"Full Quality" Export looks rubbish

I've created a slide show, with some transitions and text, about 3 minutes long.
It looks and plays fine when playing in full screen mode from iMovie but when exported to Quicktime it losses soo much quality, im using the full quality setting but it looks more like poor video streaming when played back.
Is there a solution to this or do i just need to open iMovie and play it through that? Idealy i want to be able to playback via "front row" so i can show off to friends and family. Is quicktime the only solution or can FR play multiple formats?
Kev.
MacBook, White, 2Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

There's a new user preference in QuickTime 7 to automatically play movies with the high quality display enabled, if possible. Be sure to set that QT Player preference.
This will not affect the quality when played on other Macs, however.
Full Quality movies aren't intended to be shared with others. They are called Full Quality because they contain all the original source material of the iMovie project in the native DV format. They are large, cumbersome, and difficult for the computer to play. Which is why, historically, the display quality is reduced when played in QuickTime Player. That allows the movie will play smoothly.
You might try exporting the iMovie project to QuickTime using Expert Settings. Configure the export to use the H.264 codec. It delivers very high quality with far less data than a Full Quality movie.
Karl

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Full Quality Export looks Poor

hi everyone,
i have a question because I am trying to do a full quality export for my compositor and color corrector.
the "export quicktime" - make movie contained option seems to create a movie that appears grainy and the fonts created on livetype are very blurry.
can finalcut export a full quality picture? or is exporting to tape the best option?
or is the problem from the import? I shot my footage on a panasonic dvx100A (25p PAL) and imported as a DV PAL. Should I have chosen another option?
appreciate any advice! thanks!
joshua lim

#2 Playback is blurry
Shane's Stock Answer #2:
ONLY JUDGE THE QUALITY OF YOUR MATERIAL ON AN EXTERNAL NTSC MONITOR, OR AT LEAST A TV.
1. Disable overlays on the canvas
2. Make sure you've rendered everything (no green bars at the top of the timeline
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24787
DV footage requires large amounts of data and many computations. In order to maintain frame rate and be viewable at a normal size, only about one-fourth of the DV data is used in displaying the movie to the screen. However, the DV footage is still at full quality, and is best viewed thru a TV or NTSC monitor routed thru your camera or deck.
#8 External Monitor Viewing.
Shane's Stock Answer #8:
A simple path is mac > firewire > camera or deck > rca cables > tv
Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.
Then go View > External video > all frames
Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
Audio playback should be Audio follows Video
Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV
If for some reason you can't view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:
1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.
2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.
3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.
4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.
5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices
6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed
If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section
Shane
"There's no need to fear, UNDERDOG is here!"

Full-quality export settings for use with Xbox 360

Greetings, all.
I use Rivet to stream video from my Mac to my Xbox 360. Recently I purchased a Sony HDR-HC5 HDV camera, and I want to see that video on my TV at full quality. I don't have an HDMI cable or a DVI-to-HDMI cable, so my only option is to stream this video to the 360 via Rivet.
To accomplish this, I have been trying to export my video at full quality from iMovie HD 6, but one of a couple things happens: 1- the resolution is intolerably low (I want 1080i), 2- the 360 complains about an unsupported format. I've tried exporting in QT format with expert settings, but no matter what I try, I have been unable to find a combination that produces 1080i that can be viewed on the 360.
Surely somebody else on here has gone through this exercise and has figured out what works. If you have any info on this, please share! I searched through the archives and didn't find anything useful. I've also searched on Google and the answer is still elusive.
Thanks!

Thanks for the reply, but the Xbox will in fact view MPEG-4, which iMovie can export. The only problem I'm having is with the quality of the output. The quality is in the movie that is exported, not in the Xbox's viewing of the movie - the movie looks just as bad on my Mac mini as it does thru my Xbox...
With experimentation, I think I'm getting closer to my goal...

Full Quality Exporting Problem...

I made a movie that is roughly around 12 gigs of memory. I exported the movie to CD Quality first so that it can be uploaded to youtube. The problem I noticed with the CD Quality, is that some of the frames jump a bit. However the movie plays fine...
When I try to export the project to Full Qaulity, the movie seems to export faster than it does CD Quality, roughly taking about 45 seconds fully to complete itself...
When I open the full quality movie, the first movie clip from the project plays, but then freezes at the beginning of the second one...
Is it freezing because the project is too big? Or is it something else???
In any case, how I can fix this so I can have a working full quality movie???
(By the way, I have iMovie HD)
Message was edited by: stringcheese

Actually, I figured out the problem...Apparently, every movie clip that I had changed the speed to (slowed down or sped up) froze the video...
Is there any way to fix this???

Widescreen DV, full quality export to .mov?

