Sick of iMovie letterboxing .mov files

I am tired of iMovie letter-boxing .mov files. This is ridiculous. I imported them fine when iMovie HD first came out. When did it start to letterbox them all? Do you think they will fix this in the future? Thanks.

DV fix, but the quality seems to weaken
Maybe some resolution and frame rate conversion is then needed, and this degrades quality?
What is the resolution and frame rate of the original .mov? It must be converted to NTSC/PAL 720x480/576 and 29.97/25 fps for iMovie.
My Nikon Coolpix takes 640x480@15fps MOV files. Converted to PAL .dv stream via QT Player the quality is as poor as the original...
But for some reason iMovie HD doesn't letterbox those Coolpix MOVs when importing them to a 4:3 project (so I don't need the DV export workaround).
BTW, I once tested whether I get smoother motion when converting the Coolpix 15 fps to 25 fps via JES Deinterlacer (it blends fields, if necessary, so the movement was smoother) but in the end I better liked the simpler and jerkier frame duplication that QT conversion does.

Similar Messages

  • Can't import videos into imovie from movie files

    I am having difficulty importing .mov files into iMovie.  When I go to file>import>videos, I can find my .mov files I want to move to iMovie.  It says it is converting.  The files show up in my iMovie folders in Finder but no thumbnails are showing up in iMovie.  Any suggestions?

    The audio codec looks fine. The video codec is h.264 which is usually good for iMovie, but there can be variants that iMovie cannot handle. Another interesting thing about the h.264 is that it is anamorphic, which means it stores as 1440x1080, but simulates 1920x1080 by using rectangular pixels.
    If I were trying to make this work, I would try converting it using a free tool called MPEG Streamclip, available here. I use the Beta version. http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
    Drag your clip into MPEG Streamclip. Then click FILE/EXPORT TO QUICKTIME. For Compression, choose Apple Intermediate Codec. Leave the audio codec unchanged.
    For Frame size, choose 1920x1080.
    Check Interlaced Scaling, and for Field Dominance use Upper Field First, but if it looks bad, you can try checking "Deinterlace Video".
    Click Make Movie. Give it a name and store it where you can find it.
    Now try importing into iMovie using FILE/IMPORT MOVIE.

  • So, why WON'T iMovie import .mov files???

    This is ridiculous--.mov is the default video file used by Apple! Save a video in Quicktime and it's automatically in .mov format!
    But whats the one file type iMovie REFUSES to import?
    .mov!
    A Google search shows that people have struggled for more than five years with this insane limitation, with the best workaround being "use third-party software to convert he .mov to another file type, and then import THAT."
    Why would Apple create video editing software that rejects Apple's own default video format??

    A .mov file is just a "container" (a bucket) that can hold dozens of different file compression formats.
    Not all compression formats are supported by iMovie.

  • IMovie and .mov files

    Hi!
    I just received some videos for my wedding on a hard disk that are .mov codec: HDV 1080i50, Integer(little Endian), Timecode. They do not open with iMovie. So I guessed the format was wrong and tried it with Quicktime, however I only have sound with Quicktime Pro- no images. I tried to convert the file with free online converters and get the image with a horrible watermark over it saying EVALUATION. So I am sure there are images behind it, but unsure as to how to convert with iMovie or Quicktime.
    My question is, what formats does iMovie accept. And can I convert with Quicktime?
    Thanks!
    Suz

    suz1984 wrote:
    .. Should I re-post this question under Final Cut discussions?
    no need, same answer: _this codec can only be read by FinalCutPro_ .. fullstop.
    .. They have advised that I use Final Cut Studio (version light)... .
    nonsense, no such thing.
    plus, conversion needs max. 3x of realtime on a professional Mac.. no need to sit by, launch process, let Mac alone over night, done.
    Plan B) ask for tapes and any HDV-corder (rent such a thing, next shop, 'testing' ..)
    import from tape on your own.. no special hardware needed, works, up from iMovie vers5 (five!) - 09, or FCE3-4 ..

  • IMovie Imports .mov Files with Red Tint

    Hello, I import my quicktime video to iMovie, only to find it red, and this has happened to all of my videos, does this show up when exported, or will it be normal? Also, how can I fix the red tint?  I am using the newest iMovie on Mavericks

    I have the same issue, when I import a screen capture to iMovie it all goes red. I did the screen capture using the program "Screen capturing tool" but same thing happens when doing the screen capture with Quick TIme. Pleas fix this Apple.
    iMove 10.0
    Mavericks 10.9 (13A603)
    Macbook Air 2012

  • IMovie imports .mov file upside down?

