IPhoto slideshow has wrong aspect ratio for iMovie and/or FCP

Question

When I output a slideshow at 720x480 from iPhoto then import it into iMovie or FCP, the images are stretched vertically. I can adjust the ratio in FCP (-10 seems to be a good number), but there is no fix for iMovie. I like the iPhoto slideshow capability and prefer using it for my slideshows. What do I do to get an unstretched QT for import into iMovie or FCP?
AGP Powermac G4   Mac OS X (10.4.4)  

Answer 1

You're encountering a difference between rectangular DV pixels and square "computer screen image" pixels.
When working with DV timelines, the best way to get good frame grabs would be to export your 720 x 480 still, then re-size it to 640 x 480 using Photoshop. (BTW, you can use a Photoshop batch function to re-size multiple images automatically.)
If you're starting with a timeline that only contains square-pixel (not DV video) images, try this:
Sequence > Settings > General Tab
Pixel Aspect Ratio: Square
Now:
Open a clip in the Viewer window, and look under
Motion Tab > Distort Pane
Aspect Ratio should = 0
[Under certain conditions, FCP makes educated guesses as to the pixel aspect ratios of imported images, and uses this setting to automatically apply corrective distortion when it believes it is necessary. Usually it is correct, but under unusual circumstances like your project, you may have to correct FCP's correction.]
The fastest way to confirm this would be to
Select All
Ctrl-Click
Remove Attributes
Check "Distortion"
[If it is greyed out it means that none of your clips have any distortion applied so you are good to go.]
Now you can export un-distorted frames from a square-pixel timeline, and shouldn't experience any pixel-aspect ratio confusion.
Good luck,
Zap