Hi,
I'm working on a short iMovie project in widescreen dv mode, and I'd like to export it in full quality to a .mov file rather than a .dv file. Is this possible?
Thanks!
Macbook Core 2 Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

What does s/he intend to do with the file?
Multiple codec conversions degrade quality (VOB->MP4->DV->?).
If you want minimal quality degradation, you should edit the VOB/MPEG2 file with MPEG Streamclip and convert that to the final codec. Or keep it as MPEG2.
The detour to iMovie loses some quality and you should have converted the VOB directly to DV -- the MP4 step was unneccessary.
iMovie's Full Quality IS .dv! You can make a DV-encoded .mov file, but what's the point? It would be just a wrapper for the same DV thing!

Options for Full Quality Exports

If I export from FCP>Export>Quicktime movie and make it a self-contained movie is that in full quality?
Are there any other ways to export my movie in full quality. File size is not an issue?
Thanks for your help.

when I do a "mixdown" of a spot or something I always pick "Current Settings" from the pulldown menu in the export dialog box. That way the video is being output in the same format it came in as. I haven't noticed any quality reduction in anything exported that way.
G5 1.8Ghz SP / 2GB RAM / 160 & 250 GB drives Mac OS X (10.3.9) Final Cut Pro HD

Audio Pops after full quality export

I've imported some video thru my TV and thru my camera via Firewire - the audio sounds perfect.
Even in the imovie viewer it sounds great.
I then share "Full Quality" and the sound suddenly has some pops and crackles to it.
I have tried this with different video clips but I get the same problem.
Does anyone know why this is and how to avoid it?

This could be tough. You imported video through your TV? Or do you mean from your TV, to your camera (what model of camera)... how was your camera connected to the TV? Firewire from the camera to the computer, importing via iMovie?
In all likelihood, the audio is out of sync with itself as it is going through a lot of steps/conversions. Assuming you are taking an analog signal from the TV to the camcorder, the first link is determining what format of audio the camcorder is sending iMovie. If this is a DV camcorder, that is good. We want a 16-bit/48Khz sampled lossless audio file. If this is some sort of hard drive based, flash based, or HDV camcorder, enter problem 1: it is compressing the audio at that point. So, can you determine what type of audio you camcorder is sending iMovie?
After that, you will need to either convert the audio to a lossless format (PCM, AIFF) or export the audio at the same sampling rate/frequency as it was imported.
Mike

IMovie full quality export problem...

Hello,
I filmed a widescreen video with a mini dv cam, which runs flawlessly smooth and clear as a bell at full screen in iMovie... but when I export it in either a full quality .dv, or the highest quality .mov and play them at nearly full screen in Quicktime, the playback is choppy.
How do I export a copy of my video that plays as smooth as it does in iMovie?
Thanks!

I am using the expert settings for quicktime export
If you want full quality, then you must use the Full Quality preset.
The expert settings don't export full quality even if you choose .dv output:
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/iMovieHD_6_bugs.html#expertsettings
But that doesn't fully explain your original problem, though.
Disclaimer: I don't benefit from the link.

Full Quality Exports to 4:3

Hi. I'm using iMovie HD, and a 16:9 camcorder. I always edit in a DV Widescreen file. I regularly export my videos to CD-Rom, to post on YouTube, and the aspect ratio is always retained.
I've wanted to change the quality for a while, as CD-Rom is far too pixelated. I tried exporting Full Quality, but this changed the aspect ratio to 4:3.
I'd like to know how to change this, and if I do, if I'll be able to use a FQ file to upload onto the web (specifically YouTube).
Thanks.

Share/Quicktime/Compress Movie for web will produce a video file ready for uploading to YouTube.

Canon 7D + Full Quality Export from FCP

Hi, I'm kind of new to the video scene, and especially FCP, and have finally took the plunge and bought a Canon 7D. I have just finished editing my footage, and now I want to export.
Despite all the tweaking that I've tried, the biggest file size I can get out of this is a 30MB file. The sound and video quality are both depressing. I've recorded in 1080p, all I want is a lossless export. I know this isn't FCP's fault, it's my own lack of knowledge, and that's why I'm here.
I've tried File/Export/Quicktime Movie...
I've un-ticked 'Make Movie Self-Contained'
I've changed my sequence preset to 'Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) 1920x1080 30p 48kHz'
I've done all of this AFTER finishing editing, so would this become a problem?
Here is what my sequence settings looks like. If it helps?
[IMG]http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/9261/screenshot20110320at142.png[/IMG]
p.s. I have looked at the numerous threads that are actually identical to my problem, unfortunately, I've either got myself in a muddle or the fixes haven't been successful.
Message was edited by: GCWB6