    I shot some video with my iPhone, turned the phone sideways to shoot landscape. The video shot fine, played back fine. It even imported into my iPhoto and plays back correctly. The icon is right-side-up. Everything seems to be perfectly normal... until I import it into iMovie 6 HD. Then, the clip is upside down.
    Can anybody help?

    Hi
    *Rotating & Sizeing*
    In iMovie 1 - 6 . You need a plug-in
    In iMovie’08 . You can turn in 90-deg steps and enlarg the picture (but not shrink)
    • With a lot of disipline You can do this in QuickTime-Pro (in 90 deg steps + enlarge and shrink)
    • In FinalCut (Express or Pro) this is childs play.
    Put video on new video track. Turn on Image + Wireframe and grab one of the corners to rotate (increments of a degree or to a full 360 turn) and change size (enlarge or shrink) at Your likeing.
    Both in QT and FC (E or P) You can do picture in picture or even video walls.
    Plug-ins to iMovie ? - 6 .
    Stupendous software //www.stupendous-software.com
    GeeThree //www.geethree.com
    cf/x. //www.imovieplugins.com
    Apple //www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/videoezediapluginsforimovievol1.html
    //www.imovieplugins.com/fxhome.html
    from Klaus1.
    You can do this (90 deg rotation) using TransformMovie, available here
    //www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/21859
    Also, MPEG Streamclip can rotate video while maintaining the aspect ratio as well as the interlacing when converting to DV, which is what iMovie prefers as an input.
    //www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegstreamclip.html
    from Rich839.
    Bengt is right that there is no rotate feature in iMovie itself. But you can import them into iPhoto. Click the edit button, and then rotate them there. Then import them back into iMovie.
    Yours Bengt W

  • Only certain .mov files imported from iphoto into imovie

    I've been a MacBook owner for one week. When I first transferred over my photos into iPhoto, most of the .mov movie files were imported into iMovie. The problem is that the remaining movie files still in iPhoto were taken with the same digital camera and are .mov files, but I can't get them to import into iMovie!?!? There are about 5 movies still hanging out in iPhoto that I desperately want to get into iMovie...can anybody offer me any advice?
    Thanks for your time.
    Melissa

    When I first transferred over my photos into iPhoto, most of the .mov movie files were imported into iMovie. The problem is that the remaining movie files still in iPhoto were taken with the same digital camera and are .mov files, but I can't get them to import into iMovie!
    MOV file are containers. If the compression formats contained in the the MOV are not "edit" compatible, iMovie '08 will not import them. Some digital cameras use different compression formats for different video clip modes. Your best approach at this point is to open the files that will not import to iMovie '08 in the QT Player and check their audio and video compression formats in the "Inspector" window. (And if you compare them with the files that did import, you may get an idea as to what the specific problem may be.) For instance, an MPEG4/AAC file would normally import (as long as the MOV container does not contain a "Tween" track) while an MPEG4/µ-Law 2:1 file will not because the µ-Law audio is not editable.

  • IMovie wont accept .mov files. Help please.

    I have imported a bunch of movie files from my digital camera. They are now in IPhoto and everything is fine. I would like to import them into IMovie to do some editing but for some reason it will not accept the file. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? All of the files i am trying to move into IMovie are .mov files. Shouldnt they work? Please help.

    Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? All of the files i am trying to move into IMovie are .mov files. Shouldnt they work?
    Not necessarily. MOV is a generic file container -- not a compression format. It can hold any audio and video compression format combination compatible with the QT structure and currently installed QT components. (Even WMV content can be placed in an MOV container.) Unfortunately, iMovie '08 will only import files containing compression formats that it can edit "natively." Kodak digital cameras, for instance, tend to favor MPEG4/µ-Law compression. And, while the MPEG-4 video is compatible with iMovie '08, the µ-Law 2:1 audio compression is not. To import an MOV file, both audio and video compression must be compatible. In the case of the MPEG4/µ-Law file, only the audio format has to be converted to make the file compatible. One way to do this is to use GarageBand to access the "Movie to MPEG-4" export option and "Pass through" the video which converting the audio to AAC -- mono 64 kbps at 44.1 kHz will work here -- and place both in an MP4 container. Another method is to simply convert both audio and video to compatible formats using a converter of your choice.

