iMovie - exporting for apple tv

[benmadrid]

Hi,

I have been making video blogs for a while to stick on youtube but now want to put out a proper video cast suitable for viewing on an ipod or apple tv. According to new specs sent out recently by apple, the resulting video should be either 640x480 or 640x360 (depending on the aspect ratio of your source files). My movie in iMovie is 720 wide. I know that I need to initially export it then convert it to the right specs using Quicktime pro or itunes ('convert to ipod' function), but how do I get iMovie to export it at 640? Whenever I try using the expert settings it starts exporting but just counts the minutes up and up, seeming it will never get the export done. Does anyone know a way to do this? Thanks.

 

[benmadrid]

p.s. just using the export to apple tv option outlined here is not what I'm after, as it will then not play on video ipods. I need it to play on video ipods as well.

From apple:

Although iTunes can play a variety of .mp4, .m4v, and .mov video formats, Apple TV and the iPod require more specific formats.

The iPod supports up to 640x480, while Apple TV supports up to 1280x720. To optimize for both platforms, we recommend that your source file is at least 640 pixels wide and that you use the built-in iPod converters in Compressor ("H.264 for iPod"), QuickTime Pro ("Movie to iPod") or iTunes ("Convert Selection for iPod"). Each of these maintains the aspect ration of your source file and results in an M4V file containing H.264 video (Low Complexity version of the Baseline profile) and AAC-LC audio. If you want to maximize the screen area of a wide-screen TV, your source file should have an aspect ratio of 16:9 (e.g., 640x360). If you want to maximize the screen area on the iPod, your source file should have an aspect ratio of 4:3 (e.g., 640x480).

Because it uses H.264 Main Profile, QuickTime Pro's "Movie to Apple TV" converter will result in a video that will not sync with the iPod.

 

[benmadrid]

OK, I solved this problem by using the export to ipod function under quicktime advanced. Seems to export at 640 wide.