshooting

  • What does Error: 5 mean when trying to open Indesign CS4?

    What does Error: 5 mean when trying to open Indesign CS4?

    It means that you need to reinstall the program....
    Mylenium

  • HT201210 What does error 1015 mean when restoring my Iphone 3G?

    What does error 1015 mean when restoring my Iphone 3G?

    As easily found by googling:
    Errors related to downgrading iOS
    The required resource cannot be found: This alert message occurs when your device has a newer version of iOS than what is available in iTunes. When troubleshooting a device that presents this alert message, go to Settings > General > About and check the version of iOS on the device. If it is newer than the latest released iOS version, the device may have a prerelease developer version of iOS installed.   Installing an older version of iOS over a newer version is not supported.
    Error 1015: This error is typically caused by attempts to downgrade the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch's software. This can occur when you attempt to restore using an older .ipsw file. Downgrading to a previous version is not supported. To resolve this issue, attempt to restore with the latest iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch software available from Apple. This error can also occur when an unauthorized modification of the iOS has occurred and you are now trying to restore to an authorized, default state.
    In summary: your phone is likely jailbroken. If so, there is no more support available on these forums.

Maybe you are looking for