  • What export options in Quicktime Pro or Final Cut Pro should I select to export  HDV video in .MOV files to highest quality Windows-compatible files?

    I have some HDV video files imported through iMovie to .MOV files with Apple Intermediate Codec.
    I need to convert these to Windows compatible video files of the highest possible ( least loss) quality.  What export options in Final Cut Pro or in Quicktime Pro should I select?  The codex in the converted files must not be Apple Intermediate Codec, for which there is no Windows version.

    Okay, I read the whole Flip4Mac website.
    Flip4Mac is an application for Apple computers. 
    Perhaps my question was unclear.  When I posed it I was thinking of asking somebody with an Apple shop to do the conversion for me, and wanted advice on settings for his QUicktime Pro /Final Cut Pro that would produce the highest quality Windows -compatible files.
    The Windows version of Quicktime will not play Quicktime files with Apple Intermediate Codec.  You get black screen video, although the audio does come through.
    So here's what I need:  I need a Windows application that will transcode Quicktime files in Apple Intermediate Codec, with no loss or very little loss, to WIndows-compatible files.   All Windows, all the time.  Thank you.

  • Unable to import movie files from iphoto '08 into imovie HD

    I have recently bought a 2008 macbook (2.2 GHz) and have recently downloaded imovie HD in addition to owning iLife '08 due to its extra capabilities. I have found that I am unable to import any of my movie files from my iphoto library folder as it seems to need to open the actual iphoto application before the files can be accessed. In addition, when not using any specific program it would be nice to be able to access my photo/video files within the iphoto folder without iphoto automatically opening as the default viewer.
    Any ideas??!! Thanks.

    ahostmadsen wrote:
    .. and I import AVI video clips directly without converting to .dv, without problems.
    lucky you.. .avi is just a container, no 'format'/codec .. I can show you dozends of .avis, which will NOT import into iMHD6, due to being playback-codecs, not convertable by the underlying Quicktime engine into separte, editable audio+video streams ..
    .. If you convert to .dv, the size just blows up.
    dv is 13GB/h and a codec meant for editing; e.g. it stores every frame (video=30 frams/sec) of a recording, as mpegs usually doesn't do so.. = your Mac has to estimate content, when converting and 'recovering' the content = lossy process.
    iMHD6 is a dv-editor; the mpeg4 feature is only a toy, to spice up iSight recordings.. for sure, the QTengine can convert a lot, but too much conversion (from one lossy codec, e.g. divx, into another, e.g. mp4) means a (dramatic) loss of pic quality..
    my 5€ cents ..

  • After I import a movie file from the camera memory card, Imovie 10.0.1 acts as if the memory card is empty though I know it isn't.... I can't import that file to iMovie again.. is that the way it worksnow?  Thank you, Filippo

    On IMac 10.9  After I import a movie file from the camera memory card to Imovie 10.0.1 it acts as if the memory card is empty though I know it isn't.... I can't import that file to iMovie again.. is that the way it works now?  Anyone know?  Thanks, Filippo

    I would like to know this too. I imported a lot of files, then Imovie crashed. I went back in and they are not in imovie at all.
    I reconnected the camcorder to import again and though they are still on the camcorder, I no longer see them in the available list of files to import. I'm sure there is some sort of simple setting somewhere that reveals all files even if it thinks they are imported.
    Thanks

  • Can't play HD .mov files (in Quicktime, iMovie, or FCP)

    Hello,
    My Powerbook (bought in 2004) is senile and having various problems (see below for more details), so perhaps this issue can't be fixed without fixing the other stuff (or getting a new computer)... but just curious.
    I'm helping a friend with a video project, and he brought over his small Lacie external HD with his footage on it-- recorded with an HD video camera, then imported into iMovie HD, now simply a bunch of .mov files in a folder.
    When I try to open of the files with Quicktime Pro, it gives me a white screen and plays the sound, and tells me the "component is missing", and that i can try to find it on the Qcktime site, but I couldn't figure out which Codec to try (and you have to pay for them all?). I also tried updating my Quicktime to 7.4, and the exact same thing happens.
    When I try to open them with iMovie 4.0.1, it says "Can't open [this file]; skipping and continuing".
    When I try to open them with FCP 4.5 HD, it says "Codec Not Found, you may be using a compression type without the corresponding hardware card"
    Any ideas? Should I try erase-and-install with my whole system, after a backup onto my own external HD? I can't reinstall FCP because my disks are in America (I'm in Hong Kong), but even if it doesn't work with that, is there a way to make it work in iMovie?
    Thanks very much--
    Samantha
    PS- Background on my computer troubles of late-- in December I was having some problems with various things, which led me to try and repair the hard-disk, which didn't work. Some of my questions/conversation are on this thread.
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1256737&tstart=0
    Then for Christmas I bought DiskWarrior, ran it, but it couldn't repair the disk/replace the system because of some "error". Which makes me think I have some serious Hard-disk problem-- although the hardware seems fine according to SMART. So right now i'm just trying to get through a few of these big projects before trying erase-and-install with my whole system, and if that doesn't work, then probably investing in a new computer. Time to upgrade perhaps.
    Was having some weird problems before, so ended up getting DiskWarrior,

