iMovie + Widescreen video

[Kimi]

I'm cutting together a video from .mp4 files I've ripped from DVDs, iMovie HD 6 to put them together and edit out bits I don't want.

The problem I'm having is importing anything in widescreen format. When I drag the video onto iMovie it gives me a waiting time of well over an hour, where as for a old 4:3 format file it takes a few second. Any way to speed this up? Or is it just something that means I've got to ditch iMovie and get something else?

 

[Super8Guy]

iMovie HD and mp4 files

February 25 2007

Hello Kim:

In iMovie HD 6 you can start an iMovie project
in DV. You can import your mp4 files into the
DV Project.

Then, if you select Pillorbox and Letterbox
in the iMovie Preference window
you can import HD video right into the
iMovie DV project and the HD footage will show
up letterboxed and can work with the
mp4 footage iin the DV proect.

Do a test of a short HD clip and see how long it takes.
HD does take longer.

The speed may be dependent upon your
Mac speed and amount of RAM Memory.
And it may go faster if you send all this to
an external firewire drive used for iMovie video
projects.

If you are willing, describe your Mac

Thanks,

Super 8 Guy

 

[Kimi]

First off, how come you can't post like a normal person?

Anyway, what's DV? And why are you on about HD when I never said anything about it? Going by the fact that I can import a 4:3 file in seconds, but it takes over an hour for 16:9 you can tell that the speed of my Mac is not the problem.


Can anyone else help?

 

[Ewan Hoozarmy]

First off, how come you can't post like a normal person?

Anyway, what's DV? And why are you on about HD when I never said anything about it? Going by the fact that I can import a 4:3 file in seconds, but it takes over an hour for 16:9 you can tell that the speed of my Mac is not the problem.


Can anyone else help?

Kimi

Got into preferences in iMovie, and under the general tab change the New Project Frame Rate to 25 fps (this will select PAL, correct for UK).

Then exit and try again. Works for me.