Does iMovie '09 downgrade HD video?!  Import/export questions.

Just bought my first HD camcorder that records in 1920x1080 resolution; I was planning to import the clips into iMovie'09 at the "full" setting (instead of the "large" setting) to retain maximum quality -- but when I do this, and export an iMovie using QuickTime, it says that the "current" resolution is 960x540. Umm, huh?
I am SURE I am recording and importing at the 1920x1080 resolution, so why is iMovie downgrading my HD by default?
Is there a way to keep the full resolution? Should I care? Eventually I want to maybe play these movies on an HDTV... I know I can change the export settings from 960x540 to 1920x1080, but how you can you magically achieve that full quality if the project is "current" at 960x540?
Given the above, is it even worth importing footage in the full 1920x1080 mode if it converts to 960x540 anyway?!
Thanks for any help in advance.

this is an interesting question. I had read that if you add anything tricky to the 1080 project that it goes to 540 anyway, speed changes, things like that. And even if you share to media browser at the HD level (a 540 Large import from camera) you then get upgraded to 720p.
your last question has eluded me. but I import from camera at large (540). I share to media browser at HD level and get a 720p .mov. I tried Export to QuickTime and picked Apple Intermediate Codec (Supposed to be less compressed, takes longer, larger file) but it had problems with the colors in the stills of the movie as it went from still to still. That 720p movie , when played on a HD screen (my HD TV) looked excellent, not HD HD, but was much better than SD. and DVDs made from that look pretty good.
At some point we will be recording in HD, editing in HD, and burning BlueRays to play HD. Apple will have to change iMovie to default handle it, keep it in HD, and add a blueray player and burner to the computers, i hear they do not plan on that.we will also need large many TB drives to store it all on.
The two issues that you have to remember, is that you probably have a consumer brand HD video recorder, what you are recording is HD but with poor optics. And when you watch it on your computer screen it wont look as good as it will on a better screen, as your computer screen is likely a limiting agent as well.
roger

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