    Hi-
    Referring to this post:
    "The AIC codec is installed by iMovie HD and is just what its name implies. Intermediate (temporary conversion from one file format to another).
    Your G4 will not be able to play the file past a few frames per second because of the large dimensions and high data rate even if you did find the codec. You'll find editing it using QuickTime or iMovie a frustrating experience because of those facts."
    I'm a little confused-- do you mean that the G4 computer is just not strong enough to edit HD files "even if I did find the codec"? I was planning to edit it with Final Cut Pro (have never edited a HD project before), but is my computer not adequate? Let me know if there is any way for me to tackle an HD project with my current laptop-- otherwise I guess I really need to look into a new one.
    -shc

  • How do I edit a .mov file in iMovie '09 without losing quality?

    Hi!
    Can anyone tell me how to edit .mov files in iMovie '09 without losing quality?
    I have perfectly fine looking screen capture video from iShowU. It's 1024x768, 30 fps, Animation compression codec. It's a .mov file that looks great played in the QuickTime player. I can't even tell it's a movie -- it just looks like the screen I captured.
    Now, I bring it into iMovie '09, trim the ends, and Export to QuickTime using no compression and the same fps and size. The output quality is noticeably lower than the input quality, which makes no sense to me because I'm telling the export not to compress (and my Preferences are set to "Import HD video as Full-Original Size".
    I just want to trim the ends off a video -- maybe combine a couple files -- but without wrecking the quality of the originals. That really doesn't sound like it should be all that hard, but so far, it's been impossible.
    Any pointers are greatly appreciated!!
    -- gnagent

    I've found the answer. On the File/Import/Movies... dialog, uncheck "Optimize Video" even if you have "Full - Original Size" selected. You don't want any optimizations done, even at original size. Then make sure you are exporting at precisely the same size as the original file, which means that under the Export to Quicktime/Options/Video Size dialog you do NOT want to check "Preserve aspect ratio using:" Just use "Custom" size and set your size to exactly what "Get Info" tells you when you view the file in the Finder.
    Make sure that Video/Settings is set to Compression Type: None, and that you have the Frame Rate exactly what your original was.
    Hope this helps someone.
    -- gnagent

  • IMovie audio issues. Fine in timeline, but when rendering to iTunes or Media Browser, audio from certain portions of movie files are heard in places where it shouldn't be !

    iMovie 11  audio issues. Fine in timeline, but when rendering to iTunes or Media Browser, audio from certain portions of movie files are heard in places where it shouldn't be !
    I have created a project where I have a montage of photos and video clips edited together with music under. Some audio portions of the video files are being muted in some areas and those portions are being heard in another part of the project. This is not for all video clips only certain ones.
    The project plays fine in the timeline, but when I render the project thru iTunes or Media Browser, this is when the project goes corrupt.
    I tried detaching the Audio from the video clips and this somewhat worked, but the original problem still exists with certain audio still being heard where it's not supposed to be.