HA!! Feel your pain! We've all been there.
Ok...
1) take 10 minutes and read this... http://lfhd.net/2010/04/04/log-and-transfer-for-canon-dslrs/ if it helps it will help A LOT. If it doesn't - just ignore it.
2) If that didn't help... open Compressor (should be in your applications folder where FCP is. Part of the FCStudio suite studio thing).
2a) drag ALL the .mov files into the upper left (untitled) window and select them all (turn blue - they might already be selected...
http://homepage.mac.com/captmench/Compressor01.png
2b) in SETTINGS window click SETTINGS tab and open APPLE - FORMATS - QUICKTIME... there you will see the ProRes options...
http://homepage.mac.com/captmench/Compressor02.png
2c) Drag one of those (I like LT) onto the highlighted .movs above.
You'll need to set a destination... select all again and then go to Destinations tab I'd go ahead and send them to the Desktop for cleanup later -- but it WILL change the title of the movs so you can leave it at SOURCE (default) if you want.
Then hit SUBMIT on the Untitled window where you dropped your clips and Submit again (don't worry about that dialog box!!) -- then go to the park for a few hours.
Good luck,
CaptM

IMovie Full Quality Export Video Stops As Audio Continues. PLEASE HELP

Im making a video of my camping trip, and I tried to export it using the Expert Settings. When I watched it, it stopped about 1.5 minutes in. The video freezes but the audio continues. I really need this video up soon! If you've experienced this and know how to fix it, please help! I used a Canon SD1000 to record, I have a macbook core duo with 1 GB memory, 60 Gig Hard Drive, and iMovie HD 6.0.3.
Thanks a bunch!
-Chris

Hi OK
Then there is sufficient space
And no external hard disk that interferes.
Then I would try to delete the iMovie pref file
iMovie
-->/Users/YourName**/Library/Preferences/com.apple.iMovie.plist
and
-->/Users/YourName**/Library/Preferences/com.apple.iMovie3.plist
and see if a new export will work
(to make this easy one might just start a new account (log-in) and use this and re-try)
- other thoughts:
• versions: Mac OS X.4.9 and iMovie 6.0.3 AND QT ????? 7.1.6 ?
• Running (Apple Disk Util tool): Repair permissions and Repair hard disk
might help (second one needs start from CD/DVD or external hard disk)
Yours Bengt W

How do I export to DV "Full Quality" in iMovie 2009?

The old iMovie used to have a full quality export that would produce a .dv file.
Newer versions of iMovie have a "DV Stream" option, with settings (Progressive, Interlaced, Audio rate, etc.)
I want an absolute, full quality archive of my iMovie project, as sharp and perfect as I see it in iMovie. None of the DV Stream options seem to produce that. The titles look jagged, for one thing.
I want to export my iMovie project so that if I need to re-import it later into iMovie, no quality is lost. I don't care how big the files are, I want FULL QUALITY.

Thanks for breaking this down for me, Sheryl, and thanks to everyone who took time to read my quest and fire off suggestions.
I will look for the AIC export option and try to select the maximum quality settings available for it, and then hand that resulting file to my producer.
I have an old Mac with iMovie HD on it, so I will also try importing the AIC export into that and the exporting to DV, as that DV seems like it would be better quality than the DV coming out of iMovie 09. (I seem to remember doing DV exports back in 2006 and being quite happy with the results, which is why this process has been so confusing for me now.) If the producer NEEDS a DV file, I reckon that's the best I can give them right now.
The consolidate project option sounds VERY COOL. I had no idea that was possible! For working between Mac users, that might be just the ticket I need. That also sounds useful when trying to throw away all the extra, unused footage and just keep the parts of the footage that I actually ended up using, but may want to tweak titles and effects later.
Long term, it sounds like I am going to have to transition to FCE or FCP. I will go surf the Web for reviews and impressions of it. I'd be happy to hear more about people's opinions. Investing time, energy and money into a new tool does not appeal to me, but I am definitely going to need full quality DV exports sometimes (anytime we want to get our PSA on the local television channel, for one).
I guess iMovie is still useful for my mini-YouTube fun time projects, (my latest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9TrAZ4yCDQ), but it is a shame that it can't produce something in which the future-proofing is limited only by source quality, not the software's output quality.
(I don't mind limitations based on source quality, them's the breaks! But potentially losing source quality forever because of shackled software is... GAH unforgivable.)
-D

