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Kashchei

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 26, 2002
1,168
7
Meat Space
I was importing video yesterday to add to a previous file. The video imported just fine and then an extra half-hour was required while the computer rendered it (I think that's what it told me it was doing). By the end of the half hour, I had the spinning beach ball and had to force quite iMovie. Now when I try to open the file, the new video shows up as blank (grey) film, although if I click the mouse in this large area, I can see the video. The problem is that every action I try to the file--whether it is to the previous normal video or to the new grey video--required massive waiting time with the spinning beach ball. Any thoughts on what I might do to get this file working normally again?
 
I didn't think I had changed settings--I usually record at 16:9--but it is entirely possible that I did this inadvertently
 
Is your iMovie project 16:9?

I'll have to check tomorrow when I'm back at work. Thanks so much for your help in the meantime. And I'm very happy to see someone describe Santa Barbara as the American Riviera (I assume from your screen name that you are affiliated with UCSB, my alma mater).
 
I'll have to check tomorrow when I'm back at work. Thanks so much for your help in the meantime. And I'm very happy to see someone describe Santa Barbara as the American Riviera (I assume from your screen name that you are affiliated with UCSB, my alma mater).

I've accidentally started new projects that were 4:3, and the letterboxing took a long time when I captured widescreen anamorphic video.

Yep, indeed I too am a UCSB grad, and am lucky enough to still be living here. :)
 
I've accidentally started new projects that were 4:3, and the letterboxing took a long time when I captured widescreen anamorphic video.

Yep, indeed I too am a UCSB grad, and am lucky enough to still be living here. :)

I double-checked and it seems that the project in iMovie is 16:9, and my camcorder was set the same way. I don't know if this helps to diagnose the problem or not, but there it is. Any helpful suggestions are greatly appreciated!
 
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