    I have a fix - or rather, a workaround.
    WARNING: It is lengthy, but still far better than starting a new project from scratch.
    I had this same issue and none of my transitions/clips were at custom speeds, nor did I have anything else weird going on. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do within iMovie to fix this, at least there wasn't for me. iMovie is BY FAR the buggiest software I have ever used and if you haven't already spent hours slaving away on a project, you are so much better off using just about anything else to edit your video.
    ...But let's assume you have already spent many hours working on your project and you don't want to start all over. Well then, you have at least one option.
    It's a pain in the neck, but it's infinitely better than restarting your project from scratch.
    This will require:
    A software called Soundflower (which is free) and some kind of audio editing software (I use Logic, but really any should work).
    1.) You're going to need to export your video with the messed up audio. Typically if you're audio is messing up, you're video is at least usually working just fine (at least it always does for me).
    2.) You're going to need to open that video in your audio software and import only the audio. If your software doesn't give you this option, then you're going to need to record the audio from your video using the audio software and Soundflower. You can find tutorials on how to do this, but it's honestly pretty straightforward once you start playing around with you Mac's audio I/O settings. Remember to have your computer's volume all the way up when doing this.
    3.) Watch/listen to your video and make notes of where the audio errors occur. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND writing down times too,  as they will be extremely helpful later.
    4.) Now were going to rip some working audio from the iMovie project itself. Go back into your iMovie project and only play back audio while in the edit window for this step. Do NOT play your project back in full screen.
    This part is key: if you try to play back your project from the beginning the audio will usually still mess up. So, what you're gonna have to do is go back on your edit window timeline right before these errors occur and play that specific clip back while recording this working audio with Soundflower and your audio software. Essentially we're only recording the parts of the audio where these errors occur, so try to do this in order if you can. Try to leave several seconds of audio in before the error - that way we can use it as reference when we construct our new audio track.
    5.) Now in your audio software you should have your original error-filled audio track and the new clips that we just captured. This part can be painstaking if you're not familiar with audio editing softwares, but as you'll learn, it's really not that hard.
    You're going to look at your original audio track and compare it to your new working audio clips. You should be able to notice where those new clips are supposed to go by looking at the identical (or close to identical) waveform shapes in your original audio track. The two should correspond with one another. If you don't understand what I mean right now, you will when you start playing around with the audio. This is why marking times is very important.
    Take your new clips and split them up if you haven't already, that way you can drag them around and edit them separately from one another. Essentially your going to line these new clips up with original and then replace the original parts with new ones.
    We need to get this as precise as possible, so start off by getting them as close as you can with your naked eye, and then use a zoom tool to zoom in as much as possible so that you can get them lined up PERFECTLY, or at least extremely close. In some softwares you can just drag these new clips on top of the old track, but most of the time you will need to actually cut out the old piece and replace it with the new one. In doing this, zoom in and make sure that you are NOT cutting out a bigger space than your new clip will fill - otherwise you will have small gaps in your audio.
    VERY IMPORTANT: Also make sure that this new audio track starts at the EXACT SAME time as your original - otherwise your new audio will be out of sync.
    I know this part can really suck if you're not used to audio editing, but at this point, there is little other choice.
    6.) Once you are done with this, export your newly pieced together audio track.
    7.) Now open iMovie and create a NEW project. Re-import the video that you exported earlier that has the messed up audio. This might take a while, so just be patient.
    8.) Then right click the clip and select "Detach Audio". This will do just that - allowing you to edit the audio separately from the video. Now delete this audio.
    9.) Now, import the new, perfect audio track that we just made and make sure that it starts at the start of the project. Make sure it's in sync and that everything works.
    Now just export your new video with the working audio and you should be done. Since we have given iMovie the audio with no editing actually being done in iMovie, it does not have to generate its own audio now and you should have absolutely no errors now - unless there is some that you forgot to take out earlier.
    YOU'RE FINALLY DONE!!!
    I know this entire process *****, but if you're that far into your project, there is little else that you can do. Now you've learned your lesson:
    DON'T USE IMOVIE EVER AGAIN.
    I hope this helped!

  • How to find movie file from external hard drive in imovie?

    i shot 29 gig of video on the road. i imported it into my macbook to the desktop. then i drag and dropped it into an external hard drive. now i have since dragged and dropped the file to my imac at home to work with it in imovie, but imovie cannot find any mpeg or any such movie file. i then tried to put it back to the canon hg10. after i plugged in the canon, i dragged the movie folder to the canon and it imported 29 gig. but the canon does not show any new movie files in the video mode. when i open import options in imovie, no new movies appear. any ideas?

    For iMovie to see your file, it must be either on the internal drive, or it can also be on an external drive that is formatted as Mac OSX Extended (Journaled). (Not FAT32).
    For the internal drive, your clips must be stored in a folder inside the Movies/iMovie Events/ folder.
    For the external drive, your clips must be stored in a folder within the iMovie Events folder at the top level of the drive. Move your files there and then start iMovie, and it should see them.
    Message was edited by: AppleMan1958

Maybe you are looking for