Video freezes when exporting to Full Quality

[Background: I've been working on a video project in iMovie HD that I'm doing in pieces - exporting each section of the video at full quality when it's done, so that later I can put them all together in a new project.]
Lately I've been having major problems exporting to full quality Quicktime files. The exported video freezes a few frames in, though the audio continues to play normally. This does not happen if I save it to a smaller quality, say, Web Streaming.
I'm having trouble seeing a pattern in how/why/when this happens, too. I have successfully exported movies to full quality both before and after movies that export incorrectly. The first project that had this happen, I decided to reassemble bit by bit to find out if something specific was causing the problem. Turns out that Full Quality exporting started having this problem if I had added titles. After jumping through something like 50 hoops - exporting little pieces, reimporting, exporting just the titles, etc., etc - I managed to work around the issue. Bit of a headache but all seemed to be well.
BUT, the frozen video problem soon happened again. The next time I had this trouble exporting, there were no titles in the project at all, and the problem instead occurred once I added music. So there does not seem to be a pattern within iMovie itself. This makes me think it's either a Quicktime problem or something to do with my computer itself. I have 2GB of memory, 37GB of space left on my hard drive, and I'm running Quicktime 7.4.1 and iMovie HD 6.0.4.
Please help! I'm on a bit of a deadline, too. This is driving me crazy!

Thanks Matt. I am in the same boat as many people have obviously been in - trying to burn a DVD to a film fest deadline of tomorrow, and after 4 hours of trying to make a disk image, getting 'error during burn'.
I have one question.
a) In imovie, I clicked the 'create iDVD' button to create this project - which has problems burning.
b) Now if I simply try to drag that .mov file into the iDVD pane as you suggest, is that identical to what I have done in a) - in that we're operating with the same basic animal. Of so
c) I should try the process of exporting to .dv, reimporting to new imovie, redoing chapter markers and THEN dragging the package .mov to the iDVD pane - hoping that chapter markers are preserved.
Oh ... someone said one should try to save the .mov as a sel contained file. is that necessary?
Thank you for sitting in front of you Mac!

Poor Quality Export. PLEASE HELP!

In FCP X, I am trying to export my project in full quality. I went to quicktime export like I did in FCP7 to create a reference file for burning to DVD but the file was very pixilated and poor quality. what should I do to create a full quality export in FCP X?

So you captured via Firewire ... then it seems likely the footage is DV.
You imported the footage into FCP X, edited with it, and then exported using Share > Export Movie w/ Current Settings, yes? If not, how? What specific steps and settings did you use?
And then you burnt a DVD with the exported movie file and it looks pixelated on your TV? Did you do a direct DVD burn test using the original capture files, just to test that they are not teh problem?
Cheers
Andy

Full Quality Output?

Hi,
I realize there are numerous differences between iMovie '08 and previous versions. However, I would hope the ability to output a movie at full .dv quality is still possible... although I have been unable to find the option. Am I missing it, or is it missing from iMovie?
Thanks for any and all help,
TM

However, I would hope the ability to output a movie at full .dv quality is still possible... although I have been unable to find the option. Am I missing it, or is it missing from iMovie?
Probably not in the sense of previous iMovie versions. Previously your clips came in (usually as DV), edits were made that created physical files (fade ins, fade outs, transitions, special effects, title sequences, etc.) which were stored in a reference movie representing the current timeline. At any given time this "timeline" reference movie represented the equivalent of your "full quality" movie. (I.e., the reference movie was essentially a "resource list" of files that when played sequentially was the edited movie.) iMovie '08, however, does not create such physical files during the editing process. Instead, think of iMovie '08 as creating a set of "by reference" instructions which tell how you want the source files to be modified in order to create the final product. No movie is actually created until you "publish" or export one. Thus, in theory, you simply "convert" your source files (in whatever compression format they were imported) to a target compression format for a designated use, complete with all of the "by reference edits" as described in "project" file. Thus, the term "full quality" could describe any compression format that can currently be exported by iMovie '08. It is just too bad that iMovie '08 is not currently capable of exporting directly to an MPEG-2/AIFF compression format which would avoid having to re-compress in iDVD as is currently done with the output of any version of iMovie.
In addition, the term "full quality" has taken on a new meaning in conjunction with GarageBand. iMovie projects opened in GarageBand and "sent" to iDVD are automatically "full quality" since the video content is passed on to iDVD in the same compression format as it was received by GarageBand. The same is also true if you select the "full quality" export option from GarageBand following the chaptering of an iMovie project. For instance, you can export an iPhone version of your project, open it in GarageBand, chapter it, and then export it as "full quality." In this case, the original M4V video and AAC audio are simply placed in an MOV file container along with the chapter text tract. In fact, if you really want to get fancy, you can now even add an alternate audio channel (haven't checked to see if this can now be done in GarageBand as I normally use QT Pro to set alternate audio channels), and play back the clips with alternate audio selection using the updated iPhone software.

"Full Quality" Export looks rubbish

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