QT movie batch conversion in iPhoto library

hello everyone,
i would like to ask for some suggestions on the following scenario: our iPhoto lib has grown rather big after 2 years of using a 720p HD camera. upon evaluating size to quality it appears that one can live with a smaller size movie format, such as the AppleTV 960x540 m4v, which plays better on laptops and lesser machines and also fits well with iMovie presets - in all, quite an acceptable compromise, but most consumer HD cameras have either 1080p or 720p shooting modes. as said, for home use, one can implement the 960x540 standard without much loss of quality for better use flexibility, especially if you employ a Mac Mini to a HD TV as we do, but the clips have to be re-saved.
so here is the question - how to convert multiple movie entries in the iPhoto library to Atv format, without loosing metadata, such as date and time? QT obviously puts the current data/time on the new m4v file. i did try several things with limited success - Automator can do this batch conversion (but no custom one, this is how i got to the Atv format in the first place); once you select the movies in an iPhoto event, go 'show in finder' - they appear highlighted in the Finder window. chances are they will be in in the same folder, A converts them to desktop or any given location, then you re-import the files to iPhoto, compare the date and time to the original, hit the 'batch change', adjust date/time and delete old files.... but a bit time consuming altogether.
would there be any Automator workflow or AppleScript to ease the task in larger batches, since one can filter all movies in a smart album? or anything else for that matter? tnx in advance!

Bruce:
Do you still have an untouched copy of your V2 library folder? If so, copy it to your Pictures library replacing the one you've tried to updated. Then download and run BatChmod on the iPhoto Library folder with the settings shown here, putting your administrator login name, long or short, in the owner and group sections. You can either type in the path to the folder or just drag the folder into that field.
Now launch iPhoto and see if the upgrade will go thru successfully.
Also you might try rebuilding the V2 library with iPhoto 2 before copying to the Pictures folder.
If you don't have copy of the library folder then run BatChmod as mentioned before and launch iPhoto.
Do you Twango?
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've written an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

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